victoria...governor of the state of victoria for this purpose was the honorable sir arthur dean, a...

" .. . ..... ~ - "':'" ~. :.· .. : -.~ • • i ' •• <: ~.

t •••

. . VICTORIA

. ·' ....

PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES (HANSARD)

S312/6S ~~1

FORTY-THIRD PARLIAMENT

FIRST SESSION (1964-65)

VOL. CCLXXV.

(From· July. 14, 1964, to November J, 1964J

. ' . MBLBOUllNE:. A. C. Bi.OOKS, GO\fBllNMBNT PRINTER.. .

m~t Cl.otttru.nr. Hia Excellency Major-General Sm RoJUN DBLAcoMBE, K.C.M.G., K.B.E., C.B., D.S.O., K.ST.J.

011Jt l!itut.enant-"nu.erunr. Lieutenant-General the Honorable Sm EDMUND FRANOIS Hmumm, K.C.M.G., K.B.E.,

D.S.O., M.C., E.D.

iiJ(J.e Sliutstry. (At the Opening of the Session.)

Premier, and Treasurer The Hon. Chief Secretary, and Attorney-General Minister of Agriculture, and a Vice-President of the}

Board of Land and Works Minister of Housing, and Minister of Forests Minister of Education Minister of Labour and Industry, and Minister ofJ

Electrical Undertakings Commissioner of Public Works, and a Vice-President of

the Board of Land and Works Minister of Health Minister of Transport, and a Vice-President of the}

Board of Land and Works Minister for Local Government Commissioner of Crown Lands and Survey, Minister of}

Soldier Settlement, Minister for Conservation, and President of the Board of Land and Works

Minister of Water Supply, and Minister of Mines .. Assistant Minister of Education Minister of Immigration Minister of State Development

(From March 15, 1965.)

Premier, and Treasurer .. The Hon.

Chief Secretary, and Attorney -General

Minister of Agriculture

Minister of Housing, and Minister of Forests Minister of Education Minister of Labour and Industry, and Minister

Electrical Undertakings Minister of Public Works Minister of Health

Minister of Transport

Minister for Local Government

··{ ··{

··{ Minister of Lands, Minister of Soldier Settlement, and}

Minister for Conservation Minister of Water Supply, and Minister of Mines .. Assistant Minister of Education Minister of Immigration Minister of State Development

,,

" ..

" ... ,.. "

H. E. Bolte, M.P. A. G. Rylah, E.D., M.P. G. L. Chandler, C.M.G.,

M.L.C. L. H. S. Thompson, M.L.C. J. S. Bloomfield, M.P.

G. 0. Reid, M.P.

M. V. Porter, M.P.

R. W. Mack, M.L.C. E. R. Meagher, M.B.E.,

E.D., M.P. R. J. Hamer, E.D., M.L.C.

J. C. M. Balfour, M.P.

T. A. Darcy, M.P. J. F. Rossiter, M.P. V. F. Wilcox, M.P. V. 0. Dickie, M.L.C.

H. E. Bolte, M.P . A. G. Rylah, C.M.G., E.D.,

M.P. G. L. Chandler, C.M.G.,

M.L.C. L. H. S. Thompson, M.L.C. J. S. Bloomfield, M.P.

G. 0. Reid, M.P.

M. V. Porter, M.P. R. W. Mack, M.L.C. E. R. Meagher, M.B.E.,

E.D., M.P. R. J. Hamer, E.D., M.L.C.

J. C. M. Balfour, M.P.

T. A. Darcy, M.P. J. F. Rossiter, M.P. V. F. Wilcox, M.P. V. 0. Dickie, M.L.C.

Parliamentary Secretary of the Cabinet: Mr. J. W. Manson.- M.P.

i!i.at nf iltmbtrs nf lfnrlinmtnt. F~RTY-THIRD PARLIAMENT--FIRST SESSION (1964:-65).

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

MEMBER

:Bradbury, A. K. Byrne, Murray .. Byrnes, Sir Percy Campbell, W. M.

'*Cathie, I. R. Chandler, G. L., C.M.G ... Clarke, M. A. . . Dickie, V. 0. . . . Elliot, D. G. Feltham, P. V., M.B.E ... Galbally, J. W. Garrett, W. R., A.F.C.,

A.E.A. Gawith, C. S. Granter, F. J. . . Grigg, T. H. Gross, K. S. Hamer, R. J., E.D.

PROVINCE

N orth-Eastem Ballaarat N orth-Westem East Yarra South-Eastern Southern Northern Ballaarat Melbourne Northern Melbourne North Southern

Monash Bendigo Bendigo Western East Yarra

MEMBER

Hewson, H. A. Hunt, A. J. I<night, A. W ... Mack, R. W.

tMair, W. P. Mansell, A. R. . . May, R. W. McArthur, Sir Gordon .. Merrifield, Samuel Nicol, G. J. O'Connell, G. J. Snider, B. D. . . Swinburne, I. A. Thom, G. W ... Thompson, L. H. S. Todd, Archibald Tripovich, J. M. Walton, J. M ..•

PRESIDENT: THE HoN. Sm GORDON McARTHUR.

CHAIRMAN OF COMMITTEES: THE HoN. W. R. GARRETT.

PROVINCE

Gippsland South-Eastern Melbourne West Western South-Eastern North-Western Gippsland South-Western Doutta Galla Monash Melbourne Higinbotham North-Eastern South-Western Higinbotham Melbourne West Doutta. Galla. Melbourne North

TEMPORARY CHAIRMEN OF COMMITTEES: THE HONORABLES P. v. FELTHAM, T. H. GRIGG, AND ARcmBALD TODD.

•Elected, October 10, 196,, tDled, August 80, 19G'~

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY.

MBMBEB ELECTORAL DISTRICT

MEMBER ELECTORAL

DISTRICT

Balfour, J. C. M. Birrell, H. W. . . Bloomfield, J. S. Bolte, R. E. Borth wick, W. A. Christie, Vernon Clarey, R. A. . . Cochrane, L. J. Crick, G. R. Darcy, T. A. DiverR, W. T ... Dixon, B. J.

Morwell Meagher, E. R., M.B.E., Mentone

Dunstan, R. C., D.S.O. Evans, A. T. · Evans, B. J. Fennessy, L. M .. Floyd, W. L. Fraser, A. J ., M.C. Gainey, R. J., M.B.E. Gibbs, G. S. Holden, J. B ... Ho1ding, A. C. Holland, K. M. S. Hudson, P. M ... Hyland, Sir Herbert Jenkins, Dr. H. A. Jona, Walter · .. Lovegrove, Denis J,oxton, S. J. E. Macdonald, J. D. Manson, J. W •.. McCabe J.E ... McDonald, R. S. L. McDonald, Sir William

Geelong Malvern Hampden Scoresby Ivanhoe Melbourne Gippsland West Grant Polwarth Footscray St. Kilda Mornington Ballaarat North Gippsland East Brunswick East Williamstown Caulfield EJsternwick Portland Moonee Ponds Richmond Flemington Toorak Gippsland South Reservoir Hawthorn Fitzroy Prahran Burwood Ringwood Lo wan Rodney Dundas

E.D. MitchelJ, T. W ... Moss, G. C. Mutton, Charles Phelan, William Porter, M. V. . . Rafferty, J. A. Reid, G. 0. Reid, L. S., D.F.C. Ring, E. C. Rossiter, J. F ... Ryla.h, A. G., Q.M.q., E.D. Scanlan, A. H. · Schintler, G. R. Stephen, W. F •.• Stirling, H. V •.. Stokes, R. N. . . Stoneham, C. P. Suggett, R. H. Sutton, P. K ... Tanner, E. S., C.B.E., E.D. Taylor, A. W., E.D. Trethewey, R.H. Trewin, T. C. . . Trezise, N. B. . . Turnbull, Campbell Wheeler, K. H. Whiting, M. S. Wilcox, V. F •.. Wilkes, F. N •.. Wilton, J. T. Wiltshire, R. J.

SPEAKER: THE HoN. Sm WILLIAM McDONALD.

ClIAmMAN OF COMMITTEES: MR. J. A. RAFFERTY.

Benambra Murray Valley Coburg Kara Kara Sandringham Ormond Box HiU Dandenong Preston Brighton Kew Oakleigh Yarraville Ballaarat South Swan Hill Evelyn Midlands Moorabbin Albert Park Ripponlea Balwyn Bendigo Ben all a Geelong West Brunswick West Eseendon Mildura Camberwell Northcote Broadmeadows Mulgrave

TEMPORARY C:HAmMEN oF CoMMITTEEs: MR. CLAREY, MR. FENNESSY, MR. J. D. MAoDONALD. MR. MITCHELL, MR. L. s. REID, MR. STOKES, MR. TANNER, MR. TREWIN, MR. TURNBULL. MR. WHEELER, AND MR. WILTSHIRE.

LEADEB OF THE LIBERAL PARTY: THE HoN. H. E. BoLTR.

LEADER OF THE P.A.BLIA.MENTARY LABOR PARTY AND LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION: THE HoN. C. P. STONEHAM.

DEPUTY LEADER OF THE p ARLIAMENTARY LABOR p ARTY AND DEPUTY LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION : MR. DENIS LOVEGROVE.

LBADER OF THE OouNTRY PARTY: TH:m HoN. G. C. Moss.

DEPUTY Ll!IADEB OF THE COUNTRY PARTY: MB. B. J. EVA.NS.

HEADS o:r PaLLUIENTARY DBPABTMENTS.

Assembly-Clerk of the Parliaments and Clerk of the Legislative Assembly: Mr. J. A. Robertson. Council-Clerk of the Legislative Council: Mr. L. G. McDonald.

Banaard-Chief Reporter: Mr. A. A. Burns •

.Library-Librarian : Mr. F. J. Perry (Died• March 19, 1965). Mr. L. E. Parkes (From May 11, 1965).

VICTORIA.

PARLIAMENTARY (HANSARD)

DEBATES.

JJHr.at ~.e.a.ainu nf tq.e 1Jinrty-tqirh Jarliam.eut.

11l.e gi.alatin.e Cttnuuril. Tuesday, July 14, 1964.

OPENING OF PARLIAMENT BY COMMISSION.

The Forty-third Victorian Parliament was opened this day by Commission. The Commissioner appoi~ted by His Excellency the Governor of the State of Victoria for this purpose was the Honorable Sir Arthur Dean, a Judge of the Supreme Court of Victoria.

At 11.1 a.m. the Clerk read the following: -

PROCLAMATION. By His Excellency the Governor of

the State of Victoria and its Dependencies in the Commonwealth of Australia, &c., &c., &c.

I, the Governor of the State of Victoria, in the Commonwealth of Australia, do by this my Proc;lamation fix Tuesday, the fourteenth day of

Session 1964.-1

July, 1964, as the time for the commencement and holding of the First Session of the Forty-third Parliament of Victoria, for the despatch of business, at the hour of Eleven o'clock in the forenoon, in the Parliament Hous·es, situate in Spring-street, in the City of Melbourne: And the Honorable the Members of the Legislative Council and the Members of the Legislative Assembly are hereby required to give their attendance at the said time and place accordingly.

Given under my Hand and the Seal of the State of Victoria aforesaid, at Melbourne, this thirtieth day of June, in. the year of our Lord One thousand nine hundred and sixty-four, and in the thirteenth year of the reign of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

(L.s.) ROHAN DELACOMBE.

By His Excellency's Command, HENRY E. BOLTE,

Premier.

GOD SAVE THE QUEEN!

2 Periodical [COUNCIL.] Election.

The Commissioner immediately afterwards entered the Chamber, and was conducted by the Usher of the Black Rod to the chair.

The Commissioner directed that the attendance of the members of the Legislative Assembly be requested.

The members of the Legislative Assembly appeared at the Bar.

THE COMMISSIONER (Sir Arthur Dean).-Honorable members of the Legislative Council: Members of the Legislative Assembly: His Excellency the Governor, not thinking fit to be present in person, has been pleased to cause Letters Patent to issue, under the Seal of the State, constituting me his Commissioner to do in his name all that is necessary to be performed in this Parliament. This will more fully appear from the Letters Patent which will now be read by the Clerk.

The Letters Patent authorizing the Commissioner to open Parliament were read by the Clerk.

THE COMMISSIONER (Sir Arthur Dean).-Honorable members of the Legislative Council: Members of the Legislative Assembly: I have it in command from His Excellency to let you know that later this day, His Excellency will declare to you in person, in this place, the causes of his calling this Parliament together; and, members of the Legislative Assembly, as it is necessary before you proceed to the despatch of business that a Speaker of the Legislative Assembly be chosen, His Excellency requests that you, in your Chamber, will proceed to the choice of a proper person to be Speaker.

The members of the Legislative Assembly retired from the Chamber, and the Commissioner withdrew.

The PRESIDENT (Sir Gordon McArthur) took the chair at 11.12 a.m., and read the prayer.

PERIODICAL ELECTION. SWEARING OF MEMBERS.

The PRESIDENT (Sir Gordon McArthur) announced that he had received from the Official Secretary

to His Excellency the Governor seventeen writs issued under the hand of His Excellency on the 14th day of May last for the election of members to serve for the following provinces in the place of members whose seats became vacant by effluxion of time, and that by the indorsements on such writs it appeared that the following members had been elected: -

Province. Member.

Ballaarat.-Murray Byrne. Bendigo.-Frederick James Granter. Doutta Galla.-Samuel Merrifield. East Yarra.-Rupert James Hamer. Gippsland.-Henry Arthur Hewson. Higinbotham.-Baron David Snider. Melbourne.-Geoffrey John O'Con-

nell. Melbourne North.-John Malcolm

Walton. Melbourne West.-Archibald Todd. Monash.-Graham John Nicol. Northern.-Michael Alastair Clarke. North-Eastern.-Ivan Archie Swin-

burne. North-Western.-Percy Thomas

Byrnes. Southern.-William Raymond Gar

rett. South-Eastern.-William Phillip

Mair. South-Western.-Geoffrey Walter

Thom. Western.-Kenneth Samuel Gross.

The new members took and subscribed the oath of allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

The PRESIDENT (Sir Gordon McArthur) attested the Oath Roll.

The sitting was suspended at 11.22 a.m. until 2.30 p.m.

GOVERNOR'S SPEECH. The Usher of the Black Rod

announced the approach of His Excellency the Governor.

His Excellency entered the Chamber attended by his suite.

The Legislative Assembly, with their Speaker, attended in response to His Excellency's summons.

Governor's (14 JULY, 1964.] Speech. 8

His Excellency addressed the following Speech to both Houses of Parliament: -

MR. PRESIDENT AND HONORABLE

MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE

COUNCIL:

MR. SPEAKER AND MEMBERS OF THE

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY:

I have taken the earliest opportunity after the recent conjoint election of calling you together for the first session of the Forty-third Parliament of Victoria.

During the session you will be asked to give consideration to many important matters, including some upon which action was foreshadowed during the recent election campaign.

Since I last addressed you, the State has suffered the loss of the Honorable Wilfred John Mibus, who at the time of his death was Minister of Water Supply and Minister of Mines. Mr. Mibus served the State with distinction both as a Minister of the Crown and as a member of the Legislative Assembly.

We also mourn the deaths of the Honorable Ian Macfarlan, a former Premier of this State, the Honorable Sir Albert Lind, a former Deputy Premier, and the Honorable Sir Ewen Cameron. Each, as you know, gave long and honorable service as a Minister of the Crown.



A Supply Bill to make further provision for the services of the financial year 1964-65 will be presented to you immediately.

In due course detailed Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure for the new financial year will be submitted

to you, as well as Supplementary Estimates for the financial year 1963-64 which has just recently concluded. Taking into account the expenditure to be covered by this supplementary appropriation, the Consolidated Revenue Account for 1963-64 will show expenditure as having exceeded current revenues for that year by a modest amount.

It is proposed that, when Supply has been granted, the Parliament should adjourn for a short period to enable Ministers to prepare their legislative programme.

MR. PRESIDENT AND HONORABLE

MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE

COUNCIL:



The comprehensive programme of legislation to be placed before you will include two Bills to amend The Constitution Act Amendment Act. One, which will be introduced immediately, will provide for the appointment of a fifteenth Minister of the Crown, who may be either a member of the Legislative Council or of the Legislative Assembly.

The other will provide for a rearrangement of the boundaries of Legislative Assembly districts and Legislative Council provinces.

Legislation dealing with road traffic infringements will again be placed before Parliament, as will a Bill to amend the Workers Compensation Act.

A Bill to amend and consolidate the Maintenance Act will be submitted to bring about a greater measure of cooperation with other States, particularly in the field of interstate enforcement.

4 Governor's [COUNC.IL.] Speech.

Other measures will relate to: -The provision of loans for the

establishment of pine plantations on farm properties;

The purchase of ·houses from the Housing Commission on a purchase-lease basis;

Th~ long service leave provisions of the Labour and Industry Act and the Railways Act;

The constitution of a Consumer Council, consisting of persons experienced in manufacturing and retailing, as well as representatives of housewives and consumers generally, to safeguard the interests of consumers;

Service by women on juries under a scheme which will recognize the duty of both men and women alike;

The reorganization of the activities of the Aborigines Welfare Board and the transfer of certain of its functions to the Social Welfare Branch of the Chief Secretary's Department;

The establishment of minimum standards for car safety belts sold in Victoria;

Portland Harbor Trust railway land;

The extension of State land tax concessions; and

A statutory committee to advise on country town development.

My advisers are very conscious of the greater responsibility which devolves upon them as Ministers of the Crown arising from the circumstances in which this newly elected Parliament is meeting.

They are conscious, too, of the high level of prosperity and development prevailing in Victoria; but are, nevertheless, mindful that this is no time for complacency.

Our immediate future offers an exciting challenge-a challenge to maintain our expansion, to diversify our production, and to promote the export of the products of our labours.

In the ultimate, this challenge must be met by the people, but it is for the Government and this Parliament to p~ovide the incentive.

With this thought in mind I formally open this first session of the new Parliament, and, in leaving you to the discharge of your important duties, I pray that the blessing of Almighty God will rest upon your deliberations.

Copies of the Speech were handed by the Governor's Private Secretary to the President and the Speaker.

His Excellency and suite withdrew, and members of the Legislative Assembly retired from the Chamber.

The sitting was suspended at 2.45 p.m. until 4.58 p.m.

THE PRESIDENT. RETURN AFTER ILLNESS.

The Hon. L. H. S. THOMPSON (Minister of Housing) (By leave) .-. Mr. President, before commencing the formal business of the session I wish to say how pleasing it is that, after recovery from your recent illness, you are " back in harness " as President of the Legislative Council. I know that I am speaking for all members of this Chamber when I say how· noticeable it was during your absence tc;>wards the end

Member$. [14 JULY, 1964.] The. Ministry. ·.

of last sessional period that this House without Sir Gordon McArthur just did not seem to be the Legislative Council of Victoria.

The Hon. SAMUEL MERRIFIELD (Doutta Galla Province) .-By leave, Mr. President, I wish also to add the good wishes of my party to those of the Minister on your recovery to health. I think all members will agree that you, Sir, have been a most tolerant President of this Chamber, and members on this side of the House particularly appreciate that quality. We are therefore pleased that circumstances have permitted you to continue in office.

As a back-bench member I wish, Mr. President, to offer you some advice. I suggest that during long debates, or when the hour is late, you should avail yourself of the services of the Chairman of Committees to relieve you in the chair. I think, Mr President, that you should avail yourself of this relief to safeguard your health, and I trust that you will accept my advice in that regard.

Sir PERCY BYRNES (NorthWestern Province) .-By leave, Mr. President, I, on behalf of my party, offer our congratulations on your return to health. At the close of the last session we did discuss your absence, and we sincerely hope that you read the Hansard report of our remarks on that occasion. I appreciate and support the sound advice tendered by Mr. Merrifield in regard to your looking after your health, because we do wish to have you here. We are glad to see you back in the chair of this House, and we enjoy speaking under your command.

MEMBERS. The Hon. L. H. S. THOMPSON

(Minister of Housing) (By leave) .-I take this opportunity to congratulate the newly elected members of the Council. I extend those congratulations to Mr. Snider, who has been promoted from that mysterious other

place, also to Mr. Granter who has been returned as a representative of the Bendigo Province, to Mr. Clarke of the Northern Province, and to Mr. Hewson of the Gippsland Province. I am sure that they will recall with pleasure the day they entered politics and will find that the time they spend in the Legislative Council will be the most rewarding in service, the most satisfying and the most interesting of their lives. I trust that they will always remember fondly the day they decided to enter the Victorian Parliament. I offer congratulations also to the other thirteen battle-scarred warriors who are with us again for a further six years of service.

. SOCIAL WELFARE (TRAINEES) BILL.

The Hon. L. H. S. THOMPSON (Minister of Housing) .-In order to preserve the privileges of this House, and in accordance with the Standing Orders, I move for leave to bring in a Bill to amend Division 6 of Part I. of the Social Welfare Act 1960.

The motion was agreed to.

The Bill was brought in and read a first time.

THE MINISTRY. The Hon. L. H. S. THOMPSON

(Minister of Housing) (By leave) .In view of the substantial changes made in the Ministry, it may be appropriate for me to announce the reconstituted Ministry. It is as follows:-

The Hon. H. E. Bolte, M.L.A., Premier; Treasurer (without salary); and Minister of State Development (without salary) .

The Hon. A.G. Rylah, E.D., M.L.A., Chief Secretary; and AttorneyGeneral (without salary) .

The Hon. G. L. Chandler, C.M.G., M.L.C., Minister of Agriculture; and a Vice-President of the Board of Land and Works.

6 House OommiUee. [COUNCIL.] Li/nary Committee.

The Hon. L. H. S. Thompson, M.L.C., Minister of Housing; and Minister of Forests (without salary).

The Hon. J. S. Bloomfield, M.L.A., Minister of Education.

The Hon. G. 0. Reid, M.L.A., Minister of Labour and Industry; and Minister of Electrical Undertakings (without salary) .

The Hon. M. V. Porter, M.L.A., Commissioner of Public Works; and a Vice-President of the Board of Land and Works.

The Hon. R. W. Mack, M.L.C., Minister of Health.

The Hon. E. R. Meagher, M.B.E., E.D., M.L.A., Minister of Transport; and a Vice-President of the Board of Land and Works.

The Hon. R. J. Hamer, E.D., M.L.C., Minister for Local Government.

The Hon. J. C. M. Balfour, M.L.A., Commissioner of Crown Lands and Survey; Minister of Soldier Settlement (without salary) ; Minister for Conservation (without salary) ; and President of the Board of Land and Works.

The Hon. T. A. Darcy, M.L.A., Minister of Water Supply; and Minister of Mines (without salary).

The Hon. J. F. Rossiter, M.L.A., a responsible Minister of the Crown.

The Hon. V. F. Wilcox, M.L.A., Minister of Immigration.

The Hon. V. 0. Dickie, M.L.C., Minister of State Development elect.

J. W. Manson, Esquire, M.L.A., Parliamentary Secretary of the Cabinet.

HOUSE COMMITTEE. The Hon. L. H. S. THOMPSON

(Minister of Housing) .-By leave, I move-

That the Honorables D. G. Elliot, C. S. Gawith, H. A. Hewson, R. W. May, and Archibald Todd be members of the House Committee.


LIBRARY COMMITTEE. The Hon. L. H. S. THOMPSON

(Minister of Housing).-By leave, I move-

That the Honorables the President, M. A. Clarke, A. J. Hunt, Samuel Merrifield, and J. M. Walton be members of the Joint Committee to manage the Library.


PRINTING COMMITTEE. The Hon. L. H. S. THOMPSON


That the Honorables the President, A. K. Bradbury, W. M. Campbell, T. H. Grigg, H. A. Hewson, A. W. Knight, A. R. Mansell, and Archibald Todd be members of the Printing Committee; three to be the quorum.


STANDING ORDERS COMMITTEE. The Hon. L. H. S. THOMPSON


That the Honorables the President, Murray Byrne, Sir Percy Byrnes, J. W. Galbally, W. R. Garrett, F. J. Granter, K. S. Gross, Samuel Merrifield, and I. A. Swinburne be members of the Select Committee on the Standing Orders of the House; three to be the quorum.


STATUTE LAW REVISION COMMITTEE.

The Hon. L. H. S. THOMPSON (Minister of Housing).-By leave, I move-

That the Honorables M. A. Clarke, R. W. May, G. J. Nicol, G. W. Thom, J. M. Tripovich, and J. M. Walton be members of the Statute Law Revision Committee, and that the said committee have power to send for persons, papers, and records.


SUBORDINATE LEGISLATION COMMITTEE.


That the Honorables H. A. Hewson, G. J. O'Connell, and B. D. Snider be members of the Subordinate Legislation Committee, and that the said committee have power to send for persons, papers, and records.


El,eotion of Chairman [14 JULY, 1964.] of Committees. 7

PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE. The Hon. L. H. S. THOMPSON


That the Honorables A. K. Bradbury and W. P. Mair be appointed members of the Public Works Committee.


STATE DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE.


That the Honorables A. W. Knight and A. R. Mansell be appointed members of the State Development Committee.


ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN OF COMMITTEES.

The Hon. L. H. S. THOMPSON (Minister of Housing) (By leave) .Towards the end of last session of Parliament, the Hon. W. R. Garrett was appointed Chairman of Committees of this House. Mr. Garrett had a distinguished wartime record as a pilot and as a trainer of pilots, and was awarded the Air Force Cross for his services. He has become well known as one of the members representing what has been termed Australia's seventh StateSouthern Province - which has 267,000 voters on the roll. I think all honorable members will agree that, in the temporary absence of the President, Mr. Garrett did a particularly fine job, displaying tact, firmness and efficiency in his capacity as Acting President and earlier during his term of office as Chairman of Committees. For these reasons, I have pleasure in moving-

That the Honorable William Raymond Garrett be Chairman of Committees of the Council.

The Hon. SAMUEL MERRIFIELD (Doutta Galla Province) .-On behalf of my party I also tender my good wishes to Mr. Garrett and support his reappointment as Chairman of

Committees. If we had to choose two men who displayed tolerance to us, I think we should choose the two whom the Government has decided to retain as President and Chairman of Committees in this Chamber. We appreciate Mr. Garrett's sense of fairness and tolerance, and we wish him well during the present session.


LEA VE OF ABSENCE. The Hon. L. H. S. THOMPSON

(Minister of Housing) (By leave) .My next task is a less pleasant one and relates to the illness of the Leader of the House. I am pleased to say that Mr. Chandler's illness is of a temporary nature only, and I am assured that he will be back with us before long. I move-

That leave of absence. be granted to the Honorable G. L. Chandler for one month on account of ill health.


BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE. DAYS AND HOURS OF MEETING: ORDER

OF BUSINESS.

The Hon. L. H. S. THOMPSON (Minister of Housing) .-By leave, I

move-That Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday

in each week be the days on which the Council shall meet for the despatch of business during the present session, and that the hour of meeting on Tuesdays be half-past Four o'clock, on Wednesdays Four o'clock, and on Thursdays Eleven o'clock; that on Tuesday and Thursday in each week the transaction of Government business shall take precedence of all other business; that on Wednesday in each week private members' business shall take precedence of Government business; and that no new business be taken after half-past Ten o'clock.

I point out that these times are identical with those which operated during last session.


8 Governor's Speech : [COUNCIL.] Address-in-Reply.

PARTY LEADERS. Sir PERCY BYRNES (North

Western Province) .-By leave, I wish to announce that I have been appointed Leader of the Country Party in this House and that the Honorable I. A. Swinburne has been appointed Deputy Leader.

The Hon. SAMUEL MERRIFIELD (Doutta Galla Province) .-By leave, in the absence of Mr. Galbally, I inform the House that Mr. Galbally is again the Leader of the Labour Party in this House.

TEMPORARY CHAIRMEN OF COMMITTEES.

The PRESIDENT (Sir Gordon McArthur) laid on the table his warrant nominating the Honorables P. V. Feltham, T. H. Grigg, and Archibald Todd to act as Temporary Chairmen of Committees whenever requested to do so by the Chairman of Committees or whenever the Chairman of Committees is absent.

GOVERNOR'S SPEECH. . ADDRESS-IN-REPLY.

The PRESIDENT (Sir Gordon McArthur).-! have to report that His Excellency the Governor attended the House this day and was pleased to make a Speech, of which, for greater accuracy, I have obtained a copy.

As the Speech is printed, I take it that honorable members do not desire that I should read it to them.

The Hon. F. J. GRANTER (Bendigo Province) .-I move-

That the Council agree to the following Address to His Excellency the Governor in reply to His Excellency's Opening Speech: MAY IT PLEASE YOUR EXCELLENCY:

We, the Legislative Council of Victoria, in Parliament assembled, beg to express our loyalty to our Most Gracious Sovereign and to thank Your Excellency for the gracious Speech which you have been pleased to address to Parliament.

I am deeply conscious of the importance of this motion and of the honour conferred upon me and the people of the province I represent in having the privilege of moving it.

First, the motion expresses loyalty to our Sovereign. Whilst I have no doubt that our loyalty has never been in question, it is right that we should reaffirm our loyalty to our Queen and so strengthen our ties to our Homeland and let us be reminded that we are members of the Commonwealth.

Our Queen, in company with Prince Philip, has already paid this State two visits, and I think this demonstrates Her Majesty's high regard for this State and for Australia as part of the Commonwealth.

· I should like at this stage to say how much Sir Rohan and Lady Delacombe have endeared themselves to the people of Victoria. May His Excellency and Lady Delacombe have a long and enjoyable stay with us.

The first piece of legislation referred to by His Excellency is the proposed appointment of an additional Minister. As we know, this Minister will be the Assistant Minister of Education. In a State like Victoria, which is growing so rapidly, with the ever increasing number of children attending schools, and with the Government's outstanding achievements in education, I feel that the Minister of Education needs assistance. As this subject is to be developed further by one of my colleagues, I shall now make reference to two other measures to be brought down in this session of Parliament.

In his Speech, His Excellency also ref erred to the provision of loans for the establishment of pine plantations on farm properties. As a country member, I am delighted to know that the planting of softwoods will be accelerated by the Government. With this in mind, the Government now proposes to make available interest-free loans to private planters in order to encourage the growing of more timber locally. The Forests Commission will also increase its planting of softwoods.

I shall now ref er to the purchase of houses from the Housing Commission on a purchase-lease basis.

Governor's Speech .· (14 JULY, 1964.] Address-in-Reply. ·9

As I understand it, this will by and large be available to country people. It will give the applicants the right to decide after eighteen months whether or not they wish to purchase their homes. This, I hope, will be a further inducement for people to move to country towns. It will give people a chance to decide for themselves on what I feel are the advantages of living and working in a country town. Most country towns now offer the amenities pro .. vided by their city counterparts. I trust that this legislation will in some way induce people to move to the attractive towns of this State. l know that the Government is very mindful of the need for more people to settle in country areas.

I do not propose to enter into the argument whether the Legislative Council has retained its original purpos·e as a house of review, but I know that members of all parties will debate legislation brought before them in a way that will benefit the State as a whole. If there should be any weaknesses in legislative proposals, then we will not hesitate to express ourselves in an attempt to right any wrong that may exist. I trust that we will function not only as a house of review but also as one of initiative, nevertheless acting as the guardian of the people's rights.

The Hon. W. M. CAMPBELL (East Yarra Province) .-I was deeply moved when given the honour of seconding the Address-in-Reply to His Excellency's Speech because it reminded me of the responsibility shared by all members of this Chamber to Her Most Gracious Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, to her most able representative His Excellency Sir Rohan Delacombe, to the people of Victoria, and in my case, to the people of East Yarra Province.

Whilst I am highly delighted in now having as a colleague Mr. Granter, the newly elected member for Bendigo Province, who has already shown in moving the motion for the adoption of an

Address-in-Reply to the Governor's Speech that he will be a great. asset to this Chamber, I must pay my respects to Mr. Smith, the former member for Bendigo Province. I feel it is fitting to mention him at this stage, because when any member of this Chamber does his best for the· people of this State, he should not be forgotten. Therefore, I do wish to make reference to Mr. Smith.

His Excellency has outlined to us the programme of legislation ahead of this Parliament. One of the most important aspects, I feel, is the action now to be taken in the field of education. In a world such as we live in to-day, with its rapid industrial and· scientific progress, it is vital to this State to place the education of our children in a high category of importance, because these children will one day become the leaders of our State, and, indeed, of our country. It is our duty as a Parliament to give them the maximum assistance that we can economically afford, so that tl~ey themselves will be better equipped for the years that lie ahead of them and the years that lie beyond you and me.

By the appointment of an Assistant Minister of Education, we shall be better able to efficiently co-ordinate the works programme which is ahead of us. In Mr. Rossiter, I feel we have made a good selection, because as well as being a university graduate, he has been most active as a member of high and technical school councils. I consider that this background will enable him to render valuable assistance in the setting up of the degree status system contemplated for our major technical colleges. The incorporating of degree status at these colleges will give the impetus required to increase the number of highly trained technicians so badly needed in this State. The foundation for this plan was laid by this Government when leaving standard was introduced as a prerequisite for the diploma courses at technical colleges .. I feel that at this stage we should pay our respects to the members of the


councils of these colleges whose work over the years has placed those establishments in a position where they can consider the adopting of degree status. We are most fortunate in having people of such high calibre to undertake this work in an honorary capacity for the betterment of our education system.

It may be that in the future we shall have two types of degree status in some fields. The university degree may be one of a research nature, and the degree obtained at a technical college of a more practical character, something which is badly needed by our rapidly expanding industries today. Of course, this is only supposition on my part, but I do look forward with great interest to the methods which will be used in the setting up of this new system.

The newly elected Government has an added responsibility in having a majority in this House and in another place. This is the first occasion in 40 years that the Government of the day has had this privilege. Without hesitation, I say that the people, by giving this majority, have honoured their Government of nine years' standing for the manner in which it has handled their affairs during this period. However, this honour cannot be taken lightly. It must be handled with caution and respect, and the Premier has already stated his awareness of this.

The Premier has also stated that amendments to Bills placed before this Parliament will be carefully considered and, should they be designed to benefit the people of Victoria, as a whole, will be accepted. I feel this is the only outlook that can be taken by a responsible Government. Opposition for the sake of opposition is of no benefit to anyone; COI}Structive opposition, however, is undoubtedly the duty Opposition members owe to the people of this State. Similarly, the duty of the Government of the day is to acknowledge amendments, should they be considered beneficial to the people and economically possible.

The Hon. W. M. Campbell.

Sir PERCY BYRNES.-Would you say that Victoria has been a frustrated State in the past 40 years?

The Hon. W. M. CAMPBELL.-! feel that it has been to some degree. In seconding the motion for the adoption of an Address-in-Reply to the Speech of His Excellency the Governor, I say, with earnestness and deep affection, that I trust our Most Gracious Majesty and her family have before them many years of happiness, and, above all, that they will enjoy good health and peace of mind. With God's help, and our determination, we, as members of this Parliament, can assist in this endeavour, by upholding the traditions of our way of life with the implementation of progressive and responsible legislation. By so doing, we will also, make our State worthy of the honour of being part of the greatest democracy of all time-the British Commonwealth of Nations.

On the motion of the Hon. Samuel Merrifield, for the Hon. J. W. GALBALL Y (Melbourne North Province), the debate was adjourned until the next day of meeting.


THE CONSTITUTION ACT AMENDMENT (RESPONSIBLE

MINISTERS) BILL. This Bill was received from the

Assembly and, on the motion of the Hon. R. J. HAMER (Minister for Local Government), was read a first time.

The Hon. R. J. HAMER (Minister for Local Government) .-I move-

That this Bill be now read a second time.

Honorable members will recall that during the recent election campaign the Premier promised, for the reasons which he outlined in his policy speech, that if his Government was returned to office, he would advocate the creation of the post of Assistant Minister of Education. At present, under sub-section (1) of section 15 of The Constitution Act Amendment

The Constitution Act Amendment [14 JULY, 1964.] (Responsible Ministers) Bill. 11

Act there is an absolute limit of fourteen on the number of Ministers that can be appointed. One of the amendments proposed by this small Bill is to increase the maximum number to fifteen by amending sub-section (1) of section 15 of the principal Act.

Sub-section (3) of section 15 provides an absolute limit of four on the number of Ministers appointed from the Legislative Council, and a maximum of ten Ministers in the Legislative Assembly. For the first time, it is proposed to make the appointment of the additional Minister interchangeable between the two Houses of Parliament, that is to say, he may be a member of either the Legislative Council or the Legislative Assembly. That is proposed to be done by fixing the maximum number of Ministers in the Legislative Assembly at eleven, and the maximum number in the Legislative Council at five. Of course, the two numbers cannot be added together to make sixteen Ministers because an absolute limit will still be imposed by sub-section (1) of section 15 of the principal Act. However, if this Bill is accepted, it will be possible for the fifteenth Minister to be a member of either House.

Apart from the question of justice in relation to the proportion of Ministers as between this House and another place, there is a further good reason for the appointment proposed by this measure. Honorable members who have been Ministers will fully support the view that the four Ministers in this Chamber sometimes have too much to do when they are required to deal with Bills originating from ten Ministers in another place. Their duties are hectic and arduous at times, because they are often required to ·explore unfamiliar territory. For that reason, I hope the extra Minister will always be appointed from the Legislative Council-although that is in the lap of the gods.

As I said earlier, this Bill proposes to carry into effect the promise made by the Premier during his election

campaign. It is not necessary for me to go into the justification of the proposal, because I believe all parties accept the priority of education in the task which has to be performed, whether by this Government, or any other Government. The growth in education is well known to all honorable members.

The Hon. J. M. TRIPOVICH.-You have had some experience as acting Chief Secretary. Would you not say that there is equal priority in relation to the Chief Secretary's Department and the Education Department?

The Hon. R. J. HAMER-If I understand Mr. Tripovich correctly, that would be an argument for the appointment of a sixteenth Minister. I believe it is part of the policy of the Labour Party that there should be at least two new departments, one dealing with social welfare and one concerned with cultural development. However, I shall not go into that question. There may be reasons for a seventeenth or an eighteenth Minister, but at the moment it is proposed to fix the number at fifteen.

Consequent on the proposed amendments to section 15 of the principal Act, it is necessary to amend paragraph (c) of sub-section (I) of section 34 to provide for the payment of salaries to thirteen instead of twelve Ministers in addition to the Premier and Deputy Premier. An Assistant Minister of Education has been appointed, but at the moment the position of Minister of State Development is vacant. In the meantime, the duties of that office are being carried out by the Premier, who made it clear that if this measure is accepted an appointment will be made to fill the vacancy.

The amendments proposed by this Bill will need absolute majorities at the second and third-reading stages, but will not need to be reserved for Her Majesty's assent. Therefore, I commend the Bill to the House.

12 Th.e ·Constitution :Act Anwndment [COUNCIL.] (Responsible Ministers) Bill.

The Hon. SAMUEL MERRIFIELD (Doutta Galla Province) .-Probably by the attitude of my party in another place, the Government realizes that .we have no objections to this measure which proposes to increase the number of Ministers from fourteen to fifteen. When one considers the complexity and diversity of Government administration to-day, it is true that business has multiplied enormously, more particularly in the postwar period. At one time, many Acts of Parliament, which in some way had a bearing on differences between citizens and the Government, ultimately required consideration by courts of law, but now, more and more, it is found that differences between society and individuals are resolved as the result of the operations of Departments, which, of course, require Ministerial responsibility.

The duties of Government are multiplying day by day. The Acts of Parliament on the statute-book today number almost 7,000. While I agree that many of those Acts repeal former legislation and that others are amending Acts, there is doubtless a great increase in originating legislation and this introduces new concepts with consequential added responsibility. The original Constitution Act, passed in 1855, provided for eight Ministers. In 1883 this number was increased to ten, and then as a result of what 1 might term " saving " legislation in the time of the land boom, the number was reduced to eight. There were only eight portfolios until 1903, when the Ministry was increased by one. Subsequently over the years, the number was further increased until the present maximum figure of fourteen was reached in 1954.

An examination of Government expenditure will show that the number of Ministers has not increased in proportion to . the money spent, even allowing for a decrease in money value over the years. It is safe to say that Government spending has increased

enormously in more than a century of responsible Government in Victoria. Apart from Government expenditure, Government administration has also increased, and this has imposed a considerable strain on Ministers. I believe the provision of another Minister in this Chamber will permit a greater flexibility although at times it may be necessary to make Ministerial appointments according to the qualifications of the personnel in each House. The position could arise of four Ministers in this Chamber holding major portfolios with the rest of the Cabinet holding smaller portfolios in another place, thus keeping those four busy gentlemen on their toes all the time. They would be entitled to some relief.

Whilst we know the importance of education in the community, my party is puzzled why an Assistant Minister of Education has been appointed and would like to know precisely what his duties will be. There are other fields of governmental activity where there is a greater need for separation of portfolios. The Minister for Local Government has stated that the new Minister in this House will be the Minister of State Development. The Government could have been more explicit and related the duties of the Minister of State Development to that part of the State covering a radius of more than 25 miles from Melbourn~. At least we would then know that there was some meaning behind the intention of the Government, and that the Government intended to concentrate its activities beyond the metropolitan area. The Government's ideas on State development and decentralization differ from day to day-one day it relates to a 25-mile radius from Melbourne and another day a 50-mile radius from Melbourne. Perhaps at the next " bite " in respect of decentralization the Government will knock off another 25 miles.

The Hon. A. w. KNIGHT.-Does the Government ever get past Geelong?

The Constitution ·Act Amendment [14 JULY, 1964.] (Responsible Ministers) Bill. 13

The Hon. SAMUEL MERRIFIELD. -It seems to have gone past Bacchus Marsh and to be approaching Melton; it may soon include the environs of St. Albans and Sunshine. I believe the Government could have laid down that the Minister of State Development would ensure more uniform development of this State instead of the haphazard, lopsided development which has been continuing under the administration of this Government. With that qualification, our party agrees with the Bill.

Sir PERCY BYRNES (NorthWestern Province) .-Our party does not oppose this Bill, because we presume that the Government has considered the necessity for the appointment of a fifteenth Minister. We were somewhat puzzled whether the Assistant Minister of Education was to be a member of this Chamber or of another place. We could not quite understand why it was necessary to increase the number of portfolios in the Council in order to appoint an Assistant Minister of Education in another place. However, all will probably be revealed to us in due course.

I have serious doubts whether the appointment of an Assistant Minister of Education will achieve the desired results, notwithstanding that the Assistant Minister may work very hard. I do not know how it is proposed to divide the duties of the Minister and the Assistant Minister. In 1948, I was Assistant Minister of Lands and Assistant Minister of Water Supply. At times I did all the work, and on other occasions I did nothing. No one took any notice of me, anyway. All approaches were made to the Minister, although he and I got on well together.

With all due respect to Mr. Merrifield, I should like to see some definition of the duties of the Assistant Minister and the Minister of Education. The Ministry of Education has grown enormously in the past few years. There has been great development in technical edu-

cation; Monash University has been established, and we hope there will be a third university in the near future. There has also been a great increase in the number of high schools.

I should like to see the Minister of Housing make available in country towns more houses for the accommodation of older people who are at present living in · appalling conditions. Such a state of affairs reflects no credit on the Government. Many of the houses in which these old people are dwelling are subject to demolition orders, but they have nowhere else to go. Although many more schools have been constructed, what the Government is doing iin regard to housing is nobody's business.

So far as decentralization is concerned, I believe it is a good thing to have a Minister of State Development; it is a nice, high-sounding title. The Minister will have a comfortable office and a good staff. Mr. Coulthard, who is now secretary of the Premier's Depa,rtmen;t, was a good officer of the Division of State Development. However, the achievements of that Department are nothing to be proud of. Perhaps with a new and more energetic Minister, factories will spring up like mushrooms in every village and town in the country. I believe it has been said that this Government in common with other Governments over the past 40 years, has been frustrated because it did not have a majority in this Council, but will now proceed to go ahead at such a rate that Mr. Dickie will be running hot before he has been in office very long. We shall wait and see what develops.

I have had much to do with the Education Department and have received the greatest courtesy and consideration from the present Minister. I should be loath to go to anyone else. I hope that when I come down on some important matter, I shall not be side""tracked to Mr. Rossiter, the Assistant Minister of Education.

14 The Constitution Act Amendment [COUNCIL.] (Responsible Ministers) Bill.

The Hon. P. v. FELTHAM.-The Assistant Minister will be busy for three years trying to work out how to confer degrees from technical schools.

Sir PERCY BYRNES.-That is so. I do not know what the Assistant Minister will do, but I am aware that the Minister of Education needs assistance and relief because he is a hard-working person, with a large Department to administer.

The Hon. A. R. MANSELL-He is a fair Minister, too.

Sir PERCY BYRNES.-That is true. Our party has no objection to the proposed increase in the number of Ministers, and I commend the Government for its proposal to appoint another Minister in this Chamber. Everyone will agree with the statement of the Minister for Local Government that the Ministers in this Chamber are overworked. This is evident particularly towards the end of the session when business accumulates and Ministers are expected to deal with four or five major Bills in a week, and sometimes two or three in one night. That is not a satisfactory state of affairs, and it is proper to appoint an extra Minister in this Chamber. We support the Bill and wish it a speedy passage.

The PRESIDENT (Sir Gordon McArthur).-In my view, the motion for the second reading of this Bill requires to be passed by an absolute majority of the members in this House. Therefore, I ask honorable members who favour the second reading to rise in their places.

I declare the second reading of this Bill carried by an absolute majority of the whole number of the members of the Legislative Council.

The Bill was read a second time and committed.

Clause 1 was agreed to. Clause 2 (Amendment of No. 6224

s.15). The Hon. R. J. HAMER (Minister

for Local Government) .-I wish to thank the Leader of the Country

Party and the Leader of the Labour Party for their courtesy in proceeding with this Bill to-night. Both Mr. Merrifield and Sir Percy Byrnes referred to a matter which must exercise everyone's mind, that is, the position of an Assistant Minister and how effective he can be. Having been in that position for a time, I believe much depends on the Minister himself-the man at the head of the Department.

There is no doubt that the present Minister of Education does require assistance. He would not be the person he is if he made his Assistant Minister merely a sort of conduit pipe to the top. I think the only way to organize an assistant Ministry is to allocate certain duties, with full responsibility for them, to the Assistant Minister, and then to back him up. That is what the present Chief Secretary and Attorney-General does, and I believe it is the only way to divide up the work effectively.

The Ministry of Education is spending about 25 per cent. of the State's resources annually, in the form of both income and loan funds. The Minister of Education would be the first to agree that the work involved is becoming too much for one Minister. As in every Ministry, there is a lot of routine work which could effectively be handled by an Assistant Minister. I agree that he will need full authority to deal with certain matters so that he will not merely leave them for the Minister to decide, except in the last resort. I do not know how his duties will be allocated, but I hope that the example set by the Chief Secretary and Attorney-General will be followed and that the Assistant Minister will be given reasonable scope and reasonable authority in order that he may give real relief to the man at the top.

The clause was agreed to, as was the remaining clause.

The Bill was reported to the House without amendment, and the report was adopted.

Consolidated [14 JULY, 1964.] Revenue Bill.

The motion for the third reading of the Bill having been carried by an absolute majority of the whole number of the members of the Legislative Council, the Bill was read a third time.

BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE. The Hon. L. H. S. THOMPSON

(Minister of Housing) .-The position in relation to a Bill expected from another place is somewhat obscure at this stage. I know that honorable members are not keen on being unduly delayed waiting for certain action to take place in the other place, but I suggest that if it is acceptable to the other parties we might review the position at closer hand and resume sitting between 9 p.m. and 9.30 p.m.

The PRESIDENT (Sir Gordon McArthur).-In view of the remarks of the Minister of Housing, I shall resume the chair when the bells ring.

The sitting was suspended at 8.47 p.m. until 10 p.m.

CONSOLIDATED REVENUE BILL. This Bill was received from the

Assembly and, on the motion of the Hon. L. H. S. THOMPSON (Minister of Housing) , was read a first time.

The Hon. L. H. S. THOMPSON (Minister of Housing) (By leave) .-1 move-


I should like to thank Mr. Galbally and Sir Percy Byrnes for their cooperation. Earlier, I said that we would meet again between 9 and 9.30 p.m. when it appeared that the deliberations yonder were coming to a head. Sir Percy Byrnes and Mr. Galbally were kind enough to agree that we should wait for a further twenty minutes. This produced the desired result, and the Supply Bill is now ready for consideration by this House.

Before the previous Parliament was dissolved Supply was granted for the month of July, and it is now necessary to pass this Bill in order to cover payments to the Public Service

for the months of August, September and October. I stress that we are following exactly the same procedure as was adopted following the elections in 1958 and in 1961, when Supply was requested for a three months' period on the House meeting after the elections.

There is one significant departure in the form of the Supply schedule. It has been customary over recent years to show alongside the estimated expenditure required for the period under review another column of figures showing the proportionate amount of expenditure for the previous financial year on the basis, when supply for three months is sought, of the allocation of onequarter of the previous year's expenditure under the different heads. Criticism has been ·raised in this place, and certainly by the honorable member for Melbourne in another place, that the comparison column was somewhat misleading. We accepted this criticism because we realized that expenditure does not flow uniformly throughout a year, and a column of figures which merely gave as a comparison expenditure of one-quarter of the previous year tended to be misleading. Accounts which are paid at one stage of the year by a Department are not necessarily paid at the same time in the following year. Therefore, it has been decided to dispense with the comparison column. The only true indication of comparative expenditure is provided in the Estimates presented at Budget time.

The Supply sought for the ensuing three months totals nearly £41,000,000. In accordance with the usual practice, the only additional expenditure allowed for is that arising from natural growth and for unavoidable expenditure-for example the recent increase in the basic wage. Any increases arising from policy decisions have not been covered, but will be dealt with when the Budget is introduced in the spring session.

The only other point worthy of note is that although in the last financial year a deficit of £2,500,000

16 Consolidated. [COUNCIL.] Revenue Bill.

was budgeted for, actually the amount of excess expenditure will be of the order of £250,000. The improvement is largely due to increased revenue coming from two sources, stamp duty and probate duty. One or two large estates came in for assessment towards the end of the financial year and the over-all level of outstanding probate duty was significantly reduced. In other words, the amount of duty assessed but unpaid at the end of the year was less than the amount at the beginning of the year. In the stamp duty field, with the economy relatively buoyant an increase in revenue resulted.

I do not think there is anything else of note that should be dealt with at this stage, and I suggest that the Bill should be justly afforded a speedy passage through this House.

The Hon. J. W. GALBALLY (Melbourne North Province) .-Of course, the Government is entitled to Supply. It has been returned to office, and we acknowledge its victory at the polls, even though we do not acclaim it with any degree of enthusiasm. We look forward to its progressive policies in the Parliament. It now has no legislative bar to implementing them. However, in the meantime the House may be assured that we will not forfeit our traditional role as watchdogs in the public interest.

Sir PERCY' BYRNES (NorthWestern Province) .-The Minister of Housing has explained the circumstances surrounding this measure, which is to provide Supply for three months whilst the Ministers prepare their legislative programme, as I think the statement went. I should have thought, Mr. President, that the legislative programme given to us to-day could be prepared in the minimum of time. Still, I suppose the Ministers are not quite ready to go on with the business of the State. Having won the election, no doubt they want to recover a little from the shock. Let us hope that the State of Victoria will recover in

full from it and will be none the worse off in three years' time. However, as we have done on previous occasions, we offer no objection to the rapid passage of this Supply Bill in order that the Government may be afforded the opportunity to study its legislative programme and bring forward Bills which will be fully debated in this Chamber.

As my colleague, Mr. Galbally, has stated, we shall look forward with great enthusiasm to the debates in this House in the future, and we shall be eager to learn how the Government will fulfil its role of being an Administration with no opposition of any consequence. Indeed, with its present majority, the Bolte Government will be able to do practically anything it likes and, in the words of its dear old friend, the Herald, the Country Party will now get what it deserves. I do not know exactly what that statement means, but I suppose the Herald does.

The Hon. A. w. KNIGHT.-Wait until the new newspaper comes on the market.

Sir PERCY BYRNES.-! am glad of that interjection. This is a momentous occasion, because I understand that to-morrow a new daily newspaper is to be published in the State of Victoria. Indeed, it may already be on the market. I shall be particularly anxious to read it.

The Hon. A. K. BRADBURY.-What are its political views?

Sir PERCY BYRNES.-We do not know. ·

The Hon. A. w. KNIGHT.-They may be anti-Country Party.

Sir PERCY BYRNES.-That is the acknowledged policy of all the daily papers that are now in circulation. If any of the dailies being published at the present time were to praise the Country Party, I do.not think we would recover from the shock. However, the advent of the new daily newspaper is a great event, and I

Adjournment. [14 JULY, 1964.) Swearing of Members. 17

sincerely trust that it will not depart from what I would call the ethics of the press, as some of our newspapers have done in the immediate past. I shall not disrupt the harmony of the Chamber by discussing that aspect further at present.

Parliament will meet again in two months' time, when we can discuss all these matters in greater detail. Nevertheless, speaking for myself, I wish the new daily newspaper every success. I trust that it will give to the public of Victoria an unbiased political outlook and will not act as a minion of the big oil companies and other big business interests in the metropolis. If the new newspaper will cover matters affecting the country generally, instead of concentrating mainly on metropolitan interests, it will do a great service not only to the people of Victoria but also to the people of Australia as a whole. I hope that, by giving us decent reporting and not serving up the biased material that really prostituted the press during the recent election campaign, it will succeed in curbing the stranglehold that the present-day newspapers have on the political thoughts of the community. Our party has no objection to the passage of this Supply Bill.


The Bill was read a second time, and passed through its remaining stages.

ADJOURNMENT. The Hon. L. H. S. THOMPSON


That the Council, at its rising, adjourn until a day and hour to be fixed by the President or, if the President is unable to act on account of illness or other cause, by the Chairman of Committees, which time of meeting shall be notified to each honorable member by telegram or letter.

It may assist honorable members who are endeavouring to make arrangements for public functions if I announce that it is the intention of the Government not to call the House

together again before Tuesday, 8th September. That date is to be regarded not as a firm commitment but as a guide to members.


The House adjourned at 10.20 p.m.

i.Jegislatiue Assembly. Tuesday, July 14, 1964.

OPENING OF PARLIAMENT BY COMMISSION.

Proceedings commenced at 11.2 a.m. by the Clerk reading His Excellency the Governor's Proclamation convoking Parliament.

The Usher of the Black Rod appeared at the Bar, and intimated that the Commissioner appointed by the Governor to open Parliament (the Honorable Sir Arthur Dean) requested the attendance of members of the Legislative Assembly in the Chamber of the Legislative Council to hear the Commission read for the commencement and holding of this present session of Parliament.

Honorable members, accompanied by the chief officers of the House, proceeded at once to the Chamber of the Legislative Council.

On the return of members to the Chamber of the Legislative Assembly, the Honorable Sir Arthur Dean entered the Chamber and was conducted by the Serjeant-at-Arms to the chair.

SWEARING OF MEMBERS. The Commission (dated the 14th

July, 1964) appointing Sir Arthur Dean to administer the oath of allegiance to members of the Legislative Assembly was read by the Clerk.

The Clerk announced that he had received 66 writs issued by His Excellency the Governor for the election

0

0

18 Swearing of [ASSEMBLY.] Members.

of members to serve in the Legislative Assembly for the several electoral districts of the State, with the names of the members duly endorsed thereon as follows: -

District. Member. Albert Park.-Patrick Keith Sutton. Ballaarat North.-Alexander Thomas

Evans. Ballaarat South.-William Francis

Stephen. Balwyn.-Alexander William Taylor. Benalla.-Thomas Campion Trewin. Benambra.-Thomas Walter Mitchell. Bendigo.-Robert Hugh Trethewey. Box Hill.-George Oswald Reid. Brighton.-J.ohn Frederick Rossiter. Broadmeadows. - John Thomas

Wilton. Brunswick East.-Leo Michael

Fennessy. Brunswick West. - Campbell

Turnbull. Burwood.-James David Macdonald. Camberwell. - Vernon Francis

Wilcox. Caulfield.-Alexander John Fraser. Coburg.-Charles Mutton. Dandenong.-Leonard Stanley Reid. Dundas.-William John Farquhar Mc-

Donald. Elsternwick.-Richard John Gainey. Essendon.-Kenneth Henry Wheeler. Evelyn.-Russell Newton Stokes. Fitzroy.-Denis Lovegrove. Flemington.-Kevin Myles Stephen

Holland. Footscray.-William Thomas Divers. Geelong.-Hayden Wilson Birrell. Geelong West. - Neil Benjamin

Trezise. Gippsland East.-Bruce James Evans. Gippsland South. - Herbert John

Thornhill Hyland. Gippsland West. - Leslie James

Cochrane. Grant.-George Roy Crick. Hampden.-Henry Edward Bolte. Hawthom.-Walter Jona. Ivanhoe.-Vernon Christie. Kara Kara.-William Phelan. Kew.-Arthur Gordon Rylah. Lowan.-James Edmund McCabe. Malvern.-John Stoughton Bloom-

field. Melbourne.-Reynold Arthur Clarey.

District. Member. Mentone.

Meagher. Edward Raymond

Midlands.-Clive Phillip Stoneham. Mildura.-Milton Stanley Whiting. Moonee Ponds.-Jack Bruce Holden. Moorabbin.-Robert Harris Suggett. Mornington.-Roberts Christian Dun-

stan. Morwell.-James Charles Murray

Balfour. Mulgrave.-Raymond John Wiltshire. Murray Valley.-George Colin Moss. Northcote.-Frank Noel Wilkes. Oakleigh.-Alan Henry Scanlan. Ormond.-J oseph Anstice Rafferty. Polwarth.-Thomas Anthony Darcy. Portland.-George Sampson Gibbs. Prahran. - Samuel John Everett

Loxton. Preston.-Eugene Cornelius Ring. Reservoir.-Henry Alfred Jenkins. Richmond.-Allan Clyde Holding. Ringwood.-James Williamson Man-

son. Ripponlea.-Edgar Stephen Tanner. Rodney.-Russell Stanley Leslie Mc

Donald. Sandringham.-Murray Victor Porter. Scoresby.-William Archibald Borth-

wick. St. Kilda.-Brian Dixon. Swan Hill.-Harold Victor Stirling. Toorak.-Philip Martin Hudson. Williamstown.-William Laurence

Floyd. Yarraville.-George Roy Schintler.

The aforementioned members took and subscribed the oath required by law.

On the completion of the ceremony of swearing members, the Commissioner withdrew.

ELECTION OF SPEAKER. The CLERK.-The House will now

proceed to the election of a Speaker. Mr WHEELER (Essendon).-I

move-That Sir William John Farquhar Mc

Donald do take the chair of this House as Speaker.

Sir William McDonald was first elected as Speaker of the Assembly in 1955, and he has carried out his duties

Election of [14 JULY, 1964.] Speaker. 19

with the utmost distinction, dignity and poise. I consider that he has acted impartially at all times, although on some occasions, of course, his rulings have not been completely in accord with views expressed by some honorable members. During the period of his office as Speaker, Sir William McDonald has given outstanding service to this House. The Speakership is the highest post that can be bestowed upon a member of this Assembly, and I have great pleasure in moving that Sir William McDonald do take the chair as Speaker of this House.

Mr. DUNSTAN (Mornington).I have pleasure in seconding this motion. The word "presence" conjures thoughts of the platform, the battlefield and the stage. Sir William McDonald has shown this presence, which so befits the chair he has occupied for the past nine years and will occupy, if this motion is carried, for the life of this Parliament. If this presence-I say this to new members-suggests severity, there should be no cause for alarm or despondency. I believe that over the past nine years Sir William, on occasions could have been more severe than he has been, but he has been more concerned with preserving the harmony of this Chamber. I close on the note that when he has represented this House on official occasions outside, he has been indeed fortunate in having Lady McDonald to stand by his side.

Sir WILLIAM McDONALD (Dundas) .-I accept the nomination and desire to express my deep sense of the high honour done me in proposing me for the chair.

As there was no other nomination, the Clerk declared the honorable member for Dundas duly elected as Speaker, and Sir William McDonald was conducted to the chair by his proposer and seconder.

The SPEAKER (Sir William McDonald).-! desire to return my humble acknowledgments to the

House for the very great honour it has been pleased to confer upon me by electing me Speaker.

Mr. BOLTE (Premier and Treasurer) .-Mr. Speaker, repetition can become tedious, monotonous and boring. This is the fourth time on which I have had the great pleasure of congratulating you on your election as Speaker of this honorable House, but this occasion is not boring, tedious or monotonous, because for nine years you have given great service to this Parliament. Your past service has been acknowledged and recognized at the completion of each Parliament, so there is no need for me to dwelJ on your very real work and wonderful service. It is sufficient for me to say on behalf of my party that we heartily congratulate you, and we look forward to another three years of your continued leadership in this House.

The honorable member for Mornington has rightly referred to the dignity and the standards that you have maintained for this Parliament outside this House. We thank you for the duties you have performed in the past, and we look forward to your continuing them on the same high standard.

Mr. STONEHAM (Leader of the Opposition) .-On behalf of members of the Opposition, I desire to endorse what the Premier has said. Members of the Opposition wholeheartedly congratulate you, Mr. Speaker, on your continued re-election to this very high office. In the past we have clearly indicated our confidence in you. The office of Speaker is a difficult position to undertake; it calls for capabilities and special qualities which I believe not many of us in this House would demonstrate that we possessed if we were called upon to undertake the office.

Part of your responsibility is to protect members of the Opposition, and there has been general satisfaction on our part in the way in which

·20 Election of ·[ASSEMBLY.] Speaker. ·

you have carried out that responsibility. Impartiality must not only be applied but also must appear to be applied, and that necessarily involves you sometimes in erring perhaps slightly on the side of the Opposition. It has always given me great pleasure when that has happened.

There are few occasions, other than in the heat of controversy when some ruling is under discussion, on which honorable members can make reference to certain important matters. In passing, I want to mention one of those. There is a big responsibility which not only you but all of us have in upholding the privilege of Parliament. We are all conversant with the term, " the supremacy of Parliament," but because of the great rapidity of events in these times I feel that the question of Parliament maintaining its supremacy on occasions of particular matters going before a court, purely in a formal way, and a question of sub judice being raised, is one to which we will have to give careful thought in the years ahead. I am taking advantage of the occasion to mention this matter, but my whole purpose in rising is to endorse, on behalf of members of the Opposition, what the Premier has said and to wish you continued success in your office.

Mr. MOSS (Leader of the Country Party) .-I wish to join with the Premier and the Leader of the Opposition in offering the congratulations of members of the Country Party to you, Mr. Speaker, upon your election as Speaker of this House. Prior to doing so, however, I wish to inform you and the House that I have been elected Leader of the Country Party, that the honorable member for Gippsland East has been elected Deputy Leader, and that the honorable member for Gippsland West has been elected as party Whip.

You, Mr. Speaker, have a wonderful record of service as Speaker of this House, a fact which has been referred to by previous honorable

members. It is a record that few former Speakers of this House have achieved. When the term of this Parliament is completed, I am certain that your record will have been enriched. On behalf of members of the Country Party, I offer their congratulations and assure you of their cooperation in the responsibilities that you have. I hope that when this Parliament terminates the high traditions of this institution will remain intact.

The SPEAKER (Sir William McDonald).-lt is not easy for me to express the appreciation which I have of the honour that has been done me this morning, but in particular I should like to thank the honorable member for Essendon and the honorable member for Mornington for their kind words in proposing and seconding my nomination. I shou1d like to thank the Government party not only for its choice of me as Speaker but also for the manner of the choice. I wish to thank the Premier, the Leader of the Opposition and the Leader of the Country Party for their kind words.

It is true that on occasions the task of Speaker is not an easy one, but I assure honorable members that on the great majority of occasions it is not only a pleasant task but also a most rewarding one. I particularly recall the words used by the Leader of the Opposition that it is my duty to uphold the rights of the miJ!ority. He was also kind enough to say that over the past nine years I had made it apparent that I would uphold the rights of the minority and the rights of this Parliament. In a short time, we will present ourselves to His Excellency and one of my statements on that occasion will be that this Parliament, in the exercise of its undoubted right, has elected me as Speaker. That is a right that some Parliaments and some countries do not have, and one which we can retain only by aggressive intention. I believe it is a right that every man who has the privilege of coming into

State Opening of Parliament. [14 ·JULY~ 1964.] The Opposition. 21

this Chamber must recognize and uphold for all he is worth. If I, as Speaker, can help honc.rable members, I shall do so.

Mr. BOLTE (Premier and Treasurer) .-I have to inform the House that I have already ascertained that His Excellency the Governor will be pleased to receive the Speaker in the Library of Parliament House this afternoon at ten minutes past Two o'clock. I should like as many members as possible to accompany Mr. Speaker.

The sitting was suspended at 11.59 a.m. until 2.30 p.m.

The SPEAKER (Sir William McDonald) took the chair, and read the prayer.

PRESENTATION OF THE SPEAKER TO THE GOVERNOR OF THE

STATE OF VICTORIA. The SPEAKER (Sir William

McDonald).-1 desire to inform the House that I this day presented myself to His Excellency the Governor as the choice of this Assembly, and that His Excellency was pleased to address me in the following terms:-Mr. Speaker,

I have much pleasure in congratulating you on your election for the fourth time to the high and important office of Speaker of the Legislative Assembly.

I feel sure that members have acted wisely in choosing you as their Speaker, and that you will continue to uphold the dignity of your office by continuing to hold fast to its age-old traditions and customs.

STATE OPENING OF PARLIAMENT. The Usher of the Black Rod

brought a message from His Excellency the Governor desiring the attendance of honorable members in the Chamber of the Legislative Council.

The Hous·e, headed by the Speaker, proceeded to the Council Chamber.

The sitting was suspended at 2.35 p.m. until 4. 7 p.m.

THE OPPOSITION. LEADER AND DEPUTY LEADER.

Mr. STONEHAM (Leader of the Opposition) .-Mr. Speaker, I desire to inform you officially that at its meeting earlier to-day the State Parliamentary Labour Party re-elected me as Leader, the honorable member for Fitzroy as Deputy Leader, and the honorable member for Northcote as party Whip.

DEATH OF THE HONORABLE SIR ALBERT ELI LIND.

Mr. BOLTE (Premier and Treasurer) .-I move-

That this House expresses its sincere sorrow at the death of the Honorable Sir Albert Eli Lind, and places on record its acknowledgment of the valuable services rendered by him to the Parliament and the people of Victoria as member of the Legislative Assembly for the electoral district of Gippsland East from 1920 to 1961; Minister of the Crown from 1935 to 1943, from 1943 to 1945, and from 1950 to 1952; and as Chairman of Committees from 1947 to 1950.

Sir Albert Lind was first elected to the Legislative Assembly on the 21st October, 1920, for the electoral district of Gippsland East, and retained this seat until he resigned on the 1st June, 1961. He was re-elected unopposed on six occasions, and held the following positions: -

President of the Board of Land and Works from the 2nd April, 1935, to the 8th January, 1942; from the 18th September, 1943, to the 2nd October, 1945; from the 27th June, 1950, to the 28th October, 1952, and from the 31st October, 1952, to the 17th December, 1952.

Commissioner of Crown Lands and Survey and Minister of Forests from the 2nd April, 1935, to the 14th September, 1943; from the 18th September, 1943, to the 2nd October, 1945; from the 27th June, 1950, to the 28th October, 1952; and from the 31st October, 1952, to the 17th December, 1952.

22 Death of the Honorable [ASSEMBLY.] Sir Albert Eli Lind.

Minister of Public Instruction from the 8th January, 1942, to the 14th September, 1943.

Minister of Soldier Settlement from the 27th June, 1950, to the 28th October, 1952, and from the 31st October, 1952, to the 17th December, 1952.

Deputy Leader of the Parliamentary Country Party from October, 1937, to November, 1945.

Chairman of Committees, 194 7-1950.

Temporary Chairman of Committees, 1933-1935.

Member of the following Select Committees: -

Electricity Supply, 1922. Parliamentary Standing

Committee on Railways, 1924-1932.

Printing Committee, 1933-1945.

Standing Orders Committee, 1950-1961.

House Committee, 1955-1959.

Committee of Public Accounts, 1956-1961.

I had the good fortune to serve in this Parliament with our former departed colleague. Sir Albert Lind was a colourful character who at all times added lustre to this Parliament. Of course, the members of my party did not always agree with his views. I can remember scores of occasions on which the late Sir Albert and I crossed swords. But when the incident had passed we still remained very good friends. Sir Albert fought hard for the electoral district of Gippsland East which he represented. He never ceased reminding Parliament of the difficulties and disabilities suffered by his large electorate. In forestry he was not an observer; he was a knowledgeable man. When he was Minister of Forests, he brought to his Department knowledge as great as that possessed by any of the qualified members of the Department. In fact, for all the portfolios

Mr. Bolte.

that he held over a long period Sir Albert possessed in abundance the background knowledge and information that it is so necessary for a responsible Minister of the Crown to possess.

Sir Albert Lind was also Deputy Premier for a period. Those of us who have been members for some time appreciate the public service rendered by a man who spent 41 years of his life in this Parliament. Of course, Parliament is only the means whereby a member can express himself and render service on behalf of his constituents. In this place Sir Albert Lind was able to give the advantages of his knowledge and his reputation to the whole of the State and to Australia.

The late Sir Albert wisely decided to retire from Parliament. He did not wait until it was too late to do so. By his retirement, Sir Albert made way for a younger man to represent his own electorate. Having known the late Sir Albert Lind, I am sure that to the time of his death he retained his interest in Victoria and in Australia as a whole, but more particularly in the electorate that was so near and dear to him, namely, Gippsland East.

On behalf of my party, I pay a tribute to a man who truly served this country, the community and Parliament extremely well over a long period of years.

Mr. STONEHAM (Leader of the Opposition) .-1 desire to second the motion which has been so ably moved by the Premier. Members of the Opposition join with members of the Government party and of the Country Party in paying tribute to our late colleague. It was also my privilege to be associated with Sir Albert in this Parliament for many years, and I am sure no one will cavil at my statement that, first and foremost, he was essentially a great Gippslander. Of course, that does not mean that the late Sir Albert was parochial in his outlook, because, by his efficient

Death of the Honorable [14 JULY, 1964.] Sir Albert Eli Lind. 23

administration as a Minister, he proved that he had a wide appreciation of major Australian problems; he was certainly interested in all public issues that affected Victoria. However, there is no denying the fact that his very special love was Gippsland itself.

Sir Albert Lind was particularly interested in land settlement and afforestation. I do not suppose that in the history of this Parliament there has ever been a greater advocate of afforestation than the late Sir Albert Lind. There are in Hansard some excellent passages of English prose of Sir Albert's descriptions of the devastation that resulted from the bush fires of 1939 and the heroic deeds that were performed at that time. Our late colleague believed in the setting up of an efficient organization for the purpose of preventing bush fires or, when they occurred, for effectively combating them. There is no denying that his contribution to the progress of this State over a long period was a very big one. Opposition members join with the Premier and members of the Government party in supporting the motion.

Mr. MOSS (Leader of the Country Party) .-I desire to join with the Premier and the Leader of the Opposition in this resolution which pays a tribute to the memory of the late Sir Albert Lind, who, of course, will be affectionately remembered. As the Premier has stated, Sir Albert had the distinction of representing Gippsland East in Parliament for more than 40 years, and, during that long period, he endeared himself to hundreds of members of Parliament who passed through this Chamber. It has been remarked in this House on many occasions that Sir Albert was a tremendous help to young members, and his advice was appreciated by many members from both sides of the Chamber. In addition to rendering extremely valuable service to Victoria over a long period, Sir Albert carved for himself and his family a home and a property out of

the forest at Mount Taylor near Bairnsdale, and he left behind an established and most productive property, which is well known.

Our late colleague was one of those individuals who had a kind word for everyone; he was never a lonely soul, and he mixed with all classes of people. He was a bushman who never got lost. His know ledge of forestry was outstanding. His contribution to legislation in matters relating to forestry and lands and in other spheres is well known and respected by those who are administering Departments and the legislation to-day. In his day, the late Sir Albert was a fine athlete. He was a striking man, tall, straight, and wiry. I recollect his telling me that on one occasion when he won a bike race in East Gippsland he rode the last mile with a flat front tire. That was indicative of the character of the late Sir Albert Lind. To know him was a very great privilege.

To-day, we are giving Sir Albert an affectionate farewell. It was a great privilege to work with him in this Parliament and to know him as a man over the years. We express to Lady Lind, and the wonderful family that the late Sir Albert had, our sincere sorrow at his passing. He had a wonderful family of sons and daughters and, like many other members in this Chamber, I knew them all. On behalf of my party, I pay tribute to a wonderful legislator, pioneer and great family man.

Mr. B. J. EVANS (Gippsland East). -The late Sir Albert Lind was a member of this House f.or some years before I was born, and therefore he was the only local member of whom I had any experience in my part of the world. My first recollection of him-and it goes back a number of years-was a local event of very great pleasure to our small community-the annual race-meeting. The pleasure associated with the occasion was in no small measure due to the fact that a regular attender at those meetings was the late Sir Albert Lind. I recall him balancing

24; Death of the Honorable [ASSEMBLY.] Sir Albert Eli Lind.

precariously on a post and rail fence -the only rostrum which was available to him-as he presented the cup to the proud owner of the winning horse of the Lindenow Cup race. I felt rather important at the time because my father, in company with so many other people, knew Sir Albert well enough to use his Christian name.

The years that intervened were in many respects troubled ones; we experienced depression, droughts, floods and war, but despite all those setbacks, our late friend continued to advance within the political ranks of this State. Somehow or other, the younger folk felt that they would like to be a little more familiar with him and use his Christian namebecause of his great friendship and unassuming ways, it seemed the natural thing to do. However, because of the great respect that we had for him as a man, and for his position, he was widely known throughout Gippsland as Mr. Lind. It was almost with jubilation throughout Gippsland East that the people heard that Albert Lind had been knighted, because the title of Sir Albert provided a proper mixture of familiarity and respect. It was not necessary for anybody in Gippsland East to add the surname of our late friend to establish to whom he was referring.

In Gippsland East, " Sir Albert " refers to our late honorable member. He grew up with his electorate. His close knowledge of the people extended beyond just knowing their names and faces. He knew their farms, their homes, and, indeed, their family trees. He had a tremendous respect for the spirit of the pioneers who established Gippsland East. In fact, he, himself, was a pioneer and, as my Leader remarked, he carved out for himself a property of which any man could be proud.

Sir Albert believed in straight talking and he pulled no punches, but he made no enemies. Now he has passed from the scene. As the Reverend Ian Parton said in his funeral oration, recently, " There

Mr. B. J. Evans.

are parks, streets, gardens and plaques all over East Gippsland with the name of Albert Lind inscribed on them, but it is not by these things alone that he will be remembered; he will live on in the hearts and minds of all those whom he served."

Finally, Mr. Speaker, no tribute to the late Sir Albert Lind would be complete without a tribute to that very gracious lady who shared her life with Sir Albert. The part that Lady Lind played in bearing the loneliness and added responsibility of bringing up a family in the absence of her husband for such long periods earned for her the respect and admiration-indeed, Sir, the devotion-of every person in Gippsland East.

Sir HERBERT HYLAND (Gippsland South) .-I join with the Premier, the Leader of the Opposition, and the Leader and Deputy Leader of my party in paying tribute to the memory of a wonderful man. I served in Parliament with the late Sir Albert Lind for approximately 32 years, and, being his political neighbour for most of that time, I was naturally in close contact with his political activities and the affairs of Gippsland generally. The late Sir Albert carved out a home in the bush, as has been stated by the Deputy Leader of the Country Party, and later he decided to enter politics. Because his property was 8 miles distant from Bairnsdale, members of Sir Albert's family, including Lady Lind, as she now is, took turns in driving him by horse and buggy into Bairnsdale whence he could travel the remainder of the journeyapproximately 180 miles-to Melbourne by train so as to represent his constituency in Parliament. On his return to Bairnsdale at the end of each week, they met him and drove him back to his farm. From what I have stated; honorable mem-. bers will realize what a wonderful wife and what wonderful sons Sir Albert had; they were prepared to

Death of the Honorable [14 JULY, 1964.] Sir Albert Eli Lind. 25

do so much for him. He felt that by occupying a seat in Parliament he was serving the country.

It is common knowledge that in those days the salary of a member of Parliament was £500 per annumduring the depression years, it was reduced to £400 per annum-out of which a member had to pay for his accommodation whilst he was in Melbourne, as well as postage stamps, telephone calls and telegrams. In addition, he had to make donations to various organizations, and meet the hundred and one other financial demands that are made upon a member representing a huge country constituency. It will be appreciated that anyone who acted as Sir Albert did must have done so because he had the interests of the country at heart. Such action would not be taken for the sake of pounds, shillings and pence. Sir Albert was determined to serve this great State of ours in general and the vast electorate of Gippsland East in particular. He had a large territory to cover. His constituency extended over an area of 11,500 square miles. I do not know how many times larger than the electorate of Melbourne that would be, but at one time it was stated to be twenty times larger than the whole of the Melbourne metropolis.

Some people have stated that there were not many constituents in the electorate of Sir Albert Lind but you, Mr. Speaker, represent a large constituency and you realize that ofttimes you must travel considerable distances to interview your constituents. When Sir Albert returned home at week-ends, there were queues of people waiting to see him. They placed before him their troubles, trials and tribulations, and he was only too pleased to try to assist them. Those who attended the funeral of Sir Albert at Bairnsdale recently will appreciate the high esteem in which ·he was held. That was evinced by the thousands of people who turned

out from all parts of Gippsland to say, in effect, " Thank you for a job well done."

The Deputy Leader of the Country Party has stated that there are parks, gardens and so forth in the electorate of Gippsland East which are named after Sir Albert Lind, but I should like to mention four developments in particular that can be regarded as commemorating that great man. When Sir Albert was Minister of Lands and Minister of Forests, he was instrumental in persuading the firm of Australian Paper Manufacturers Limited to establish itself somewhere in Gippsland. A committee consisting of the then Premier, the late Sir Albert Dunstan, Sir Albert Lind and myself was appointed to handle the matter at Government level. We decided that no stipulation should be made as to where the new mill was to be located, but it was agreed that every possible concession would be made available to the firm as an inducement to decentralize its operations. Eventually the firm decided to establish a plant at Maryvale, which was in the electorate that I then had the honour to represent but is now in the electorate of Morwell. I should say that from 1,000 to 1,100 persons are employed at that mill, and its establishment has been a tremendous help to the Latrobe Valley in general.

After the disastrous bush fires in 1939, I inspected at Erica what re· mained of the magnificent mountain ash trees that had been killed by heat. There was not a mark on them, but they stood there like dead sentinels. The late Sir Albert Lind persuaded Australian Paper Manufacturers Limited to establish several sawmills in the district to cut the trees and mill them for scantlings and pulpwood. Furthermore, he persuaded several private sawmillers to operate in the district on the understanding that, when that particular area had been worked out, they would receive priorities elsewhere. It would be interesting to learn how many millions of super. feet of timber were

26 Death of tke Honorable [ASSEMBLY.] Sir Albert Eli Lind.

taken out of that forest. I do know that the quantity involved was well worth while.

The next development which is a tribute to the memory of the late Sir Albert Lind is the establishment of the General Motors-Holden's plant at Fisherman's Bend. The firm of General Motors desired to purchase an area of 50 acres of land in order to commence operations in Australia. The then Secretary for Lands offered to let General Motors have the requisite land on lease for a period of 99 years, but Sir Albert Lind said, " No, we will sell the land to them; we cannot afford to miss the opportunity of this industry being established in Victoria. The firm has said that it must be located near the sea front, and it will not go anywhere else in Victoria." The attitude then assumed by the then Secretary for Lands was, " If you sell the land, you will do so over my dead body." Sir Albert said, "I do not care; we will sell it," and the deal went through. Parliament approved of the sale. Later on, the firm of Holden's Motor Body Builders came into the business, and it would indeed be difficult to say how many thousands of men and women are now employed directly and indirectly by the General MotorsHolden's organization, which, in my view, is a monument to the late Sir Albert Lind.

After the first world war, before many present members of this Chamber were born, there was a tremendous amount of soldier settlement in this State. Huge areas of land were then cut up, and former servicemen were placed on blocks. Some of those men had previous experience, but others had none. Soldier settlement went on and on. When Sir Albert became Minister of Lands, he said, " This thing must be cleaned up; soldier settlers should be given a chance to make good on their properties instead of having a load placed about their necks." It was known that many soldier settlers would never be able to meet their commitments, and that, in the long

Sir Herbert Hyland.

run, they would have to walk off their blocks. Sir Albert Lind was able to persuade the late Sir Clive McPherson to leave the job which he then held in Melbourne and undertake the task of cleaning up the soldier settlement position in the Lands Department.

Sir Clive McPherson did a magnificent job. His recommendations were adopted, and this Parliament passed a Bill transferring from the settlers to the general revenue account liabilities amounting to the sum of £22,000,000. That action enabled nine-tenths of the soldier settlers to make a success of their holdings. Although we. can speak in generalities about our late friend, the four examples that I have mentioned stand out in my mind. Sir Albert Lind was a great administrator, he had a heart of gold, and wherever possible he assisted people.

I pay a great tribute also to Lady Lind and the members of their family. Sir Albert Lind was fortunate in having a wonderful family to assist him. They have several farms now and the firm is known as A. E. Lind and Sons; it is doing a magnificent job for the State of Victoria. I express my personal sympathy to Lady Lind and the members of the family in their sad loss.

The SPEAKER (Sir William McDonald).-On behalf of the members of the Assembly, I should like to express to Lady Lind and her family our very sincere sympathy on this occasion. When I became a member of this House, Sir Albert Lind was an elderly man. He had then been a member of Parliament for a long time and he was regarded as one of the authorities not only on political matters affecting the electorate of Gippsland East but also on the administration of this House. Sir Albert Lind was a kindly man and, as the previous speakers have emphasized, he had an intense interest in his constituency. I off er our sincere sympathy to his widow and family.

The [14 JULY, 1964.] M·inistry. 27

The motion was agreed to in silence, honorable members signifying their unanimous agreement by standing in their places.

ADJOURNMENT. Mr. BOLTE (Premier and Trea

surer) .-I move-That, as a further mark of respect to

the memory of the late Honorable Sir Albert Eli Lind, the House do now adjourn until five minutes past Five o'clock this day.

I should like to explain that because to-day is the first day of the new Parliament, the period of adjournment of the House as a mark of respect to the memory of the late Sir Albert Lind will of necessity be short. Had this been a regular sitting period, the House could well have adjourned until to-morrow; had it been the end of a session, the adjournment could have been for two or three hours. I want it clearly understood that an adjournment for a period of half an hour does not detract in any way from the motion that has been moved, seconded, and so ably supported concerning our true appreciation of the worthy services rendered by the late Sir Albert Lind.



The SPEAKER (Sir William McDonald) took the chair at 5.11 p.m.

COMMISSION TO SWEAR MEMBERS.

The SPEAKER (Sir William McDonald) informed the House that he had received from His Excellency the Governor a commission authorizing him to administer the oath of allegiance to such members as had not already taken and subscribed the same since their election.

THE MINISTRY. Mr. BOLTE (Premier and Trea

surer) .-1 desire to inform the House of the following changes in the Ministry. In this House, the Honorable Murray Porter has been appoin-

ted Commissioner of Public Works; the Honorable James Balfour, Commissioner of Crown Lands and Survey, Minister of Soldier Settlement, and Minister for Conservation; the Honorable Thomas Darcy, Minister of Water Supply, and Minister of Mines; the Honorable John Rossiter, Assistant Minister of Education; and the Honorable Vernon Wilcox, Minister of Immigration and also Assistant to the Chief Secretary and Attorney-General. In the Legislative Council, the Honorable Rupert Hamer has been appointed Minister for Local Government.

JUSTICES (INDICTABLE OFFENCES) BILL.

Mr. WILCOX (Minister of Immigration), by leave, moved for leave to bring in a Bill to amend subdivision ( 4) of Division 2 of Part IV. of the Justices Act 1958 with respect to summary jurisdiction in indictable offences.


The Bill was brought in and read a first time. ·

GOVERNOR'S SPEECH. ADDRESS-IN-REPLY.

The SPEAKER (Sir William McDonald).-! have the honour to report that the House this day attended His Excellency the Governor, in the Legislative Council Chamber, when His Excellency was pleased to make a Speech to both Houses of Parliament, of which, for greater accuracy, I have obtained a copy. As the Speech is printed, and copies are in the hands of honorable members, it will not be necessary for me to read it.

Mr. DIXON (St. Kilda).-1 moveThat the following Address-in-Reply to

the Speech of His Excellency the Governor to both Houses of Parliament, be agreed to by this House:-IMAY IT PLEASE YOUR EXCELLENCY:

We, the Legislative Assembly of Victoria, in Parliament assembled, beg to express our loyalty to our Most Gracious Sovereign,

Governor's Speech : [ASSEMBLY.] Address-in-Reply.

and to thank Your Excellency for the gracious Speech which you have been pleased to address to Parliament.

I am deeply conscious of the honour which has been conferred upon me m being chosen to submit this motion for the adoption of an Address-inReply to his Excellency's Speech, not only for myself but also for the residents of the electorate of St. Kilda.

First, the motion expresses our loyalty to our Sovereign and to the Commonwealth of which she is the symbolic head. It is timely for us to pause and reflect that we are among one-quarter of the world's population who similarly express their loyalty to the same Sovereign and whose representatives are currently meeting at the Prime Ministers' conference in London. Let us pray that members of the Commonwealth will see their way clear to give practical support to the Commonwealth by assisting Malaysia to solve her problems with Indonesia, and to give those countries of the Commonwealth which are undeveloped the necessary aid to assist in their development.

Secondly, the motion expresses our thanks to the Governor for his Speech. Sir Rohan Delacombe has taken over with great efficiency from Sir Dallas Brooks. In his thirteen years of office, Sir Dallas earned the love and respect of all Victorians. It is indeed a tribute to Sir Rohan Delacombe that he has continued to exercise his office with the same high standard as his predecessor.

The third function of the motion before the House is to provide a forum for the discussion of the Government's legislative and administrative programme. I wish to confine my remarks to education and housing, and to touch briefly upon three world problems which superimpose themselves upon our Victorian environment.

When we realize that one-third of our population is under fifteen years of age and that more than on~-half

Mr. Dixon.

of our population is under the age of 30, we have part of the reason why this Government has consistently given top priority to education. In fact, in the last nine years the Government has built nineteen more high schools and technical schools than were built in the whole previous history of Victoria. This State has spent more per student per annum on education than any other State, and the Government is currently allocating 25 per cent. of its total receipts to education. The basis for a third university has already been laid, and provision has been made for more studentships, which in due course will provide more teachers, and for the erection of more class-rooms.

We are concerned with education not only because of the youthfulness of Australia's population; there are also strong economic grounds for our concern. Most businessmen have realized that it is just as profitable to invest in men as it is to invest in machines. In the long run, it may be more so. Secondly, if we take as a criterion of our economic development, growth, full employment and price stability, what we need most is an educated, adaptable and skilled work force. The National Economic Development Council of Great Britain has said that the first prerequisite for growth is education. So far as full employment and price stability are concerned, the most important essential is a skilled and adaptable work force, a work force that can remove the bottle-necks from supply in times of rising demand to ensure that we have price stability. When we realize that automation is looming increasingly large upon the industrial scene, we further appreciate the need for a skilled, educated and adaptable work force.

I turn now to the external sector of our economy. We realize that in this field we are in a strong position. Our first and second line reserves exceed £1,000,000,000. This year, our exports reached a record

Governor's Speec~ _: [14 Jt,JLY, 1964.] Address-in-Reply. 29

amount exceeding £1,300,000,000, and this has been in no small way due to primary production. Primary production contributes some 80 per cent. of our export proceeds, and the increase in the volume of production contained within this figure has been due in large measure to the knowhow which has been obtained by primary producers in colleges such as Dookie and Longerenong.

When we consider secondary industry,, we find that it, too, has enjoyed large increases in productio~, but we do find that to a certam extent the know-how has been derived from the inflow of capital. Australia already owes well over £2,000,000,000. Forty per cent. of our secondary industry is controlled by overseas interests, and this is not far away from the 50 per cent. which the Canadians find so embarrassing. Nevertheless, this Government intends to continue to encourage capital inflow. It ~a~es its view on the fact that, by g1vmg degree status to technical schools and colleges, the amount of technical know-how will be so increased that Australian entrepreneurs will be willing to employ · Aust~alian techno.10-gists in secondary mdustry, which will so increase production that, although the absolute amount of capital inflow will increase, its relative contribution will fall.

I wish to commend the Premier for saying that Australians should be more ready to support overseas firms that come in to develop our secondary industry. We are concerned with education not only on economic grounds; we are concerned also with the all-round development of the child. Nothing contributes to that development as much as the spirit and character of the school environment, and nothing contributes to the character and spirit of a school more than an assembly hall. For this reason, I congratulate the Government upon the provision of its £3 for £1 subsidy, with a maximum of £30,000, for the construction of school assembly halls.

It is with some pride that we in Victoria can claim to have the highest rate of home ownership in the world. This makes a substantial contribution to the well being of the . individual citizen and to his acting as a responsible member of society. The Housing Commission has played no small part in this. The Commission is responsible for the housing of low-income groups, and I should like to touch briefly upon three considerations affecting the central problem, namely, terms of repayment, slum reclamation, and the housing of elderly citizens. We, in this State, are grateful to receive from the Commonwealth Government large sums of money at the Commonwealth bond rate of interest minus 1 per cent. As the length of term of repayment is being extended and as it is proposed to give a subsidy to large families, it will be realized that repayments should not be unduly onerous. However, I think we can go one step further and divorce housing interest rates from the general complexity of interest rates. To my mind, this would serve two purposes: First, if these interest rates were reduced to, say, 3 per cent., the repayments would be even less onerous to hard-pressed families. The second purpose would be that interest would be available to the Governor of the Reserve Bank to deal with economic fluctuations. This would enable him to rely less heavily upon quantity controls through the statutory reserve deposit system.

During the past nine years, the Government has reclaimed 171 acres of slums. It intends to spend £18,000,000 in the next three years on slum reclamation and the erection of new buildings. Within this development will be a spectacular master builders' scheme involving the expenditure of £5,000,000 of private capital in the redevelopment of areas in Carlton, North Melbourne, St. Kilda and Prahran. Within this development, halls will be erected to provide indoor leisure facilities for the youth of the area. Also within this development we

30 Governor's Speech : [ASSEMBLY.] Address-in-Reply.

are planning six twelw-storied blocks of flats for the housing of single women pensioners. One of these, I am pleased to say, will be located in St. Kilda. It is interesting to note that, under the rental rebate system, pensioners can obtain single units for· l 4s. 6d. a week and double units for 29s. 6d. a week. This results in a loss to the Housing Commission of £100 per unit per annum. If housing interest rates were to be divorced and reduced to, say, 3 per cent., this loss would be off set.

We are aware of the specific needs of elderly people, and have requested the Elderly People's Welfare Council to work in conjunction with the Commission's designing architects so as to ensure that the detailed needs of elderly people will be met. It is also realized that there is an increasing percentage of old people in our population and, for this reason, a survey is being conducted, the result of which will ensure that their housing needs will be adequately covered in the future.

Before leaving the matter of housing, I should like to say that many of the magnificent facilities offered by the Housing Commission-particularly those of information and advice -pass unnoticed by large sections of the Victorian public. I suggest that the Housing Commission should advertise its services. I understand that the Minister of Housing is thinking of shifting the premises of the Home Ownership Bureau to a more central location so that, because of its accessibility, it will become more useful to the people of Victoria than it is now.

Mr. Speaker, it is not enough to consider these developments from a narrow parochial Victorian viewpoint. We must become aware of the complexity of these developments on a world-wide basis. Accordingly, I shou1d like to speak briefly upon what I regard as three major world problems, namely, the problem of po'terty, the problem of affluence, and the problem of an ideology. So far as

Mr. Dixon.

poverty is concerned, it calls for aid. Affluence calls for a system of priorities and the advertisement of these priorities, whilst an ideology calls for the enthusiastic support of our democratic way of life.

The main cause of poverty is the unequal distribution of the world's income, and this is aggravated by the population explosion, from which it is to be understood that the population of the world will double within the next 36 years. In Victoria, we have a problem of some people being less well off than others. In this category there are two particular groups, namely, elderly citizens and the unemployed. I believe we must provide jobs for those many elderly citizens who wish to work and who can still work. The present retiring age of 60 years for fem ales and 65 years for males was brought into being when our expectation of life was some ten years less than it is to-day. The sort of job I envisage is something like that of a member of the Police Reserve which is currently operating in the Police Force.

If it is our desire to maintain retiring ages at 60 years and 65 years for females and males, respectively, then on humanitarian and economic grounds we must provide jobs for those people-many of them elderly -who wish to work. It has been revealed that 80 per cent. of unemployed people are unskilled, and it is probably for this reason that they are, in fact, unemployed. Therefore, it is obvious that an attempt must be made to train these people, either at a special school or in special classes within existing schools or in colleges yet to be established, so that they may take their place in the work force. This training would enable unemployment to be reduced below the minimum level which economists seem to think will be necessary if stability of prices is to be retained.

I might add, although I have no wish to liken unemployed persons to people who are confined in penal

Governor's Speech: [14 JULY, 1964.] Aililress-in-Reply. 31

institutions, that this is the type of scheme which is currently operating in our penal establishments. Prisoners are provided with vocational training so that they may eventually take their place in the work force of the community. Evidence of the success of this scheme is the success of our parole system.

When world poverty is considered, we realize that 2,000 million overseas people have an average national income amounting to less than £133 per annum, which is only onequarter of the average national income in Australia. Of those 2,000 million people, 750 million are located in the Soviet-Chinese bloc of countries, as compared with 1,250 million people located in the non-Communist and Commonwealth countries. From these hallowed portals, perhaps, we can do nothing to solve these problems, because the matter of Government aid is in the Federal sphere, but we can encourage people in our electorates to make a contribution in a private individual way. What has been called a "Community Aid Abroad " group has been set up for this purpose, and it is. my intention to form such a group in St. Kilda.

I pass now to the problem of affluence which, I believe, is the main one confronting us in the State of Victoria. As I read through Hansard, I find numerous references to members asking for the construction of roads, schools, and hospitals, as well as additions to the Police Force and the maintenance and furtherance of recreational facilities and parks and gardens. Yet we have affluence. What is the answer to this apparent paradox? I believe the answer is to be found in the fact that affluence stems from an increase in total production. What we may have neglected is a consideration of the types of goods we are producing.

I commend the Government of this State for having the courage to raise State taxes to the level where Victorians pay more State taxation per

head of population than the residents of any other Australian State. We must be sufficiently courageous to say to the people that if we are charged to undertake the responsibilities of education, housing, health, law enforcement, and so forth, we must have sufficient funds to meet those responsibilities. The new formula for tax reimbursement grants to be introduced next year will enable the Bolte Government, with the mandate of the people, to discharge these responsibilities properly. We in this State have a magnificent future, and we cannot afford to tackle it in a parsimonious way.

Finally, I come to the question of ideology-the totalitarian regime versus the democracy. We are certain that democracy will be retained in Victoria, but are we certain that it will survive in the uncommitted nations of the world? For democracy to survive, there must be a wellinformed public opinion, but people do not bother to inform themselves about subjects which are remote to them. Therefore, we, as the leaders of the people in this State, must use the press, the radio, the television and all other forms of mass personal communication to inform people concerning politics and to ensure that it will not become a subject which is remote to them. We can then, perhaps, reverse the trend to which James Jupp adverted when he said-

The apparent irrelevance of party politics to the well-being of the Australian people has pushed the Australian party machine to the margins of society.

Let us remember that we have been elected to this Parliamentary institution not merely to serve the people of Victoria but also to lead them.

I think, too, that something must be done about politics in the schools. I should like to point out that the Melbourne Church of England Grammar School has a Parliamentary democracy week in each year of an election. Speakers from all parties are invited to give their views, and these are then discussed by teachers and students in class at their discretion.

Governor's Speech: [ASSEMBLY.]. Address-in-Reply.

I hope that I can uphold and maintain the traditions that have been set in Parliament. I hope, too, that I can uphold and maintain the traditions and standards set by the former member for St. Kilda, the Honorable B. D. Snider, now one of the representatives of Higinbotham Province in the Legislative Council.

Since its inception, Victoria has enjoyed amazing growth. Let us of the 43rd Parliament do nothing to impede this growth. Rather let us make a positive contribution to it through intelligent, stable and enthusiastic government. It is with great pleasure that I express this motion of loyalty to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. and thank His Excellency the Governor for his most gracious Speech.

Mr. McCABE (Lowan).-Mr. Speaker, as the elected representative of Lowan, I am honoured to second the motion for the adoption of an Address-in-Reply to the Speech of His Excellency the Governor, so ably moved by my colleague, the honorable member for St. Kilda. It is an honour also to the electors of Lowan that they should be associated with this motion. This is something that has not happened to them for a long time, because they were represented for the past nineteen years by the late Honorable W. J. Mibus, who was perhaps better known throughout Victoria as Mick Mibus. I feel very humble in the knowledge that I am to follow in the steps of a man such as he was. Mr. Mibus was untiring in his efforts as a Minister of the Crown and a member of the Legislative Assembly, and he treated everyone as his friend. He will be remembered for that friendship, and his memorial will be the work that he did for the State of Victoria.

I strongly endorse the remarks of my colleague concerning the loyalty of my constituents to Her Majesty the Queen and all that the British Throne represents. We were all greatly pleased at the birth in March of this year of a Royal Prince to Her

Majesty and His Royal Highness Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. We hope that we may have an opportunity in the not-too-distant future of demonstrating our loyalty to them personally and perhaps of greeting the new Royal Prince and the other Royal children.

I feel fortunate to be a member of a party which, after having formed the Government for nine years, has been returned with a complete mandate to govern for the next three years. Much has been done in those nine years, but we are neither smug nor complacent and, as indicated in His Excellency's Speech, legislation covering wide fields is contemplated in the immediate future.

Representing as I do a rural seat, I am pleased that the Government intends to create within the Department of Agriculture divisions of animal health and animal husbandry, to expand the Agricultural Economics Branch and to raise the status of the Information and Publicity Branch. These are measures that must assist the future of farming in Victoria. Grants for agricultural societies for the erection of buildings on agricultural showgrounds for the exhibition of stock will be increased from ·£25,000 to £40,000 a year. Furthermore, grants of up to £500 are to be made to young farmers' clubs for the erection of meeting places, if built on agricultural showgrounds. This is a move that every thinking person in the farming community must applaud, as the work done by the young farmers' clubs in educating the younger generation of farmers is of inestimable value.

As a resident of a town that has had its share of problems concerning the rehabilitation of aboriginal families, I commend the Government on the work it has done in this sphere in past years, and I should like to comment on the legislation foreshadowed in the Governor's Speech. It has been said that these families cannot be assimilated into the community, but in the· town of

Governor's· Speech: [14 JULY, 1964.] Address-in-Reply. 83

Dimboola, where I reside, seven houses have been built for them. These houses have not been grouped together but have been located .in different areas within the township. This is a step in the right direction, as .most of the families that have moved into these dwellings have come from what can only be described as humpies on the river bank. ~hey now live in decent homes provided by the Aborigines Welfare Board. Their biggest problem is that of environment, but now that they have been placed in these houses they are living the same sort of life as any other person.

It is to the younger generation that we look concerning the future of the aboriginal people. A " Save the Children" welfare officer is stationed in Dimboola, and the work that she is doing with the younger aborigines must improve their chances in life. The biggest problem is the finding of suitable employment for these people. The proposed reorganization of the Board's activities and the transfer of certain of its functions to the Social Welfare Branch of the Chief Secretary's Department are two moves that must have lasting effects on the future of the 3,000 part-aboriginal people in Victoria.

A report of the State Development Committee on the underground water resources of Victoria has proved the urgency of further research into this matter. Development of the part of the State that I represent is greatly dependent on underground water. Uncontrolled pumping of this water has caused alarm in a number of places. Many farms as well as some large towns are absolutely dependent on underground water, and in some areas supplies have begun to dwindle. Consequently, wells have to be deepened and even then some cannot give as much water as in the past. This matter is receiving the consideration of the Government, but I should like to remind those concerned that the longer control of underground water is left, the harder it will be to control when the time comes,

Session 1964.-2

as it surely must, for development to take place in those parts of Victoria which are dependent upon subterranean water.

I fully endorse the remarks of the honorable member for St. Kilda relating to education and housing. It is pleasing to know that the two aspects of life that interest young people most-where and how they are going to live, and how their children will be educated-are being well catered for in the plans of the Government.

I am most conscious of my responsibilities as a member of Parliament, and I assure the House that I shall do my utmost to uphold the traditions of this great institution, and further the interests of all sections of my electorate. It gives me great pleasure to formally second the motion before the House.

On the motion of Mr. STONEHAM (Leader of the Opposition) , the debate was adjourned until next day.

ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN OF COMMITTEES.

The SPEAKER (Sir William McDonald).-The House will now proceed with the appointment of a Chairman of Committees.

Mr. BORTHWICK (Scoresby).-! move-

That Joseph Anstice Rafferty, Esquire, be appointed Chairman of Committees of this House.

When I was asked to submit this nomination, I gave considerable thought to the type of man needed to occupy the most important position of Chairman of Committees. It seems to me that he requires rare and very decided qualities, because in your absence, Mr. Speaker, and also when the House is in Committee, the rights of individual members, the rights of Her Majesty's Opposition and certainly the rights of minority parties must be upheld. Certainly, he must have a sound knowledge of Standing Orders, procedures and indeed the traditions of

34: Election of Chairman [ASSEMBLY.] of Committees.

this House. He must be capable of exercising sound judgment, and have the ability to express himself not only precisely, but with authority and dignity. Above all-this is a qu~lity which applies equally to you, Mr. Speaker-the Chairman of Committees requires a considerable knowledge of history and must have a firm, strong and indeed unwavering belief in our Parliamentary democracy, to give him complete understanding of the importance and responsibilities of his high office. The honorable member for Ormond is a man of great tolerance, and he has the ability to exercise tact. He served this House as Chairman of Committees during the life of the 42nd Parliament. During that time, he upheld the authority of the Chair in a capable and dignified manner, and won the confidence of all honorable members. I am certain that if his nomination is successful, the honorable member for Ormond will continue to carry out his duties as Chairman of Committees with distinction and will demonstrate to a marked degree the qualities which I believe the position demands.

Mr. SCANLAN (Oakleigh).-It is with pleasure that I second the nomination of the honorable member for Ormond as Chairman of Committees of this House. As the honorable member for Scoresby has stated, sound judgment is a prerequisite for this appointment. Of course, sound judgment is based on an experience of community needs, and an awareness of the requirements of his electorate. In this regard I believe the honorable member for Ormond has had a most distinguished career of which this House and the community may well be proud.

Politically, the honorable member for Ormond represented the electorate of Caulfield East from 1955 until 1958. In 1958, he became the first representative of the new Legislative Assembly electorate of Ormond. He has had ·considerable background and experience in industry, and has· been associated with

the Junior Chamber of Commerce, the Melbourne Chamber of Commerce and the Victorian Employers Federation. He attended several overseas congresses, and last year he represented this House at an international Parliamentary conference. It is this background which so eminently qualifies the honorable member for Ormond to undertake the important duties of Chairman of Committees of this House. Mr. Speaker, I am sure you will agree that the Chairman of Committees must of necessity work in close cooperation with you, because you are both complementary to the smooth functioning of our Parliamentary democracy. When you, Mr. Speaker, are indisposed or unable to accept all the heavy commitments thrust upon you by virtue of your high office, the Chairman of Committees must assume responsibility on your behalf.

I believe all honorable members will support my contention that the honorable member for Ormond has distinguished himself as Chairman of Committees and as Deputy Speaker when it has not been possible for you, Mr. Speaker, to be with us. I am further privileged to support this nomination because my electorate adjoins that of the honorable member for Ormond. The electors of Ormond are proud that their Parliamentary representative has upheld the traditions of this distinguished position. In conclusion, I might say that I subscribe to "Rafferty's rules." If all other honorable members give due consideration to this nomination, I believe that they will similarly support "Rafferty's rules." It is a pleasure for me to support this nomination, because I believe the honorable member for Ormond is eminently suited to occupy this high office.

The SPEAKER (Sir William McDonald).-Does the honorable member for Ormond accept the nomination?

Election of Chairman [14 JULY, 1964.J of Committees. . .35

Mr. RAFFERTY (Ormond).-1 accept the nomination. I am conscious of the honour being conferred upon me in being nominated for the position of Chairman of Committees.

The SPEAKER (Sir William McDonald).-1 have to announce that the time for submitting nominations has expired. I declare that the honorable member for Ormond, being the only member nominated for election, has been duly appointed Chairman of Committees of this House.

Mr. BOLTE (Premier and Treasurer) .-1 congratulate the honorable member for Ormond. I have listened to the mover and seconder outlining his qualities and I concur in their remarks. I suggest that the Chairman of Committees frequently gets into more difficult situations than you do, Mr. Speaker, because sometimes difficult problems arise during the debates in Committee. The honorable member for Ormond has been Chairman of Committees for the past three years, and I suggest that he has handled the Committee work extremely well. I have great faith and confidence in him.

Mr. STONEHAM (Leader of the Opposition) .-On behalf of the members of the Labour Party, I wish to congratulate the honorable member for Ormond on his election. Like, you, Mr. Speaker, he has shown his ability in chairmanship. I think it would be fair comment and no exaggeration to say that in this House Mr. Rafferty's rules will become quite famous.

Mr. MOSS (Leader of the Country Party) .-I join with the Premier and the Leader of the Opposition in complimenting and congratulating the honorable member for Ormond upon his election as Chairman of Committees of the Legislative Assembly. He has had considerable experience in this position, and we believe he has carried out his duties admirably. I atn sure that the experience he gained in the last Parliament as

Chairman of Committees and also on the many occasions he occupied the position of Deputy Speaker will stand him in good stead. We compliment him on his election and off er him our co-operation in the duties about to fall on him.

The SPEAKER (Sir William McDonald).-For my own part and on behalf of honorable members generally, I should like to extend to the honorable member for Ormond my sincere congratulations. As Speaker, possibly more than as an individual, I rely enormously, as does the House, on the ability, integrity, foresight and judgment of the Chairman of Committees. I believe the honorable member for Ormond has all these qualities, and I wish him well in administering the Committees of this House.

Mr. RAFFERTY (Ormond).-1 should like to. thank you, Mr. Speaker, the mover and seconder of my nomination, the Premier, the Leader of the Opposition, and the Leader of the Country Party for their kind words. I have expressed the view previously that I believe the job of Chairman of Committees is as good as the co-operation received from members of all parties. On previous occasions, the co-operation of all members has been accorded me in full measure and that has made my task easier. I look forward to a further term of office, and I hope I shall be able to carry out my task as well as members have indicated that I have done in the past.

TEMPORARY CHAIRMEN OF COMMITTEES.

The SPEAKER (Sir William McDonald) laid on the table his warrant nominating Mr. Clarey, Mr. Fennessy, Mr. J. D. Macdonald, Mr. Mitchell, Mr. L. S. Reid, Mr. Stokes, Mr. Tanner, Mr. Trewin, Mr. Turnbull, Mr. Wheeler, Mr. Whiting and Mr. Wiltshire to act as Temporary Chairmen of Committees whenever requested so to do by the Chairman of Committees.

~6 The Constitution Act Amen,dment [ASSEMBLY.] (Responsible. Ministers) Bill.

THE CONSTITUTION ACT AMENDMENT (RESPONSIBLE

MINISTERS) BILL. Mr. BOLTE (Premier and Trea

surer), by leave, moved for leave to bring in a Bill to make provision for increasing the number of responsible Ministers of the Crown.



Mr. BOLTE (Premier and Treasurer) .-1 move-


Duri?g .the recent election campaign, I said m my policy speech that my Government would appoint an additional Minister to carry out the duties of Assistant Minister of Education. Under the terms of the present Act it is not possible to swear in fiftee~ Ministers. That Act currently reads that there shall be not more than fourteen Ministers, ten of whom shall be appointed from the Legislative ~ssembly ~nd four from the Legislative Council. The amendment in this Bill proposes that there may be fifteen Ministers, and that not more than eleven shall be appointed from the Legislative Assembly and not more than five from the Legislative Council. However, there cannot be sixteen Ministers appointed. It will be possible to appoint ten or eleven from this House and four or five from another place.

The Assistant Minister of Education has already been sworn in as a responsible Minister, and at present I hold the portfolio of State Development. This Bill will make it possible for a new Minister of State Development to be sworn in, and I hope that can be done to-morrow. I make no apology for seeking to increase the Cabinet to fifteen members. If one compares the present number of Ministers with the number 20 or 30 years ago, having in mind the spectacular increase in population it will be seen that fifteen members i~ a reasonable and conservative number. The member of Parliament of to-day

who represents from 20,000 to 60,000 electors has a much more onerous task than the member of 20 or 30 years ago. For instance, the honorable member for Broadmeadows now represents 52,000 persons whereas hot many years ago the number was about ~0,~00. Therefore, I suggest that this is a reasonable Bill and I thank in advance the Leader' of the Opposition and the Leader of the Country Party who I am sure will cooperate in making it possible to swear in an additional Minister to take over the portfolio of State Development.

Mr. STONEHAM (Leader of the Opposition) .-This is one of the rare occasions on which we do not seek ar;i adjournment of the debate. Any Bill to amend The Constitution Act Amendment Act is of fundamental importance. I wish it to be recorded in Hansard that our party does not consider that this is the proper manner in which such an amendment should be made. At the same time, we do not want to be held responsible for delaying the appointment of an additional Minister, particularly in v!ew of the fact that we have prev10usly advocated the setting up of a separate Ministry of Social Welfare and a separate Ministry of Cultural Development which would work in close liaison with the Minister of Education. Therefore, we have no objection to the purpose of the Bill.

An examination of section 15 of The Constitution Act Amendment Act reveals an amazing situation so far as the Constitution of this State is concerned. I trust that at the earliest possible date the Government will arrange for the Statute Law Revision Comm.ittee or, if necessary, a special co?1m1ttee of the House, to review this Act. Sub-section (2) of section 15 of the Act states-

Such officers shall be responsible Ministers of the Crown and members of the Executive Council, and four at least of such officers shall be members of the Council or the Assembly.

T~e?retically, therefore, the proposed Mm1stry of fifteen members could consist of eleven people who were

The Constitution .A.ct Amendment [14 JULY, 1964.] (Responsib"le"1Ministers) Bill. 37:

not members of Parliament. Section 16 of The Constitution Act Amendment Act states-

No responsible Minister of the Crown shall hold office for a longer period than three months unless he is or becomes a member of the Council or the Assembly.

Although that provision prevents a person from occupying the position of Minister for longer than three months unless he is a member of Parliament, it does not state that upon the expiration of the period of three months another person who was not a member of Parliament could not be appointed to the position.

Mr. BoLTE.-1 think members of Parliament would have something to say about that.

Mr. STONEHAM.-! realize the situation that applies in actual practice. I do not want to make a comparison between happenings in our old-established democracy and events which are occurring in some of the developing countries, but I point out that the provision to which I have referred was assented to by Her late Majesty on 21st July, 1855.

Mr. BOLTE.-1 will have a discussion with you and the Leader of the Country Party about the matter.

Mr. STONEHAM.-! think some action should be taken.

Mr. RYLAH.-1 can assure you that something is being done now.

Mr. STONEHAM.-In any sphere of human activity, a document more than 100 years old requires revision. Consequently, although we agree with the purpose of the Bill, its being rushed through the House has focused attention on the need for some revision of the Act, and I trust that the Government will take notice of my remarks. In the circumstances, the Opposition does not oppose the Bill.

Mr. MOSS (Leader of the Country Party) .-Members of the Country Party have no objection to this measure, which has beeri fully explained by the Premier and the Leader of the Opposition. Members on both

sides of the House agree with the· point made by the Leader of the Opposition, and I am pleased that the Premier has said that the matter will be attended to immediately or is already receiving attention. Possibly this action started after the Leader of the Opposition drew attention to the matter.

Mr. RYLAH.-That is not so.

Mr. MOSS.-1 am pleased to have the assurance of the Premier and the Deputy Premier in that regard. The need for this Bill arose from the fact that the Premier stated in his policy speech that if the Government was returned to power an Assistant Minister of Education would be appointed. Everyone seems to be reasonably happy about that proposal, and I notice that the Assistant Minister of Education is smiling. The only member who is not smiling is the Minister of Education. I do not know how matters will turn out. I do not know what the responsibilities of the Assistant Minister of Education will be. I trust that he will not be charged with receiving deputations, because I know the capabilities of the Minister in that respect. I hope the responsibilities to be taken over by the Assistant Minister will be thoroughly examined because close co-operation with the people of Victoria has been established by the Minister in a sympathetic manner.

I am not in disagreement with the appointment of an Assistant Minister although it led to a reshuffle of portfolios and the introduction of this measure. However, I question the propriety of the Government acting without constitutional authority. It was announced last Tuesday that an additional Minister would be appointed in the Legislative Councila desk has been installed for him in the Council Chamber-although the Government lacked the constitutional authority for his appointment. I say to the people who are the bulwarks of ·democracy, the " great pretenders" of this democratic

38· [ASSEMBLY.] Account.

system, that this is democracy in reverse. The sensible approach would be to put the Constitution of this State in order before the Govern· ment issues press statements about appointing new Ministers. I advise the Premier and the Deputy Premier to put first things first.

The SPEAKER (Sir William McDonald).-1 am of opinion that the second and third readings of this Bill require to be passed by an absolute majority. In order that I may ascertain whether the required majority has been obtained, I ask honorable members in favour of the motion to take their places on the right of the Chair.

I declare the second reading of this Bill carried by an absolute majority of the whole number of the members of the Legislative Assembly.

The Bill was read a second time and committed, pro f orma.

Mr. BOLTE (Premier and Treasurer) presented a message from His Excellency the Governor recommending that an appropriation be made from the Consolidated Revenue for the purposes of this Bill.

A resolution in accordance with the recommendation was passed in Committee and adopted by the House.

The Bill was passed through Committee, and reported to the House without amendment, and the report was adopted.

The motion for the third reading of the Bill having been carried by an absolute majority of the whole num-

Division

her of the members of the Legislative Assembly, the Bill was read a third time.

COMMITTEES OF SUPPLY AND WAYS AND MEANS.

Mr. BOLTE (Premier and Treasurer) .-By leave, I move-

That Standing Order No. 273A be suspended so as to allow the Committees of Supply and Ways and Means to be appointed before the Address-in-Reply to His Excellency the Governor's Speech has been agreed to by this House.

The motion was agreed to. Mr. BOLTE (Premier and Trea

surer) moved the following motions, which were agreed to:-

That this House will, this day, resolve itself into a Committee to consider of the Supply to be granted to Her Majesty.

That this House will, this day, resolve itself into a Committee to consider of the Ways and Means for raising the Supply to be granted to Her Majesty.

ESTIMATES. Mr. BOLTE (Premier and Trea

surer) presented a message from His Excellency the Governor transmitting an estimate of expenditure for the months of August, September, and October, 1964, and recommending an appropriation from the Consolidated Revenue accordingly.

VOTES ON ACCOUNT. The House went into Committee

of Supply. Mr. BOLTE (Premier and Trea

surer) .-I move-That a sum not exceeding £40,860,910

be granted to Her Majesty on account for or towards defraying the following services for the year 1964-65:-

Sum Required for Three

Months Ending 31st October,

1964.

h £

1. Legislative Council-Expenses of Select Committees . . . . 90 2. Legislative Assembly-Salaries, General Expenses, and Other Services . . 15,600 3. Legislative Council and Legislative Assembly House Committee-Salaries, General

Expenses, and Other Services .. · . . . . 9,000 4. Parliamentary Printing-Printing of Hansard, &o. 18,600 5. Parliament Library-Salaries and General Expenses 3, 780 6. Parliamentary Debates-Salaries and General Expenses 10,220

Division No.

Votes on [14 JULY, 1964.] Aooount.

7. Governor's Office-Salaries, General Expenses, and Other Services 8. Premier's Office-Salaries, General Expenses, and Other Services 9. State Film Centre-Salaries and General Expenses ..

10. Soil Conservation Authority--Salaries, General Expenses, and Other Services 11. State Development-Salaries, General Expenses, and Other Services .. 12. Agent-General-Salaries, General Expenses, and Other Services 13. Public Service Board-Salaries, General Expenses, and Other Services 14. Audit Office-Salaries and General Expenses 15. Chief Secretary's Office-Salaries, General Expenses, and Other Services 16. Totalizator Administration-Salaries and General Expenses 17. Weights and Measures-Salaries and General Expenses 18. Traffic Commission-Salaries and General Expene.es .. 19. Explosives-Salaries and General Expenses 20. Gas Regulation-Salaries . . . . 21. State Accident Insurance Office-Salaries 22. State Motor Car Insurance Office-Salaries .. 23. Workers' Compensation Board-Salaries 24. Fisheries and Wildlife-Salaries, General Expenses, and Other Services .. 25. Government Shorthand Writer-Salaries and General Expenses 26. Government Statist-Salaries, General Expenses, and Other Services .. 27. Social Welfare Administration and Research and Statistics-Salaries and General

Expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . 28. Family Welfare-Salaries, General Expenses, and Other Services 29. Youth Welfare-Salaries, General Expenses, and Other Services 30. Prisons-Salaries, General Expenses, and Other Services 31. Training-Salaries, General Expenses, and Other Services .. 32. Probation and Parole-Salaries, General Expenses, and Other Services 33. Police-Salaries, General Expenses, and Other Services 34. Police Service Board-Salaries and General Expenses . . . . . . 35. State Library, National Gallery, National Museum and Institute of Applied Science

Administration-Salaries and General Expenses 36. State Library-Salaries, General Expenses, and Other Services 37. National Gallery-Salaries, General Expenses, and Other Services 38. National Museum-Salaries, General Expenses, and Other Services 39. Institute of Applied Science-Salaries, General Expenses, and Other Services 40. Free Library Service Board-Salaries, General Expenses, and Other Services 41. Immigration-Salaries and General Expenses . . . . • . 42. Labour and Industry-Salaries, General Expenses, and Other Services 43. Education-Salaries, General Expenses, and Other Services .. 44. Teachers' Tribunal-Salaries, General Expenses, and Other Services 45. Attorney-General-Salaries, General Expenses, and Other Services 46. Courts Administration-Salaries and General Expenses 47. Registrar-General, Registrar of Titles, and Registrar of Companies-,Salaries and

General Expenses . . . . . . 48. Rent Control..::...Salaries and General Expenses 49. Public Trustee-Salaries and General Expenses 50. Treasury-Salaries, General Expenses, and Other Services 51. Pay-roll Tax-Payment to Commonwealth Government 52. Tender Board-Salaries and General Expenses . . . . . . 53. State Superannuation Board-Salaries, General Expenses, and Other Services 54. Registry of Co-operative Housing Societies and Co-operative Societies and Home

Finance Administration-Salaries, General Expenses, and Other Services 55. Taxation Office-Salaries and General Expenses 56. Stamp Duties-Salaries, General Expenses, and Other Services 57. Government Printer-Salaries and General Expenses .. 58. Lands and Survey-Salaries, General Expenses, and Other Services •. 59. Botanic and Domain Gardens and National Herbarium-Salaries and General

Expenses 60. Public Works-Salaries, General Expenses, and Other Services 61. Ports and Harbors-Salaries, General Expenses, and Other Services 62. Local Government-Salaries, General Expenses, and Other Services 63. Town and Country Planning Boa.rd-Salaries, General Expense&, and Other

Services

89



1964.

£

7,340 78,300 15,910 52,950 10,600 11,700 35,000 49,900 51,000

3,590 15,750 6,960

12,730 4,500

41,000 39,400 5,460

72,000 5,500

37,000

24,250 400,000 120,000 321,000

8,000 27,000

2,450,000 590

23,500 53,850 10,190 14,400 8,300

15,000 7,700

117,750 13,160,000

2,200 289,000 246,600

165,000 8,570

48,560 1,128,000

450,000 27,400 32,220

19,610 109,000 40,900

318,000 367,000

25,500 678,600 169,500 29,750

10,600

40 Votes on . [ASSEMBLY.] Account.

Division No.



1964.

64. Mines-Salarie&1, General Expenses, and Other Services ..

£

117,000 362,200 65. Forests Commission-Salaries, General Expenses, and Other Services . . . .

66. State Rivers and Water Supply Commission-Salaries, General Expenses, and Other Services . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,177,000

152,000 67. Agriculture Administration-Salaries, General Expenses, and Other Services .. 68. Agricultural Education-Salaries, General Expenses, and Other Services 91,550

144,500 142,500 133,500

69. Agriculture-Salaries, General Expenses, and Other Services .. 70. Horticulture-Salaries, General Expenses, and Other Services 71. Livestock-Salaries, General Expenses, and Other Services .. 72. Dairying-Salaries, General Expenses, and Other Services . . . . 99,300 73. Health Administration-Salaries, General Expenses, and Other Services 2,162,000

410,900 423,000 437,000

74. General Health-Salaries, General Expenses, and Other Services 75. Tuberculosis-Salaries, General Expenses, and Other Services . . . . 76. Maternal and Child Welfare-Salaries, General Expenses, and Other Services 77. Mental Hygiene-Salaries and General Expenses . . . . . . 2,001,000

9,120 104,100

2,820 11,350,000

78. Railway Construction-Salaries, General Expenses, and Other Services 79. State Coal Mine-Salaries, General Expenses, and Other Services 80. Ministry of Transport-Salaries and General Expenses 81. Railways-Salaries, General Expenses, and Other Services

Before the previous Parliament was dissolved for the elections, Supply was granted for the month of July. It is now necessary to pass Supply for a further period to cover payments falling due from the 1st August.

The period covered by this Supply Bill is three months from the 1st August to the 31st October. This is exactly the same procedure as was adopted following the general elections of 1958 and 1961. On both those occasions, Supply was granted by the old Parliament to cover the month of July in the new financial year, and when the new Parliament assembled after the elections Supply was voted for a further three months to cover the period August to October.

As also was the case on those occasions, it is intended that Parliament will adjourn following the passing of this Supply Bill and will reassemble in September when the Budget will be brought down, .and the House will continue with the normal spring session.

Mr. Bolte.

Total 40,860,910

I wish to emphasize that to-day's procedure is exactly the same as the procedure followed in 1958 and in 1961 in relation to the period covered by the Supply Bill.

I now turn to the Supply Bill. The first comment I want to make is that there is only one column of figures in the schedule which has been distributed. Members will recall that I commented on this aspect in March last when introducing Supply for the month of July. In particular, the honorable member for Melbourneand others also-will recognize the point as one which has engaged his attention.

The old Supply schedules had two columns of figures. The first column showed the amount of Supply to be granted for the new year, and the second column showed the proportionate amount of expenditure for the previous year. For example, if Supply was being taken for three months the second column showed one-quarter of the total expenditure for the previous year.

Votes·on [1~ JULY, . .1964.] Account. 41

Because expenditure does not flow uniformly over the year in all items, the second column was not really enlightening. ~s I said in March, it served rather to confuse. I left the suggestion on record that whatever Government was in power after the election, the second column should be omitted in future Supply Bills, and accordingly it has been omitted from the schedule now before the House.

What the House is concerned with is the voting of Supply for the period ahead, and the amount included in the schedule is £40,860,910. This is the estimated amount required in total, and for the individual amounts as shown against each division number, to cover expenditure under vote appropriations for the months of August, September and October, 1964.

In accordance with the usual practice, the· amount provided has been assessed as the amount necessary to cover existing services allowing only for natural growth in expenditurefor example, the recent increase in the basic wage-but no provision has been made for any additional expenditure which could arise from policy decisions. These must wait until the Budget is brought down, and the House will then be given full opportunity to consider them or reconsider them.

Also, when the Budget is brought down, full details of the accounts for last financial year will be presented. As indicated by His Excellency the Governor in his Speech to the opening of Parliament, the actual Budget result showed a significant improvement on the original estimates. The year ended with expenditure from the Consolidated Revenue Fund in excess of current revenue for the year by roundly £250,000 compared with the Budget forecast of just under £2,500,000. The improvement was in certain revenue fields-notably stamp duties and probate duty. In stamp duties, the generally higher tempo of the economy was reflected in higher

receipts than anticipated, and in probate duty there were one or two large estates and the over-all level of outstanding duty was significantly reduced. In other words, the amount of duty assessed but unpaid at the end of the year was less than the amount at the beginning of the year. These were matters which could not be foreseen a year ago.

Returning to the Supply schedule, I again assure the House that there are no abnormal items in it, and I commend it to honorable members for expeditious consideration.

I point out to the Leader of the Opposition and the Leader of the Country Party that when Parliament reassembles in September I shall present the Budget, which will include any new items that may need to be presented. There will then be ample opportunity for them to comment. I stress that the expenditure set out in the accompanying schedule is only a continuation of expenditure along similar lines to that approved by this Committee last financial year.

The sitting was suspended from 6.34 p.m. until 8.13 p.m.

Mr. STONEHAM (Leader of the Opposition) .-Members of the Government will appreciate that the Opposition is co-operating fully in the particular circumstances of to-day. In those circumstances, it is not likely that there will be a normal debate on Supply, but some things definitely cannot be allowed to pass at this stage without comment from this side of the House.

I should like first to ref er to the very serious and most unsatisfactory position that has developed in respect of Kings Bridge. This affects the reputation of the whole State and the matter just cannot be allowed to go on as it is. It is only fair to say that what are virtually further scandals are piling on top of those that we previously discussed in this House.

42 Votes on [ASSEMBLY.] Account.

The bridge collapsed on the 10th July, 1962, more than two years ago. In answer to a question which I asked in March of this year, the Premier said-

. . . it is anticipated that this section will be reopened to traffic in August next. The Premier meant August of this year. A report in one of to-day's daily newspapers states-

So far it's got 20 thumping great holes cut in it. Each hole is about 14 feet across by about 50 feet wide-right across the two lanes that are closed off to traffic. I shall ref er to some other answers that the Premier gave to questions asked in March. When the House adjourned in December of last year, members of the Opposition had been pressing for information on various aspects of this matter. Within two or three days of Parliament's rising, a statement was made about a conference that was held at which the Government--quite wrongly blaming the Country Roads Board as the culprit-agreed that Utah Australia Limited, Johns and Waygood Limited and Broken Hill Proprietary Company Limited, should be limited to a contribution of £250,000 for repairs and that the remainder should be paid by the Government.

No one seems to know now when the bridge will be ready for use. The only statement that has been made is that it will not be ready before the middle of next year; it is said that that is the earliest date upon which it can conceivably be ready. The bridge cost the sum of £4,313,000. If the cost of the repairs is £1,000,000 -it may be more than thatthe State will have to pay £750,000. When we peruse the report of the Royal Commission which inquired into the failure of the bridge and take into consideration the degree of negligence and culpability of the Country Roads Board-minor, almost minute compared with--

Mr. BoLTE.-You were the one who accused the Board earlier.

Mr. STONEHAM.-! did not, and I defy the Premier to quote any statement by me on that aspect. I said

some of the other parties, such as Johns and Waygood Limited, were guilty of criminal negligence.

Mr. BoLTE.-ln the first statement you made in this House on this subject, you accused the Country Roads Board.

Mr. STONEHAM.-! deny that flatly. I have never accused the Board of the major responsibility.

Mr. BoLTE.-You did that to try to link the Government with this matter.

Mr. STONEHAM.-So far as the Government is concerned, the Country Roads Board does not come into it, and I have never accused that body of culpability. I said that Johns and Waygood Limited were guilty of criminal negligence in resubmitting faulty steel. So far as Government responsibility is concerned, I say that it goes right to the Cabinet room itself, because that is where the decision was made to use high tensile steel.

Mr. BoLTE.-The Country Roads Board recommended that high tensile steel be used.

Mr. STONEHAM.-It might have and the Premier says that it did, but experienced businessmen such as Sir Arthur Warner, Sir Thomas Maltby and others who were used to dealing with tenders stated that they had carefully considered this matter. It came before Cabinet on several occasions, particularly the question of the use of high tensile steel.

Mr. BoLTE.-That question never came before Cabinet, and you know it.

Mr. STONEHAM.-This matter was not rushed through; it came back to Cabinet several times.

Mr. BoLTE.-You are not telling the truth. The question whether high tensile steel was · to be used never came to Cabinet.

Mr. STONEHAM.-That is a denial of what has been said by former members of Cabinet who are highly competent businessmen.

Votes on [14 JULY, 1964.] Account. 43

They said that the whole matter was most thoroughly probed. In addition to the use of high tensile steel, the quality of the steel, the form of tender invited, · and the crimes committed by Utah Australia Limited, Johns and Waygood Limited and Broken Hill Proprietary Company Limited were also of importance. The Government's responsibility is a direct one and not just indirect through the Country Roads Board.

However, we do not know when the bridge will be in full use again and what the final cost will be. Immediately Parliament rose last year, the Government rushed into print with a statement, and apparently the same thing is to happen this year because, according to a recent statement in the press, the Premier has said that, possibly on Thursday of this week, he will issue a statement.

Mr. BoLTE.-Not my statement.

Mr. STONEHAM.-No, a further report which has been sought from the Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works. I am wondering whether the Premier can enlighten the Committee on the position. I hope there is to be no attempt to make a scapegoat of the Board of Works, becaus·e one thing we can be certain about is that the Board is not to blame for the present position.

Mr. BoLTE.-Who is blaming the Board? You are.

Mr. STONEHAM.-There has been dissatisfaction expressed at the manner in which the Board has submitted a report, and public opinion is being turned against the Board whilst Johns and Waygood Limited, Utah Australia Limited and Broken Hill Proprietary Company Limited are being protected. What are the facts of this case? The reputation of Victoria is involved, and I want to know what is happening. We do not want to read about it in the Sun News-Pictorial or the Age to-morrow morning from a statement issued after Parliament has risen. The

Premier should inform Parliament of the position. An editorial in yesterday's Age states, inter alia-

The higher costs and new delays are not the only cause for uneasiness. The Royal Commission recorded its grave concern about the future of the bridge's steel work which, it said, surely contained many more hidden cracks that must be a continuing source of danger. Can the bridge, in fact, be restored effectively at reasonable cost and in reasonable time? Will there be residual faults demanding attention long after these current repairs are complete? When will we be able to say Melbourne has an efficiently operating bridge over the Yarra at King-street? Victorians are entitled to have the answers to these questions. If there are no immediate answers they are entitled to know how and when answers are to be found.

I think the best way in which to find the answers is for the Government to appoint an all-party committee to investigate events since the repairs were first undertaken. There is already the magnificent report of the Royal Commission into the collapse of the bridge, and in the public interest I think Parliament would be fully justified in appointing an all-party committee to establish what has happened since. I ask the Premier to give his opinion on my suggestion.

I was greatly impressed by a suggestion made recently by Dr. Cunningham Dax in respect of our shocking road toll in Victoria. Up to date this year, almost 500 people have been killed on Victorian roads. and if the present trend continues the total for the year will be about 900. Last year it was 794. I know that there is no easy solution to this problem, but Dr. Cunningham Dax has put forward a suggestion which is reported upon in to-day's Age in the following terms: -

A better knowledge of the motorist's " mental make-up " would help reveal more about the causes of road accidents, the chairman of the Mental Health Authority (Dr. E. Cunningham Dax) said yesterday.

Dr. Dax suggested that, instead of increasing premiums, insurance companies should devote the small sum of £100,000 to research into human

44: Votes on [ASSEMBLY.] Account.

factors in road accidents. Of course,· the Australian Road Research Board is doing valuable work. It consists of organizations in each State similar to the Country Roads Board with Commonwealth support, but naturally the emphasis in its investigations is on the road aspect of these accidents. I believe the suggestion made by Dr. Cunningham Dax is a worthwhile one, but I was not impressed by the reply of the insurance companies, which is reported in the Sun News-Pictorial of to-day as being-

The Chairman of the Fire & Accident Underwriters Association of Victoria, Mr. E. I. Pynor, said that road accidents were only one of thousands of types of risks insurance companies had to deal with.

11 If the companies were to undertake research into every risk reduction in all these fields, the cost would be astronomical and this would only result in higher premiums," he said.

That is the most stupid reply I have ever read to a constructive suggestion. Dr. Dax made a positive suggestion in respect of the human factor in road accidents, and I hope that in view of the growing menace of the road toll to life, limb and property in this State the Government will interest itself in the proposal he advanced and that if the insurance companies will not adopt his suggestion the Government will ensure that the Australian Road Research Board, the activities of which are completely hamstrung at the present time by the lack of essential data which would permit expert analysis of the cause of all road accidents, is strengthened in its organization so that assessment panels consisting of experts will be set up to investigate the ·causes of all accidents. I am not reflecting on the police when I say that this aspect of the work should not be limited to police investigation. I believe that every relevant piece of evidence from these accidents should be obtained and examined by experts, and the suggestion by Dr. Cunningham Dax is a most constructive and worthy one. ·

Mr. Stoneham.

Mr. BOLTE.-If you know why someone was killed, does that stop the next ·accident?

Mr. STONEHAM.-The Premier· cannot deny that at the present time there is a lamentable lack of basic information.

Mr. BOLTE.-On what, a driver killing himself?

Mr. STONEHAM.-No, into the causes of accidents. I know the attitude of this Government; it will appoint a statistician and ask him to work out a formula to show that there are more motor cars on the road, that more car-miles are covered each year and that the number of accidents per 1,000,000 miles travelled is actually declining. We have to do something definite and positive to prevent the road toll from reaching 900 this year.

Mr. BoLTE.-Do you know that most fatal road accidents occur near the homes of the victims who are driving along familiar roads?

Mr. STONEHAM.-The Premier is putting forward information which he believes to be true, but what conclusion does he draw from it? That is the type of information which should be available to experts so that the cause of road accidents can be accurately assessed and the problem tackled. I hope the Premier will give some reply to the two items that I have raised to-night.

Mr. MOSS (Leader of the Country Party) .-The Country Party supports this particular Supply Bill, but I should like to make one or two comments in connexion with it. I note that the Leader of the Opposition did not advocate rail travel when he was discussing road accidents. Apparently he is not keen to use the railways in view of their record at the present time.

Mr. BoLTE.-Has there been a passenger derailment?

Mr. MOSS.-This year about two derailments have been recorded every three weeks. I suppose there

Votes on·'· (14 JULY, 1964.] Account.· 45

have been many more that ·were not recorded. The Premier cannot guarantee that if these derailments continue the passenger services will be immune from them. It is a question of luck more than anything else.

Mr. BOLTE.-1 have confidence in the Victorian railways that there will be less derailments here than anywhere else in the world.

Mr. MOSS.-No one has ever made such an assertion and, of course, the Premier cannot substantiate it. There is much disquiet in Victoria to-day concerning the derailments which are occurring, and it is time that someone got down to tin tacks and found out the reason for them. A lot more derailments are taking place in this State than used to be the case. There are also a lot of derailments which are not recorded. The Government should have a close look at the situation. Neither I nor any other member of this House wants a passenger derailment to occur in Victoria.

Mr. TREWIN .-One almost occurred not very long ago.

Mr. MOSS.-There have been a few near misses, so I urge the Government to be sensible about this matter and to agree to some further close examination being made. If necessary some outside inquiry should be made in addition to those which are being conducted by the Railway· Department itself.

The Premier stated in connexion with the financial position of the State that there had been an improvement in revenue fields, notably in those of stamp duty and probate duty. Of course, there has been an increase in the receipts from land tax over last year. The increase in probate duty is not entirely due to one or two large estates, as the Premier asserted. 1 point out that this increase in revenue from land tax and probate duty has been very largely brought about by a rise in land valuations. There is a great deal of concern and disquiet in

Victoria at the moment with regard to the system of valuing land throughout the State.

Mr. BoLTE.-How many farmers in your area pay land ta~?

Mr. MOSS.-Quite a number, but that is not the point. The point is that £8,500,000 is paid in Victoria. in land tax. I do not want to go into hlstory and detail what the Premier has ·said about land tax in the past. The honorable gentleman said at one stage that it was vicious class legislation. Of course, he used those strong words when he was Leader of the Opposition. On this occasion he. is Premier and Treasurer, and there is a saying, " Horses for courses." I remind the Government that to-day there is considerable disquiet on land valuations and the method of establishing them. Also, there is concern at the method by which the Valuer-General's Department is backing up municipalities by its officers going into the courts and giving evidence. They are judge, jury and everything else, and this is wrong in principle. Surely individuals still have rights in this community, but they are not being afforded them in relation to valuations so far is land tax is concerned.

In connexion with municipal valuations, officers of the Valuer-General's Department give evidence in support of municipalities against an individual who feels he is aggrieved. The Government has appointed an appeal Board, which is quite all right. I am not arguing about it or about the individuals who comprise this Board, but they will not last forever, and I wish to submit a suggestion for the consideration of the Government.· It is to establish at some future stage, possibly in the next session, some sort of appeal Board in relation to other valuations which are not covered at present by the appeal Board dealing with land tax valuations. A Board could be set up consisting of an officer of the ValuerGeneral's Department or the ValuerGeneral's representative in the particular locality-say the north-east or


the north-west-and two accredited valuers appointed by the Government. Such gentlemen would possess local knowledge.

Mr. BoL TE.-This is in the field of general land valuation?

Mr. MOSS.-That is so. I put it to the Premier and the House that such an appeal Board would be of tremendous help to individuals who are aggrieved over land valuations. I also urge the Government to take some action in the spring session whereby it can indicate to Parliament that the Department of Agriculture's extension services will be greatly liberalized. I regret to say that our extension services do not measure up to anywhere near those provided by some other States in the Commonwealth. As a former Minister of Agriculture, I know something about the problems of our service, good as it is.

Mr. BoLTE.-lt is better than when you were Minister.

Mr. MOSS.-lt may be, but in the light of the amount of money that our Government had available for expenditure, I doubt whether as good a service is provided now, comparatively speaking. Of course, our Administration had a Budget of about £85,000,000, whereas now the Premier and Treasurer enjoys a Budget exceeding £200,000,000. It is the easiest thing in the world to expend money. I urge the Premier to look into the question of these extension services for the man on the land covering agricultural and pastoral pursuits and the like, with a view to improving them until our system becomes the best system in the world. Our agriculture is entitled to such consideration. I submit that suggestion to the Premier in a kindly way. I am endeavouring to be as sympathetic and co-operative as possible in this matter. I look forward to the spring session, when I hope some of these matters which are vital to the people of Victoria will be given urgent attention.

Mr. SUTTON . (Albert Park).-1 refer to item 12 in the Supply schedule. The Agent-General's Office is the farthest-flung off-shoot of the Premier's Department. To increase or even to maintain current expendi~ ture on it will not be fully warranted unless there is to be a marked change in its functions and activities. A statement by the newly appointed Agent-General, Sir Horace Petty, almost immediately after he took up duty there indicated that so far as he can contrive it there will be.

Sir Horace is reported to have said that he was disappointed by the lack of " passing trade " near Victoria House. That lack is evidenced to everybody who visits Victoria House, which is at the back of the massive Australia House and whose entrance is close to a recess for rubbish bins in an alley dignified by the name Melbourneplace.

If it has a distinctive feature, this is the distinction of being the dingiest-looking and least conspicuous of the various State agenciesa point which, in effect, was stressed in a debate some months ago by the honorable member for Ivanhoe.

Some of the duties of the AgentGeneral, as set out in the AgentGeneral's Act 1958, section 6, are-

(a) The promotion of the sale of primary products of Victoria;

(b) the promotion of the sale of secondary products of Victoria and the stimulation of interest in the extension of existing, and the establishment of new, secondary industries in Victoria;

( c) the fostering of trade between the United Kingdom and Victoria;

(d) the dissemination of knowledge of, and the encouragement of special interest in, Victoria;

(e) the promotion of emigration to Victoria;

(f) the dissemination of information for . the purpose of attracting tourists

to Victoria.

It is open to doubt whether the office is equipped to discharge any of those duties adequately, and whether there is not an overlapping of one

Votes on [14 JULY, 1964.] Aooownt. 47

of the duties by the Victoria Promotion Committee, which is heavily financed by the Government. " Promotion " is a word of respectable origin which has become jargon at the hands of advertisement copy writers.

In the Victorian Year Book 1964, at page 74, it is said-

The Agent-General's Office at Victoria House, London, has three large display windows on the ground floor of the building which provide excellent opportunities for the display of products and photographs depicting the State's primary and secondary industries and the activities of State instrumentalities.

That picture is unrealistic. The fact is that the opportunities are not excellent. As Sir Horace Petty has pointed out, the office is on an obscure site; it should be in " a more heavily trafficked part of London," where it might attract the notice of persons desirous of migrating to Victoria or inclined in that direction because of dissatisfaction with home conditions.

How many Londoners or visitors to London from overseas or from other parts of England see the displays? How many people, unless they were required to visit Victoria House, would go out of their way to see them unless induced by publicity to do so? There is little or no "public publicity." Moreover, the displays there are outclassed by what happens at other State agencies, which are more suitably sited and thus have superior facilities for their activities.

A solution of the problem as it affects Victoria would obviously appear to be the building of a new office on a better site; but, as the Agent-General has said, the cost of this would be prohibitive unless it were shared by the Commonwealth and other States. Co-operation on those lines is not very likely, but it might be worth an effort by the Victorian Government to secure.

As for "the dissemination of information for the purpose of attract· ing tourists to Victoria," which is one

of the obligations laid upon the Agent-General by the relevant Act, my discussions with other visiting and many expatriated Victorians led me to the conclusion that the quality, quantity and scope of the information should be greatly improved.

But, for that matter, Australia as a whole, and not only Victoria, has found that it gets a paltry publicity deal in Britain. Only the scrappiest news of this country is printed in the newspapers. Australia still seems to be regarded as " the land down under." When I was in London not long ago I wondered-and since I returned I have continued to wonder -what has been done by the Australian National Travel Association with the very considerable funds it has at its disposal from Government and other sources. I saw in the newspapers no advertisement sponsored by that association. Truly enough, I may have missed them. They may have appeared in the glossy magazines which I did not have time to read, and it is not entirely improbable that I missed the association's publicity in the great dailies; but I should be surprised if I did, for I searched for it diligently.

I wish Sir William Leggatt many happy years of retirement from his mission in England, and Sir Horace Petty a happy and fruitful term of office as his successor.

Mr. MITCHELL (Benambra).Briefly, I wish to address myself to item 78 of the Supply schedule, which relates to railway construction. This matter was touched upon by the Leader of my party. I refer, in particular, to the question of derailments. In view of the number .of derailments, I ask the Minister of Transport to make an immediate personal inspection of the line from Wangaratta, through Wodonga, to Cudgewa. I urge the honorable gentleman to travel on that line so that he may see at first hand the difficulties and dangers with which we are faced.


There has been much talk that the derailments occur in the case of freight trains and not in the case of passenger trains. Those who speak in that vein apparently forget that there are human lives on goods trains-the driver, the fireman, the guard, and the rest of the train crew. Surely those men are worthy of an effort by the Minister of Transport to ensure that their lives will no longer be placed in jeopardy. To my mind, it is miraculous that there have not already been deaths among the crews of freight trains operating in the area to which I have referred.

Further, I ask for an open public inquiry into these derailments. Previously in this House I have asked for such an inquiry, but without success. This departmental inquiry stuff smells of the whitewash brush. It is obviously intended to gloss things over. The public must be admitted to an inquiry which impinges so much on their personal safety. I want the inquiry to relate to the speeds of the trains, the state of the permanent way, and the condition of the rolling-stock.

I now address my remarks to item 81 of the Supply schedule-" Railways-salaries, general expenses, and other services." Last night at the refreshment room at the Spencerstreet railway station, my son asked for chipped potatoes, but was told by the waitress behind the counter that she had been ordered not to serve chipped potatoes with anything but fried fish. I want to know why that must be so. Why, when we are trying to sell the railways to the public and encourage people to travel by train and use railway services to the utmost, must they be denied food such as potatoes? I ask the Government to institute an inquiry along the lines I have suggested.

Mr. LOVEGROVE (Fitzroy).-First of all, I congratulate the Government on its being returned to office and on the advantages it will acquire from an enlargement of the Treasury bench. I am particularly glad to see

that another lawyer, the honorable member for Camberwell, has been elevated to the front bench, for the Government is in real need of sound legal advice. I also congratulate the honorable member for Polwarth on his attaining Cabinet rank, and I wish him well in his new position. It is pleasing to note that the honorable member for Brighton also has been promoted to the Ministry. If there is any portfolio that needs a backstop in this Parliament it is that of education, and we look forward with anticipation to hearing in the near future from the honorable member for Brighton in his new capacity as Assistant Minister of Education.

Having offered my congratulations, I wish to say that, in my view, the people of Victoria, in returning the Bolte Administration to office, have elected a bad Government. However, this bad Government has been elected by a majority of voters, and we must accept the majority decision. In my view the only reason for the re-election of the Bolte Government was its naked appeal to self-interest, materialism, and the baser and less moral instincts of the Australian community.

Mr. WHEELER.-You are still licking your wounds.

Mr. LOVEGROVE.-During the election campaign, a good deal was said about statements made by members of our party. I would be more than foolish to suggest that less or more of the truth was stated by members of other parties purely because I regard them as political opponents. On the contrary, I respect their views. If I were to take a text from the speeches delivered in this House to-day, the best one I could take would be that which was stated by the honorable member for St. Kilda, who pointed out, with wisdom and perception beyond the usual capacity of new members, that if Parliament was to continue, if good Government was to continue, and if our kind of civilization was to continue, it would be necessary to look beyond the


frontiers of Victoria and beyond the frontiers of State politics .. Therefore, I say that this is a bad Government, elected by a society that has been drugged.

Mr. TAYLOR.-Drugged by prosperity.

Mr. LOVEGROVE.-One honorable member calls it prosperity, another calls it affluence, while somebody else may describe it as hire-purchase. Another person may describe it as the debt society-the society that is plunged into perpetual debt. But any society, irrespective of the merits of the Government or the party concerned, and irrespective of State frontiers or national boundaries, is bound, sooner or later, to be confronted by big moral issues facing the world to-day, and it will then either stand or fall, not by the measure of its material prosperity in Victoria but by its moral standards before the whole of the civilized world. Nobody can deny that. It will not be the philosophy of the party represented by the present Government that will decide those issues in Australia; it will be the philosophy represented by Opposition members.

As the member representing the area concerned, I take the strongest objection to the Housing Commission considering new slum reclamation projects in Carlton whilst other projects remain unsatisfied, unbuilt, and indeed, unplanned, I protest at the latest decision of the Commission to acquire the Dickens-street project in Carlton whilst the rest of the area remains both unplanned and unbuilt and, so far as the business people of the area are concerned, in a state of indecision, which reflects very little credit on those who claim to represent private enterprise in the community to-day. Leaving aside for. the moment the question of which particular places are to be demolished and which places are to remain standing, I wish to place on record the fact that I should like the Government and the Minister of Housing to inform the public at the

Session 1964.-3

earliest opportunity of the kind of businesses which must give way to slum reclamation in any area, and what kind of businesses are to remain. If the only kind of businesses which are to remain are those that serve a certain, specific and peculiar need of the male population in the main, and other businesses are to enjoy a peculiar, unexplained and up-to-date inadequately compensated kind of immunity, the Opposition would like to know what the Government is going to do about it.

The next matter to which I propose to ref er is not one of a political character-I have finished with politics. I have the honour for the time being to represent Parliament on the council of the University of Melbourne, which has been described by various people who do not like it as the intellectual headquarters of what has been termed " the establishment " in Australia. That, of course, is not my description of it; it is the description that is applied to it by those who dislike its form of intellectual activity and intellectual classification, and the kind of people who go there.

For what it is worth, I point out that it is surprising to find a gap-a seemingly unbridgeable gulf-between the Government of Victoria and what is described as the government of the Melbourne university. I suggest that the Government of Victoria should make some attempt to bridge that gulf. At the present time, from what I can gather, most unfavourable views of the Government of Victoria are held by the leaders. of the Melbourne university. I ·do not propose to take sides in this matter, but I think something should be done in an endeavour to reach some kind of understanding between the people who represent the Government and those who are responsible academically for the government of the University of Melbourne. As an indication of the good faith and sense of responsibility of the .Melbourne university, it can be said that, after a good deal of investigation, it has


been decided by the university that an investigation will be held into the administration, and that some attempt will be made to regularize what at present appears to be an increasingly complex administrative problem.

I shall leave that matter for the time being because certain differences have entered into the relationships between the Government of Victoria and the Melbourne university, and something ought to be done to resolve those in a nonpolitical way, which leaves Parliament free to apply its judgment wherever it can to both the financial and the academic problems of the university. In introducing that subject, I am satisfied that at the present time the treatment that the university is receiving from the Government is prejudiced by the relationship between the two bodies.

Mr. HOLDEN .-In other words, the university does not get a fair go?

Mr. LOVEGROVE.-1 did not say that. I think the Minister of Education and the honorable member of the Legislative Council who represents the Government on the council of the University of Melbourne would be far better fitted to express an opinion whether the Melbourne university receives a fair go from the Government. I do not believe the Minister of Education will deny that there is a very bad relationship between the Government and the Melbourne university at the present time. Some attempt should be made to bring about a better relationship between the two bodies.

The financial position of the Melbourne university is farcical. It is supposed to represent the highest level of tertiary education in Victoria. Subject to correction by the Minister of Education, I understand that the university population is at present about 13,500, and it is designed to go to 15,000 o_r 15,500. However, the university is inadequately staffed, badly administered, and academically and intellectually

inadequate, and a large percentage of its student population-2,000 of them-is badly housed, financially handicapped and psychologically disadvantaged. In fact, under the existing system, the Government is solving the problems of higher education by simply making it impossible for certain people to succeed with their studies. I do not say that the Government is doing that deliberately, but, by its failure to deal with the problems of the Melbourne university, it is making the institution a second-grade establishment in the tertiary education levels of Australia.

Mr. HOLDEN.-What are you, as a member of the University Council, doing about that?

Mr. LOVEGROVE.-1 am criticiz-. ing it. The Government has the

task of getting enough money with which to obtain enough books for the library at the university. According to the press and various other publications in Victoria, the Melbourne university library is at present the most understaffed, underequipped and ill-serviced university library in Australia. Nobody can deny that. If honorable members visited the library during peak periods, they would see dozens of students sitting on the floor. When they are not at the Public Library in Swanston-street-it is almost impossible to get into this institution on Saturday afternoons because it is packed with students-large numbers of students may be seen sitting on the floor of the Baillieu Library of the university because there is not enough seating accommodation for those who are attending.

Mr. CHRISTIE.-They are hungry for books.

Mr. LOVEGROVE.-Yes. I do not pretend that I have any expertise or any knowledge which could match that of the Minister of Education, but he would admit that the trend of education at the tertiary level to-day is that the tutor guides and the pupil reads. That


may be all wrong-I do not know-but what the librarians, the tutors and the professorial staff at the University of Melbourne say is more than borne out by the observations contained in the Minister's book written after he returned from a trip abroad, when he pointed out that big savings could be made in university teaching by means of visual education and scientific aids where the great bulk of the study depended upon the reading capacity of the student.

To-day what is the situation? The students cannot get sufficient books. Not only is the failure rate of students at matriculation level increasing, but, unless something is done about the matter, the failure rate at the University of Melbourne -and this is the university I emphasize-will increase during the next three years.

Other subjects could be discussed. For instance, the conditions under which some students have to live are disgusting. To appreciate the situation, one has only to look at some of the rooms, lodgings and boardings that students use in Fitzroy, Carlton, Parkville, North Melbourne and other localities near the university. A report prepared by the Student Housing Board in June, 1964, stated-

The physical conditions of lodgings at present being used varies from very good to very bad, with the majority falling short of standards considered desirable for students. Many of the rooms are too small to accommodate the necessary minimum of furniture -bed, dressing table, hanging space, desk, bookshelf and chair. Many are ill-lit, dark and dingy; have inadequate electric power outlets, so that the room becomes dangerously festooned with electricity leads; some have no means of exit in case of fire; in some the washing and water supply facilities are inadequate; cooking and food storage facilities inadequate-and so through a catalogue of ills.

A large proportion of those in lodgings live under conditions that would make effective academic work difficult for the most dedicated student.

It is not students from the big colleges who suffer those disabilities. These colleges have almost a guaranteed quota of students who will matriculate and will live at the

university. Children of people in receipt of low incomes suffer in this way, and students from middleincome homes are affected, too. Nobody knows better than the Minister of Education that their parents cannot afford to pay their sons and daughters enough money to live where they should live in order to study, and have to cast them into the sorts of lodgings and disorderly surroundings, psychologically impossible for study, that are described by the Student Housing Board.

The Government, which, in my view, is elected wrongly, ought to do something about this matter. It is a bad Government, which has been elected to office because there is an affluent society; everybody is in work. The Government encourages the idea that the most useful person in our society is the man who can make the most money, and it does not matter how he makes it. Every boast that the Government makes of its success is predicated on the achievements of private enterprise, which will supply an endless 'list of electronic apparatus-I have named them before-for houses.

Mr. SuGGETT.-The workers have those appliances.

Mr. LOVEGROVE.-Some cannot get sewerage, some cannot get water, and others cannot get gas. The condemnation that I make of the Government is that the dedication of its philosophy to materialism is now sacrificing the intellectual capacity of the University of Melbourne, and that the functionaries needed technically, intellectually and academically to carry on the work of any Western civilized society are not being provided. I hope the Minister of Education and his colleague in another place will do something about this matter. We do not want any more talk. The University of Melbourne has supplied the Minister and the Government with lists of financial requirements. The staff are underpaid, there are not enough buildings, those that exist are badly planned, the


students are inadequately housed, the library would be a disgrace to any university in Australia, and the whole show is heading for such a breakdown that any Government that permits it to occur is a disgrace to the people of Victoria.

Mr. BLOOMFIELD (Minister of Education) .-1 had not proposed to make any contribution to the Supply debate, but in view of the suggestion of the Deputy Leader of the Opposition that the relations-I take him to mean the day-to-day personal relations-between members of the Government and members of the governing body of the University of Melbourne were in bad shape, I consider that it would be wrong if I did not make some comment.

First, however, I wish to address a word or two to the comments with which the honorable member began and concluded his observations. To me, and I think to other members, it was illuminating to hear him say that the Government was badly elected because it was elected during a time of prosperity by an affluent society.

Mr. LOVEGROVE.-That is right; that is why you are there.

Mr. BLOOMFIELD.-Exactly. I think we can rightly and fairly claim to have done our share in producing this affluence which is complained of as leading to the election of a poor form of Government and that is something for which we are not ashamed to be partially responsible. Of course, the honorable member is really complaining because a period of nine years on the left-hand side of the Speaker becomes rather tedious. It is a period which he would willingly see terminated. He would willingly produce the state of affairs which he is complaining about, no doubt which he is desiring, to have the election of that type of Government in a time of adversity-I suppose in a time of destitution-when the majority for his party would be overwhelming and enormous. That is his complaint-that the Government has been elected by a satisfied

people after they have committed their affairs to a Liberal Government for almost the last decade.

Mr. SuTTON.-Did he not speak of universities?

Mr. BLOOMFIELD.-He did. He believes the relations between the university authorities and the Government are unsatisfactory. However, I emphasize that the Government respects the autonomy of the university and does not meddle in the internal activities of management in the university itself.

Mr. LOVEGROVE.-You should start to do so.

Mr. BLOOMFIELD.-1 shall explain the relations between the Government and the Chancellor, the ViceChancellor and the deputies of those two authorities. I give my assurance that those relations are excellent. I have had occasion to ring one of those gentlemen almost weekly.

Mr. LOVEGROVE.-Have they supplied you with an organization chart or flow chart?

Mr. BLOOMFIELD.-For all I know those two terms may be commonplace and self-explanatory in the particular jargon of the honorable member for Fitzroy.

Mr. LovEGROVE.-1 can see that you know nothing about it.

Mr. BLOOMFIELD.-1 know all about the University Calendar which sets out the university organization quite clearly. I do not know whether the honorable member for Fitzroy is aware of the existence of such a publication, but it does set out quite clearly what goes on at the university. My understanding is· that the relations between the Government and the university are excellent.

Mr. LOVEGROVE.-Don't you know that the library is broke?

Mr. BLOOMFIELD.-That has nothing to do with the relations between the people who represent the Government and those who manage the university. I have gone

Votes on (14 JULY, 1964.] Account. 53

on record as saying that I have long had doubts whether the organization of the university and its system of management, which was devised over 100 years ago, is suitable.

Mr. LOVEGROVE.-Suitable! They could not run a " hot-dog " stand, and you know it.

Mr. BLOOMFIELD.-That is not a matter of relations between the Government and the university.

Mr. LOVEGROVE.-Rubbish!

Mr. BLOOMFIELD.-! think it is possible that my public doubts as to the suitability of the university organization might have contributed to the setting up of a committee within the university to examine the question of the organizational structure. That is going·· on at the moment. As the honorable member for Fitzroy knows, Dr. Law, who is a distinguished and practical man of affairs, has moved for a committee to undertake this work. I am hopeful that it will result in improved methods of administration.

The terms of reference for the third university specifically invite the committee to recommend to the Government the most efficient form of managerial structure for the new university, and they are not confined to traditional methods such as we adopted for Monash University. The present state of university autonomy, which I regard as rather creaking machinery, is capable of improvement. The top body consists of 30 people who meet once a month for two hours to go through an agenda of some half a dozen pages and 30 pages of addenda; it deals with the operations of three major committees each of which has a particular subject-matter to deal with, such as buildings, staff and finance. I believe the status and authority of the Vice-Chancellor and the Chancellor are inadequate because they cannot cope with the myriad discussions and tasks which beset them in the day-to-day administration and organization.

Mr. LOVEGROVE.-That is the greatest understatement of the year.

Mr. BLOOMFIELD.-One question which no doubt will concern the honorable member for Fitzroy, as it concerned me as one of his colleagues on the council, is how the money is being spent. We have heard a great deal about the library, but after all there are about 10,000 students at the university and the library spends £175,000 a year, which is equivalent to £18 per student.

Mr. LOVEGROVE.-Not as much as other libraries spend.

Mr. BLOOMFIELD.-At the moment it has not got as much. But do not let us forget that a magnificent foundation erected the new library. There was an ancient library with a store of books which grew up over 100 years. Of course, it has not obtained finance at anything like the same rate as Monash University.

Mr. LOVEGROVE.-Why not? Mr. BLOOMFIELD.-Because it

has not had to build itself up from nothing as was the case with Monash University.

Mr. LOVEGROVE.-Why did the Government not give it some money?

Mr. BLOOMFIELD.-The university gets £175,000 a year, which is not bird-seed. I believe it is reasonable to expect the university to inquire into what is being spent. It is for the univ·ersity to determine how much money should be devoted to the library and what finance should be allocated to other things.

Mr LOXTON.-ls the building programme separate?

Mr. BLOOMFIELD.-Yes, quite separate.

Mr. LOVEGROVE.-lt is like a maze; one could get lost at the university.

Mr. BLOOMFIELD.-! should like to give one example of the co-operation which, in my view, exists between the Government and those administering the university.

Mr. LOVEGROVE.-This must be the only one.


Mr. BLOOMFIELD.-lt is one example, and it is not widely known. Some two or three years ago, when particular concern was being expressed about the failure rate at the university, I invited the university to co-operate in the setting up of a committee consisting of representatives of State schools, independent schools and the university itself to investigate the reasons. It seemed to me that the university was saying that young men and women who attended the university had been inadequately taught and prepared for university life, while the teachers in the schools were saying that the university was not giving these young people proper instruction when they went there. These people have, over the past two years, been conducting a most thorough investigation into the statistics of university examination results, and successes and failures. That is a necessary background study for determination of the explanation of these failure rates. It indicates, I think, a willingness to co-operate. I deny the suggestion that the relations between the Chancellor, the Vice-Chancellor, their deputies and the other university authorities, and the representatives of the Government are bad.

Mr. LOVEGROVE.-They are not good.

Mr. BLOOMFIELD.-Personally, l think they are extremely pleasant.

Mr. LOVEGROVE.-They are asking you for money all the time, and when they cannot get it they are dunning you. Do you think that is a good relationship?

Mr. BLOOMFIELD.-! do not think that is the situation. The Government's attitude is that there is an extremely highly qualified and experienced Commonwealth Commission, which is always in operation and always available to the university, and this is an expert body. The State Government has always met what it has recommended. I do not think we have been abused by the university authorities

for adopting the attitude to which the honorable member for Fitzroy referred, nor do I think we have accused the university of any lack of wisdom or common sense in expending the money it is given.

I do think it is up to them-and they are now inquiring into their organization-to ensure that what they spend is spent wisely. The only other point is the matter of student lodgings. This is a tremendous problem. During the past fortnight, there has been presented to the university a report recommending the expenditure of £10,000,000 to provide what would be regarded as completely satisfactory lodgings for every student attending the university. This proposal has only just come to hand, and it is obviously a project of tremendous size and one which will have to be examined. I assure the Committee that the proposal involves for a Government in our situation, even though it comprises a plan spread over a period of years, a tremendous outlay of funds. Every effort by this Government to raise more money by any means brings a howl of criticism from the Opposition, from the corner party, from the press and from the public. I do not think any member of this Chamber can at the moment foresee where this £10,000,000 will come from; everybody can foresee better destinations for the money.

Mr. SCHINTLER.-lt will have to come from the Commonwealth.

Mr. BLOOMFIELD.-This is something which the Commonwealth has not tackled so far-the provision of exterior accommodation for university students. Even if the Commonwealth did come to the party, one could not expect the assistance to be better than the 50 per cent. basis it adopts" for other purposes. I wanted to refer to these matters, and I thought that as I was present to-night it was up to me to advise the Deputy Leader of the Opposition that I do not agree with his suggestion that there is a breakdown in the personal relations between the


university and the Government which was responsible for the state of affairs which is admittedly far from entirely satisfactory.

Mr. LOVEGROVE (Fitzroy). - I do not question the Minister's good .. will or integrity in this matter, but I desire to point out that at a time when the economy is prosperous and when the Government is quite rightly claiming that Victoria is flourishing -I think the Minister must admit that-it is a paradox that in the midst of this private prosperity we cannot get enough money to enable tertiary education to function properly.

Mr. BLOOMFIELD.-That is happen .. ing all over the world, and there is also the question of the shortage of teachers.

Mr. LOVEGROVE. - There is a good deal in what the Minister says, and it is true that it is happening all over the world wherever the par .. ticular kind of economy that we enjoy is in operation. Whether or not it is endemic in Europe, Asia, the United States of America or Great Britain, the point is that in Victoria it is the job of the Government to deal with it. I admit it is not the responsibility of the Government only but in view of the general prosperity about which the Government made great boasts during the recent election campaign, the Government should immediately seek means of deriving from that prosperity enough money to equip tertiary education adequately. What the Government should really do is tax some of the richer people in the community more highly so that it can get the money needed for the University of Melbourne.

Mr. CHRISTIE (Ivanhoe). - I wished to speak earlier to-night, but because of the speed which surrounded the matter before the Committee I was prevailed upon not to speak. However, I do not think the matter on which I wish to speak will keep until September. The Minister of Education was critical of the fact that the council of the University of

Melbourne was meeting for only two hours every month to conduct its business, yet in this place we are trying in about 40 minutes to put through a Bill to authorize the spending of £40,000,000. Therefore, I want to bring up a point under items 1 to 5. The debate up to this stage lends a little point to what I have to say because a charge was made against education. What happened? The Min~ster was in the House and entered into the debate, and in the warmth of the debate and from the skill and background of his knowledge we were enabled to see the other side of the picture. To-day we have, very quickly for this place, gladly and unanimously agreed to the appointment of fifteen Ministers of the Crown. Five of those Ministers will be in what we are only allowed to call "another place." I do not object to the appointment of fifteen Ministers, but I wish to deal with the other place. I speak as a " permanent" for-the-time-being backbench member of the Legislative Assembly. I believe this Assembly should have something to say about this matter, so I am going to say something if no other member will.

In this Assembly, traditionally from the British Parliamentary system, we have the main part of the Executive Government-the Premier, the Deputy Premier, and most of the Ministers. But there is a tendency, accelerated to-day, for more Ministers to come from another place. What does that mean? Under the system which applies in the United States of America the Executive is elected. The President is elected, and he chooses his Cabinet. The Senate, Congress and so forth are remote and they debate matters at great length. Under the British system, the great difference is-as we saw occur just now-that the House is alive, the debate ensues; we know what is going on because the Minister is in the House to answer. The important point is that the Minister of the Crown is answerable to the House for what he does and for what his


Department does. I do not object to the Ministers who have been appointed in another place. The five Ministers are very capable and good Ministers, and I am speaking not about the men themselves, but about what is happening to this Parliament. The Ministers may be and should be in this House for us to see and to hear, to permit the corporate thinking of this place and the corporate thinking of Parliament.

There are now in the Legislative Council five vital Ministers. First, there is the Minister of Agriculture, and the Premier has said that agriculture is more important to this State than industry. Other portfolios in the Council are Health and Local Government. Is there any activity in this State closer to the members of the Assembly of this Parliament than local government? The members of the Assembly are much clos·er to the people than are the members of another place. Also in the Council are the Ministers. of Housing and State Development. That House meets from time to time, not exactly when the Assembly does and not as often. Since adult suffrage and as we are increasing our Ministerial forces in another place, this other place is not a house of review at all. It is an extension of the legislative function, and to that extent it is no longer the other place but a branch office of this Assembly. Further, it is a branch office of this House because Bills originate there.

I believe the point I am about to make should be looked into before September, and I should be glad if my remarks could be passed on to the Speaker. If this other place is in effect a branch office, there is some difficulty in carrying out our Standing Order No. 91 because for the good government of this State we are bound by that Standing Order when under the new circumstances we should not be. Standing Order No. 91 states-

No member shall allude to any debate in the other House of Parliament, or to any measure pending therein.

Mr. Christie.

I believe that as the other House is confirmed as an extension of this place, we should alter that Standing Order. We should be able to refer to debates there. It would be found that the interest in this House, which is lagging so sadly, would be increased if we could join the debates in both places. My recommendation is that we should think seriously of this because how is it possible to carry on a lively debate, which is the essence of parliamentary democracy, if one-third-a vital one-third----of the Executive Government is in the branch office? I believe every member of this Assembly should point out this trend and should say that either the two Houses should combine or, alternatively, this place should be allowed to discuss the debates in another House.

The motion was agreed to. The resolution was reported to the

House and adopted.

WAYS AND MEANS. The House went into Committee of

Ways and Means. Mr. BOLTE (Premier and Trea

surer) .-I move-That towards making good the Supply

granted to Her Majesty for the service of the year 1964-65, the sum of £40,860,910 be granted out of the Consolidated Revenue of Victoria.

The motion was agreed to, and the resolution was reported to the House and adopted.

CONSOLIDATED REVENUE BILL (No. I).

Leave was given to Mr. Bolte (Premier and Treasurer) and Mr. Rylah (Chief Secretary) to bring in a Bill to carry out the resolution of the Committee of Ways and Means.

Mr. BOLTE (Premier and Treasurer) brought in a Bill to apply out of the Consolidated Revenue the sum of £40,860,910 to the service of the year 1964-65, and moved that it be read a first time.

The motion was agreed to, and the Bill was read a first time, and pa.ssed through its remaining stages.

Library Committee. [14 JULY, 1964.] Printing Committee. 57

COMMITTEE OF PUBLIC ACCOUNTS.

Mr. RYLAH (Chief Secretary).By leave, I move-

That Mr. Divers, Mr. Gibbs, Mr. R. S. L. McDonald, Mr. Ring, Mr. Taylor, Mr. Trewin, and Mr. Wheeler, be members of the Committee of Public Accounts and that the committee have power to send for persons, papers, and records, to move from place to place, and to sit on days on which the House does not meet; three to be the quorum.




That Mr. Borthwick, Mr. Cochrane, Mr. Dunstan, Dr. Jenkins, Mr. Whiting and Mr. Wilkes be members of the Statute Law Revision Committee; and that the committee have power to send for persons, papers, and records.


SUBORDINATE LEGISLATION COMMITTEE.


That Sir Herbert Hyland, Mr. Mutton and Mr. L. S. Reid be members of the Subordinate Legislation Committee; and that the committee have power to send for persons, papers, and records.


HOUSE COMMITTEE. Mr. RYLAH (Chief Secretary).

By leave, I move-That Mr. Divers, Mr. Fennessy, Mr.

R. S. L. McDonald, Mr. Suggett, and Mr. Trewin be members of the House Committee; and that the committee have leave to sit on days on which the House does not meet.


LIBRARY COMMITTEE. Mr. RYLAH (Chief Secretary).

By leave, I move-That Mr. Speaker, Mr. A. T. Evans, Mr.

B. J. Evans, Mr. Gainey, and Mr. Sutton be members of the Joint Committee to manage the Library and that the committee have leave to sit on days on which the House does not meet.

The motion was agreed to. Session 1964.--4

PRINTING COMMITTEE. Mr. RYLAH (Chief Secretary).

By leave, I move-That Mr. Speaker, Mr. Birrell, Mr.

Hudson, Dr. Jenkins, Mr. Phelan, Mr. Stokes, Mr. Trezise, and Mr. Whiting be members of the Printing Committee, and that the committee have leave to sit on days on which the House does not meet; three to l!>e the quorum.


STANDING ORDERS COMMITTEE. Mr. RYLAH (Chief Secretary).

By leave, I move-That Mr. Speaker, Mr. B. J. Evans, Mr.

J. D. Macdonald, Mr. Moss, Mr. Scanlan, Mr. Stoneham, and Mr. Sutton be members of the Standing Orders Committee, and that the committee have leave to sit on days on which the House does not meet; five to be the quorum.


PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE. Mr. RYLAH (Chief Secretary).

By leave, I move-That Mr. Floyd, Mr. Holden, Sir Herbert

Hyland, and Mr. Wilton be members of the Public Works Committee.


STATE DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE.


That Mr. Clarey, Mr. Phelan, Mr. Tanner, and Mr. Wiltshire be members of the State Development Committee.


ADJOURNMENT. MELBOURNE AND METROPOLITAN

BOARD OF WORKS: SOUTH-EASTERN INTERCEPTOR SEWER.

Mr. RYLAH (Chief Secretary).! move-

That the House, at its rising, adjourn until a day and hour to be fixed by Mr. Speaker, or, if Mr. Speaker is unable to act on account of illness or any other cause, by the Chairman of Committees, which time of meeting shall be notified to each member of the House by telegram or letter.

58 Death of the Honorable [ASSEMBLY.j Edmond John Hogan.

1 should say in explanation of the motion that it is the intention of the Government that the House should meet on or about the 8th September next.


Mr. RYLAH (Chief Secretary).-1 move-

That the House do now adjourn.

Mr. CHRISTIE (lvanhoe).-1 should like to ask the Executive Government whether it will inform the House of the stage reached on the planning of the south-eastern interceptor sewer, and when the work is likely to be started.

Mr. RYLAH (Chief Secretary).-1 am unable to-night to give the honorable member for Ivanhoe an answer to his question. I shall arrange for the Minister for Local Government to communicate with him as soon as possible.



it gislatittt Asstmbly. Tuesday, September 8, 1964.

The SPEAKER (Sir William McDonald) took the chair at 4.12 p.m., and read the prayer.

DEATH OF THE HONORABLE EDMOND JOHN HOGAN.


That this House expresses its · sincere sorrow at the death of the Honorable Edmond John Hogan, and places on record its acknowledgment of the valuable services rendered by him to the Parliament and the people of Victoria as member of the Legislative Assembly for the electoral district of Warrenheip from 1913 to 1927 and for the electoral district of Warrenheip and Grenville from 1927 to 1943; Leader of the Opposition from 1928 to 1929; Minister of the Crown in 1924, from 1927 to 1928, from

1929 to 1932, and from 1935 to 1943; and Premier of Victoria from 1927 to 1928 and from 1929 to 1932. Few members of the present Parliament-probably only the honorable member for Gippsland South, the Leader of the Opposition, and the honorable member for Coburg-were members when the late Mr. Hogan represented the electoral district of Warrenheip and Grenville. I knew him reasonably well, and part of his old electorate was incorporated in the one to which I was elected in 1947; Warrenheip and Grenville disappeared and became part of Hampden.

During the whole of his political career, Mr. Hogan was a most impressive man. He had a fine bearing and was accepted and acknowledged throughout the length and breadth of Victoria. He was Premier and Treasurer on two occasions and held those portfolios for a total period of four years. For twelve and a half years he was a Minister of the Crown in various Governments. Mr. Hogan served two parties, and I believe he served the people of the State, according to his own views, in a straightforward, honest capacity.

Mr. Hogan was Premier during one of the most difficult periods of Australia's history. Nobody could blame him for either the condition of the country at that time or the remedial measures that were thought necessary. All that is now history, and whether the steps taken were right or wrong is at the moment immaterial. Mr. Hogan occupied a position of trust and was embroiled in what history may have proved to be some wrong decisions, but I would never subscribe to the view that he was personally responsible. He was part of the pattern of that political era, and he did what he believed to be right and proper.

Many of those who have been members of the Legislative Assembly for some years met Mr. Hogan after he retired from Parliament in 1943. We did not always agree with his views; in fact, it would be fair to say that on some subjects not one me~ber of

Death of the Honorable [8 SEPTEMBER, 1964.) Edmond John Hogan. 59

this House would agree with him. One of those subjects-and I do not mind mentioning it-was the question of Parliamentary salaries. His attitude on it seemed to be based on the conditions existing in the 1929 period. However, he was entitled to his point of view, and he was fearless enough always to express it.

I can assure you, Mr. Speaker, that in the district where Mr. Hogan served the electors for 30 years, his name is revered. I well remember that when I was electioneering in the years 1945 and 1947, Mr. Hogan was well and favourably known to all in the old Warrenheip and Grenville electorate, and I do not mean only the members of the particular party which he represented. Even if people were politically opposed to him, they had a great and genuine respect for him.

Although I did not have the opportunity of serving as a member of Parliament with Mr. Hogan, I move this motion sincerely, and I believe that members will subscribe to it.

Mr. STONEHAM (Leader of the Opposition) .-Members of the Opposition desire to be associated with the motion. It is clear from the imposing record of parliamentary and governmental positions which Mr. Hogan held that he rendered valuable services to this State over a lengthy period-from 1913 to 1943.

It is true that for some of the time Mr. Hogan held Ministerial office there was a period of economic, social and political turmoil. That was during a severe depression which taxed the political wisdom and sagacity of members of all Australian Parliaments, both Federal and State. It was a period of immense difficulties, and it is against that background that we have to judge the record of Mr. Hogan.

He was a man who held very strong views-especially on certain subjects-and at times his attitude was definitely inflexible. Unfortunately, he came into open conflict with his own party. That is an aspect I do not wish to pursue, but I

think it can truly be said that in holding to his opinions, whether they were right or wrong, he acted with complete sincerity.

A son of the soil, Mr. Hogan was an extremely active man, and he had an impressive record as Minister of Agriculture, Minister of Markets, Minister of Mines when the Mines Department was more extensive than it is to-day, and Minister of Railways. I am sure that by his administrative ability he contributed materially to the improvement of the Departments of which he was Ministerial head. After Mr. Hogan left Parliament, he was very prominent in promoting soil conservation, and did valuable work in that sphere. We on this, the Opposition, side of the House, extend to members of the late Mr. Hogan's family our deepest sympathy in their bereavement.

Mr. MOSS (Leader of the Country Party) .-On behalf of the Country Party, I desire to support the motion moved by the Premier and seconded by the Leader of the Opposition. As the Premier remarked, the late Mr. Hogan was for some 30 years a very striking and, indeed, controversial figure in the political life of this State. During his membership of this Assembly, he served for three years and nine months as Premier of Victoria and also had the distinction of being Minister of Agriculture for some eight years. Together with the other portfolios that he held, this made Mr. Hogan's record as a Parliamentarian a wonderful one. Later, Mr. Hogan served as a member of the Soil Conservation Authority for eight years, and he rendered valuable service to the people of this State in that capacity. As the Leader of the Opposition has said, the late Mr. Hogan possessed very strong convictions, and he never deviated from the line or path that he believed to be the right one. To-day we pay tribute to a man who served Victoria well. I desire to join the Premier and the Leader of the Opposition in express: ing our sorrow to Mrs. Hogan and her family in their sad loss.

60 Valuation of Land [ASSEMBLY.] (Appeals) Bill.

The SPEAKER (Sir William McDonald).-On behalf of all members of the House, I support the expression of sympathy moved by the Premier and supported by the Leader of the Opposition and the Leader of the Country Party. The passing of men like Mr. Hogan in a sense ends some links with this Parliament. Members generally have spoken of him as being an upright and forthright man, and one of striking appearance.

With the passing of Mr. Hogan, we notice also the passing of certain names, such as those of the electorates he represented, which we no longer recognize. Among the portfolios he held, that of Markets has gone out of use, as has, in some contexts, another expression, " Minister of the Crown." Those are links which his passing severs from this Parliament.

We who knew Mr. Hogan remember him as a man of great age, a man whom most of us saw only as a visitor to this place. I join the Premier and party leaders in expressing to his wife and his two remaining children our deepest sympathy in their bereavement.



That, as a further mark of respect to the memory of the late Honorable Edmond John Hogan, the House do now adjourn until a quarter to Eight o'clock this day.

The motion was agreed to. The House adjourned at 4.27 p.m. The SPEAKER (Sir William

McDonald) took the chair at 7 .51 p.m.

VALUATION OF LAND (APPEALS) BILL.

Mr. RYLAH (Attorney-General).! desire to give notice that to-morrow I will move that I have leave to bring in a Bill entitled a Bill to establish a land valuation court, a land valuation appeal Board, and for other purposes.

Mr. HOLDEN (Moonee Ponds) (By leave) .-Can the AttorneyGeneral indicate to the House the contents of the Bill to which he has just referred?

Mr. RYLAH (Attorney-General) (By leave) .-The Bill to be introduced will establish a land valuation court and a land valuation Board as a simple and inexpensive means of enabling citizens to appeal against land valuations, whether they are municipal, made by some Government authority, or deal with compensation, and so on. This legislation will be substantially on the lines of the land tax valuations appeal Board set up during the last session of the previous Parliament. The Government wishes to ensure that a simple and inexpensive form of appeal is provided.

LIBRARY SERVICES IN VICTORIA. REPORT OF BOARD OF INQUIRY.

Mr. RYLAH (Chief Secretary) presented the report of the Board of Inquiry into Library Services in Victoria.


That the report do lie on the table.

Mr. SUTTON (Albert Park).-Mr. Speaker, in view of what I believe has been a grave irregularity I ask you to rule on the method of making available to members of Parliament a report such as the one that is now being tabled. The inquiry into library services was conducted and the report was compiled in response to a command by His Excellency the Governor; therefore, the report became a Command Paper. On this subject, it is laid down in May's Parliamentary Practice, at pages 276 and 277-

No copies of any Parliamentary paper may be delivered to any Department until they have been made available to members of Parliament. Copies of a Command Paper may be released in advance to the press provided that procedure does not take place before the report is available to members.

In this instance, copies of Sir John Jungwirth's report were released to the newspapers before they were

Library Services [8 SEPTEMBER, 1964.] in Victoria. 61

made available to members, the majority of whom have not yet been enabled to read the report. The procedure that was adopted has caused embarrassment to certain members who have been questioned by librarians and teacher librarians on certain aspects of it that were not mentioned in the press summaries, excellent though these were.

As a trustee of the State Library and a witness before the Board of Inquiry, I might have been expected to know more about the report than some other people, but I did not receive a copy until several days after it was summarized in the press. Then my copy came to me from the State Library, which is attached to the Department of the Chief Secretary. Other trustees, including Sir George Paton, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Melbourne, were placed in a similar unsatisfactory position.

In addition to there being an irregularity, there has been a breach of courtesy-unwitting I, of course, emphasize-towards members. I hope what has happened will not recur, and I suggest that a ruling from you, Mr. Speaker, would be highly valuable in this regard.

Mr. RYLAH (Chief Secretary).Mr. Speaker, I do not think any ruling is needed from you. The point raised by the honorable member for Albert Park has been well taken, and I apologize to the House. I did not appreciate that this report was not available to members. Since I have been Chief Secretary, I have made sure that reports have been made available to honorable members. Obviously, there has been some misunderstanding, because copies of this report were available from the Chief Secretary's Office. It was only when I heard of the complaint of the honorable member for Albert Park, indirectly, the day before yesterday that I discovered what had happened in this case. I assure you, Mr. Speaker, and the honorable member for Albert Park that a limited number of copies of the report in question are

available at the Papers Room. I did consider deferring the tabling of the report until to-morrow when additional copies will be available. However, I assure the House that a copy will be obtained almost immediately by any member who desires to have one.

There are problems in connexion with the circulation of reports. Important and valuable reports come out when the House is not sitting. The usual procedure is that the House directs that a report be printed and then it is printed, but it is not available to members for some considerable time. In an effort to keep members more informed of what is going on, we endeavour to make reports available at an early stage. Very often this means that the Government has to go to the expense of having a report roneoed before it comes before the House and an order is made for it to be printed. This entails extra expense. The Government does not begrudge the expense, but I have

· mentioned the procedure to illustrate the problem. Probably, it would have been better if we had followed the practice that has been adopted in the past-I apologize for the breach on this occasion-of sending to members in roneoed form, reports that subsequently become Parliamentary papers, to be printed, and placed in the archives.

Mr. FENNESSY.-That has been standard practice.

Mr. RYLAH.-That is so.

Mr. SUTTON (Albert Park).-1 appreciate the courteous reply of the Chief Secretary.

The SPEAKER (Sir William McDonald.)-In view of the eminent authority quoted by the honorable member for Albert Park, and the Chief Secretary's adequate explanation and apology, I feel it is not necessary for me to give a ruling on this matter.


62 Shell Pipelines [ASSEMBLY.] Bill.

STATE INSURANCE FUNDS BILL. Mr. RYLAH (Chief Secretary), by

leave, moved for leave to bring in a Bill to make further provision with respect to interest earned on reserves of the State Motor Car Insurance Office and the State Accident Insurance Office, and for other purposes.



SHELL PIPELINES BILL. Mr. RYLAH (Chief Secretary), by

leave, moved for leave to bring in a Bill to authorize and facilitate the construction and operation of a pipeline or pipe-lines for the transportation of petroleum and petroleum products from or to the refinery of Shell Refining (Australia) Proprietary Limited at Corio, and for other purposes.


The Bill was brought in and read · a first time.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT (ST. KILDA AND ELWOOD LAND RECLAMATION) BILL.

Mr. PORTER (Minister of Public Works), by leave, moved for leave to bring in a Bill to validate the expenditure of certain moneys by the council of the City of St. Kilda.



COUNTRY ROADS (AMENDMENT) BILL.

. Mr. PORTER (Minister of Public Works), by leave, moved for leave to bring in a Bill to amend the Country Roads Act 1958.



METROPOLITAN FIRE BRIGADES (LONG SERVICE LEA VE) BILL. Mr. WILCOX (Minister of Immi

gration), by leave, moved for leave to bring in a Bill to amend section 81 of the Metropolitan Fire Brigades Act 1958.



LAND (SPECIAL GRANT) BILL. Mr. BALFOUR (Minister of Lands),

by leave, moved for leave to bring in a Bill to provide for the grant of certain land to the After Care Hospital.



CLOSER SETTLEMENT (REGULATIONS) BILL.

Mr. BALFOUR (Minister of Lands), by leave, moved for leave to bring in a Bill to amend section 46 of the Closer Settlement Act 1938.



REVOCATION AND EXCISION OF CROWN RESERVATIONS BILL. Mr. BALFOUR (Minister of Lands),

by leave, moved for leave to bring in a Bill to revoke the permanent reservations of certain lands, and for other purposes.



GRAIN ELEVATORS (BORROWING) BILL.

Mr. BALFOUR (Minister of Lands), presented a message from His Excellency the Governor recommending that an appropriation be made from the Consolidated Revenue for the

Local Government (St. Kilda and [8 SEPTEMBER, 1964.] Elwood Land Reclamation) Bill. 63

purposes of a Bill to increase the maximum sum which may be borrowed by the Grain Elevators Board.


On the motion of Mr. BALFOUR (Minister of Lands), the Bill was brought in and read a first time.

GENERAL SESSIONS (PENSIONS OF CHAIRMEN) BILL.

Mr. WILCOX (Minister of Immigration) presented a message from His Excellency the Governor recommending that an appropriation be made from the Consolidated Revenue for the purposes of a Bill to provide for the payment of pensions in respect of Chairmen of General Sessions.


On the motion of Mr. WILCOX (Minister of Immigration), the Bill was brought in and read a first time.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT (ST. KILDA AND ELWOOD LAND RECLAMATION) BILL.

The Order_ of the Day for the second reading of this Bill was read.

The SPEAKER (Sir William McDonald).-1 have examined this Bill, and am of opinion that it is a private Bill.

Mr. PORTER (Minister for Local Government) (By leave) .-I move-

That all the private Bill Standing Orders be dispensed with, and that this Bill be treated as a public Bill.


Mr. PORTER (Minister for Local Government) .-1 move-


The purpose of this small measure is to validate certain expenditure incurred by the council of the City of

St. Kilda on works for the reclamation of an area of seabed from Port Pliillip Bay. Arising out of correspondence with the Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works concerning the condition of the seawall in Marine-parade, the council was informed early in 1957 of a proposal of the Board to construct over a period of years a stone mole along a line of sandbanks running northerly from Point Ormond with a view to the reclamation of some 40 acres or thereabouts between the mole and Marine-parade. The proposal was subject to acceptance by the council of responsibility for the filling of the area and for its subsequent development, use and care.

The council was favourably disposed to the scheme, provided that the reclaimed area which would be Crown land would be suitably reserved under the Land Act and placed under the control of the council. At the suggestion of the Lands Department, the council prepared a scheme of development for the area to be reclaimed which the Board forwarded to the Department, and in May, 1958, the council then received advice that the Department had agreed in principle to the· reservation of the reclaimed area and to the appointment of the council as its committee of management.

The Board then proceeded to construct the mole and the council to fill the area, and to date more than half the area to be inside the mole has been reclaimed at a cost of a little over £34,000.

Mr. SuTTON.-ls that the total cost?

Mr. PORTER.-! think it is the total cost to the council, but I may be wrong. Section 802 of the Local Government Act provides-

Where any lands are granted or reserved by Her Majesty or any other person upon such trusts or for such purposes that the ratepayers of any municipality have the right to use the same for the purpose of recreation, the council of the municipality may with the consent of the trustees or other persons (if any) having the care of

64 Local Government (St. Kilda and [ASSEMBLY.] Elwood Land Reclamation) Bill.

such lands and if such lands are outside the municipal district with the consent of the Governor in Council expend moneys out of the municipal fund in rendering such lands more suitable for the purpose aforesaid.

The boundary of the City of St. Kilda when last gazetted in 1896 was defined by reference to the shore of Port Phillip Bay, so that at the time the work was commenced the area to be filled by the council vesting in the Crown was not only outside the municipal district but also was not reserved for public recreation. The council apparently assumed that reservation would follow closely on the work of constructing the mole and filling the reclaimed area, and it was apparently overlooked that legally the area to be filled was not within the municipal district of St. Kilda.

From the practical angle, once the Board had commenced the construction of the mole it was necessary that filling be placed on the landward side of it, and, the supply of filling having been arranged, it had to be used as it arrived at the site. The result was that the work proceeded at a greater rate than the council had anticipated. There is no reason to doubt that the council undertook the work in good faith and without any intention to exceed its statutory powers.

By section 2 of the Local Government (Amendment) Act 1963, a new provision was inserted in the principal Act stating that, where any municipal boundary is or has been described by reference to the shore of the sea or of any bay, the boundary shall be the line for the time being of the high-water mark on the relevant sea coast. This enactment became effective on the 13th November, 1963. Therefore, from that date the land already reclaimed became included in the municipal district, and since then other areas have become so included as they have been reclaimed.

When the council realized that the expenditure was unauthorized, it approached the Lands Department

Mr. Porter.

with a view to putting the matter in order. As a result, the whole reclamation area was reserved as a site for public recreation by Order in Council dated the 5th May, 1964, and gazetted on the 13th May, and on the 15th May, the Board of Land and Works appointed the council the committee of management of the reserve, such appointment being gazetted on the 27th May. Expenditure from the 5th May has consequently been lawful, and the purpose of this Bill is to validate the expenditure on the reclamation work that was incurred prior to that dateapproximately £33,500-notwithstanding that the area had not until that date been within the municipal district or reserved for public recreational purposes.

There is no doubt that, when the reclamation is complete and developmental proposals effected, this nearer bayside area will provide better facilities and accommodation for the greater pleasure and recreational enjoyment of the large crowds who frequent the area during the warmer months of the year. The council undertook this work in the public interest without realizing that the expenditure was technically beyond the powers conferred by the Local Government Act, but, undoubtedly, the development and improvement of this area will be to the benefit of the ever-growing population of the metropolis. In fact, I believe that the whole State will benefit, because the bayside areas are used not only by people who live in the metropolitan area but also by a great many visitors from the country. I commend the Bill to the House.

On the motion of Mr. SUTTON (Albert Park), the debate was adjourned until Tuesday, September 22.

LAND (SPECIAL GRANT) BILL. The Order of the Day for the

second reading of this Bill was read. The SPEAKER (Sir William

McDonald).-! have examined this Bill, and am of opinion that it is a private Bill.

Land (Special [8 SEPTEMBER, 1964.] Grant) Bill. 65

Mr. BALFOUR (Minister of Lands) (By leave) .-I move-



Mr. BALFOUR (Minister of Lands). -I move-


This Bill is probably the final chapter in the division of the Melbourne District Nursing Society, which was generally known as " The Melbourne District Nursing Society and After Care Hospital," into two separate institutions. In 1957 the institution as such was closed, and two individual organizations were incorporated under the Hospitals and Charities Act, one, the Melbourne District Nursing Service, and the other the After Care Hospital. On the closure of the parent institution, the assets were distributed by the Attorney-General, pursuant to the provisions of section 31 of the Hospitals and Charities Act, and among other things it was directed that the freehold property at 39-45 Victoria-parade, Collingwood, owned by the institution, be surrendered to the Crown and be granted in fee-simple to the After Care Hospital without consideration.

The original institution also occupied 452 St. Kilda-road, which had been acquired in 1951 for its purposes and surrendered to the Crown. The distribution provided for an unrestricted grant of this latter area to the Melbourne District Nursing Service. These grants could not be issued without the authority of legislation and in 1959 the Land (Special Grants) Act, No. 6594, was passed. It provided, inter alia, for the issue of unrestricted grants of the property in Victoriaparade to the After Care Hospital, and that in St. Kilda-road to the Melbourne District Nursing Service.

At that time the Hospitals and Charities Commission had acquired or was in course of acquiring properties at Nos. 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15 and 17 Cambridge-street, Collingwood, as

an extension to the hospital site in Victoria-parade, but the dealings had not reached a stage where all the land being acquired could be granted to the After Care Hospital, although that was the ultimate intention. Of the seven freehold titles involved, six have been transferred to the Crown and the transfer of the seventh has been lodged in the Office of Titles. The purpose of this Bill is to provide for the issue to the After Care Hospital of an unrestricted Crown grant of the land acquired for the extension to the hospital. The Bill is short and simple, and its two clauses require no further explanation. If any honorable members desire to inspect plans of the land entailed, I shall be pleased to make arrangements for them to do so.

On the motion of Mr. LOVEGROVE (Fitzroy), the debate was adjourned until Tuesday, September 15.

REVOCATION AND EXCISION OF CROWN RESERVATIONS BILL. Mr. BALFOUR (Minister of Lands).

-I move-That this Bill be now read a second time.

A Bill of this nature is periodically introduced into Parliament to provide for excisions, revocations and amendments to permanent reservations. This measure deals with six reserves, and I shall give honorable members the background to the reservations and the reasons why the revocations either wholly or in part, are required. The First Schedule sets out a list of permanent reservations, all of which are to be revoked in full. They are as follows: -

Parishes of Bairnsdale and Goon Nure-a watering reserve: This reserve, which in two parts comprises nearly 44 acres, is situated about 10 miles south of Bairnsdale at the junction of two unused and unmade roads and is about a mile from a formed and gravelled road leading to Bairnsdale. It was originally part of the Moormurng Common which was temporarily reserved in 1884 and permanently reserved in 1889 for the

6'6 Revocation and Excision of [ASSEMBLY.] Crown Reservations Bill.

watering of stock. Soon afterwards the common was abolished by selection, and departmental records indicate that the reserve was never used for its original purpose. The greater part of the land is in its natural state, but the northern part, comprising 5 acres, has been cleared. Adjacent properties have also been cleared to pasture.

The reserve has been enclosed with adjacent freehold properties since the land was selected in the 1890's, and it is at present occupied under a grazing licence. The area has no practical access, and the Department is satisfied that it serves no useful purpose. The Baimsdale Shire Council and the State Rivers and Water Supply Commission have certified that it is not required for water supply purposes and that it can be sold without detriment to the public interest. It is proposed to revoke the reservation so that the land can be alienated under the provisions of the Land Act.

Parish of Krambruk-Apollo Bay Racecourse Reserve: This area of nearly 80 acres is situated about 1 ! miles south-west of Apollo Bay and its eastern side is about 300 yards from the foreshore of Mounts Bay. The area comprises light sandy loam covered with tea-tree scrub and stunted gum, and there are no improvements remaining from its former use as a racecourse. It was originally reserved in 1905 as a site for a reformatory and training farm, but it was never used for the purpose and the reservation was revoked in 1920. In 1924, the land was temporarily reserved for use as a racecourse and for recreation purposes, and this was followed by a permanent reservation for a racecourse in 1928. A committee of management was appointed and two race-meetings were held, but it is understood that no racing has been carried on since 1931.

From 1931 to 1950, the Commonwealth of Australia established an emergency airstrip on part of the reserve for the use of aircraft flying

Mr. Balfour.

between Tasmania and Victoria, via King Island. The last committee of management was appointed in 1932, and its term of office expired in 1935. No further public interest was taken in the reserve until 1962 when the Department of Crown Lands and Survey granted a local doctor permission to lay down and use a part of the reserve as a landing strip for light aircraft.

On 6th September, 1963, the Otway Shire Council convened a public meeting at Apollo Bay to discuss the future of the reserve and about 88 persons attended. It was resolved that the purpose of the reservation be changed to that of recreation, with provision for the establishment of an airstrip. The Department is prepared to carry out the wishes of the meeting which are supported by the shire council, but the part to be reserved for recreation and the form of tenure to be granted over the airstrip are still the subject of negotiation. It is proposed that the permanent reservation for a racecourse should be revoked so that the results of these negotiations can be implemented by administrative action.

Parish of Lockwood-a water supply reserve: This small reserve of less than an acre is situated on the Bendigo-Eddington road about 9 miles south-west of Bendigo, at a place known as "Will's Corner". The reserve was provided in 1888 for the watering of travelling stock. The Country Roads Board wishes to deviate the road and to improve the curve of the sealed formation, for which purpose it will require about 15 perches of the reserve.

For the past 30 years, the land has been occupied under a grazing licence, and the Marong Shire Council and the State Rivers and Water Supply Commission have certified that it is no longer required for its original purpose. This is confirmed by departmental reports, and it is proposed to revoke the reservation as a whole. A portion of the area will be made available for road

Revocation and Excision of [8 SEPTEMBER, 1964.] Crown Reservations Bill. 67

deviation, and the balance will become unalienated land of the Crown.

Parish of Yarrowee-a watering reserve: This reserve of nearly 13 acres-it was reserved in 1886-is situated about 8 miles south-west of Ballarat on the Ballarat-Smythesdale road. In the early days it was used for watering travelling stock, but departmental reports indicate that it is not now required for that purpose. The area has been used for many years as a cricket ground, and the Linton Shire Council has applied for the revocation of the reservation for watering purposes so that the land can be re-reserved for purposes of recreation. The State Rivers and Water Supply Commission has furnished the usual certificate that the reserve is not required for water supply purposes. The council proposes to carry out grading and drainage works on the area and states that persons will be available for appointment as a committee of management.

Parts I., II. and III. of the Second Schedule refer to two reservations which are to be revoked as to part. They are as follows: -

Parish of Buninyong-a reserve for a public park: The Mount Buninyong public park is an area of 246 acres situated about 11 miles south-east of Ballarat near Buninyong and is permanently reserved under the Land Act. It is now under the control of the Shire of Buninyong as a committee of management, and a lookout tower about 70 feet in height has been erected. The reserve is a popular tourist attraction for the district and serves the community as a public amenity.

The Commonwealth of Australia desires to construct a radio telephone station on the reserve, and the Buninyong Shire Council and the Department of Crown Lands and Survey offer no objection. The improvements will consist of a tower and equipment building. The site has been selected after consultation

between the Commonwealth, the committee of management and the Department. It is proposed to excise an area of 1 rood 28 perches from the reservation and to grant the Commonwealth a lease for 20 years. Access will be allowed through the park, and the Commonwealth has arranged with the committee of management to contribute to the cost of maintenance of the access roadway through the reserve.

Parish of Waranga-a water supply reserve: The Waranga reservoir is situated on this reserve, which comprises about 11,009 acres and was permanently reserved for water supply purposes in 1900. The Bill is concerned with two separate excisions, and I shall deal with each one in turn.

Excision for camping and recreation: The first excision proposed comprises an area of about 18! acres which has been leased by the State Rivers and Water Supply Commission since 1951 to the W aranga Shire Council for the erection of public conveniences and amenities. The council has developed the area with toilets, brick shelter, dressing sheds, plantation, swings and fireplaces. It is situated on the western side of the reservoir above the full supply level, about 3 miles north of Rushworth off the Rushworth-Tatura road.

The State Rivers and Water Supply Commission and the Waranga Shire Council have applied for the land to be excised from the reservation so that it can be reserved under the Land Act for camping and recreation, and the council or its nominees can be appointed as a committee of management, thus allowing better control to be exercised over the area.

Excision of an area leased by the State Rivers and Water Supply Commission: For many years, the Commission leased an area of about 60 acres for grazing, and in 1960 it relinquished control of it and handed the matter of occupation over to the Department of Crown Lands and Survey, with a view to issuing a

68 Closer Settlement [ASSEMBLY.] (Regulations) Bill.

grazing licence and later excising the land from the reservation so that it could be sold.

The land is situated on the northern side of the reservoir above the full supply level, about midway on the road between Rushworth and Tatura and has been surveyed. It carries a water right and a sales quota, and the State Rivers and Water Supply Commission has made provision for additional water if the land is developed to intense culture. It is proposed to excise the area from the reservation and to dispose of it as unalienated Crown land under the provisions of the Land Act.

If any honorable members desire to see plans of these particular areas or require any further information, I shall be very pleased to supply their needs.

On the motion of Mr. STONEHAM (Leader of the Opposition) , the debate was adjourned until Tuesday, September 22.


Mr. BALFOUR (Minister of Lands). -Imove-

That this Bill be now read a second time. This is a short Bill to amend the Closer Settlement Act 1938. When the original Act was passed, it was designed to reduce the complex legislation at the time to a reasonably simple form to make it easier for the settler to understand his financial position, to simplify dealings with lending institutions and to transfer administration of closer settlement to the Department of Crown Lands and Survey. It provided, at the time, for the issue of some 12,000 leases to existing settlers, both civilian and discharged soldiers of the first world war, and for the disposal of the remaining vacant closer settlement land. There are about 1,200 leases still current, most of which will expire in 1978. However, those leases that have been granted in the intervening years since 1939 will run for their full term of 39 years. This means that the Act will operate for

many years to come, although it was not included in the consolidation of the statutes in 1958.

Regulations to administer the Closer Settlement Act 1938 were made in 1939, and these regulations provided for the payment of fees relating to applications for land, appeals against recommendations of a local land Board, preparation of leases, consents to mortgage and to transfer leases, preparation of Crown grants and securities, and the preparation and renewal of temporary leases. These fees were fixed under the general power to make regulations pursuant to paragraph ( e) of sub-section (1) of section 46 of the 1938 Act, but the Crown Solicitor has expressed doubt whether the power does extend to the payment of fees. The provision does not meet the requirements of the Subordinate Legislation Act No. 6886 passed in 1962, and, in the circumstances, it is proposed to add a new paragraph to section 46 of the principal Act providing for the payment of fees payable for and in connexion with applications, appeals, Crown grants, leases, certificates and registrations.

The opportunity is also being taken to repeal sub-section (2) of section 46 relating to the publication of regulations in the Government Gazette, the necessity for which was removed by the Subordinate Legislation Act. This repeal requires a consequential amendment to the numbering of the principal Act by substituting section 46 for sub-sections ( 1) and (2) of section 46.


JUSTICES (INDICTABLE OFFENCES) BILL.

Mr. WILCOX (Minister of Immigration) .-1 move-

That this Bill be now read a second time. The purpose of this Bill is to enable a court of Petty Sessions, when entrusted with the hearing and determination of an indictable offence, to

Justices (Indictable (8 SEPTEMBER, 1964.] Offences) Bill. 69

return as an alternative to the offence charged, a verdict of guilty of any other offence of which the accused might have been found guilty by a jury if he had been tried on indictment.

This is a very technical legal Bill, and I would not expect honorable members to be able to follow most of what I have to say; I have to follow the text very closely myself to understand it. In passing, I should like to mention that an indictable offence is one in which an accused person is indicted to be tried by a jury, and the reason for the introduction of this Bill is that courts of Petty Sessions have had a limited jurisdiction in indictable offences for many years in cases where the person accused consents to their jurisdiction.

Up to 1948 the offences concerned were limited to offences involving stealing or some other form of unlawful obtaining, and the amount or value in question was limited to £2. But since that time, by several successive changes, the scope of this jurisdiction has been increased so as to include practically all forms of stealing as well as embezzlement and false pretences and various forms of receiving, and the amount or value in question has been progressively raised to £500. At the same time, offences of wounding, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and indecent assault have been included in this summary jurisdiction for indictable offences.

\Vhen persons are charged before juries with indictable offences, the jury is frequently authorized by law to return a verdict other than for the offence which appears in the presentment or indictment. At common law, juries always have had a power on a charge of felony to find a prisoner guilty of a lesser felony apt to be covered by the words of the indictment. For example, a person charged with burglary, which is a felony consisting of breaking into a dwellinghouse by night with intent to steal, could be found guilty by the jury of housebreaking and stealing, or of

stealing in a dwelling, or of larceny, all of which are lesser felonies of the same kind.

A similar power existed in respect of misdemeanours. In addition, special statutory provisions permit certain verdicts upon trials before juries for offences other than those charged in the indictment. A number of such provisions are collected in subdivision ( 19) of Division 1 of Part III. of the Crimes Act 1958-sections 420-435. But where any such offence is permitted to be dealt with summarily-that is, before a court of Petty Sessions-no provision for any alternative verdict exists at the present time.

In trials before juries, it has for centuries been possible to include counts for alternative offences in the indictment or presentment itself. For example, it has been customary in many cases to include a count for receiving in a presentment in which an offence involving larceny is primarily charged. But the rules and practice governing trials in Petty Sessions do not recognize alternative charges. On the contrary, the Petty Sessions law and practice demands a trial upon a charge for a single offence, and, although the law admits of amendment of the information, the power to amend is limited to some other offence within the same section; the law does not permit what is called duplicity, that is, charging more than one offence at the same time.

I am not sure of the reason for this. I suppose the principle is that courts of Petty Sessions deal with summary matters and they should not entail long procedures. There is no jury in such a case, and probably it is only fair in such circumstances that there is only one charge. The jurisdiction of courts of Petty Sessions has been extended considerably, and the Government wants these alternative procedures to be available in those courts.

The result of the present practice has been that where a person consents to be dealt with in Petty Sessions upon

70 Justices (Indictable [ASSEMBLY.] Offences) Bill.

a charge for an indictable offence, he must be convicted of the offence with which he is charged or acquitted altogether. It sometimes happens, for example, that on an appeal to General Sessions the Chairman of General Sessions believes that a person who has been convicted of larceny ought, on the evidence, to have been convicted of receiving, or vice versa, but since only one offence was charged in the information and no alternative verdicts are open to the court, the Judge is constrained to acquit the prisoner although he is satisfied that he is guilty of another offence. Since the recent increase in the scope of the jurisdiction of Petty Sessions to deal with indictable offences, this lack of flexibility, which must always have existed, has become more apparent and more serious in its consequences.

The purpose of the Bill is to rectify these anomalies and to bring cases of indictable offences tried in Petty Sessions on to the same basis so far as available verdicts are concerned as in similar cases tried before juries in General Sessions.

The particular offences dealt with are referred to in the several provisions of the Bill, and the situation will be more readily understood from a detailed consideration of the provisions themselves.

As I have explained, this Bill is very technical, but the general scheme is clear enough. For the guidance of honorable members who will be considering the measure, it is necessary for these details to be included in the second-reading speech, although I would not expect many members to understand them all-I have great difficulty in doing so myself.

Sub-clause (1) of clause 2 is purely preliminary. Paragraph (1) of section 103 of the principal Act provides that, from the time when a court of Petty Sessions proceeds to deal with an indictable offence summarily, the procedure shall be the same as on the hearing of summary offences and the provisions of the Justices Act relating

Mr. Wilcox.

to summary offences will apply. Among other provisions so made applicable is paragraph (1) of section 88 of the Justices Act, which provides that, except where otherwise expressly enacted, every information shall be for one offence only and not for two or more offences.

This is the principal provision against duplicity, and it may be thought that it is not wholly consistent with the new provisions allowing of verdicts for alternative offences. For that reason the application of the Justices Act provisions to hearings of indictable offences is made subject to the new provisions for verdicts for alternative offences which appear in the subsequent provisions of the Bill.

Sub-clause (2) of clause 2 aims at creating the right of the court of Petty Sessions to find persons guilty of certain alternative offences upon charges for other offences. That really is the whole burden of the Bill. The jurisdiction to try these indictable offences at all is contained in sections 102A, 102B, 102c and 103. This sub-clause adds a new section 103A after section 103, in respect of cases where the court is proceeding pursuant to an existing provision to hear and determine summarily a charge for an indictable offence. The new section contains several paragraphs, each of which creates a separate power of finding alternative verdicts.

In paragraph (a) of the proposed new section 103A, the court is authorized to find a verdict for an attempt to commit the offence charged or to find the accused guilty of any other offence of which he might have been found guilty if he had been charged before a jury. Paragraph (b) provides that where the defendant is charged with any of the offences involving stealing or unlawfully obtaining any chattel, money or property, he may in a proper case be found guilty of receiving the chattel, money or property knowing it to have been

Justices (lrul,ictable [8 SEPTEMBER, 1964.] Offences) Bill. 71

stolen or unlawfully obtained. In this context, it should be noted that under sections 330 and 331 of the Crimes Act a person may be convicted of the felony of receiving when he receives goods which he knows to have been stolen-that is, obtained by the felony of larcenyand he may be found guilty of the misdemeanour of receiving when he receives goods which he knows to have been unlawfully obtained, as by the misdemeanour of false pretences.

Paragraph ( c) of the proposed new section deals with the converse case to that dealt with in paragraph (b) -that is, where the defendant is charged with receiving and upon hearing the evidence the court believes that he should be convicted not of the receiving, but of the larceny-or some charge involving larceny-or the embezzlement, or false pretences by which the chattel, money or property was obtained. It is thought that not many cases will fall under this paragraph, and, indeed, it is difficult to see how some of the cases for which the paragraph makes provision could arise. But, theoretically, any of the cases are possible, and the various possibilities are included for completeness.

It will be noted that there will be no provision for inserting alternative counts in informations. The verdict will be given in the cases of larceny and receiving as a statutory alternative to the offence charged. Paragraph ( d) is included to ensure that where a person is charged with one of the recently added offences of wounding, or of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, or of indecent assault, the court may, in a proper case, find him guilty of the indictable offence of assault under section 37 of the Crimes Act 1958.

The final words of the new section 103A are included to provide the penalty that may be imposed upon a conviction for an attempt or an alternative verdict under the section. The maximum penalty is imprisonment for one year, which

is the same as that applicable in respect of all indictable offences tried summarily under the Justices Act provisions. In addition, words are added indicating that the effects of a verdict for an attempt or an alternative verdict will be of the same kind as those which follow from a conviction in Petty Sessions for the indictable offence charged in the information.

This is a technical legal Bill, which has become necessary due to the extended jurisdiction given to courts of Petty Sessions by this Parliament within the last year or two, and I commend it to the House.

On the motion of Mr. TURNBULL (Brunswick West), the debate was adjourned until Tuesday, September 22.


Mr. WILCOX (Minister of Immigration) .-I move-


In the past few years, the Government has appointed some qualified persons as Chairmen of General Sessions without actually appointing them as Judges of the County Court, as is the usual practice. This action was taken to meet what was thought to be a temporary rise in the number of criminal cases awaiting trial. Other action was also taken by the Government to deal with the backlog in the trial of criminal cases, including changes in the jurisdiction of courts of Petty Sessions and the appointment of more Judges of the County Court, who were also appointed Chairmen of General Sessions.

Perhaps I should explain that all County Court Judges are appointed also as Chairmen of General Sessions. Of course, General Sessions is simply the criminal jurisdiction of the County Court. In other words, the Judges sit as County Court Judges in civil cases and as Chairmen of General Sessions in the many criminal cases that come within that jurisdiction. With the object of overcoming

72 General Sessions (Pensions [ASSEMBLY.] of Chairmen) Bill.

the backlog of cases in the criminal jurisdiction, to which I have referred, I think three gentlemen who have been appointed as Chairmen of General Sessions have not been appointed as County Court Judges. A good deal of success has been achieved in reducing the backlog.

Some of the persons appointed Chairmen of General Sessions-I think the number is two-were not officers within the meaning of the Superannuation Act, and their service as chairmen has now extended over a considerable period. The Government feels that these men have, by their valuable service as chairmen, earned the right of pension benefits, and this Bill proposes that such chairmen should be entitled to the same pension rights on a pro rata basis as are normally payable to Judges of the County Court.

The Bill does not apply to persons who are officers within the meaning of the Superannuation Act 1958, and the Bill will not apply to future appointments as Chairmen of General Sessions except in association with the office of Judge of the County Court. It is not intended-the Bill is framed accordingly-that the measure will have any effect for any other person appointed temporarily, because I do not think the Government intends to appoint persons as Chairmen of General Sessions alone. The object will be to appoint County · Court Judges, who will also act as Chairmen of General Sessions. The men whom I mentioned were appointed for a specific purpose and are achieving the object of their appointment.

Mr. FENNESSY.-How many are involved?

Mr. WILCOX.-Only two Chairmen of General Sessions need cover. A third one in a similar position was a Crown Prosecutor who is provided for under the Superannuation Act. The other two, as Judges, are not covered by superannuation pensions.

Mr. BLOOMFIELD.-Judge Bourke, a former member of this House, is one.

Mr. WILCOX.-Judge Gunson is the other.

Mr. Moss.-Will they be in the same position as other Judges so far as pensions are concerned and receive 50 per cent. of their salary as a pension?

Mr. WILCOX.-Yes.

Mr. Moss.-Would you apply the same principle to retired members of Parliament?

Mr. WILCOX.-! shall leave the answer to that question to somebody else. Although I have been sidetracked on occasions whilst speaking from the back bench, I have no intention of being side-tracked whilst carrying out my duties as a Minister. It is the belief of the Government that this Bill will do justice to men who have given valuable service in a most demanding judicial office. Honorable members realize that the General Sessions jurisdiction covers a vast number of the criminal trials. There is no doubt that considerable responsibilities are imposed upon Chairmen of General Sessions. Any person who has had experience of sitting even temporarily on a tribunal which is called upon to pass judgment or inflict penalties on his fell ow men has some knowledge of the responsibility carried daily by these Judges. As the chief purpose of this Bill is to recognize the high office these men occupy, I commend it to the House.

On the motion of Mr. TURNBULL (Brunswick West), the debate was adjourned until Tuesday, September 15.

COUNTRY ROADS (AMENDMENT) BILL.

Mr. PORTER (Minister of Public Works) .-1 move-


I think it would be fair to say that the Country Roads Board is one of the semi-governmental authorities of this State for which the vast majority of our citizens have a high regard. It is also true to say that the work which the Board has done throughout

Country Roads [8 SEPTEMBER, 1964.] (Amendment) Bill. 73

Victoria on State highways, main roads and secondary roads has been most commendable.

Mr. LOVEGROVE.-Outside the metropolitan area.

Mr. PORTER.-lt has not been all outside the metropolitan area, but I must acknowledge that most of it has been. However, the Board has carried out its task in a magnificent manner, and I feel sure it is an organization of which the vast majority of the citizens of the State of Victoria are very proud indeed.

Having said that, I wish to make it quite clear that the purpose of this Bill is not to alter or to amend any of the major functions, duties or responsibilities of the Board itself. The BilJ seeks to make four unrelated amendments to various sections of the Act to cure what are apparently anomalies in the current legislation. The first deals with officers and employees and relates to appointment, terms and conditions of employment, payment of retiring gratuities and so on, and the extension of rights and liabilities of the Board's staff to members of the Board; the second deals with interest and sinking fund payments; the third is related to the authority of the Board to receive payment for carrying out works; and the fourth to the purchase of land by negotiation.

I now deal with the first proposal relating to officers and employees. Section 12 of the Country Roads Act 1958 No. 6229 makes provision for the Board, with the approval of the Minister, to make use of the services of any of the officers and employees of the Public Service and for the Governor in Council to appoint any persons to be officers or employees of the Board. It also makes provision for all casual employees required by the Board for Works of construction and maintenance to be appointed by the Board. However, no provision is made for the Board to pay retiring gratuities, superannuation or to make any terms or conditions for the employment of officers or employees.

It is therefore proposed to substitute a new section for the existing section 12 to validate a retiring gratuity scheme introduced by the Board in November, 1962, with the approval of the then Minister of Public Works. Retiring gratuity schemes are already provided for employees of some other statutory authorities, including the State Electricity Commission, the Victorian Railways and the Melbourne Harbor Trust. It is also proposed to give the Board powers similar to other statutory authorities with regard to employment conditions. The proposed amendment will also make provision for the chairman, deputy chairman and a third member of the Board to have the same privileges and liabilities as members of the Board's staff.

Regarding interest and sinking fund payments, the Auditor-General contends that the present wording of the Country Roads Act requires the Board to bear the total interest and sinking fund charges on loan expenditure on road and bridge works which includes the council's half share and which is required to be repaid to the Board. Honorable members will recollect that some years ago the Act was amended in order to relieve councils of the responsibility of making repayment of principal and interest on loans raised for this sort of work. In addition, the Auditor-General contends that the Board should also pay into Consolidated Revenue an amount equal to the council's half share of interest and sinking fund payments of which, under section 32 of the Act, the councils may be relieved by the Governor in Council on the recommendation of the Board. This would mean that the amount of which the municipalities are relieved would be paid by the Board twice. It is true to say that the Board has not paid any sums twice, and the Treasurer has not even asked for this to be done.

Mr. HOLLAND.-The municipalities would be quite happy.

74 Country Roads [ASSEMBLY.] (Amendment) Bill.

Mr. PORTER.-The municipalities would no doubt be delighted, and I have no doubt that the Treasurer would be, too. However, it would be obviously unfair for these amounts to be paid twice, and the legislation will be amended to correct an apparent anomaly. In 1963-64, the amount involved was £25, 100. The amendment will correct the anomaly in the wording of the Act.

In connexion with the authority of the Board to receive payments for carrying out works, over the years it has, with the consent of the Governor in Council in each particular case, used Division 1 of Part VIII. of the Country Roads Act, to carry out works on unclassified roads. Where these works benefit a particular organization or would not be carried out by the Board to the desired standards for some years as part of its normal programme, the organization concerned has made a contribution towards the cost of the work.

This, of course, is common sense. However, the Crown Solicitor has stated that, in his opinion, the Board does not have power to receive these contributions. The proposed addition to section 110 will rectify the position.

The last of the matters with which the Bill deals is the purchase of land by negotiation. The present situation is that, for some years, the Board has been purchasing properties for road purposes at the request of owners before an order of the Governor in Council has been obtained approving of the land being acquired and the road or deviation being made. This action has been taken as a practical solution to the problem of owners who wish to vacate their premises for some reason or other but, because of the Board's future proposals in the area, have been unable to sell their properties on the open market. Many such cases of special circumstances or hardship have been satisfied by the Board's purchase of the properties concerned.

The Board's auditor has now queried the Board's authority to purchase properties by this method of negotiation. It has been the Board's practice to seek an Order in Council before construction of the road commences, but it appears that under a strict interpretation of the Act an Order in Council should be obtained before any land is taken by the Board. There is often a great deal of investigation necessary before the Board is in a position to carry out the title survey of the land required, and thus obtain the necessary detail required for the Order in Council.

The general location of the route must be decided and, as an act of courtesy, developed with, and agreed upon, by the local council. The appropriate planning authority must also be consulted. The design details must then be determined and the engineering survey carried out. When all these problems are solved, the title survey can then proceed. In a complex facility, such as a freeway, the necessary investigations can take many months or even years. It usually happens that, as the general route is being developed in conjunction with the council, the local people become aware of the proposal. Requests are then received by the Board for it to purchase properties on the grounds of hardship or special circumstances, and many properties have been, and are being, purchased by negotiation in this manner.

In the interests of planning, and of the general community and public affected, the Board considers it is essential that it should continue to purchase properties by negotiation prior to an Order in Council being obtained. The proposed amendment will enable the Board to do so. Such power will be exercised only with the Minister's approval after he has sighted plans and is satisfied that the properties along the proposed route are required for road purposes. I commend the Bill to the House.

State Insurance [8 SEPTEMBER, 1964.] Funds Bill. 75


STATE INSURANCE FUNDS BILL. Mr. RYLAH (Chief Secretary).

! move-That this Bill be now read a second time.

The object of this Bill is to enable the interest received from investments of the Reserve Fund of the State Motor Car Insurance Office and the State Accident Insurance Office to be credited to the State Motor Car Insurance Fund and the State Accident Insurance Fund respectively. Honorable members will recall that a Bill, now the State Insurance Funds Act 1963, was passed by Parliament during the spring session of last year, enabling moneys standing to the credit of the State Motor Car Insurance Fund and the State Accident Insurance Fund to be invested by the Treasurer as he thinks fit, and for the resulting interest to be credited to the respective funds. That Bill also made provision for profits derived from the operations of the two offices to be carried to a Reserve Fund for investment by the Treasurer as he thinks fit and for the interest received in each case to be credited to that fund. This Bill arises from the latter provision.

The measure passed last year was introduced on the recommendation of the Committee of Public Accounts, which inquired into the operations of the State Insurance Offices in 1957 and reported that it considered both offices were at a disadvantage to conduct their business profitably as compared with private insurers and insurance offices of other State Governments which have a greater degree of freedom to invest moneys than have the Victorian offices. The effect of the provisions passed in 1963 requiring the interest derived from the investment of the Reserve Fund to be credited to that fund means that the interest would not be credited to the profit and loss

account but would be an automatic credit to reserve before the trading result of either office is determined. This procedure could reduce a profit, convert what otherwise would have been a profit into a loss, or increase a loss, and is contrary to insurance practice which treats all interest from reserve investments as revenue.

As it was the intention of the State Insurance Funds Act 1963 to place the State Insurance Offices on comparable trading conditions with private insurers, it is necessary to amend section 75 of the Motor Car Act 1958 and section 68 of the Workers Compensation Act by removing the provisions requiring interest derived from investments of the Reserve Fund to be paid to that fund, and substituting therefor the requirement that such interest shall be paid to the State Motor Car Insurance Fund and the State Accident Insurance Fund respectively. Clause 2 of the Bill makes the appropriate amendments.

Honorable members will notice that sub-clause (2) of clause 1 of the Bill provides that the date of operation of the Act shall be retrospective to 1st July, 1964. This provision is desirable so that any interest received on and after 1st July, 1964, from the investment of the Reserve Fund may be credited to the State Accident Insurance Fund and the State Motor Car Insurance Fund as from the beginning of the current financial year. I commend the Bill to the House.

On the motion of Mr. CLAREY (Melbourne) , the debate was adjourned until Tuesday, September 15.

SHELL PIPELINES BILL. The Order of the Day for the

second reading of this Bill was read.

The SPEAKER (Sir William McDonald).-! have examined this Bill, and am of opinion that it ·is a private Bill.

76 Shell Pipelines [ASSEMBLY.] Bill.

Mr. RYLAH Chief Secretary) (By leave) .-1 move-

That all the private Bill Standing Orders, except those relating to the payment of fees, be dispensed with, and that this Bill be treated as a public Bill.




It provides the machinery to authorize and facilitate the construction and operation of a pipe-line or pipe-lines for the transportation of petroleum and petroleum products from or to the refinery of Shell Refining (Australia) Pty. Ltd. at Corio, and for other purposes.

Shell Refining (Australia) Pty. Ltd., a company incorporated in the State of Victoria, owns and operates an oil refinery in the Shire of Corio. Capital investment by the company in this location now totals £40,000,000. The Shell Company of Australia Ltd., a company also incorporated in the State of Victoria, owns and operates an oil storage and manufacturing installation at Newport in the City of Williamstown.

The refinery at Corio is already connected to the Newport installation by an 8-in. diameter pipe-line for "white" products-that is, petrol, kerosene and gas-which was commissioned in 1954. This was laid along a route which for the most part follows the main road from Geelong to Werribee, thence along the railway into Newport. Some short sections are on council roadways, and there are a few short private . easements. This route was secured by direct negotiation and was ratified by the Corio to Newport Pipeline Act 1953.

During the intervening years, the growth of trade has been such that the company now finds it necessary and economically sound to construct a second pipe-line for the carriage of " black " oils-that is diesel oil and fuel oils in various grades. It is intended that the new pipe-line will also be of 8-in. diameter and laid

3 feet or more below ground level. It will be insulated with 2 inches of polyurethane to maintain the oil at a temperature between 100 degrees and 150 degrees Fahrenheit. I understand that no disturbance to natural vegetation or agriculture will be caused by the warmth of the oil, as the high efficiency of the polyurethane insulation will result in little, if any, change in the adjacent soil temperature. In design, the proposed pipe-line is the most sophisticated known to the engineering world, and is expected to cost about £1,000,000.

From 55 to 110 tons of oil hourly will be conveyed from the Corio refinery to the Newport installation. However, let me assure honorable members, and particularly the honorable member for Williamstown, that no increase in existing storage capacity is contemplated at Newport as a result of the proposed pipe-line. Furthermore, the installation of the pipe-line will lessen the incidence of tankers berthing at the oil wharf at the mouth of the Yarra river.

Officers of the Division of State Development have discussed the route of the proposed pipe-line with senior officers of the Railway Department, the Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works, the Department of Agriculture, the Country

· Roads Board, the State Rivers and Water Supply Commission, the Commonwealth Department of Supply, the City of Williamstown, the Shire of Altona, the Shire of Werribee and the Shire of Corio. This route is mainly through open country south of the Princes Highway to a point near Laverton, thence along the Victorian Railway Department's right-of-way to Newport.

I have a map, which may be examined by honorable members, showing in red the approximate line of the proposed pipe-line. It may be a fair question to ask at this stage why the new pipe-line is not to be constructed along the roadway as was the old one. There are two reasons for this. The first is that to lay this

Shell Pipelines (8 SEPTEMBER, 1964.] Bill. 77

pipe-line efficiently at the required depth to ensure that there is no damage to vegetation it is necessary to use modern machinery, and on the land now available adjoining the main Geelong-road there is not sufficient room for that machinery to operate.

The second reason, and probably the more important one so far as some people are concerned, is that if the pipe-line were laid over the remaining easements of the main Geelongroad it would be necessary to remove a tremendous number of trees which are at present starting to reach a stage where the average motorist can enjoy travelling along the windswept plains of Avalon.

I believe these are important reasons. In addition, it has been the Government's policy to ensure, as far as possible, that the pipe-line will be laid through open country. In fact the Government suggested to the Shell company, which readily agreed, that where the pipe-line was designed originally to go through certain market garden properties at Werribee it should be brought closer to the freeway reservation so as to cause the minimum disturbance to small allotments. The pipe-line will go through a portion of the Avalon aviation field, and the company will have to negotiate with the Commonwealth Government in regard to the area. However, the pipe-line will go mainly through agricultural country which will not in any way be harmed by its existence. Of course, there will be some disturbance to the surface when the pipe-line is laid, but that will be the subject of negotiation between the Shell company and the landowners concerned.

The Bill provides, as in the case of the pipe-line to serve the Westernport refinery, that the actual route along which it will be constructed will be subject to the approval of the Governor in Council. The red line on the plan represents the approximate route of the pipe-line and that depends on the result of negotiations for easements and so forth.

The Order in Council will also describe the limits of lateral deviation which may be allowed from the approved route when it is being constructed, to avoid physical or natural obstacles, such as rock outcrops, bridge abutments and water mains.

Just as it did in 1954, the company itself will be required to negotiate for the easements for the pipe-line, and provision for it to do this is contained in clause 6 of the Bill. This clause and those which follow are based on the provisions made last year in the Westernport Oil Refinery Act. As was indicated when that Bill was debated, the British Parliament in 1962 passed a Pipelines Act which generally does what is provided for in the Westernport Oil Refinery Act and now, of course, in this Bill. Whilst the necessity for general legislation in this field has not yet arisen in Victoria, it could well be that something of the nature will be required in the future. This would be particularly so if oil in commercial quantities were discovered in this State. We all hope that will be in the near future.

The company is anxious to construct the pipe-line this summer and therefore wishes to commence negotiations with landowners as soon as possible. Under the Bill, these landowners are afforded every protection; in fact, this aspect is one of its principal objects. I strongly commend this Bill to the House, and for the reasons stated I suggest that it be given a speedy passage.

On the motion of Mr. FLOYD (Williamstown), the debate was adjourned until Tuesday, September 15. .

LEAVE OF ABSENCE. Mr. RYLAH (Chief Secretary).

(By leave) .-I move-That, owing to important official duties

requiring the presence of Mr. Speaker in his electorate, leave of absence be granted to Mr. Speaker until Tuesday next.


78 Adjournment. [ASSEMBLY.] Estimates for Year 1964-65.

ADJOURNMENT. MONASH UNIVERSITY: DISMISSAL OF

CLEANERS.

Mr. RYLAH (Chief Secretary).£ move-

That the House, at its rising, adjourn until to-morrow, at half-past Three o'clock.

The motion was agreed to. Mr. RYLAH (Chief Secretary).

! move-That the House do now adjourn. Mr. STONEHAM (Leader of the

Opposition) .-I wish to refer to a matter which was reported in today's press and which concerns notices of dismissal that have been given to 36 cleaners at Monash University. It must come as a shock to many people to find that so early in the development of this fine institution of tertiary education so many dismissals are contemplated. Naturally, one does not think that a grave blunder was made originally by engaging too many cleaners. As a matter of fact, I have been given to understand that arrangements in that regard have been admirable. It is difficult to imagine how the institution will be able to function without these 36 cleaners.

I know that it does not come directly within the jurisdiction of the Assistant Minister of Education, with whom I have discussed the matter today, but I ask the Assistant Minister to make further representations so that this action may be deferred for the time being with a view to arriving at some amicable arrangement. Obviously, a grave financial problem exists at the university.

Mr. ROSSITER (Assistant Minister of Education) .-It is a fact, as was mentioned in this morning's press, that retrenchments of cleaning staff have been made by the administrative staff of Monash University. My information comes from the Registrar of the University. The administrative side of the university operates on a yearly budget, and an examination of the position has revealed that too much money was being spent on cleaning in the early part of the year. Therefore, the

administration decided to cut down the outlay on cleaning so that the budget proposals for the whole year could be fulfilled. This is merely an internal economy by the university administration. This Government would not interfere with the internal arrangements or autonomy of the university, and I hope no other Government would do so.

According to the newspaper report, a ban will be placed on construction work at the university if the situation is not rectified. I wish to make it plain that the authorities at Monash consulted the Miscellaneous Workers' Union two weeks before this action was taken, and the union concerned expressed itself as being satisfied with the contemplated action. I cannot see any relevance in the threat to place a ban on construction work at the university in connexion with the dismissal of the cleaners. I repeat that these dismissals were undertaken by the administration of the university as an internal economy and were within the powers of the administration.

The motion was agreed to. The House adjourned at 9.45 p.m.

1Etgtalatittt 1\sstmbly. Wednesday, September 9, 1964.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr. Rafferty) took the chair at 4.1 p.m., and read the prayer.

ESTIMATES FOR YEAR 1964-65. Mr. BOLTE (Premier and Trea

surer) presented a message from His Excellency the Governor transmitting Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure for the year 1964-65, in lieu of the Estimates of Expenditure for the first four months of the year 1964-65, transmitted on the 24th March, 1964, and the 14th July, 1964, and recommending an appropriation from the Consolidated Revenue accordingly.

The (9 SEPTEMBER, 1964.] Budget. 79

THE BUDGET.

The House went into Committee of Supply.

Mr. BOLTE (Premier and Treasurer) .-I place before the House the Budget for 1964-65, together with the detailed Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure of the Consolidated Revenue Fund. This is the tenth successive year in which it has been my privilege to introduce the Budget for the State of Victoria.

In bringing down the Budget this year it is appropriate to refer back briefly to what has happened over recent years both in the broad terms of activity and growth in the economy of the State as a whole and in the more specific terms of the working out of our financial policies and the end result as it has affected the Budget position.

The Government sees as one of its most important tasks the need at all times to look ahead, to have firmly based long-range plans for development, and in the context of the Budget to gear the detailed revenue and expenditure proposals for each financial year to the wider requirements of growth and Budget equilibrium over the long term. On past occasions I have referred to the dangers inherent in regarding a financial year beginning on the 1st of July and ending on the succeeding 30th of June as a watertight compartment, to be regarded in isolation and independently of what has gone before and what lies ahead. In planning for to-day, all people, and all Governments, must in truth take great thought for to-morrow. We have done this and we will continue to do this.

The whole of the Government's plans over the past nine years has been geared to promoting in the first instance a high rate of growth and development, and, having achieved this, to take care to maintain the impetus of that growth. Our goals have been in clear view at all times, and as necessary our financial policies have been adapted to preserve and maintain continued expansion and improvement at all points. The soundness of what has been done can perhaps best be illustrated by the fact that, though there have been fluctuations in recent years in the level of activity in the economy of Australia as a whole, in Victoria we have been able to cushion these fluctuations, and as the record shows we have consistently enjoyed the best employment pattern of any State in the Commonwealth. Not only has this been so, but also, and of specific relevance to the subject of the Budget, the finances of the State have been kept on an even keel.

In particular, over the last five years the Consolidated Revenue Fund has been kept in balance overall, and there have been no increases in State tax rates since 1959. On the contrary, as occasion has permitted, reductions have been made.

For example, we have abolished entertainments tax on all entertainments other than racing and trotting; we have lifted land tax exemptions and introduced a concessional scale of land tax rates for rural land; and while in the interests of equity between taxpayers loopholes for the avoidance of probate duty have been closed, we have lifted the level of exemption from duty for estates passing to widows and children and allowed concessions in respect of rural properties. All of this has been possible within the framework of broad financial plans laid five years ago to keep the Budget in balance over a period ahead, and at the same time enable us to meet community demands for expanding services such as education and health.

80 The [ASSEMBLY.] Budget.

We see the immediate task to-day in terms of building on this past experience, of setting the foundation for a further period of expansion in the important fields of education and health and social welfare, and in financial terms of ensuring the continuity of Budget resources to meet the costs involved over a reasonable period ahead.

I will elaborate in more detail in a moment on what this involves as we see it. For the present, let me just refer briefly for the sake of the record to the end result of the transactions on the Consolidated Revenue Fund for the past financial year-the year 1963-64.

It will be remembered that when I introduced the Budget last year, our expectation was that current revenues for the year 1963-64 would fall short of the necessary payments from the Consolidated Revenue Fund by £2,477,000. In fact the actual Budget result was significantly better, and the revenue received in the year was only £253,000 short of payments for the year. Circumstances which were unforeseen at the outset led to expenditure being £389,000 above the estimate. On the other hand actual revenue was £2,613,000 above the estimate, the net result being, as already indicated, an actual shortage of only £253,000.

Details of the actual revenue and expenditure for 1963-64 and a comparison with the Budget estimates for that year are given in the Budget Papers. The more significant revenue increases over the amounts estimated were in the items of probate duty, land tax and stamp duties. It is not easy to estimate revenue yields in these fields with accuracy, and I may say our experience last year was not ours alone. As I understand it, the revenue from these fields was also significantly above estimates in other States.

The Budget result for last year was satisfactory and the actual revenue shortage of only £253,000 was quite manageable and will not involve the necessity of funding from loan funds at this stage.

It is against this background of a Budget in balance over all in the last five years that we come to the year 1964-65, looking not only to the year immediately ahead, but also to the need to plan in broad terms to ensure the availability of resources to meet community demands for a further span of years.

THE FINANCIAL YEAR 1964-65.

For the year 1964-65 the factors which will operate to increase payments from the Consolidated Revenue Fund over last year's level may be summarized conveniently under three main headings.

First, there is the unavoidable increase in the amount of interest and sinking fund payments on loans. Expenditure through the Loan Fund of loan moneys received by Victoria from borrowings under the Commonwealth-States Financial Agreement, and under the control of the Australian Loan Council, is running at the rate of some £60,000,000 a year. Some of this is self-supporting in the sense that it represents outlays on capital expansion in such fields as electricity, which cover interest and sinking fund payments from their earnings. But a very large proportion of our loan expenditure goes to finance the building of schools, hospitals, mental hospitals, university buildings, police stations, court houses, public buildings, agricultural research stations, social welfare institutions, and matters of this nature. In addition, there are capital subsidies involved in the slum reclamation programme. Loan expenditure on all these things

Mr. Bolte.

The [9 SEPTEMBER, 1964.] Budget. 81

cannot by its very nature earn any of the annual interest and sinking fund payments on the loans borrowed to finance them. Further than this, there is the fact that little or no return comes to the State in the form of offset to debt charges on capital expenditure on developmental works such as irrigation. In the result there is an inevitable net increase in interest and sinking fund payments which has to be met from Consolidated Revenue in 1964-65, and the amount of this net increase is £3,064,000.

This net burden of interest and sinking fund payments which has to be met from the revenue budget relates directly to the services provided by the expenditure of the loan money on which the interest and sinking fund payments are made. It is in fact part of the annual costs of those services, and I want to elaborate a little on this by taking education and hospitals as examples.

Over the nine years we have been in office the total amount of loan moneys we have spent on education at all levels, including school and university buildings, agricultural colleges, teachers' colleges and so on is £96,000,000. The annual interest and sinking fund payments on this £96,000,000 amount to some £5,000,000, and this falls on the Budget. It is in addition to the direct expenditure on education which is shown in the Budget Papers at £72,500,000 last year, and it is rightly a cost of education. So I maintain that last year the proper cost of education to the Budget was £77 ,500, 000.

In the same way with hospitals. Over our nine years of government we have spent £43,000,000 of loan money on building and equipping hospitals, homes for the aged, and other institutions which come under the supervision of the Hospitals and Charities Commission. The annual interest and sinking fund payments on this £43,000,000 are just over £2,000,000 a year. This is carried on the revenue Budget and not passed on to the hospitals, and is in addition to the figure we speak of in the Budget as being provided for the maintenance of hospitals. None the less it is very much a recurring annual hospital cost to the Budget.

If the loan money we have spent over the last nine years on education and hospitals had gone to fields which are self-supporting in the matter of debt charges, our revenue requirements from general taxation to meet interest and sinking fund payments this year would be £7,000,000 less than they are. The amount of capital ·expenditure which we have put into education and hospitals has, of course, been a matter of deliberate policy and needs no apology. While more remains to be done, much has been achieved and naturally we claim some credit for this. Capital demands in these fields represent community needs for increased and improved facilities. These are being met-but they involve the need for additional annual revenue to meet interest and sinking fund payments. In the present financial year alone, education and hospitals account for £1,200,000 out of the total net increase in debt charges of £3,064,000, which has to be met from the Budget.

These things are not always clearly seen, and I have thought it desirable to spend a little time in explaining just what these debt charges are, and how much they are part and parcel of the annual costs of specific items like education and hospitals which I have taken for the purpose of illustration. Seen in their proper light they are very understandable matters, and as I have said they are a major factor in the increase of expenditure on the Budget.


The second major influence on expenditure in 1964-65 is the recent increase of £1 a week in the basic wage. For all Departments covered in the Budget-not including railways and hospitals which I will deal with separately in due course-the cost to Consolidated Revenue this year of the recent basic wage increase will be £2,841,000.

The third factor is the growth in the direct expenditure on education, including grants to the universities, on hospitals and he~lth services, and on social welfare and police.

I want to deal with these items in some detail, because they are the key to the Budget picture for 1964-65-particularly so with education. But before doing this I .want to emphasize a very important point. This is, that if we leave on one side the Education Department, the Department of Health, police and social welfare, then apart from the basic wage increase, the cost of housekeeping in the general administrative Departments will actually show a reduction on last year's expenditure. I want to emphasize this point so that it will be clearly understood that the cost of government and of running Departments as such is not increasing, and that the additional expenditure to be met in 1964-65 is accounted for by additional provision for education, health and hospitals, police and social welfare, together with the cost of the increase in the basic wage and the net addition to interest and sinking fund payments. This means that the additional expenditure all goes back to the people in the form of services and will not be spent by the Government, as it were, on itself.

The total increase in expenditure from the Consolidated Revenue Fund in 1964-65, apart from railways which are dealt with separately, is estimated at £14,528,000. Some of this increased expenditure will be covered by normal growth in the revenue yield from our existing sources of revenue. State taxation and all other revenue items, excluding railways, are expected to yield an additional £5,878,000 and there will be a net increase of £767,000 in general purpose grants to the State from the Commonwealth. This net increase of £767,000 derives from an increase of £5,907,000 in the tax reimbursement grant, less the amount of the special grant of £5,140,000 which was available for budgetary purposes last year, and which has been withdrawn this year. The net result is that existing revenue sources overall will contribute an amount of £6,645,000 towards the estimated increase in expenditure of £14,528,000. This leaves an amount of £7,883,000 to be found.

If the Commonwealth had not withdrawn this year the grant of £5,140,000 made available for budgetary purposes last year we would have to find only £2,743,000, but the Commonwealth grant has been withdrawn irrevocably, and because of this there is no means of avoiding any of the £7,883,000 which has to be found.

The additional revenue is required for education and hospitals, and I want to emphasize this point. The increase in expenditure from Consolidated Revenue on education, including universities, and including the share of the increase in debt charges this year which is attributable to capital expenditure on education, is £7,137,000. All of this has to be provided for. In the case of hospitals the additional amount to be covered in 1964-65, including the share of the increase in debt charges which is attributable to capital expenditure on hospitals, is £1,686,000. The revenue from the totalizator and Tattersall Consultations which will be

Mr. Bolte.


available to the Hospitals and Charities Fund is estimated to increase by £721,000 this year, leaving a net amount of £965,000 to be covered from general revenue on account of hospitals.

The increase in expenditure from Consolidated Revenue in the two fields of education and hospitals in 1964-65 will be £7,137,000 for education, and £965,000 for hospitals, a total of £8,102,000. This is actually £219,000 greater than the additional revenue which is required for the Budget._

It follows therefore that normal revenue growth will cover all other requirements, but new revenue is required entirely to finance the increase in expenditure on education, including universities, and on hospitals. It must be remembered, too, that the increase in expenditure this year on education and hospitals is a permanent increase-that it must be covered also in future years. Indeed in future years inevitably there will be further growth to be financed.

Thus some way must be found to provide a permanent increase in our annual revenues to meet . the growing cost of education and social services, and plans made-to cover the further expansion and improvement called for by the people.

The alternative to finding this additional revenue would be a corresponding reduction in expenditure, but it will be clear from what I have said that, after meeting the inescapable costs of debt charges and the basic wage, this could be achieved only by failing to provide what r

is necessary for education and health services. In truth we cannot neglect to provide for the additional cost of these services, because they are essential and they represent community demands. Indeed, many people may say that even more should be provided. Where then does the money come from?

One apparently simple answer would be to have a deficit of this magnitude. Let me say straight away that with figures of this order this is no answer. As I have explained on other occasions, the State Government cannot have a deficit overall in the same sense in which the Commonwealth can, if needed, have a deficit. The State Government has no call on central bank credit. It has but two sources of fundsrevenue and loan. If the revenue fund is short, it must be made good in the long run from the Loan Fund. With loan funds fully committed, howevt~r, this cannot be done without diverting money from building schools and hospitals, from providing power supplies or from irrigation and water supply development, to making good some of the ordinary every-day running costs such as paying teachers' salaries. If the cause of the Budget problem was only a temporary one, then it could be that a short-term deficit could be countenanced, provided that it was one of manageable size. But the amount to be found for this year is required for a permanent increase in expenditure, and there is no escape from finding it.

The Government, therefore, has had to give detailed and earnest consideration to the means of finding the necessary revenue to avoid any cut back in the essential provision for education, including universities, and health and hospital services. The alternatives available necessarily lie in the fields of revenue which are at present open to us.

84: The [ASSEMBLY.] Budget.

The major items of State taxation at the present time are probate duties, land tax and stamp duties. In the fields of probate duty and land tax we do not consider that there is scope for any increase in the rates of these taxes at the present time. Indeed, in line with our policy of endeavouring to exempt the average home from land tax, we are lifting the level of exemption on such properties for the fifth time since we have been in office, and in addition we are increasing the exemption on rural land. The higher exemptions will be effective from the beginning of the new land tax assessment year commencing on 1st January next. What then are the alternatives?

In exploring this question we have had very much in mind the fact that in discussions at Premiers' conferences in relation to Commonwealth grants, it is invariably inferred by the Commonwealth that Victoria should be able to match in relative terms the standard of effort from State revenue fields directed to Budget purposes which other States have achieved, and in particular the other major industrial State of New South Wales. In making a careful comparison of this nature the fact is that in New South Wales the Budget benefits in five major ways to a very substantially greater degree than does the Budget in Victoria. These are the amount of motor taxation which finds its way to Consolidated Revenue, revenue from royalties and the wider use of some fields of stamp duty, the contribution which the New South Wales railways make to interest and sinking fund charges on loan money spent by the railways in creating railway assets, and the existence in New South Wales of a tax on poker machines which

., currently brings into the New South Wales Budget some £5,000,000 each year.

Let me say at once that we will not have poker machines in Victoria at any price-they break down the moral fibre of the people. I said this during the election campaign and I repeat it. But this does mean that if we are to be expected to match the revenue which New South Wales derives from this source, we must find some other way of doing it.

Mr. FLOYD.-Put up your own Aunt Sally!

Mr. BOLTE.-lf we are not going to have poker machines in Victoria, we have to find other means of revenue. I will have more to say about this matter shortly. For the moment let me explain what we propose in terms of matching the New South Wales Budget effort in the contribution to revenue from other fields.

In New South Wales total revenue from motor taxation in the form of drivers' licences, motor registration fees, &c., and from fines, is significantly higher on a proportionate basis than in Victoria. Furthermore, to equal the contribution from motor taxation which goes to Consolidated Revenue in New South Wales means that we need to find from these sources additional revenue to the extent of some £3,500,000 in a full year.

In New South Wales motor drivers' licence fees are £2 a year compared with 10s. a year in Victoria. In addition, in 1962, New South Wales introduced a stamp duty on the certificate of registration of every motor vehicle at the rate of 10s. per £100 of market value, payable when the vehicle is initially registered or when the registration is transferred. Western Australia also adopted this duty in 1963. Recently South Australia has announced its intention to introduce this stamp duty but at a rate of £1 per £100 of market value.


The two fields of drivers' licence fees and stamp duty provide the basic sources from which is derived the contribution from motor taxation to the New South Wales Budget. We have considered this matter carefully, and have concluded that it would be more equitable to adopt a variation of the New South Wales charges, the effect of which will be to provide the same estimated amount of revenue to the Budget as would be obtained by adopting precisely the charges which apply in New South Wales.

Accordingly it is proposed to match the overall New South Wales position in the following way: -

1. Drivers' licence fees will be increased from 10s. a year to £1 a year, the same as in South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania.

There will be no diversion from the Country Roads Board Fund of revenue from the present licence fee, but the full amount of the increase will go to Consolidated Revenue.

2. A stamp duty at the rate of £1 per £100 of market value will be levied on certificates evidencing the initial registration or transfer of registration of motor vehicles. Registrations by dealers where vehicles are acquired by them for resale will be exempt. The provisions of the legislation will be i.dentical in their effect with those in New South Wales.

3. Fines for breaches of the Motor Car Act which at present go to the Country Roads Board Fund will go to Consolidated Revenue as from 1st July, 1964. Last year the Country Roads Board Fund derived £350,000 from this source, and an equivalent amount will be made available to the Country Roads Board from the Loan Fund. Corresponding fines go to Consolidated Revenue in New South Wales.

In the general field of stamp duties certain variations are proposed. The stamp duty on cheques will be increased from 3d. to 6d., and the scale of duty on gifts will be brought closer in line with New South Wales rates.

A stamp duty at the rate of ls. per £100 on the first £1,000, and 2s. per £100 thereafter will be levied on new policies of life assurance. A similar duty now applies in Queensland.

Similar to provisions existing in Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania, a stamp duty will be levied on mortgages. The duty will be at a flat rate of £2 on mortgages up to £4,000, and thereafter at 5s. for each £100 or part thereof in excess of £4,000.

Mr. FLOYD.-Was this in the policy speech?

Mr. BOL TE.-The sum the Government has to find is about a quarter of the amount which would he needed by the Opposition if it had been elected and had to implement its Budget.

Mr. FLOYD.-We do not have to find it, you do.

Mr. BOLTE.-The Opposition knew it did not have to find the money when it made its promises. In the States of New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia and Tasmania, receipts are compulsory with varying rates of duty. It is proposed to make it compulsory to issue receipts for amounts over £20, and to replace the present flat rate receipt duty of 3d. with a duty of 3d. per £100 or part thereof. Receipts up to £5 will be exempt from duty instead of up to £2 as at present and receipts for wages will be exempt completely.


While the Stamps Act at present provides for stamp duty on certain specific types of deeds and agreements, no general provision exists as it does in New South Wales to provide for stamp duty on agreements and deeds generally. It is proposed to adopt the New South Wales provision of a flat rate of duty of 30s. on all deeds and agreements under seal, and ls. 6d. on agreements or memorandums of agreement not under seal.

In addition to these changes in motor taxation and in stamp duties, three further changes are proposed in line with practice in other States. The first of these coneerns the matter of railway debt charges.

In the financial year 1960-61 we set up the Railway Equalization Account to which account would be transferred any surplus in railway income over operating expenses excluding payment of any debt charges. The principles then adopted were written into the Railways Act, and in effect the railways were relieved of all debt charges on past and future· loan expenditure. These debt charges remained to be met by the general taxpayer. We had hoped that this could continue, but the fact is that in New South Wales the railways meet a substantial portion of their debt charges from railway income, and we are being judged on this comparison. In fact the New South Wales railways currently meet debt charges in net terms on some £150,000,000 of railway debt. We have therefore had to reconsider our position, and have decided that the railways should be expected to meet interest and sinking fund payments on railway loan expenditure incurred on and after 1st July, 1960. This factor has been taken into account in assessing the necessary increases in railway charges announced recently. If this had not been done an equivalent amount of additional revenue would have had to be found from further increases in some form of taxation. In any event, the loan expenditure incurred by the railways in recent years has considerably enhanced the railways earning capacity, and for the future, in the interests of good railway business management and overall return to the community from our capital expenditure, it is important that additional capital expenditure on the railways should be self-supporting and not become a further burden on the taxpayer.

The second change proposed relates to royalties on coal. The New South Wales Budget benefits substantially from royalties on minerals, including coal. W·e do not have a comparable field in minerals, but it is proposed that as from 1st July, 1964, a royalty of 3d. a ton will be levied on all brown coal mined by the State Electricity Commission. This proposed royalty is broadly equivalent on a comparative B.T.U. basis with the charges levied in New South Wales.

Mr. STONEHAM.-What about a royalty on fuel oil?

Mr. BOL TE.-Surely the Leader of the Opposition knows that the State cannot enter the field of excise duty.

The third field in which some change is proposed relates to certain departmental charges. There will be revisions in Forests Commission royalty rates and in certain Lands Department charges, and, where practicable, other departmental charges for services will be brought closer to present cost levels.


The revenue proposals which I have outlined are estimated to yield additional revenue of £5, 770,000 in the current financial year, and may be summarized as follows: -

Stamp duties Departmental charges and royalties Drivers' licence fees and Motor Car Act fines Recoup of railway debt charges

A total of

£ 2,800,000

650,000 750,000

1,570,000

5,770,000

In a full year, the yield is estimated at roundly £8,000,000, which will cover the expenditure increases totalling just over £8,000,000 in education, including universities, and in hospitals which we have had to provide for in this Budget. The gap remaining for the year 1964-65, because the revenue proposals will operate for part only of the year, will be covered by drawing on certain trust fund balances which are available under existing legislation for the purpose.

As a result of all these proposals, the Consolidated Revenue Fund will be brought into balance for 1964-65, and the 1964-65 level ;of expenditure will be covered in a full year. In other words, the present level of services will be guaranteed for the future, and the State will be solvent, though naturally at the cost of additional taxation. This cost cannot be bypassed without avoiding or neglecting our responsibilities in education and other matters.

Beyond this, however, as I foreshadowed earlier, we must look to the needs of the future and make plans accordingly. Clearly, there are limits to the extent to which the revenue fields which now form part of our Budget can continue to be relied on to meet the further expansion and improvement in education and other State services which the community is demanding. The Government rejects firmly any idea of poker machines, and poker machine taxes. I should like to give an example. An analysis of the savings of the people in Australia over the past year reveals that, in the State of New South Wales, where there are 4,000,000 citizens, savings bank accounts increased by £87,000,000 whereas, in the State of Victoria, where there are only 3,000,000 citizens, savings bank deposits increased by £90,000,000-a greater savings increase in quantum in this State than in New South Wales. I believe that this state of affairs is the direct result of the operation of poker machines in New South Wales and their non-operation in Victoria.

We assert that, for the future, a fair and equitable method of finance is required. Therefore we propose, from 1st July, 1965, to introduce a small income tax to be payable by individuals living in Victoria. We are asking the Commonwealth Government to agree to collect this tax for Victoria in accordance with the statutory power which it has under the Commonweath Income Tax Assessment Act. The system will be very simple for the taxpayer.

Honorable members interjecting.

Mr. BOLTE.-1 do not mind listening to the interjections of irresponsible Opposition members, particularly those of one member now seated on the front Opposition bench, who knew his party would not become the Government and therefore would not be called upon to implement the

88 The [ASSEMBLY.] B'ldget.

promises it made on the hustings during the recent election campaign. Therefore, statements made by Opposition members cannot be taken seriously.

Mr. TURNBULL-You said that the system for collecting State income tax will be very simple for the taxpayer.

Mr. BOLTE.-It will be. We will adopt entirely the Commonwealth Assessment Act. There will be only one income tax return to make and one assessment to be issued covering both Commonwealth tax and State tax. We have set the date for the commencement of the State income tax at 1st July, 1965, because it is necessary for the tax to start from the beginning of a financial year, and also to give sufficient time to work out with the Commonwealth the necessary machinery arrangements including the form of the agreement to be entered into between the Governor-General and the Governor in Council in Victoria in accordance with the provisions of the Commonwealth Act for the collection of the tax. Naturally, the Victorian income tax will be purely marginal in character, and will not replace in any sense the present system of tax reimbursement grants. No withdrawal by the Commonwealth from its present income tax field is contemplated.

Our proposal will give the people of Victoria the opportunity to contribute in the fairest and most equitable way to the financing of that part of the cost of future increases in the costs of education and other State services which have to be met from State revenue fields.

The rates of the proposed marginal State income tax have not been determined, but some idea of the possible level of the tax can be gauged if I say, by way of illustration, that at an average rate of Id. in the £1 of taxable income as assessed under the Commonwealth Act, it is estimated that State income tax on individual persons would yield approximately £5,000,000 in a full financial year, and this is just about the same amount as New South Wales obtained from its poker machine tax last year.


Mr. BOLTE.-Judging from their interjections, I gather that Opposition members are in favour of poker machines.

I should add that it is not proposed that the State income tax will apply to the income of companies, because of the very great difficulties involved. These difficulties have been dealt with very fully in various studies on the resumption of income tax by the States, and it is agreed generally that they make it a practical impossibility to contemplate a State income tax on company income. However, while this is so, it will be realized that companies do make a valuable contribution to State revenue in other fields, such as land tax, and will continue to do so.

Having explained the financial policy and planning which underlies the Budget, the new revenue proposals and the reason for them, namely, the increase in education and hospital expenditure, I turn to deal with some of the particular items of the expenditure proposals included in the Estimates.

EDUCATION.

We have always given top priority to education and we do so again this year. Our firm objective is to continually expand the facilities at all levels of education so that every member of the community can be educated to the full extent of his ability. Every Victorian must benefit from this objective. The direct effect will be higher educational opportunities


available to more and more children. But there is also an important indirect effect to be considered. This increasing investment in education is essential to the continued growth of the economy of Victoria and the increasing welfare of the community as a whole. The effect of this in terms of the overall Budget position and its impact on financial planning has been covered in what I have said earlier.

The total provision from all sources for education this year is £79,464,000, excluding debt charges relating to education capital expenditure. In addition, and for the first time, an amount of £2,435,500 will be available to Victoria from the Commonwealth grants for buildings and equipment associated with technical education and science teaching in Department schools. A further Commonwealth grant of £377,000 will be made to Victoria for payment to non-State schools for science buildings and equipment as approved by the Commonwealth.

The amount of £79,464,000 provided for education from State sources this year represents £25 9s. per head of population and compares with £10 4s. per head of population ten years ago.

Last year I gave some detailed figures illustrating the real progress in education flowing from the greatly increased funds we are providing. This progress has continued, and will continue. To-day there are 490,000 fulltime pupils in State primary, secondary and technical schools. Since 1960, enrolments have increased by 15 per cent., while the number of classified teachers has increased by 39 per cent. The overall pupil-teacher ratio has been reduced from 25 in 1960 to 21 in 1964. Since last year the number of classified teachers has increased by 1,260, comprising 754 primary teachers, 328 secondary teachers and 178 technical teachers. Relating these figures to the enrolment increases since last year of 6,500 primary pupils, 6,000 secondary pupils and 2,300 technical pupils, it is evident that the supply of trained teachers is sufficient to ensure marked yearly improvement in the staffing position. The greatest pressures at present are experienced at the higher secondary and technical levels, where highly qualified specialist teachers are required. However, as a result of our policy of expanding the training of secondary teachers the number of trained secondary teachers entering the schools reached the new record figure of 542 in 1964, and the number for the 1965 school year will be 682, or 140 greater than this year. The number of studentship holders in teachers' colleges is now 7,821, an increase of 597 on last year's figures, and of this increase 496 is in the secondary field.

The total allocation from the Loan Fund for school buildings and associated purposes in 1964-65 is £12,745,000. This includes provision towards meeting all applications for subsidies for assembly halls lodged with the Department up to 30th June last, as announced in the policy speech.

The programme for installing sewerage and septic tank systems at all schools is practically completed, as also is the special programme for fencing of all school properties. As I indicated last year, now that the pressure for additional class-rooms is not as great as formerly as a result of the heavy building programme which has been accomplished, we are concentrating our resources on the more substantial type of school buildings which will have lower maintenance costs. Last year a further 1,000 class-rooms were completed, and 11 new primary schools and 8 new high schools were established.

Session 1964.-5


SCHOLARSHIPS.

The expanded scheme of junior scholarships which I announced in the Budget last year came into operation at the beginning of 1964 when 17,700 new junior scholarships were awarded to State and registered school pupils. The basis of award is now one junior scholarship for every three students in Form II., and at the beginning of 1965 an additional 18,500 scholarships will be awarded. These scholarships continue in operation through to matriculation level.

In 1965, 43,000 students in State and registered schools will be holding State junior scholarships and teaching bursaries. The cost this financial year will be £968,000, an increase of £119,000.

MATRICULATION BOOK ALLOWANCE.

During the recent election campaign, I promised that the Government would examine the matter of a book allowance for matriculation pupils. As a result of this we will introduce in the 1965 school year a book allowance of £5 for all matriculation pupils in State and registered schools who do not hold a scholarship. Payments will be made to each school in one amount as early as possible in the first school term in 1965 on the basis of the certified enrolment of matriculation pupils, and schools will arrange the credit to individual pupils.

ALLOWANCES FOR NECESSITOUS CASES.

The means test for the payment of maintenance allowances in necessitous cases where children are attending departmental post primary schools will be liberalized, and the requisites allowance for these children in Forms I. and II. will be increased from £5 to £7 per annum.

Included in the provision for the Education Department from Consolidated Revenue are the following amounts: -

£39,610,000 for teachers' salaries, an increase of £4,530,000 for students in training, an increase of £2,948,000 for bus services and pupils' travelling

£3,823,000 £496,000

allowances, an increase of £148,000 £968,000 for scholarships and bursaries, an increase of £119,000

UNIVERSITIES.

The total amount being provided by the State Government for university education in 1964-65 is £6,768,000. This covers grants for recurrent purposes and buildings for Melbourne and Monash universities, and also an allocation to meet the planning and establishment costs which will be incurred during the financial year on the new La Trobe University at Bundoora. In accordance with the recommendations of the Universities Commission, £1,100,000 is available for expenditure on siteworks and buildings for the new university up to the end of 1966 and this amount will be provided in equal shares by the Victorian and Commonwealth Governments. The Universities Commission has also recommended that an amount of £450,000 should be made available over the calendar years 1965 and 1966 for recurrent purposes in the initial stages of the establishment of La Trobe University, and of this amount £292,000 will be provided by the State Government.

Mr. Bolte.


CHIEF SECRETARY'S DEPARTMENT.

The Chief Secretary's Department covers a very wide range of administrative activities, and the total provision from Consolidated Revenue for this Department is £16,346,000, an increase of £1,106,000 over last year's expenditure. In addition, loan funds amounting to £1,786,000 have been allocated for building and other works coming within the ambit of the Department.

POLICE.

The total prov1s1on for police services in 1964-65 is £10,656,000, comprising £10,066,000 from Consolidated Revenue for maintenance of the Police Force, and £590,000 from loan funds for police buildings.

Provision has been made for the recruitment of further suitable men to the Force during the year within the present authorized strength, and in consultation with the Chief Commissioner further moves are being made this year towards improving the mobility of the force, and in giving further relief in the matter of administrative duties to enable trained policemen to devote more and more of their time to police duties. To this end we have made provision to increase the fleet of police motor vehicles by 39 cars and for further improvements in the police communications system. Additional typists will be appointed during the year to provide further relief to police from clerical duties.

An amount of £590,000 will be available in 1964-65 from the Loan Fund for police offices and residences. A number of buildings on which work was commenced in 1963-64 will be completed, and work will commence on some 25 new police stations and residences.

SOCIAL WELFARE.

The total prov1s1on for expenditure under the Social Welfare Act during 1964-65 is £4,394,000, an increase of £486,000 over last year's expenditure.

As promised in the policy speech, provision has been made for the Department to award studentships in social studies at the University of Melbourne in order to encourage recruitment of trained social workers for the Department and for voluntary agencies. Eight studentships will be available in 1965, and allowing for progress through the three-year course a maximum of 24 studentships will eventually be in force. The studentships will cover fees and a living allowance.

The payment made to foster parents towards the provision of school books for State wards will be increased from £5 to £7 a year for each ward in Forms I. and II.

The provision of additional and improved accommodation in youth training centres and prisons is proceeding. Trainees will go to the new Malmsbury Youth Training Centre early in 1965, and the building of the major new prison at Ararat will commence shortly.

ABORIGINES WELFARE.

The Aborigines Welfare Board has to date provided 81 houses for aboriginal families, and there are a further 10 houses either under construction or in the planning stage. In addition, the Board is in the


process of purchasing 22 house sites in various towns in Victoria. An allocation of £70,000 will be available from the Loan Fund this year for the construction of further houses for aboriginal families.

During last year, 23 families sponsored by the Board for Housing Commission dwellings were housed in various country towns, including Warrnambool, Mooroopna, Shepparton, Echuca, Moe and Traralgon. In a number of these cases the Board subsidiz.es the payment of the rent to assist larg·e families on low incomes.

LIFE-SAVING CLUBS. The Government acknowledges the important service which is

provided on a voluntary basis on o.ur beaches by the various life-saving clubs. As I announced during the election campaign, we propose to further increas·e the assistance which has been made available in recent years to enable these clubs to purchase additional equipment.

For 1964-65, the grants to the Royal Life Saving Society of Victoria and the Victorian Centre of the Surf Life Saving Association have been increased. In addition, a building fund has been established to assist both new and existing clubs to provide or improve their club buildings. An initial allocation of £10,000 has been provided in 1964-65 for this purpose.

HEALTH. The total provision in 1964-65 for health services, including hospitals

and mental health, is £39,000,000 of which £8,295,000 will be provided from loan funds. This represents an incr·ease of £2,584,000 over the provision last year and will ensure further development and improvement in the standards of health, hospital and mental health services.

The funds allocated for general health purposes this year include the following items of general interest: -Infant welfare centres,

kindergartens, &c., Elderly citizens' clubs, Home help services, Bush nursing hospitals,

£1,125,000 compared with £449,000 in 1954-55. £107,000 compared with nil in 1954-55. £340,000 compared with £28,000 in 1954-55. £217,000 compared with £70,000 in 1954-55.

A special loan allocation of £150,000 has been approved towards the first stage of the development of a combined school for the teaching of physio-therapists, speech therapists and occupational therapists. The completion of the combined school will provide first-class facilities for the training of these three branches of ancillary medical services in close proximity to the University of Melbourne and the teaching hospitals.

HOSPITALS. In 1954-55 the amount made available by the Government for

maintenance of hospitals and charitable institutions was £8,000,000, while the amount made available last year was £15,500,000.

Over this period the number of hospital beds has been increased from 11,100 to 13,200, and the total number of salaried hospital staff has grown from 14,400 to 21,200. The number of beds has increased by 2,100 and the total staff by 6,800. In 1954, just over 200,000 in-patients were treated in metropolitan and country public hospitals, whereas in the twelve months ended 30th June last the figure was just on 300,000, or an increase of 50 per cent. over the ten-year period.

Mr. Bolte.


This year, total hospital costs will rise steeply, the main governing factors being a substantial lift in the number of new beds becoming available and the cost of the basic wage increase. The position with new beds is broadly that last year 176 new hospital beds became available at various stages during the year and this year the costs must be met for a full year, w~ile the number of new beds becoming av~ila~l~ during ~his ye~r will be m excess of 500. The average cost of mamtammg beds m pubhc hospitals is almost £8 a day. In addition, the basic wage increase will cost in excess of £900,000 over the whole field of hospitals and charitable institutions. The recently announced increase in hospital fees will cover the cost of the basic wage increase, but to meet the essential needs of hospitals and institutions and provide for the new beds coming into service, it is necessary to provide for a payment of £16,700,000 from the Hospitals and Charities Fund in 1964-65. Allowing for the fact that there was a balance in the Fund to meet some of the outlay last year, the increased provision necessary in the Budget for payment into the Hospitals and Charities Fund this year is £1,381,000. It is expected that £721,000 will come from increas·ed receipts from the totalizator and Tattersall consultations, and the balance has been provided for in the new revenue proposals.

Mr. WILTON.-lt is not as bad as having poker machines, is it?

Mr. BOLTE.-No. Other States have these things, too. The allocation of loan funds for building purposes at hospitals, homes for the aged, and other charitable institutions in 1964-65 is £5,654,000, and this will bring to £49,208,000 the total amount provided by this Government for these purposes over a period of ten years.

MENTAL HEALTH. The financial provision for mental health in 1964-65 comprises

£8,499,000 for the running costs of mental health institutions, and £1,673,000 from the Loan Fund for building and equipping new treatment centres. Funds for the latter works will be supplemented in the case of projects approved by the Commonwealth by a subsidy of £1 for each £2 provided by the State. The reinstatement of this Commonwealth subsidy, a matter which we have had under negotiation for some years, will enable many works of an urgent nature to proceed.

St. Nicholas Hospital, and the early treatment centre at Dandenong, will be opened later this year. Two new wards for geriatric patients are under construction at Mont Park, and four new wards are being built at Janefield Colony for intellectually handicapped children. During the current financial year building will commence on the new psychiatric centre at Bendigo and on two additional wards for handicapped children at Pleasant Creek Special School, Stawell.

Provision has been made to continue capital grants and maintenance and transport grants to day training centres for mentally retarded children.

AGRICULTURE. Strong emphasis will continue to be placed on the development of the

Department of Agriculture which has played an important part in the efficiency and expansion of primary production in Victoria. During our term of office, the scientific and technical staff of the Department has been built up from 521 to 823 covering all phases of agricultural activity. We have set up five new research stations, and, in all, given the Department greatly expanded facilities to serve the farming community.


The provision from Consolidated Revenue for the Department of Agriculture in 1964-65 is £3,206,000, and £611,000 will be provided from the Loan Fund for building and allied purposes.

Particular activities during the year will include the development of "Attwood" at Broadmeadows as an animal disease research station; the commencement of a new laboratory and administrative block at the Hamilton Pastoral Research Station recently expanded by the purchase of 1,500 acres for a beef cattle research unit; a new research laboratory at the Ellinbank Dairy Research Station; a new teaching wing and other facilities at the School of Dairy Technology at Werribee; a new Jaboratory at the Plant Research Station, Burnley; and completion of work on the new insectary at the Mildura Horticultural Research Station.

A Market News Service will be set up by the Department of Agriculture to cover the wholesale fruit and vegetable market at Queen Victoria Market. The service is planned to commence from 1st October next. It will issue daily market reports covering wholesale prices for fruit and vegetables and references to quality, supplies, demand and short-term market trends. The costs of the service will be recouped to the Government by the Melbourne City Council, which controls the market.

GRANTS TO AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL SOCIETIES.

In accordance with the promise made in the policy speech, the Government has increased the allocation of funds available for grants to agricultural and pastoral societies for approved capital projects. The estimated expenditure for these purposes in 1964-65 is £44,000.

Provdsion has. also been made for grants to be made on a £2 for £1 basis, up to a maximum of £.500 each, for meeting places for young farmer$' clubs on agricultural showgrounds.

COUNTRY WATER SUPPLY. The allocation of loan funds for urban and rural water supply and

associated works has been increased for the current year to £9,235,000.

Excellent progress has been made on the Government's dam-building programme. Eppalock dam has been completed and filled. Water was released from it last season to meet expanding needs for irrigation along the Campaspe river and in the Rochester and other irrigation areas west of that river, and water is now being pumped from Eppalock into the Caliban system. This will remove from that system the risk of water shortage at Bendigo and the other towns formerly dependent on the waters of the Caliban river.

At Devilbend in the Mornington Peninsula, a new reservoir has been completed and is now being filled from the headworks on the Tarago and Bunyip rivers. This reservoir is designed to take the summer load of the Dromana-Portsea urban district from the headworks, leaving the summer flows of these streams to meet the expanding needs of the remainder of the Mornington Peninsula system and the new development on Westernport. The next stage in the Mornington Peninsula development will be a large storage on the Tarago river.

It is expected that the Bellfield reservoir will be in a position to begin storing water next year. A start has been made on the first stage of the Buffalo reservoir to meet irrigation needs along the Buffalo and Ovens

Mr. Bolte.


valleys, and the domestic and industrial requirements of the expanding City of Wangaratta. Land is being acquired for approved storages to conserve the waters of the Broken river.

Overall, the water storage position is particularly good, and we can look forward to another year of record total deliveries of water to irrigators. Irrigation areas are receiving increasing and substantial benefits from the works carried out in the remodelling of the Goulburn system channels, the construction of Eppalock reservoir, and the installation of a large pumping station on the Campaspe river near Rochester to pump water into the Waranga-Western channel at times of peak demand.

Although the length of the last irrigation season was considerably curtailed by good general rains both in the spring and in the autumn, the total volume of water delivered on the land for irrigation in the GoulburnMurray district over the summer months created a new record, being 790,000 acre-feet as against 587,000 acre-feet in the previous year of record deliveries. In the month of March alone, at time of peak demand, 270,000 acre-feet were delivered, compared with 192,000 acre-feet in March of the previous year. It was possible to deliver these greatly increased volumes of water to irrigators in this district only because of the extensive channel enlargement works and other improvements which have been effected over recent years, and which are continuing.

The record of this Government in providing funds for country town water supply and sewerage speaks for itself. In the nine years since the present Government has been in office, it has provided £29,833,000 for country town water supply and sewerage or more than one and a half times the amount expended on such works over the previous 100 years. The amount of Government funds to be provided this financial year for country town water supplies and sewerage will be £3, 795,000. Of this, £3,155,000 will be for water supply and £640,000 for sewerage. A table in the Budget Papers lists the towns which have received the benefit of new water supply systems, and the towns where these services either are under construction or have been authorized during this period.

Despite this phenomenal progress, a recent assessment of the position showed that there are still nearly 160 small country townships without reticulated water supplies. As it is apparent that many of these could not afford to install water supply works, even with the present very liberal system of Government financial assistance, the Government, acting on the advice of a. technical committee which investigated the question, has decided to provide special financial aid to these towns during the period of their development. This will be done by deferring portion of the capital liability-that is, payments of interest and redemption on this " def erred liability " will be remitted until such time as the town has developed sufficiently to meet the normal annual charges with the ruling maximum rating in force for urban supplies throughout the State. The usual assistance available under the Town Water Supplies Formula and by way of the interest subsidy on loan money will still be available and will not be affected in any way. The amount of additional special assistance by way of " deferred liability " will have regard to the expenditure on reservoirs, main pipe-lines, pumping, purchase of water and treatment, because the need for this additional special assistance arises only where the difficulties of supply and the costly nature of the works have so far debarred the towns from proceeding under the present formula. Provision has been made to commence this programme this year.

96 . The [ASSEMBLY.] Budget .

Sir HERBERT HYLAND.-There will have to be a maximum rate. Mr. BOLTE.-They will be on a maximum. The amount of capital

required over and above the normal formula will be deferred as a liability.

Mr. WILTON.-Does that mean that if an area cannot pay its way it will be controlled?

Mr. BOLTE.-This applies to small country towns, not to places like Broadmeadows. The Government's record regarding expenditure on country sewerage works is similar to that for town water supply. Before July, 1955, 33 country towns had received the benefits of sewerage but since that date another 39 towns have been permitted to proceed with the installation of sewerage works and in 23 of these towns the works are already in operation.

RIVER IMPROVEMENT.

During the current financial year, a further amount of £220,000 will be provided by way of Government grants and loans to river improvement and drainage trusts. This will enable the works programmes previously commenced by 22 trusts to be further advanced and will enable two newly constituted trusts, namely the Cann River Improvement Trust and the Seymour Shire River Improvement Trust, to make a commencement on their river improvement works.

RURAL FINANCE AND SETTLEMENT COMMISSION. During the past financial year, an amount of £1,925,000 was

advanced to borrowers under the provisions of the Rural Finance Act£1, 785,000 for primary industry and £140,000 for country secondary industry. This financial year the Commission will have available for lending from all sources an amount of £2,300,000. This includes an allocation of £600,000 from the Loan Fund.

On the land settlement side, provision has been made for necessary further advances under the soldier settlement schem~, and for further development of the Heytesbury, Dunbulbalane and Yanakie projects under the Land Settlement Act. The allocation for these purposes is £1,400,000.

FORESTS. Funds available to the Forests Commission in 1964-65 will amount

to a total of £3,617,000, including £1,050,000 from loan funds. The allocation from the Loan Fund has been increased to enable the Commission to continue and extend the pine plantation expansion programme. During the 1964 planting season, 5,400 acres were planted, and this figure will !>e sustained in 1965. Funds have been provided for the development of two new plantation areas, one in the Latrobe Valley and the other in the Mt. Cole forest area near Beaufort. These projects are in the initial planning stage, and the preparatory work of clearing, roading and fencing will commence this year.

The campaign for the eradication and control of the Sirex wasp will :he continued. Contributions to the National Sirex Fund during 1964-65 by the States will amount to £100,000, and this will be matched £1 for £1 by the Commonwealth. Victoria's contribution will be £20,850.

A further contribution will be made to the Municipalities Forest Roads Improvement Fund which is available to assist councils with unclassified roads adjacent to State forest areas.

The [9 SEPTEMBER, 1964.]

SOIL CONSERVATION.

Bud,get. 97

Substantial interest is being shown by landholders in the group conservation projects which were introduced by the Government late in 1962. To date, 47 requests for these projects have been received by the Soil Conservation Authority, involving some 700 landholders and more than 400,000 acres of land. The Authority is already engaged in planning or has actually st~rted work in 20 of these areas, and the allocation from the Loan Fund for this purpose has been increased by £25,000 this year to increase the tempo of work in this important activity.

HOUSING COMMISSION. During last financial year, the Housing Commission constructed 1,216

dwellings in the metropolitan area and 1,108 in country towns-a total of 2,324 for the year, and making a grand total of 51,316 dwellings constructed under the Commonwealth-State Housing Agreements and the State housing scheme. An additional 2,478 units were under construction or let to contract at 30th June last. Total capital expenditure by the Commission to 30th June, 1964, amounted to £162,911,000. The allocation c;>f loan funds for housing in Victoria under the Commonwealth-State Housing Agreement for this year will be £13,500,000. Of this sum, £4,050,000, or 30 per cent., will be allocated to co-operative housing societies through the Home Builders' Account, and £9,450,000 will be available for capital works by the Housing Commission. In addition, £4 72,500 will be made available by the Commonwealth for the building of rental housing for Service personnel.

The slum reclamation programme will be further accelerated this year. Expenditure on slum reclamation to the 30th June, 1964, amounted to £5,070,000 for the acquisition and clearance of decadent areas and £13,434,000 for redevelopment-a total of £18,504,000. Of this amount, £18,084,000 has been spent during the term of the present Government. In conjunction with municipal councils and private enterprise, the amount to be spent in 1964-65 will be just on £5,500,000 on the acquisition and clearance of sites and redevelopment by the construction of 1,152 flats, including a number of lone person and low rental units for elderly citizens in Carlton, Prahran and St. Kilda. At the 30th June last, some 180 acres had been proclaimed as slum reclamation areas, and of these areas 100 acres have been or are in course of being redeveloped.

The Commission has continued to encourage the sale of houses, and during last financial year sold 1,825 houses for a total selling price of £7,837,000. Total sales to 30th June, 1964, were 18,455, representing approximately 36 per cent. of all dwellings constructed by the Commission.

CO-OPERATIVE HOUSING. During 1963-64, the number of co-operative housing societies

increased by 57 to 797, with a total membership of 47,803 persons holding shares of a nominal value of £114,035,000. The loan accommodation made available to societies during the year amounted to £10,858,000, including £5,334,000 provided from the Home Builders' Account under the Commonwealth-State Housing Agreement. This is the largest amount ever made available to co-operative housing societies in a financial year. Excluding short-term finance, the total amount of loan accommodation made available to societies to the 30th June, 1964, was £112,270,000 of which £30,036,000 had been made available from the Home Builders' A~count.


Initial steps are being taken to implement the scheme as announced in the policy speech to make special provision within the co-operative housing framework for housing advances for families with more than five children. '

HOME FINANCE TRUST. At the 30th June last, the Home Finance Trust had raised £8,575,000

by loans. Long-term first mortgage loans to home builders granted by the Trust and subsisting at that date totalled 2, 719-the amount involved being £8,000,000.

The granting of second mortgage loans by the Trust to help bridge the gap between the cost of homes and the amount available on first mortgage continues to be of great assistance to home seekers. At 30th June last, 713 second mortgage loans had been granted by the Trust, the amount involved being £307,500.

RAILWAYS. Last financial year, railway income was £46,188,000 and operating

expenses were £45,818,000, leaving an amount of £370,000 to be credited to the Railway Equalization Account. This result represented a net improvement of £1,084,000 on the Estimates. Although the Estimates had been based on having another good wheat harvest, at 77,000,000 bushels the harvest exceeded all expectations, and the revenue from wheat railings was over £1,000,000 greater than in the previous year.

This year, operating expenses will increase by £1,826,000 as a result of the increase in the basic wage and consequent increases in pay-roll tax and workers compensation, and additional superannuation costs. In addition, as indicated earlier, the railways this year will pay £1,570,000, being interest and sinking fund payments for 1964-65 on railway loan expenditure which has been incurred since 1st July, 1960. The increase in operating costs to be met from railway income in 1964-65 is therefore £3,396,000, and total operating costs are estimated at £49,214,000.

The increases in railway charges announced recently to operate from 27th September, 1964, will bring in £3,000,000 in 1964-65. Allowing for this, and in the expectation that the wheat harvest will again be good, but perhaps not as great as last year, total railway income for 1964-65 is estimated at £48,750,000. On this basis it will be necessary to draw on the Railway Equalization Account to the extent of £464,000, although this will depend very much on the wheat harvest.

Mr. TREWIN.-lt is just as well that the wheat growers are doing well. Mr. BOL TE.-They are not disappointed, and I am sure they would

hate to go bad just to do the railways in the eye, so to speak. In a full financial year, the increased railway charges should produce

revenue amounting to £4,000,000, or £1,000,000 more than the amount expected to be received for this year when the charges will operate for only nine months. The additional revenue in a full year should obviate further drawing on the Railway Equalization Account and cover the natural growth in interest and sinking fund payments arising from the recurring loan expenditure of some £8,000,000 a year by the railways.

Indeed, the expectation would be that given favourable conditions next year, it would be possible to reinstate the balance in the Railway Equalization Account and so have it available for the purpose for which it was created-which is to safeguard railway finances against a lean year.


Mr. Moss.-1 do not think they would ever take it out.

Mr. BOLTE.-When the party of which the honorable member for Murray Valley is a member was in Government, railway charges were increased three years in succession and, on one occasion, there was a rise of some 40 per cent. in freights.

LOAN PROGRAMMES.

In accordance with the usual practice, details of the proposed expenditure from the Loan Fund in 1964-65 will be given to the House when the necessary loan application Bills are introduced.

The total loan programme for works and housing approved by the Australian Loan Council for the current financial year is £290,000,000-an increase of £18,000,000 on the corresponding figure for 1963-64. In addition, approval has been given to a new money borrowing programme of £125,000,000 for authorities, including municipalities, which will each borrow more than £100,000 during the 1964-65 financial year. Victoria's share of the works and housing programme for 1964-65· is £73,977,000, including £60,477,000 for government works and £13,500,000 for housing purposes under the provisions of the Commonwealth-State Housing Agreement.

Our share of the borrowing programme for bodies which will each borrow more than £100,000 is £44,918,000. This is an increase of £1,332,000 over the new money borrowing programme for semigovernment bodies in 1963-64.

Last year was a particularly successful year for loan raisings for all levels of government. As was also the case in 1962-63, the Government works and housing programme was fully raised from public cash loans in Australia and abroad without any special support from the Commonwealth Government. The new money borrowing programme for semi-government bodies in Victoria was again raised in full in 1963-64, and all maturing loans, totalling more than £17,000,000, were satisfactorily refinanced.

Municipalities had another record borrowing year in 1963-64, with loans totalling £11,072,000 being taken up to finance works and services in the important fields covered by local government. This figure compares with municipal loan raisings amounting to only £2,423,000 in our first year of office, and reflects the very significant progress which has been made in recent years in the provision of basic community services, and in particular in assisting councils in their efforts to overcome the backlog of private street construction schemes.

The Loan Council has agreed to continue the policy which I put forward in 1962, and which has operated during each of the past two years, that no overall limit will be placed on borrowings by those local government bodies which each borrow not more than £100,000 during the year, provided that the terms and conditions of individual loans are approved by the Treasury in accordance with general Loan Council conditions. This procedure has been much appreciated by the smaller municipalities, waterworks trusts and sewerage authorities.

100 Supplementary Estimates [ASSEMBLY.] for Year 1963-64.

CONCLUSION. As I indicated at the outset, the Government's plans during the

past nine years have been geared to promoting and maintaining a high rate of growth and development for the State as a whole. The working out of these plans is to be seen in record levels of production in our primary industries and in the increasing volume and variety of goods being manufactured in thousands of factories throughout the State.

Growth and development, however, are not ends in themselves. They are only the means by which people can enjoy continuing improvements in living standards. These benefits are reflected in a very real and down to earth way in our consistently high employment record, in high average wages and savings, and in record housing construction and home ownership.

Mr. SCHINTLER.-That statement about housing is not correct.

Mr. BOLTE.-It is all correct. Of all States, Victoria has the highest proportion of people owning or in the course of purchasing their own homes.

Going hand in hand with these things, and behind them, is the careful planning of our public investment in basic community services such as power, transport, water and sewerage and, in particular, the provision of education and health services which are in truth an investment in people themselves, leading as they do to improved knowledge and skills, and to better living conditions and health standards for the benefit of the individual and the community at large.

In preparing this Budget, the Government has again carefully considered its financial responsibilities in all of these things. We are confident that it meets the important tests of sound growth and expansion, combined with Budget stability.

Progress was reported.

SUPPLEMENTARY ESTIMATES FOR YEAR 1963-64.

Mr. BOLTE (Premier and Treasurer) presented a message from His Excellency the Governor transmitting Supplementary Estimates of Expenditure for the year 1963-64, and recommending an appropriation from the Consolidated Revenue accordingly.

The House went into Committee of Supply.

Mr. BOLTE (Premier and Treasurer) .-I move-

That a sum not exceeding £2,087,468 be granted to Her Majesty on account for or towards defraying services for the year 1963-64.

Mr. BOLTE (Premier and Treasurer) .-The Supplementary Estimates for the financial year 1963-64 which have been circulated to

honorable members amount to £2,087,468. The expenditure covered in them has been brought to account in the figures for the year 1 S63-64 announced in the Budget speech.

More than half the total amount of the Supplementary Estimates relates to the railways, the additional provision here being an amount of £1,128,504 out of the total of £2,087,468. This amount of £1,128,504 for the railways is required to cover working expenses incurred during last financial year in excess of the amount provided in the Appropriation Act for that year.

With a record wheat harvest and increased general goods traffic the total train mileage run during last financial year was 496,300 miles greater than expected when the estimates of expenditure for the year

Supplementary Estimates [9 SEPTEMBER, 1964.] for Year 1963-64. 101

were made up. In the result, railway revenue was £2,127,000 higher than the Budget estimate, and in earning this revenue extra expenditure was incurred. The net amount of this additional expenditure was £1,128,504 as provided in the Supplementary Estimates.

The main part of this additional expenditure was incurred in the Rolling Stock Branch, the Traffic Branch and the Way and Works Branch. The additional provision for the Rolling Stock Branch is £796,007, and reflects the cost of reconditioning steam locomotives and other rollingstock, together with the additional payments to train crews working longer hours at overtime and penalty rates. In the Traffic Branch the additional provision is £167,631, and in the Way and Works Branch it is £68,211.

The item General Expenses for which the additional provision of £79,443 is made covers increased costs of payments in lieu of long service leave following the increases in wage margins in the preceding year, and increases in salary margins under the Railway Salaried Officers award in May, 1964.

Apart from railways the further provision in the Supplementary Estimates for other Departments is £958,964. Of this amount £106,462 is required in total to cover underestimation of some salary votes. Savings under other salary votes more than off set this additional provision, but in the particular votes where a shortage took place a supplementary appropriation is necessary.

Among the other items the more significant are £208,932 under the Education Department scholarship vote, £64,245 under the Treasury Division No. 51 for pay-roll tax, and £82,817 under the Family Welfare vote for payments in respect

of State wards and assistance in necessitous cases. The last two items are simply under-estimations in the original estimates. The scholarship vote was exceeded because of a change in the timing of payment of scholarship allowances to bring them forward earlier in the school year.

These items cover the more significant additional provisions, and while I do not propose to deal with all the items in the Supplementary Estimates, if further explanation is required by honorable members, I will be pleased to supply the information either before or during the debate. I emphasize again that all the expenditure covered in the Supplementary Estimates is included in the result for the year already given to the House.

Progress was reported.

STATE FINANCES. LOAN MONEYS: GRANTS: ASSETS:

CHARGES AND TAXATION.

For Mr. LOVEGROVE (Fitzroy), Mr. Wilkes asked the Premier-

!. What tax reimbursements were received by Victoria from the Commonwealth in each of the financial years 1959-60 to 1964-65 inclusive?

2. What State grants, special financial assistance or emergency grants were received from the Commonwealth in each of those years?

3. What loan moneys were made available to Victoria in each of those years under the Commonwealth loan programme for( a) government works; (b) housing; (c) semi-government works; ( d) local government works; and ( e) any additional or emergency purposes?

4. What were the Victorian debt charges in each of those years?

5. What was the total of Victorian taxes per head of population in each of those years, and what the Government received from each source of taxation in each of those years?

6. What total moneys were received by the Government from all sources in each of those years?

7. What deficits were budgeted for by the Government since it took office?

8. What interest the Government received in each of these years?

102 State [ASSEMBLY.] Finances.

9. What is the value of the assets of the State Electricity Commission, the Gas and Fuel Corporation and the Melbourne and Metropolitan Tramways Board; what moneys each authority has invested; and what was the income from investments of each authority in each year since the Government took office?

10. When the assets of each of these authorities were valued?

11. What profit (if any) each authority has made and how this profit has been spent in each year since the Government took office?

12. What increases in the charges of each of these authorities have been made since the Government took office, and when those increases were made?

13. What increases in railway charges have been made since the Government took office and when they were made?

14. What other public utilities own real estate, and own the buildings used by them and any other buildings?

15. What other public utilities have secured income from profits, rents or investments and how much they have secured in each of the financial years 1959-60 to 1964-65?

16. What is the present value of the assets owned by these utilities referred to in parts 14 and 15 above, when their assets were last valued; and what was the valuation in 1959-60, in respect of each?

3. -

(a)

-(b)

17. What increases in the charges of these other public utilities have been made since the Government took office?

For Mr. BOLTE (Premier and Treasurer), Mr. Rylah (Chief Secretary). -The answers to questions I to 8 asked by the honorable member are av~ilable, but, as I think the honorable member will appreciate, the information required in the remaining questions will take a considerable amount of collecting. The Premier will advise the honorable member as soon as the information is available. I seek leave for the answers to questions 1 to 8 to be incorporated in Hansard without my reading them.

Leave was granted, and the answers were as follows: -

1. 1959-60 1960-61 1961-62 1962-63 1963-64 .. 1964-65 (estimate)

2. 1959-60 1960-61 1961-62 1962-63 1963-64 1964-65

(c)

Semi-

I

(d)

Local

£ 60,625,000 67,371,342 73,014,476 76,133,355 79,741,249 85,648,000

Nil. Nil.

1,800,000 3,727,000 5,140,000

Nil.

(e)

Additional Government Works. Housing. Government Government or Emergency

Borrowings.• Borrowings. Purposes.

£ £ £ £ £

1959-60 .. .. 46,405,000 10,300,000 32,387,000 5,106,000 Nil

1960-61 .. .. 48,805,000 10,300,000 33,445,000 5,290,000 Nil

1961-62 .. .. 50,075,000 13,527,000 39,463,000 5,593,000 Nil

1962-63 .. .. 52,680,000 12,580,000 41,688,000 5,620,000 Nil

1963-64 .. .. 56,135,000 13,250,000 43,576,000 5,488,000 Nil

1964-65 .. .. 60,477,000 13,500,000 44,918,000 t Nil

• Includes local government bodies which borrow more than £100,000 in any year.

or le!s.No over-all limit has been placed on the aggregate borrowings of local government bodies each raising £100,000

4. 1959-60 1960-61 1961-62

34,690,695 37,530,324 41,294,013

1962-63 1963-64 1964-65 (estimate)

45,450,540 48,637,392 52,607,248

5.

Probate Duty

Land Tax ..

State

Entertainments Tax ..

Motor Car Third· party Insurance

Stamp Duty

[9 SEPTEMBER, 1964.]

BUDGET TAXES.

Year.

1959-60. 1960-61. 1961-62.

£ £ £

Finances.

1962-63. 1963-64.

£ £

103

Estimate 1964-65.

£

9,412,898 11,530,879 12,540,213 12,321,363 14,726,259 15,650,000

5,854,092 6,706,494 7,406,384 8,544,939 9,132,483 9,400,000

1,412,206 1,335,540 1,110,718 611,274 256,121 260,000

489,814 881,576 924,110 970,949 1,040,928 1,125,000

9,925,177 9,859,923 9,202,243 9,833,877 11,413, 740 15,300,000

Duty on Insurance Business . . 2,419,064 2,611,222 2,718,574 2,877,494 3,043,742 3,250,000

Totalizator .. 884,435 956,807 1,386,911 1,963,025 2,674,508 3,300,000

Tattersall Duty 2,965,829 3,256,702 3,174,638 3,202,060 3,304,375 3,400,000

Betting Tax and Bookmakers' Licences . . . . . . 1,474,040 1,605,230 1,550,442 1,526,544 1,576,276 1,605,000

Licensing Fund Payment

Registration and Inspection Fees, Factories and Shops, Lifts and Cranes, Boilers, &c. . .

Other

2,800,205 3,036,482 3,193,119 3,302,860 3,319,412 3,450,000

157,053

199,037

143,111

220,403

156,402

213,533

179,371

236,593

226,228

258,039

322,000

627,000

Total . . 37,993,850 42,144,369 43,577,287 45,570,349 50,972,111 57,689,000

£ 8. d. £ 8. d. £ 8. d. £ 8. d. £ 8. d. £ 8. d.

Per Head of Population 13 10 0 14 11 6 14 17 5 15 4 9 16 13 8 18 9 4

6.

Revenue. Loan. Total.

£ £ £

1959-60 168,310,347 52,222,081 220,532,428

1960-61 185,101,403 51,921,682 237 ,023,085

1961-62 196,308,813 53,031,087 249,339,900

1962-63 207,075,429 55,671,610 262,747,039

1963-64 222,184,556 59,262,542 281,447,098

1964-65 (estimate) 238,420,819 63,227,000 301,647,819

104 Liquor Inquiry. [ASSEMBLY.] Civil Aviation.

7. 1955-56 1956-57 1957-58 1958-59 1959-60 1960-61 1961-62 1962-63 1963-64 1964-65 (estimate)

8. 1959-60 1960-61 1961-62 1962-63 1963-64 1964-65 (estimate)

LIQUOR INQUIRY.

£ 3,245,500 4,311,466 3,212,656 2,548,141

252,536

9,313,362 10,344,084 11,489,970 12,522,557 13,784,085 14,538,500

COST: DATE OF CONCLUSION.

Sir HERBERT HYLAND (Gippsland South) asked the Premier-

1. What is the cost of the liquor inquiry to date?

2. What is the estimate of the full cost of the inquiry?

3. When it is estimated the inquiry will be concluded?

For Mr. BOLTE (Premier and Treasurer), Mr. Rylah (Chief Secretary). -The answers are-

1. £16,766 8s. 8d. 2. ·£23,000. 3. The Commission hopes to conclude

hearing evidence this year to enable preparation of the report to be commenced in the New Year. However, I understand that this schedule may be accelerated.

SCIENTOLOGY. BOARD OF INQUIRY: COST: FINDINGS.


1. What is the cost of the scientology inquiry to date?

2. What is the estimate of the full cost of the inquiry?

3. When the findings will be available?

For Mr. BOLTE (Premier and Treasurer), Mr. Rylah (Chief Secretary). -The answers are-

1. £14,244 7s. 3d. 2. £23,353. 3. Although a considerable volume of

evidence must still be heard, the Board has announced its intention of presenting its report, if possible, before the end of the year.

CIVIL AVIATION. CORRESPONDENCE WITH PRIME

MINISTER.

Mr. STONEHAM (Leader of the Opposition) asked the Premier-

Whether he recently received a letter from the Right Honorable the Prime Minister regarding proposed future control of intra-state civil aviation; if so, whether he will lay on the table of the Library a copy of the letter and any reply made to same?

For Mr. BOLTE (Premier and Treasurer) , Mr. Rylah (Chief Secretary) .-The answer is-

Yes, a letter relating to the control of intra-state air navigation was received from the Prime Minister on 10th August. A reply was sent to the Prime Minister on 31st August. I will make a copy of both these letters available to the Leader of the Opposition and the Leader of the Country Party.

ROAD TRAFFIC. POLICE ACTION: FATALITIES AND

IN JURIES: MOTOR CAR REGISTRATIONS AND DRIVING LICENCES: TESTS FOR VEHICLE ROADWORTHINESS.

For Mr. LOVEGROVE (Fitzroy), Mr. Wilkes asked the Chief Secretary-

1. How many " traffic blitzes " have been conducted in Victoria this year?

2. How many motorists were booked during those " blitzes " for each of the following traffic offences:-( a) exceeding 35 miles per hour; ( b) exceeding 40 miles per hour; ( c) exceeding 50 miles per hour; ( d) being unlicensed drivers; ( e) using unroadworthy vehicles; (f) driving unregistered vehicles; (g) dangerous driving; and (h) drunken driving?

3. How many times, this year, the " breathalyzer " has been used to test drivers?

4. How many times, this year, members of the Police Force have taken ignition keys from drivers?

5. How many drivers, passengers, and other persons, respectively, have been( a) killed; and (b) injured-(i) in the metropolitan area; and (ii) in the rest of Victoria, each month of this year as a result of motor accidents?

6. How many traffic police and how many police cars and motor cycles, respectively, were used by the Police Department in( a) the metropolitan area; and (b) the rest of Victoria, in the year 1963 and ·since 1st January, 1964?

Companies (9 SEPTEMBER, 1964.] Act. 105

7. What highways and districts are patrolled by traffic police and how many members of the Police Force patrol each highway or district?

8. How many cars were registered and driving licences issued in the year 1963 and since 1st January, 1964?

9 How many driving licences were cancelled for-(a) offences; (b) deaths; and (c) other causes, during the year 1963 and since 1st January, 1964?

10. How many cancelled licences were restored in each of those periods?

11. How many probationary licences have been-(a) refused; (b) issued; and (c) cancelled?

12. How many persons and/or firms have been authorized to test cars for roadworthiness?

Mr. RYLAH (Chief Secretary).The answers to these questions will require the preparation of a detailed statistical return. If the honorable member requests the information in the nature of a return to an order of the House, I shall be only too happy to supply it.

COMPANIES ACT. INVESTIGATIONS: REPORT:

REID-MURRAY GROUP. For Mr. LOVEGROVE (Fitzroy),

Mr. Wilkes asked the AttorneyGeneral-

1. What companies are being investigated under the provisions of the Companies Act 1961 or any other Act?

2. When these investigations will be completed and reports made by the investi· gators?

3. What proceedings are pending as a result of investigations and reports already made?

4. How many of the Reid-Murray group of companies have been completely reported upon?

5. When the full report on the ReidMurray group of companies will be completed and available?

Mr. RYLAH (Attorney-General).The answers are-

1. There are over 220 companies-I think it is more like 300 at the present timeincluding subsidiaries of the Reid-Murray and Stanhill groups of companies, under investigation at the present time and ~e particulars are too lengthy to set out m the answer to this question. If the honorable member is interested in any particular company I shall be glad to supply him with the necessary information.

2. Owing to the number of companies involved and the complexity of their operations, some time must elapse before the reports of the inspectors are available. I hope that the final report of the inspectors investigating the Reid-Murray group of companies will be available before the end of this year.

3. Informations for breaches of the Com-panies Act 1958 have been issued against-

Maurice Edward Bates, Raymond Laurence Borg, Frank Langhorne Harcus, Frank Ronald Wolstenholme, Robert Wolstenholme Reid, Kenneth Norman Wilkinson, Robert Leslie Montgomery, Harry Edward Scott,

directors of companies of the Reid-Murray group. In addition, Raymond Laurence Borg has been charged under the provisions of the Crimes Act 1958 on five counts of fraudulent conversion of funds.

Mr. TURNBULL.-ls that indictable or summary?

Mr. RYLAH.-lndictable. The honorable member is probably aware that this type of offence is punishable by imprisonment.

4. I refer the honorable member to the interim report of the inspectors dated 2nd September, 1963, which was ordered to be printed by this House on 3rd December 1963. •

If the honorable member wants any further information concerning any of these companies or any other company, I shall be only too glad to supply it to him. It is a little difficult to supply this information when a general sort of question is asked.

Mr. TURNBULL-ls it stated how much the creditors will get back?

Mr. RYLAH.-1 am intrigued by the remark of the honorable member for Brunswick West, and I am wondering whether he is interested in the creditors or the result of these proceedings. The Government is interested in both aspects.

5. I refer the honorable member to the answer to question 2 above.

I hope that the final report of the inspectors will be available before the end of this sessional period.

106 Aborigines. [ASSEMBLY.] Education· Department.

ABORIGINES. EDUCATION: FINANCIAL

CONTRIBUTIONS.

Mr. HOLDING (Richmond) asked the Chief Secretary-

What organizations or individuals (including Government Departments) have made financial contributions for the purpose of assisting the education of aboriginal children, and what were the amounts of such contributions?

Mr. RYLAH (Chief Secretary).Frankly, I am not sure what this question means. If the honorable member for Richmond will be good enough to explain it to me in a little more detail, I may be able to get the information more readily. As I understand the question, the information requested is not readily available. In the circumstances, perhaps the honorable member could confer with me, and I shall give him an answer on the next day of meeting.

EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT OF ABORIGINAL CHILDREN: RESEARCH.

Mr. HOLDING (Richmond) asked the Minister of Education-

1. Whether the Aborigines Welfare Board has requested the Education Department to carry out research on the question of educational retardation of aboriginal children ; if so, when such requests were made?

2. Whether any such research work has been initiated; if so, how far it has progressed; if not, why?

Mr. BLOOMFIELD (Minister of Education) .-The answers are-

1 and 2. By letter dated the 23rd December, 1963, Mr. Cole, Assistant Chief Inspector of Primary Schools, was advised by the Superintendent of Aborigines' Welfare, on behalf of the Board, that the Board had discussed this question in August, 1960. The letter stated that no formal approach had been made by the Board to the Department although there were discussions and correspondence on the subject with the then education member of the Board during 1961. This letter concluded: " In raising this matter again I am wondering if you could look up the files and perhaps give some idea of the likelihood of this survey being carried out early in 1964."

Mr. Cole attended a meeting of the Board on the 6th March, 1964. and gave advice in terms of the last quoted passage. The

Board's minute of the ensuing discussion included the following passage:-

" Education: The Board was informed by Mr. Cole

that the Education Department's Attendance Branch will and does at present cooperate with the Board in attendance problems and can arrange special visits when necessary.

While a formal survey by the Education Department of educational attainment of Aboriginal children, designed to assist individual aboriginal children to develop to the maximum within the primary school, to assist in identification of potential secondary school children and to provide some information towards satisfactory occupational adjustments, is not realistic or possible, Mr. Cole advised that he has requested district inspectors to bring under notice cases of socially or educationally underprivileged children, who could be referred to the Psychology and Guidance Branch." There has been no subsequent corres

pondence or discussion on the subject.

EDUCATION DEPARTMENT. STATE SCHOOL ORGANIZATIONS:

ESTABLISHMENT AND CONSTITU-TION: FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE.

Mr. MOSS (Leader of the Country Party) asked the Minister of Education-

1. What financial assistance (if any) the Government has given to the State School Committees and Councils Association of Victoria, the Victorian Secondary Schools Advisory Councils' Association, and the Victorian Council of' School Organizations, respectively, during each of the past three financial years?

2. When these organizations were established and what official recognition (if any) has been given to them in other ways, by the Government?

3. Whether the Minister has seen and approved the constitution and rules of these organizations?

4. What was the financial membership of each organization in numbers of affiliated schools at 30th June last, and in each of the two previous financial years?

5. Whether the Minister is aware of any move for the Victorian Council of School Organizations to take over the two other organizations?

6. What financial assistance (if any) will be given to that organization in the event of such take-over?


1. Annual grants of £750 and £300 have been paid to the State School Committees and Councils Association of Victoria, and

Education [9 SEPTEMBER, 1964.] Department. 107

to the Victorian Secondary Schools Advisory Councils' Association respectively during each of the past three years. There is, as yet, no organization known as the Victorian Council of School Organizations, but it is understood that resolutions are to be submitted to members of the State School Committees and Councils Association of Victoria and the Victorian Secondary Schools Advisory Councils' Association at their annual conferences later this month that both associations amalgamate to form one association to be known as the Victorian Council of School Organizations.

2. The State School Committees and Councils Association has advised that it was originally established in 1923 under the name of the Melbourne and Metropolitan State School Committees Association and changed its name in 1928 to the State School Committees Association of Victoria. Its constitution was changed and the present name adopted in 1957. The Victorian Secondary Schools Advisory Councils' Association has advised that its organization in its present form was established in 1954.

Both organizations are recognized by the Government and the Department as representing bodies indicated in their respective titles, for the purposes of discussions and submissions related to school affairs.

3. I do not specifically recall having formally examined the constitution and rules of the State School Committees and Councils Association of Victoria though I may have done so. I have become aware of various items of the constitution, and possibly rules, from time to time.

In 1959, when considering the question of a subsidy for the Victorian Secondary Schools Advisory Councils' Association, I examined the constitution of that body.

4. State School Committees and Councils Association of Victoria-

30.6.64. 30.6.63. 30.6.62. 1,211 1,205 1,100

Victorian Secondary Schools Advisory Councils' Association-

30.6.64. 30.6.63. 30.6.62. 160 162 167

5. See answer to question 1. 6. No request has been made for assist

ance to the Victorian Council of School Organizations, nor has the matter been considered.

SEYMOUR HIGH SCHOOL: ERECTION OF SCIENCE BLOCK: CONTRACT.

Mr. STONEHAM (Leader of the Opposition) asked the Minister of Public Works-

1. On what date, and for what amount, a tender was let for construction of a new science block at Seymour High School; and to whom the contr~ct was awarded?

2. What was the duration of the contract and whether a penalty was stipulated for non-completion within this period?

3. Whether the building has been finally passed as complying with specifications and whether any penalty has been imposed?

4. In respect of which contracts (if any) during the past three years, this contractor has failed to complete work by scheduled dates, and in which instances (if any) penalties have been paid, showing each such amount separately?

Mr. PORTER (Minister of Public Works) .-The answers are-

L (a) Tender accepted 2nd October, 1963. (b) Amount of tender-£17,429. ( c) Contractor-A. V. Jennings Industries

(Aust.) Ltd. 2. (a) Three months. (b) An amount of £5 per working day

was stipulated as liquidated damages. 3. (a) Yes. (b) No. 4. (a) A. V. Jennings Industries (Aust.)

Ltd. has on occasions during the past three years failed to complete contracts exactly by the due date largely due to industrial disputes or other causes of delays beyond its control at sources of supply or ancillary sources; however, the firm is one of the Public Works Department's best contractors and has a considerable number of successfully completed contracts to its credit and has at keenly competitive prices erected more class-rooms for the State than any other contractor. The long delay in the Seymour case is unusual, and has been brought to the personal notice of Mr. A. V. Jennings, managing director.

(b) Although liquidated damages are stipulated in such contracts, the Department has kept this condition in reserve because delays in completion have usually not been serious, and action to seek such damages would lead to protracted and costly litigation. However, when acceptances of tenders are being considered, the comparative records of all the tenderers' completion times of their prior contracts, and their standard of workmanship thereon, are taken into account.

CASTLEMAINE HIGH SCHOOL: SITE PROBLEMS: TENDERS.

Mr. STONEHAM (Leader of the Opposition) asked the Minister of Public Works-

!. What is the nature of the unexpected site problems encountered in connexion with the proposed new Castlemaine High School, and what is the extent of delay caused by these problems?

2. When it is anticipated that tenders will be called for construction of the new buildings, and when they will be available for occupation?

108 Commonwealth Aid [ASSEMBLY.] Roads Agreement.


1. No totally unexpected site problems have been encountered. However, because of the undulating nature of the site, and the presence of rock close to the surface, it was necessary to thoroughly investigate alternative positions of the building to obtain the most economic solution to the problem. To enable this to be done, preliminary site investigation and schemes were prepared. Bearing in mind the nature of the site, no undue delay has been caused by consideration of these problems.

2. The chief architect of the Public Works Department recently visited the site, and shortly a scheme will be submitted to the Education Department. Subject to approval, it is anticipated that tenders for the school will be called in November. Availability for occupation would be about nine months thereafter.

COMMONWEALTH AID ROADS AGREEMENT.

AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS TO COUNTRY ROADS BOARD.

Sir HERBERT HYLAND (Gippsland South) asked the Minister of Public Works-

How much additional money will be available to the Country Roads Board in each of the five years of the new Commonwealth Aid Roads Agreement, over and above the moneys available under the agreement just expired?

Mr. PORTER (Minister of Public Works) .-The answer is in the form of several tabulations, and I seek leave of the House to have it incorporated in Hansard without my reading it.

Leave was granted, and the answer was as follows: -

The following tables set out-(i) the money made available to the

Country Roads Board from Commonwealth payments to Victoria under the Commonwealth Aid Roads Act 1959 from 1959 to 1964.

(ii) the money estimated to be made available to the Country Roads Board under the Commonwealth Aid Roads Act 1964 from 1964 to 1969.

(iii) the estimated additional money available to the Country Roads Board under the Commonwealth Aid Roads Act 1964 over that of the corresponding year of the Commonwealth Aid Roads Act 1959.

(i) Commonwealth 1959:

Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5

(ii) Commonwealth 1964:


Aid Roads Act

Received by Yearly C.R.B. Increase. £'000 £'000 8,167 8,984 817 9,878 894

10,676 798 11,215 539

48,920

Aid Roads Act

Estimated to be received by C.R.B.

£'000 12,595 13,579 14,563 15,547 16,531

72,815

Estimated Yearly

Increase. £'000 1,380

984 984 984 984

(iii) The estimated additional money available to the Country Roads Board under the Commonwealth Aid Roads Act 1964 over that of the corresponding year of the Commonwealth Aid Roads Act 1959 is as follows:-


£'000 4,428 4,595 4,685 4,871 5,316

RAILWAY DEPARTMENT. DERAILMENTS: COMMISSIONERS'

REPORT.

Mr. STONEHAM (Leader of the Opposition) asked the Minister of Transport-

!. What number of derailments has occurred on Victorian Railways tracks during each of the twelve months ended 30th August, 1964?

2. What were the main causes of these derailments and what action has been taken to guard against recurrences?

3. If he will lay on the table of the Library the report on the state of the railways furnished to him by the Railways Commissioners, as referred to in the Herald newspaper on 11th August, 1964?

Mr. MEAGHER (Minister of Transport) .-The answers are-

1. The number of derailments on running lines during each of the twelve months ended 31st August, 1964, was as follows:-

1963 September October November December

6 4 6

·3

Melbourne and Metropolitan [9 SEPTEMBER, 1964.] Tramways Board. 109

January February March April May June July August

1964 4 6 3 7 8

12 11 13

2. The main causes of these derailments were track conditions and rolling-stock defects.

The most frequent cause of derailments due to track conditions was variation in super-elevation (on curves) or cross levels. The necessity to observe proper track levels is consistently impressed upon all track staff. On the light lines, where track conditions cause the bulk of derailments, special gangs have been appointed, additional to the normal track staff, to carry out necessary repairs.

Defective cc W " guards were chiefly responsible for the derailments caused by rolling stock defects and, to overcome this, a heavy replacement programme is under way. Nearly all fixed-wheel wagons have been examined and any defective cc W " guards found were immediately replaced. This examination will be repeated frequently over the next six months. Also, as wagons are shopped for heavy overhaul each four to five years, the " W " guards are removed and subjected to magnetic testing and normalizing procedure. A series of tests is being arranged with the Aeronautical Research Laboratories as a guide to future testing of "W" guards.

Broken axles were also responsible for some derailments and the most modern methods of supersonic flaw detection are used.

Other derailments have occurred because of. ~ot boxes on fixed-wheeled rolling-stock. V1g1lance on the part of the staff is the answer here, and they are continually reminded to stop trains when hot boxes are noticed.

3. The report referred to is a written survey by the Victorian Railways Commissioners designed to inform and assist the Government in its forward planning of the railway system.

Recommendations made could be the basis of policy decisions which are still under consideration. Publication of the report at this stage could, by generating undue speculation, hamper calm consideration of the necessarily complicated problems involved.

I therefore feel that publication, at this juncture, would be premature.

MELBOURNE AND METROPOLITAN

TRAMWAYS BOARD. TRAM AND Bus OPERATIONS: FINANCE.

Mr. CLAREY (Melbourne) asked the Minister of Transport-

1. What was the deficit or surplus of the Melbourne and Metropolitan Tramways Board for the year 1963-64, in respect of( a) bus operations; and (b) tram operations?

2. What was the surplus in respect of non-operating activities in that year?

Mr. MEAGHER (Minister of Transport) .-The answer is-

For the year ended 30th June, 1964, the Melbourne and Metropolitan Tramways Board incurred a deficit of £354,608 as shown below:-

Bus operations Tram operations

Less non-operating activities ..

Net deficit ..

£ 286,461 deficit. 190,721 deficit.

477,182

122,574 surplus.

354,608

The above figures are subject to audit.

STATE RIVERS AND WATER SUPPLY COMMISSION.

REMOVAL OF FLOOD GATES ON SOUTH GIPPSLAND HIGHWAY AT TooRADIN: CONSTRUCTION OF LEVEE BANK AT SAWTELL'S INLET.

Mr. DUNSTAN (Mornington) asked the Minister of Water Supply-

1. Whether the cost has been estimated for removing the flood gates from the causeway, South Gippsland Highway, Tooradin, upstream to ~e vicinity of Bayview-road, in accordance with the proposal outlined to the State Rivers and Water Supply Commission officers at the meeting of the Tooradin Progress Association and Parliamentary representatives at Tooradin on 3rd April last; if so, what is the estimated cost? '

2. Whether the Commission will meet this cost in full; if not, what proportion it will contribute?

3. What is the estimated cost of constructing a levee bank on the east side of Sawtell's Inlet from the proposed new site of the flood gates to the highway, as outlined at the above meeting?

4. Whether the Commission will meet the cost of the levee bank in full; if not what proportion it will contribute? '

110 A.ir [ASSEMBLY.] Pollution.

5. Whether the Commission has yet discussed either or both of the above proposals with the Country Roads Board; if so, what stage has been reached?

Mr. DARCY (Minister of Water Supply) .-The answers are-

1. Some surveys have been made and water level recorders installed, but the Commission has not yet obtained all the information necessary to determine the practicability of the proposal or to make an estimate of th& cost.

2. The proposal would not benefit the ratepayers of the Koo-Wee-Rup Flood Protection District, and there appears to be no reason why any of the cost of the proposal should be charged against that district or met from funds that might be available to the Commission for the protection of lands in that district.

3. A survey along the proposed line has been carried out, but the investigation is not yet completed.

4. See answer to question 2.

5. As all the necessary information has not yet been obtained, the Commission has not been in a position to discuss the proposals with the Country Roads Board.

AIR POLLUTION. MEASUREMENTS: AREAS AFFECTED:

BREACHES OF REGULATIONS.

Mr. WILKES (Northcote) asked the Assistant Minister of Education, for the Minister of Health-

1. At what locations in Victoria measurements of air pollution are carried out to determine dustfall, smoke density, and sulphur dioxide concentration?

2. How often these measurements are checked and who makes the results of the tests known to responsible authorities?

3. What action is taken in cases where breaches of the regulations are discovered?

4. How many such breaches were detected in each year since measurements began?

5. Which areas in the metropolitan area are most affected by the various forms of air pollution?

Mr. ROSSITER (Assistant Minister of Education) .-The Minister of Health has supplied the answers to these questions. The first answer is in the form of a long list of municipalities and locations, and I seek leave of the House to have it incorporated in Hansard without my reading it.

Leave was granted, and the answer was as follows: -

1. Dustfall is at present being measured at the following deposit gauge sites:-MELBOURNE METROPOLITAN AREA:

Municipality Melbourne Melbourne Melbourne Melbourrie Melbourne Dandenong Dandenong Dandenong Broadmeadows Broadmeadows Footscray Footscray Footscray Williamstown Williamstown Williamstown Altona Altona Brunswick Brunswick Collingwood Richmond Richmond Sunshine Sunshine Port Melbourne Port Melbourne South Melbourne .. Preston Preston .. Coburg .. Coburg .. Oakleigh Oakleigh Nunawading Northcote Northcote

COUNTRY AREAS:

Municipality Moe Moe Moe Moe Moe Moe Morwell Morwell Morwell Traralgon Traralgon Traralgon Traralgon Traralgon Narracan Barrabool Newtown and Chil

well .. Newtown and Chil-

well Geelong West Geelong City Corio

Location. City North-west. City West. City North-east. Carlton. Jolimont. South. East. North. Fawkner. Campbellfield. Town hall. West Footscray. Y arraville. Town hall. Spotswood. West Newport. Shire hall. Altona North. Brunswick West. Brunswick East. Technical school. Richmond North. Richmond South. Albion. Brooklyn. Town hall. A.P. Industries. Middle Park. Preston Central. Keon Park. Coburg North. Coburg South. Swimming pool. North. Town hall. Central. North.

Location. North 1. North 2. Central. South 1. South 2. Newborough. West. Central. East. South. Central. North-west. South-east. North-east. Yallourn North. Waurn Ponds.

Newtown West.

Newtown North. Geelong West. Town hall. Shire offices.

Air Pollution. (9 SEPTEMBER, 1964.] Road Traffic. 111

Deposit gauges were previously also located at the following sites:-

Municipality Location. Heidelberg Alphington. Heidelberg Heidelberg. Barrabool Anglesea Sth.-west. Barrabool Anglesea North.

Smoke density and sulphur dioxide concentration is at present being measured at the following sites:-

Municipality Melbourne

Footscray Brunswick Collingwood Richmond South Melbourne .. Sunshine Altona Northcote Oakleigh Nunawading

Location. Department of

Health. Town hall. Council depot. Town hall. Council depot. Council depot. Town hall. Shire office. Town hall. Police station. Town hall.

Smoke density and sulphur dioxide were previously also measured at the following sites:-

Municipality Preston .. Box Hill

Location. Town hall. Town hall.

Mr. ROSSITER-The answers to the remaining questions are-

2. The exposure period for deposit gauges is one month, and monthly results are averaged for each calendar year. Smoke density and sulphur dioxide concentration are measured on a daily basis and the results averaged for each month.

These summaries are submitted to the Clean Air Committee and the Commission of Public Health. The Commission has resolved that these summaries be circulated to interested persons and to the municipalities involved. It is intended to publish further results as they become available.

3. The regulations in relation to smoke emission from industry are administered by the municipalities in which such industries are located with the exception of the ceramic industry where the Commission of Public Health has retained the responsibility for control of smoke emission from these industries.

The action taken where breaches of the regulations are discovered is to discuss the reason for such infringements with the industry concerned to determine how the regulations can be complied with in the future. In cases where such advice is not acted upon prosecutions do result.

4. This information is not available because, as stated, the Commission of Public Health and municipal councils are jointly

responsible for administering the regulations. Breaches of the regulations detected by municipalities are not necessarily advised to the Department.

5. Residential areas give the lowest dust fall-out. Commercial and industrial areas are higher and almost equal. Smoke density and sulphur dioxide levels vary slightly from area to area but are generally quite low by overseas standards.

ROAD TRAFFIC. Mr. LOVEGROVE (Fitzroy) (By

leave) .-Earlier to-day, when I asked some questions relating to road traffic matters, it was suggested that I move for a return to be laid before the House, because the information I sought was statistical and would take some time to prepare. If I did that, the reply would not appear in Hansard, although I desire that it should.

I refer the House to Hansard Vol. 269, page 2556, where it is reported that I asked a similar question, and the information requested was provided by the Chief Secretary and incorporated in Hansard in full. If the statistics were available then, they should also be available now, and I desire that they be provided and incorporated in Hansard.

Mr. RYLAH (Chief Secretary).In view of the uncompromising attitude of the Deputy Leader of the Opposition, the Government will not answer the question.



Us·E OF SHOT-GUNS.

Mr. WILKES (Northcote) presented the report of the Statute Law Revision Committee on the desirability of restricting the use of shotguns, together with minutes of evidence and an appendix.

It was ordered that they be laid on the table, and that the report be printed.

112 Crimes (Amendment) Bill. [ASSEMBLY.] Public Lands and Works Bill.

CRIMES (AMENDMENT) BILL. Mr. RYLAH (Attorney-General)

moved for leave to bring in a Bill to amend the Crimes Act 1958.

The motion was agreed to. The Bill was brought in and read

a first time.

VALUATION OF LAND (APPEALS) BILL.

Mr. RYLAH (Attorney-General) moved for leave to bring in a Bill to make better provision with respect to appeals against valuations of land, and for other purposes.


a first time.

MILDURA (RATING ON UNIMPROVED VALUES) BILL. Mr. PORTER (Minister of Public

Works) moved for leave to bring in a Bill to validate the adoption of rating on unimproved values in the City of Mildura, and for other purposes.


a first time.

COUNTRY FIRE AUTHORITY (BORROWING POWERS) BILL. Mr. WILCOX (Minister of Immi

gration) moved for leave to bring in a Bill to amend section 82 of the Country Fire Authority Act 1958.


a first time.

DISPOSAL OF UNCOLLECTED GOODS (DAMAGED MOTOR CARS)

BILL. Mr. WILCOX (Minister of Immi

gration) moved for leave to bring in a Bill to amend the Disposal of Uncollected Goods Act 1961 with respect to damaged motor cars.


a first time.

PUBLIC LANDS AND WORKS BILL. Mr. PORTER (Minister of Public

Works) moved for leave to bring in a Bill to dissolve the Board of Land and Works, to make provision with respect to property vested in or held by the said Board and its powers functions and obligations, to validate certain acts and contracts of the said Board, and to change the titles of the Commissioner of Crown Lands and Survey and the Commissioner of Public Works respectively, and for other purposes.



LABOUR AND INDUSTRY (COST OF LIVING) BILL.

Mr. LOVEGROVE (Fitzroy) moved for leave to bring in a Bill to amend the Labour and Industry Act to provide for restoration of cost of living adjustments by wages Boards.



MILDURA (RATING ON UNIMPROVED VALUES) BILL. The Order of the Day for the second

reading of this Bill was read.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr. Rafferty).-! have examined this Bill and am of opinion that it is a private Bill.

Mr. PORTER (Minister of Public Works) (By leave) .-I move-


The motion was agreed to. Mr. PORTER (Minister of Public

Works) .-I move-That this Bill be now read a second time.

This measure, which is similar in form to quite a number of others introduced since I have been a member, has been prepared at the request of the Mildura City Council to remedy

Mildura (Rating on [9 SEPTEMBER, 1964.] Unimproved Values) Bill. 113

an omission by the council in its adoption of Part XI. of the Local Government Act which covers rating on unimproved values.

In 1956, following delivery of a demand by the requisite number of persons enrolled on the municipal roll, the council conducted a poll on the question of the adoption of Part XI. A substantial majority of voters favoured adoption of unimproved rating and the council proceeded to carry out the various statutory requirements. One of these was, however, overlooked. This was the requirement in section 328 for publication in the Government Gazette, within 21 days after the result of the poll is ascertained, of the number of valid votes recorded for and against the proposal. The section also requires publication of notice of the result of the poll in a local newspaper, and this requirement was observed.

When the omission was discovered, the council realized that it would not be possible to give formal proof in court, should this be necessary, of the adoption of rating on unimproved values. It further realized that the rates which, since 1956, had been levied on the basis of unimproved values may not have been validly made. The council accordingly asked for validating legislation.

The Bill comprises a preamble, which sets out the circumstances I have outlined, and three clauses.

Clause 1 cites the title of the Bill. Sub-clause (1) of clause 2 pro

vides that notwithstanding any failure to observe the prescribed procedure, Part XI. of the Local Government Act shall be deemed to have been validly adopted by the Mildura City Council on the 27th August, 1956. Sub-clause (2) declares to be valid and effectual all valuations of rateable properties in the City of Mildura and all rates made by the council under the Local Government Act as well as rates and charges made by the council or any other body under any other Act.

Clause 3 provides that no liability shall attach to the council itself or to any councillor or officer by reason of any failure to carry out any of the statutory requirements consequent on delivery of the demand for the poll on the adoption of Part XI. I commend the Bill to the House.

On the motion of Mr. WILKES (Northcote), the debate was adjourned until Wednesday, September 16.




On 10th December, 1963, the Grain Elevators Act was amended to increase from £9,000,000 to £10,000,000 the maximum amount that the Grain Elevators Board could borrow for capital works. The Board's submission in 1963 was to the effect that such increased sum was required to enable the Board to meet the obligations assigned to the Board by Parliament when constituting the Board the authority to handle barley in bulk.

Subsequently, it became evident that Victoria's previous record wheat production would be materially exceeded by the then growing 1963-64 crop. The Grain Elevators Board, therefore, gave a higher priority than was originally intended to the erection of new elevators to rectify the 70 tons per hour intake and storage disability associated with the elevators erected in the Board's first construction programme when the capacity of the permanent storage erected by the Board in country locations totalled only 14,345,000 bushels. That necessitated the use of a portion of the 1963 increased borrowing authority of £1,000~000 to meet the expenditure that then became necessary on the additional country wheat storage. The 1963-64 season's wheat deliveries exceeded 76,500,000 bushels. That was 10,000,000 bushels

114 Grain Elevators [ASSEMBLY.] (Borrowing) Bill.

in excess of the previous record. The Board's decision to expedite the construction works was therefore found to be wise and completely justifiable.

A few seasons of very high yields have increased the twelve years' average wheat production in some areas so materially that a number of railway stations were added to the list of locations where the Board could erect and operate elevators on an economic basis. The capacity of the permanent storage which the Grain Elevators Board had erected in wheat producing areas up to 1962 totalled 27,980,000 bushels. Since then, the Board has submitted and had approved by the Government plans for the erection of structures which will-

(a) bring the capacity of the permanent country storage erected by the Board up to a total of 43,365,000 bushels; and

(b) bring the Geelong terminal storage capacity to 25,850,000 bushels.

The permanent works so approved since the beginning of 1962 are-

( 1) Annex bins of 65,000 bushels capacity at Raywood, Tandara, Mitiamo and Hunter.

(2) New elevators of 100,000 bushels capacity at Yarrara, Merrinee, Miralie, Deniliquin, Gymbowen, Glenrowan, Stanhope and Pyramid.

(3) New elevators of 135,000 bushels capacity at Bridgewater, Echuca, Nhill, Lorquon, J eparit, Rainbow, Yaapeet, Hopetoun, Lascelles, Patchewollock, Murrayville, Galah, Quyen, Tempy, Woomelang, Watchupga, Curyo, Kinnabulla, Birchip, Watchem, Yanac, Willaura, Westmere, Deniliquin, Bunnaloo, Woorinen,

Mr. Balfour.

Bannerton, Balranald, Colbinabbin, Werrimull and Dunolly.

(4) One-million bushels capacity sub-terminals at Quambatook, Berriwillock, Ultima, Wycheproof, Yarrawonga, Dookie, Donald, Beulah, Murtoa and Boort.

(5) Geelong terminal: Number 1 extension, 1,800,000 bushels; number 2 extension, 2,000,000 bushels.

(6) Sunshine sub-terminal: 1,000,000 bushels.

All the foregoing constructions, with the exception of the Boort and the Geelong number 2 extensions, are scheduled to be completed in time for use during the incoming harvest.

At the Geelong terminal, it is the Board's intention to utilize 1,000,000 bushels of the storage space of number 1 extension for barley. It is being so constructed and linked up with the existing terminal that it can, if necessary, be used for handling wheat during any period that it is not required to handle barley. The Sunshine sub-terminal, which will have a capacity of 1,000,000 bushels, is being erected primarily to handle barley. It is, however, so constructed that any storage bins not required at any period to handle barley can be utilized to handle wheat.

The works programme to which I have referred will absorb approximately £120,222 of the £1,000,000 additional borrowing authority now being sought by the Board. That will leave approximately £879, 778 to meet future requirements for the construction of country elevators for barley; elevators for wheat; or annex bins at locations where the twelve years' average production increases to the extent that additional storage is warranted; provision of mechanical, aeration and weevil protection equipment now necessary to meet overseas buyers' very exacting requirements; and rail sidings and approach

Country Fire Authority [9 SEPTEMBER, 1964.] (Borrowing Powers) Bill. 115

roads to the respective facilities provided by the Board. I commend the Bill to the House.

On the motion of Mr. STONEHAM (Leader of the Opposition), the debate was adjourned until Wednesday, September 16.

COUNTRY FIRE AUTHORITY (BORROWING POWERS) BILL. Mr. WILCOX (Minister of Immi-

gration) .-I move-That this Bill be now read a second time.

This is a short Bill to enable the Country Fire Authority to obtain temporary finance to construct new headquarters at Tooronga. The Authority's present headquarters are located in premises situated at 206 Clarendon-street, East Melbourne. These premises, which were once a private home, are riow inadequate for the efficient operational and administrative functions of the Authority. Honorabie members wiW know the building which, at one stage, must have been a most attractive home. The Authority proposes to sell this property and use the proceeds towards the cost of the new building.

The Authority will need temporary finance, from time to time, to assist in meeting the costs of construction of the new building. Section 82 of the Country Fire Authority Act vests the Authority with powers to borrow money and to issue debentures in respect of the amount borrowed which shall not at any time exceed £1,000,000. But the Act makes no provision whereby temporary accommodation may be arranged by means of bank overdraft. This form of borrowing is considered to be more convenient for this particular purpose than other forms.

Honorable members will recall that, in 1959, the Metropolitan Fire Brigades Act was amended to enable the Metropolitan Fire Brigades Board to obtain temporary accommodation by overdraft. Clause 2 of the Bill proposes the insertion of a new subsection in section 82 of the Country

Fire Authority Act authorizing the Authority to obtain temporary accommodation by way of bank overdraft. The amount of the Authority's liability at any time will be limited to £150,000. I commend the Bill to the House.

On the motion of Mr. STONEHAM (Leader of the Opposition), the debate was adjourned until Wednesday, September 16.

METROPOLITAN FIRE BRIGADES (LONG SERVICE LEAVE) BILL. Mr. WILCOX (Minister of Immi


This is a short Bill to amend the long service leave provisions of the Metropolitan Fire Brigades Act 1958. Section 81 of the Act provides, amongst other things, that officers and employees who have had twenty years' service with the Board shall be entitled to be granted six months' long service leave with pay, and one and a half months' long service leave With pay for each additional period of five completed years of service.

Until the autumn session of Parliament, these entitlements conformed with the long service leave conditions applying to public servants, members of the Police Force and teachers. During that session, Parliament amended the relevant Acts to provide that every public servant, member of the Police Force or teacher who has served for fifteen years shall be entitled to four and a half months' long service leave with pay. The amendments thus entitled them to a pro rata period of long service leave after fifteen years' service instead of having to wait twenty years.

Accordingly, clause 2 of this Bill proposes amendments to section 81 of the principal Act to bring the long service leave conditions of officers and employees of the Board into line with those granted to public servants and others during the autumn session. I commend the Bill to the House.


On the motion of Mr. TURNBULL (Brunswick West), the debate was adjourned until Wednesday, September 16.

GOVERNOR'S SPEECH.

ADDRESS-IN-REPLY.

The debate (adjourned from July 14) on the motion of Mr. Dixon (St. Kilda) for the adoption of an Addressin-Reply to the Governor's Speech was resumed.

Mr. TREZISE (Geelong West).-1 should like, on behalf of members of the Opposition, to endorse the expressions of loyalty to Her Majesty which have been moved so capably and so sincerely by the honorable member for St. Kilda and seconded in a similar manner by the honorable member for Lowan. I am deeply honoured at the privilege given to me, and particularly to my constituents, of being the first member of the Opposition to speak on this motion for the adoption of an Address-inReply to the Speech of His Excellency the Governor.

It is extremely gratifying to have been chosen by the people of Geelong West to represent them for the duration of this 43rd Parliament, and I trust that I can perform that task both fairly and adequately for so long as they will allow me this honoured distinction. As a member of the Opposition in this Parliament I am fully aware of the responsibilities of members of the Opposition and of the contributions they make in the administration of this State. We must' always act, think and speak in a constructive or a destructive manner, as the occasion warrants, so that the people whom we represent will be served in the manner in which they are entitled to be served.

As I am a comparatively young man, I should like to focus attention on matters which I believe are important for the future welfare, progress and development of the State. I refer to recreation, decentralization and education. It has been my personal good

fortune to have been associated with many sporting and recreational clubs, both as an active participant and as an official, and I know only too well the value of active recreation in the development of our young citizens. Failure by the Government to provide properly equipped recreational facilities in new housing development areas may well have a serious consequence in the future. It is unhealthy both physically and mentally to deprive young people of the full enjoyment of their recreation time.

To-day many municipal councils are unable to bear the cost of improving undeveloped land to a stage at which it constitutes an adequate recreation facility. The electorate which I represent contains large Housing Commission estates at Norlane and Corio. The local shire is in debt to the extent of many thousands of pounds as a result of developing recreational areas. Too !11uch ~f the burden of this expense is fallmg on people with young families who can least afford it because they too must bear the additional expense of financing school development as well as finding the money for the purchasing of their own homes. It may be said that such development is in order if it can be achieved, but where is the money to come from? One source could be the many thousands of pounds which are lent oi: given to a few favoured firms-for example, the Alcoa company at Geelong. If some of this money were directed into other channels, the burden on the people would be lessened.

In regard to decentralization, it is well known that the people who advocate the promotion of country industries in Victoria have been fighting a losing battle. Bold policy measures have been lacking. The heavy concentration of industries and population in the capital cities of Australia exposes our nation to social and, in the international sphere, defence hazards. The problem is not peculiar to Australia, but other countries are facing the task in a

Governor's Speech: [9 SEPTEMBER, 1964.] Address-in-Reply. 117

more realistic fashion than are the Governments in Australia. Our geographical position makes the problem a very urgent one.

In Victoria, the lethargic attitude to this great national problem has been particularly marked. The most recent example has been the decision to establish the third university in the metropolitan area. I contend most emphatically that the third university should have been sited in a nonmetropolitan area. Some of the world's oldest universities are situated outside major cities. At Geelong a site is readily available for a university. If the powers-that-be had chosen this site, tertiary education would have become far more accessible to the whole western portion of the State and at the same time would have assisted in checking the drift to the metropolitan area. Students from Camperdown, Warrnambool, Colac, Hamilton, Ballarat, the Wimmera and even from the western suburbs of Melbourne would have been convenienced.

It is said that Victoria has the heaviest concentration of population in Australia. Seventy per cent. of our population, or approximately 2,000,000 of the State's population of 3,000,000, live in Melbourne. It has been estimated that in the past ten years the natural increase in country areas of Victoria has been 250,000 persons, although the statistical increase has been a mere 75,000 persons. This pattern of development is not only very erratic but also potentially dangerous.

I now wish to quote a few examples of what is happening to country industries to-day. In the Wimmera, flour mills are closing down. The tobacco-growing industry in the Ovens Valley and at Gunbower is on the verge of collapse, and the flax mills at Myrtleford have ceased to operate. The tomatogrowing industry in northern Victoria is fighting for its existence because of importations from overseas. At Geelong, the Phrenix woollen

mill, which· has been in existence for 95 years, recently closed its doors. One of the greatest tragedies has been the transfer of portion of the Ford motor company's works from Geelong to Broadmeadows. In order to assist this transfer, Housing Commission land less than 10 miles north of the city was practically given to the Ford organization.

In conclusion, I wish to make a few brief remarks about the important field of education. The population of Victoria has increased rapidly in recent years, and a large percentage of the population now consists of children of school age. Therefore, the educational programme over the next three years will have a vital bearing on the development of Victoria. Bold, imaginative action must be taken now. It is not enough for us to say that we have built so many classrooms or schools because the measure of our educational programme cannot be judged by finance alone. At present we are unable to staff our universities and secondary schools with sufficient fully-qualified teachers. This problem is only one of the major challenges facing this Parliament. Very few of our secondary schools are equipped with the modern requirements of education, and the libraries of Victoria are both insufficient and inadequate. Where qualified teachers are available, quite often their standard is lessened by the fact that schoolrooms are overcrowded, despite the fact that we were informed to-day that there were 21 pupils to one teacher. I challenge the Premier's statement in that regard.

In many instances buildings and fittings are unsuitable for the type of class being conducted. Unfortunately, in the existing circumstances, the students who come from the lower income families suffer more than those from the higher bracket. This situation must be remedied quickly. I realize that a large amount of responsibility rests with the Federal Government which controls much of


our finance, but in addition to finance we need proper and sound administration. The raising of technical colleges to degree status must not be undertaken until we are satisfied that degrees obtained in these colleges will be recognized not only in Victoria but also interstate and overseas. I mention this point because many leading educationists deny that such degrees will be so recognized.

I believe that a full, independent and public inquiry should be undertaken into the whole aspect of education. Such an inquiry would not only give the Government of Victoria an appreciation of how our educational programme is progressipg but it could also place Victoria in the forefront of world educational affairs. This is a big task, but the present Government is in a very favourable position to institute remedial action to put education mack on ~ high plane. I have mentioned several of the major challenges that face us in this 43rd Parliament, and I trust that these challenges will be accepted and remedies found for the problems that exist so that the fullest development of Victoria's potential may be achieved.

Mr. BORTHWICK (Scoresby).-So far in this debate we have heard three speakers-the honorable member for St. Kilda, who moved the motion, the honorable member for Lowan, who seconded it, and the honorable member for Geefong West, who led the debate for the Opposition. I am certain that all honorable members have been most impressed by the contributions made by these three members in their maiden speeches. I congratulate each of them. Perhaps it would be unfair to comment on any particular speech; suffice to say that they made thoughtprovoking and worth-while contributions which, I believe, augurs well for their future in this House and in their electorates.

All honorable members combine to support this motion and to express their feelings of loyalty to Her

Majesty. It is pertinent to say at this stage, after a reasonable term of office, how fortunate this State is again in the service that is being given to it by His Excellency the Governor and Lady Delacombe. We are proud that next Sunday Lady; Delacombe will visit the Scoresby electorate---0ne of the rapidly growing outer metropolitan electoratesto open a new kindergarten and baby health centre. I listened with interest to previous speakers who referred to the growth and development of outer areas, because in areas where rapid development is taking place there are many problems. On a previous occasion in this House, I stated that nowhere in the world has any Government given a great deal of thought to the problems that occur in areas on the fringe of rapidly growing cities. In a b<;>0k recently published in America, to which contributions were made by about a dozen leading American town planners and engineers, it is stated that despite desires for decentralization and restrictions on the growth of cities, they will continue to grow, whether we like it or not. In fact, American experts anticipate that, in the United States of America, in the next decade or two, one may travel 200 miles and still remain within a sprawling citytype development. I do not wis.A to be pessimistic, but I represent an electorate that in the next twenty years will be in the heart of an urban area with a population of 1,000,000 people, and this will increase to 2,000,000 by 1994. I speak of areas extending from Lilydale and Croydon down through the Mornington Peninsula.

I have seen only one example of good co-ordinated planning in the area beyond what is broadly known as the green belt. After a protracted period of negotiation between fourteen municipalities, several Government Departments and the Government, the Dandenong Valley Authority came into being. That was a wonderful step forward, but it is co-ordination in only one respectarterial drainage. What worries me in

GovernO'f's Speech: [9 SEPTEMBER, 1964.] Address-in-Reply. 119

relation to these outer areas is that municipalities or shire councils are each responsible for drawing up a town plan, and each one has its own town planner. The Shire of Croydon, which covers an area of 15 square miles, has its own town planner. The new Shire of Knox which embraces 40 square miles has a town planner, as do each of the shires of Fern Tree Gully and Lillydale.

The Country Roads Board seems to exercise some co-ordination in relation to its planning for freeways; it knows where the freeways are to go, and it asks the shires to include them in their town plans. The Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works drew up a Master Plan and made provision for freeways. It is rumoured that there may be on the drawing boards plans for freeways to cost £300,000,000 or £400,000,000, but no one has yet seen fit to make any effort to plan for fixed rail public transport in an area which, by the end of this century, will have a population of 2,000,000 people.

Mr. FENNESSY.-The Government regards the railways as dead. ·

Mr. BORTHWICK.-! believe the town planners should take the initiative to induce the railways to make some provision for fixed rail public transport. In many outer areas the bus services are not co-ordinated, they simply grow like Topsy. People have persuaded private bus operators to institute completely uneconomic services in the hope that the areas will rapidly increase to make them pay. These are problems that require, research, thought and planning. On a previous occasion I suggested that this could well be the subject of investigation by a Parliamentary committee such as the Public Works Committee. Insufficient attention has been paid to the public transport needs of these developing areas on the fringe of Melbourne, and no guidance has been given by the Railways Commissioners.

A further problem in the Dandenong valley is the responsibility for the provision of the water supply,

and the allied question of the high water rates charged, either 2s. 9d. or ls. 6d. I wish to direct the attention of the Minister of Water Supply to the fact that if the contract rates between the Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works and the shires are not reviewed before the uniform valuations come into force-which could mean 100 per cent. increase in values -the 2s. 9d. water rate could become 5s. 6d. overnight. I am sure the Board will reduce the metropolitan water rates proportionately. I want to ensure that contract areas are treated similarly. The State Rivers and Water Supply Commission has assisted financially in the provision of water supplies for small townships such as Monbulk where the water is obtained from the Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works. I hope that the subsidies announced earlier to-day will apply to townships such as Olinda and Sassafras in the Dandenong Ranges. Water is required not only for drinking, but also for fire fighting.

Prior to a costly scheme to reticulate water to this mountain area being undertaken, I should like to see the Country Fire Authority take more interest in the provision of static water supplies throughout the Dandenong Ranges. There are literally dozens of places adjacent to the roads where creeks, which flow even during the summer, could be utilized to provide static water supplies for fire-fighting purposes. The Forests Commission takes action along these lines, and the Snowy Mountains Authority acts similarly throughout the area under its control.

In the Dandenong Ranges there is an annual rainfall of 40 inchesapproximately twice the rainfall of the metropolis-and the water which is available from the small creeks and springs in the area and which now runs to waste could, if it was properly husbanded, be used in times of desperate emergency. If the Country Fire Authority were to divert some of its funds for this particular purpose,


it would not only provide a static water supply for fire fighting but also direct to the attention of visitors the tremendous fire hazard that exists in this tourist area.

I have previously spoken in this House on the question of lyre birds, and once again I direct my remarks to that matter, mainly because of my considerable interest in the flora and fauna of my electorate. My comments in this regard are not intended to be facetious. The lyre birds that frequent the Sherbrooke Forest are the only birds of this type that have lived for some generations in close proximity to human beings. They are tame and can be fed by hand by people who have got to know them. The honorable member for Essendon has just interjected to the effect that he cannot find any lyre birds in the Sherbrooke Forest. The reason is that many of these birds are being frightened out of the forest by persons who know nothing about them and do not appreciate them. Time and again, the Minister of Education has asked me to take him to Sherbrooke Forest and show him the lyre birds there. Although he is now smiling about the matter, I know that deep in his heart he has a great affection for those birds and appreciates how important it is to the tourist industry of this State that they be retained.

What is happening in the Sherbrooke Forest is this: First of all, a group of people in the community, whom I shall not name, were able to influence the Department to bring into being a system of banding these precious birds. The banding system has been in operation for about four years. Under this system, certain persons are authorized to interfere with the nests of lyre birds during the nesting period, take the chicks out of the nests, and band them. I have seen photographs of hysterical female lyre birds that have been dreadfully upset by this procedure. The population of lyre birds in the Sherbrooke Forest is rapidly diminishing, and it will continue to do so until such time as the

Mr. Borthwick.

Fisheries and Wildlife Department, the Forests Commission and the committee of management of the forest take strong action to prevent interference.

Mr. SCHINTLER.-Would it be true to say that a lot of these birds have been eaten?

Mr. BORTHWICK.-Unfortunately, one lyre bird was eaten by some children who escaped from a particular home in my electorate. I emphasize that lyre birds are being frightened by " shutter-bugs "people who visit the forest to photograph the birds-and by persons who, during the nesting season, disturb the lyre birds' nests in order to carry out the banding system. As a consequence, many lyre birds are migrating to other areas. Those birds cannot be replaced; they are unique because they are the only lyre birds that have for a period of 70 to 80 years lived in close proximity to humans. Indeed, they are the only tame lyre birds in Victoria.

I have already submitted to the Department and I now repeat that during the breeding season people should not be allowed to leave the tracks within Sherbrooke Forest. The breeding season extends from early in July until late in October, and if, during this period, visitors could be kept to the tracks, the female lyre bird, which lays only one egg a year, would be enabled to rear her offspring without interference. If action is not taken along the lines I have recommended, I predict that within a very short space of time there will be no lyre birds in the Sherbrooke Forest. Although there may be some members of this House who would not care if that state of affairs were to come about, I assure you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, that there are many other people throughout the world who would care.

I pass now to another matter. In recent months, there has been a great deal of controversial thought and discussion over the question of censorship. I do not wish to enter into the

Governor's Speech: [9 SEPTEMBER, 1964.] .Address-in-Reply. 12~

argument as to what books should or should not be censored, but I believe the discussions that have taken place and the thoughts that have been provoked on this subject are well worth while. It would seem that, during the recent controversy over The Group, many persons who spoke in terms of liberty of the individual were inclined to desire some form of central censorship and, in fact, held up the Commonwealth Censorship Advisory Board as an example of what should be the procedure throughout Australia. I desire to go on record as saying that I disagree with that viewpoint for the reason that I believe there are two forms of censorship, one of which I find objectionable. There is a form that could be classed as prepublication censorship or pre-distribution censorship and, to my way of thinking, that is what exists under the Commonwealth system to-day; it is almost a matter of accident for us to discover which books the Minister for Customs and Excise decides we cannot read.

I am not attacking the Minister for Customs and Excise in this regard, but point out that he has power to appoint, almost summarily, his own advisory Board whose advice he does not have to accept. In fact, under the Commonwealth system to-day if the Minister for Customs and Excise wished to exercise his powers he could be a dictator as far as censorship is concerned. In the fong run, under this situation there is a possibility of such control getting into the hands of the wrong type of person. As individuals, we would not know whether some group in Canberra had banned a book for political or religious reasons. This is what I call pre-publication censorship. The book never gets to the book-shelves for us to judge it ourselves, because some advisory Board or some Minister of the Crown in Canberra would have the right to say whether or not we shall be allowed to read a book. That is why I support the legislation in the States

Session 1964.-6

whereby offences are laid down quite specifically-in Victoria these provisions are contained in the Police Offences Act-and a bookseller, author or publisher knows in advance what he has to face up to. A standard is laid down by society through its Parliament, and a person who breaks the law knows in advance what he is doing. He has a right to have his case heard in court, and he has a right of appeal. In addition, the people have the right to know what they are not allowed to read, for everything is done in the open. The case of The Group was a perfect example. Everyone in this State knew that this book had been taken or pushed off the book-shelves.

I am advancing the view that out of all this controversy should come a system laid down by statute, such as we have at present in the police offences legislation. I support something like that policed by the States in co-ordination, with uniform standards, rather than having some remote censorship Board which would prohibit books from entering the country without our ever knowing what had been prohibited. I may not have made myself clear on this point, but I think all honorable members would agree that there will always be some forms of material published that should not be distributed throughout the community or be made available to everyone. In my view a safeguard, a standard, should be laid down by statute so that if a man wants to publish something he will do so at his own risk knowing that he will be entitled to a fair trial and a right of appeal rather than have some far advisory Board push the material out of sight without anyone knowing that that has been done or the motive for its actions.

Mr. B. J. EVANS.-Do you want the English system?

Mr. BORTHWICK.-! do not know that system. I fear that out of all this controversy may come some centralized remote control of censorship whereby the people will never


know what they have not been allowed to read. This is the kind of system under which Hitlers and Stalins arise. If a man wishes to publish something, he should have the courage to stand up and face the law. If what he publishes does not meet the standards laid down by the people through Parliament, he should face the law and have a right of appeal, as is the case in other matters. I do not like censorship taking place in some remote place, bearing in mind that whilst we are answerable only for our own generation this system would fall into the hands of other people in generations to come. We might set up a system which if it fell into wrong hands would provide a power of control for purposes other than those for which we believe censorship should be established.

Mr. B. J. EVANS.-Do you think you would increase the interest in Hansard by such debates taking place in this House?

Mr. BORTHWICK.-The Addressin-Reply debate gives honorable members a wide scope.

Mr. WILKES.-Hear, hear!

Mr. BORTHWICK.-! appreciate the support my point of view receives from the honorable member for Northcote because, while the honorable member speaks a good deal at least on local government matters, on occasions he creates much interest in the House. I shall close on the note on which I opened, namely, to convey to the honorable members for St. Kilda, Lowan and Geelong West my congratulations on their excellent maiden speeches. All honorable members join them in their sentiments towards Her Majesty and the Governor, and wish them well in their political careers.

Mr. LOVEGROVE (Fitzroy).-Like the previous speaker, I desire to congratulate the honorable members for St. Kilda and Lowan on their contributions to the Address-in-Reply. They have given an indication that in future we can look forward to

valuable contributions from these two members on the Government side of the House. Perhaps I shall be pardoned for sympathizing with the two honorable members who were given their parts in this debate, because they could not have known before they entered Parliament that the Government would introduce a Budget like the one it introduced today. Consequently, while we see a good complement of the Liberal Party on the back benches, on the front bench there are only the Minister of Education, a new Minister who has been put in as one of their legal bulwarks to bolster up the Minister of Education, the Assistant Minister of Education, who is now at the table and who has taken over all the "rough stuff" in his Department and is doing well-he has done an excellent job for me-and our friend, the Minister of Mines, who performed one of his most important functions to-day at which I was most unhappy not to be present because it took place at the University of Melbourne. We are delighted to see our friends at present on the front bench, but we look in vain for the Premier and the Deputy Premier.

Mr. W1Lcox.-Do not blame the Premier. He has done a very good job to-day.

Mr. LOVEGROVE.-1 am pointing out that at present there is only one senior member of the Government, namely, the Minister of Education, on the front bench. The remaining Ministers are distinguished by their absence.

Mr. FLOYD.-That is an improvement.

Mr. LOVEGROVE.-As a " spectacular ", it may be an improvement; as a demonstration of responsible government, it is, I suggest, a gesture of contempt to the people of this State that after the Budget was brought down to-day they absent themselves from the House.

The Commonwealth Liberal Party and the Commonwealth Government have made Victoria the rubbish dump

Governor's Speech: [9 SEPTEMBER, 1964.] .Address-in-Reply. 123

for all their problems. No other State of Australia has problems of the magnitude of those which exist in Melbourne to-day. One can go to Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide or Perth -in Western Australia Commonwealth road funds are used to build bridges-and not find problems and taxation as great as in Victoria, which is the highest-taxed State in Australian history, and, of course, more taxes will be imposed.

Mr. WILCOX.-Who started the uniform taxation system?

Mr. LOVEGROVE.-I shall inform the Minister of Immigration. The failure in the Commonwealth Parliament of the Liberal Party-it was once known as the United Australia Party, formerly as the Nationalist Party, before that as the Conservative Party and earlier still as the Tory Party and the Win-the-War Partybrought Australia to the brink of invasion, and two of its most responsible members then deserted it and supported the Labour Party, which formed the Curtin Government. It is not part of the duty of a Deputy Leader of the Opposition to educate new members of the Government.

When Australia was on the point of invasion and driven to an extremity by the failure of the parties of reaction, it became a nation by adopting uniform taxation, which is wholeheartedly and unreservedly supported by the Labour Party. To-day we are confronted with a situation in which Victoria receives from a Federal Government of the same political complexion as the State Government the worst deal of any State.

Mr. BIRRELL.-As a result of uniform taxation.

Mr. LOVEGROVE.-That is not the cause. No other State has conditions as bad as those existing in Melbourne.


The DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr. Rafferty).-Order! There are too many interjections from both sides of the House.

Mr. LOVEGROVE.-I thank you for your protection, Mr. Deputy Speaker. It is extremely trying when a member has to meet a barrage of intelligent criticism! Australia is again confronted with a crisis-not about how it is to maintain its prosperity but how it is to survive internationally. In Canberra, members of the Commonwealth Parliament are debating not merely the Federal Budget but how the country is to be defended, whereas in Victoria the most reactionary Government in Australia attempts to turn back the clock to the period before the last war.

Mr. WILCOX.-ln what way? Mr. LOVEGROVE.-The new Mini

ster of Immigration wants to get rid of uniform taxation when Australia is facing its most severe international crisis since 1939.

Mr. ROSSITER.-Will you join up?

Mr. LOVEGROVE.----Of course we would not join the Government. We regard with contempt its parochialism, its State-right-ism, and above all its pitiful failure to obtain from the Federal Government a fair deal for this State which, as I said before, has become the rubbish dump for all the troubles of the Commonwealth Government.

Let me encourage the Liberal Party. Each Lord Mayor of Melbourne, in his second term of office, attacks the Premier of Victoria and in six months is knighted. This has never failed. The present Lord Mayor, like his predecessor, is attacking the Government, and the first back-bench member on the Government side of the House who is gam~ to do that will be knighted, too.

Seriously, the Opposition rejects the Government's attempt to reimpose in Victoria a personal income tax. This action represents not only an abject and pitiful apology for the incompetence, the bankruptcy, the maladministration and the political cowardice of this Government before Canberra, but also, in


our view, an attempt to turn back the clock and take from Australia those attributes of nationhood which were established in their fuller and most fruitful sense during the last war. ·

The DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr. Rafferty).-Order! I remind the honorable member that the House is debating not the Budget but the Address-in-Reply. I think the honorable member has pursued his present line of argument sufficiently, and I ;suggest that he defer further comment on the taxation question until the Budget debate.

Mr. LOVEGROVE.-1 unreservedly accept your ruling, Mr. Deputy Speaker. When I read the Speech of the Governor, Sir Rohan Delacombe, my heart went out to him, as on previous occasions it went out to his predecessor. The Speech consists of two pages. A few years ago the Governor's Speech on the opening of Parliament occupied four pages. One page was devoted to the weather, another to wheat, a third to the virtues of the Government, and half of the last page to a discreet eulogy of the Premier.

After eight or nine years, as generally happens, we have got down to only two pages. The only statement on the first page with which we can all sympathize relates to some of the most esteemed members of the Victorian Parliament who have left us. The second page contains an inadequate, unrevealing and deceitful account of what was said to be the intentions of the Government on the 14th July. The Speech concludes with the familiar phrase-

With this thought in mind I formally open this first session of the new Parliament, and in leaving you to the discharge of your important duties, I pray that the blessing of Almighty God will rest upon your deliberations.

There must be thousands of people throughout Victoria who wish the Governor well but also wish that he had not implored the blessing of the Almighty on this Government. Of course, the members assembled on

the Treasury bench to-night are not responsible for this because they have no say in Cabinet politics. They would not know what the Budget contained until it was presented to the House, nor would the other members of the Cabinet.

Mr. Moss.-They are not denying what you say.

Mr. LOVEGROVE.-They had not seen the Budget. They would not know what it was. The Premier of Victoria treats them just as Mr. Menzies treats his colleagues in Canberra.

Mr. HoLLAND.-And as he treats Mr. Bolte.

Mr. LOVEGROVE.-Yes. Therefore, I do not involve them in the general condemnation which I make of the Government, except to say they have now become the sufferers of the system evolved after nine years of the indefatigable support of the political underworld, which privately they regard with contempt and pu~licly will not acknowledge, but which secretly they embrace with alacrity and which their supporters, of course, unashamedly finance. With the support of this political underworld they are here to-day confronting the people of Victoria with an outrageous Budget.

Mr. WILCOX.-What is this political underworld? I do· not understand what you mean.

Mr. LOVEGROVE.-1 refer to the Democratic Labour Party. The Minister of Immigration is the most innocent member of Cabinet and I congratulate him. It is good to see that one member of Cabinet has not only not been a party to this arrangement but is completely unaware of it. Again I congratulate him.

I think the second point I should make-you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, rightly disposed of my first point by ruling it out of order-is that, at the instigation of the Government, this speech was written by some gentleman in the Treasury for His Excellency the Governor. A confidence


trick was played on the Governor in the same way as a confidence trick has been played on the people of Victoria. There is no doubt about that at all. When one examines this document and some of the rubbishy legislation we have had served up to us over the past couple of days one wonders where responsible government is getting to in this State.

I shall leave for the time being a discussion of the Government and shall return to a consideration of the position of the University of Melbourne. I do not want to go into this deeply because at the present time, as the Government is aware and the public is partly aware, discussions are pending between the representatives of the University of Melbourne, the Minister of Education, the Premier and the Australian Universities Commission. I suppose that, eventually, these discussions will reach the ears of the Prime Minister who has been decorated by nearly every university in Australia. I understand he is a graduate of the University of Melbourne. He is one of the few graduates of such radicalism that escaped the lake when it was there. I should imagine he would have an intimate knowledge of the history of the University of Melbourne, the virtues of it and the most distinguished role it has played in giving to Victoria the elite who from time to time have led life in this State. Because of the fact that in the morning of his career the Prime Minister got his first inspiration from the centre of academic culture in this community, indeed the centre of academic culture in Australia, undoubtedly he will be given every opportunity by the Australian Universities Commission to inquire into the misfortunes of his old university.

Mr. LOXTON.-His Alma Mater.

Mr. LOVEGROVE.-Yes. I am not saying that the Prime Minister already knows that his Alma Mater has been reduced to such extremities. No distinguished leader of such international stature would

be so bereft of elementary loyalty not only to his university but also to his State as to neglect the inspiration of his early career. One of the compliments I can pay to the University of Melbourne is that one of its most distinguished and most internationally known graduates once upon a time was able to combine two roles. On the one hand he represented the Government, and on the other hand he represented the oil companies.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr. Rafferty).-Order! Is the honorable member for Fitzroy discussing the University of Melbourne?

Mr. LOVEGROVE.-Yes, and one of its most distinguished pupils.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER.-! suggest that the honorable member should confine his discussion to the University of Melbourne.

Mr. LOVEGROVE.-1 respect the ruling of the Chair, and I shall adhere to it. Is it not remarkable that in Victoria, the financial hub of Australia, this university has been so neglected, so stamped on by the Vic· torian Government and so ignored by the Minister of Education that, contrary to the practice in other universities and unique in the history of universities throughout Australiaindeed, in entire contradiction of the behaviour of the staff of any univer· sity in Australia, except for a certain case in Tasmania-the staff them· selves have been driven to endeavour to defend themselves and to defend the institution which I believe they rightly revere?

I do not propose to quote the news· papers. They say that financial problems are involved. I do not know whether that is the case or not. Nor do I propose to enter into an argument with the University of Melbourne in regard to what it should do-whether it should, as it proposes, take in no more new students but become a senior centre of research and intellectualism, which I believe it would be entitled to do in

126 Governor's Speech : [ASSEMBLY.] .Address-in-Reply.

view of its long history. However, I do desire to direct attention to the facts because some of the statements on the matter were made as far back as March of this year. The staff and arrangement committee brought to the attention of the council certain facts which speak for themselves. They are--

Departments requesting large increases in staff. Architecture-Requested 35 fulltime academics. Granted £2,000 for a lecturer or for part-time staff. EducationRequested four lecturers and two senior tutors. Granted £1,750 for an assistant lecturer.

This does not relate to some future need; it is to cope with the situation which obtained last year and which obtains this year at the University of Melbourne. The quotation continues-

Dental science-Requested twelve lecturers or senior lecturers, £9,100 for part-time staff, and eight non-academic staff. Granted £5,000 to be granted by the faculty in 1964.

The next one listed is psychology which, it could be said, is one of the newer disciplines, but it is a discipline which is making its way, so to speak, and is one which I hope some day will, in all universities, lead into the border lands of science - the mysteries of the mind.

Psychology-Requested, five senior members of staff and nine junior members; granted, £1,300 for senior tutor from 9th March, and £400 for part-time staff.

Mr. BLOOMFIELD.-ls there any mention of the law department in the document from which you are quoting?

Mr. LOVEGROVE.-Yes.

Mr. BLOOMFIELD.-What did that department ask for in March?

Mr. LOVEGROVE.-One tutor. Mr. BLOOMFIELD.-You remember

that there is a suggestion that there are 49 academic tutors lacking in the law department now. Did you notice, as a member of the council, what you received the other day? Why do you not mention that?

Mr. LOVEGROVE.-One of the few privileges left to the Deputy Leader of the Opposition, and to all Opposition

members for that matter, is to choose what he says in Parliament and, with the greatest of respect to the Minister of Education, I point out that I am reading from a document which was issued by a university committee in March. If the Minister desires to refer to some other statement that has been made, it is his prerogative to do so.

Mr. BLOOMFIELD.-Did you refer to it?

Mr. LOVEGROVE.-No. Mr. BLOOMFIELD.-What are you,

as a member of the council, doing if you do not refer to what is done?

Mr. LOVEGROVE.-The Minister of Education has my sympathy. The document continues-

Departments requesting senior members of staff. Bacteriology-Requested, one senior lecturer to fill vacancy; granted, £2,000 for a senior lecturer from 1st May.

Child health-Requested, one third assistant; granted, £500 for part-time staff or for a third assistant late in 1964.

Civil engineering is a discipline that does not matter much in our kind of civilization, or that is what one would imagine by the record-

Civil Engineering-Requested, one senior lecturer and one lecturer; granted, nil.

The next item I regard as a personal insult, in view of the multi-racial and multi-lingual character of my own constituency. It reads-

Italian-Requested, £400 for part-time staff, granted, £200 for part-time staff.

To-day, I suppose, the Italian community makes up one of the most numerous, useful and talented sections of the community.. If the Minister of Immigration resided where I live, he would want to learn Italian. He would not know what the word " bambino " meant, unless he had one. The next item-law department-is the triumph to which the Minister of Education referred so gloatingly.

Law.,;_Required, one tutor; granted, nil. This application was ~eferrec;l to the S~aff A:ppointrnen~ Committee m connexion with vacancies.


Mathematics-Requested, two tutors, two part-time lecturers; granted, nil, and £592.

Philosophy is a discipline which is significantly in demand when one sees a Government of the description of the Administration which holds office to-day. At every election, the Government makes appeals to the self-interests of the people and measures the prosperity and progress of civilization, as I have said before, by the numbers of transistors, refrigerators, radios, mixmasters, and whatever the gentlemen opposite can sell at a profit to some of the " suckers " who reside in the metropolitan area.

Philosophy-Requested, six tutorial staff; granted, £300 for additional part-time staff.

Physical chemistry-Requested, one senior demonstrator; granted, nil.

Physiology-Requested, one demonstrator and one technical assistant; granted, £400 for part-time assistance.

Mr. W1Lcox.-There were plenty of demonstrators outside Parliament House to-day. Perhaps they could be employed at the university?

Mr. LOVEGROVE.-Having regard to some of the appointments made by the Government, I do not doubt that what the Minister of Immigration says is correct. Of course, I am making no reflection on the front bench. In May, a letter was sent to every member of the university council by Professor Brett, the president of the University Staff Association. This letter, which is the most courteous one I have received for a long time, reads-Dear Mr. Lovegrove,

A general meeting of the university staff was held to-day, under the auspices of the Staff Association, to discuss the present financial crisis in the university. Approximately 500 members of the staff attended and passed unanimously certain resolutions, the text of which I enclose. I am sending these resolutions to you at the request of the meeting, together with a copy of a letter which I have sent to the ViceChancellor in connexion with them.

Mr. RYLAH.-ls the honorable member for Fitzroy a member of the university council?

Mr. BLOOMFIELD.-Yes. Mr. RYLAH (to Mr. Lovegrove) .

What have they got you there for? Mr. LOVEGROVE.-The Opposi

tion has put me there to expose the Government's neglect of the university and its incompetency which has brought the university to a standstill during this year.

Mr. RYLAH.-lt has taken you from May to September to tell us this.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr. Raffe1'ty).-Order! I invite the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to ignore interjections.

Mr. LOVEGROVE.-lt is apparent that the Chief Secretary was not present during the last sitting of Parliament, because this matter was referred to, as an examination of Hansard reveals.

Mr. RYLAH.-Why did you sack the honorable member for Brunswick West from the university council? He did a better job than you are doing.

Mr. LOVEGROVE.-My colleague resigned from the council.

Mr. RYLAH.-You forced him to resign because he was doing a good job. He was really getting some place.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER-Order! Mr. LOVEGROVE.-The resolu

tions which were passed at the meeting of 500 staff members on Tuesday, 12th May, 1964, were as follows:-

The University of Melbourne has expanded very rapidly in recent years and has done its share in absorbing those Victorians wishing to undertake university courses.

Mr. RYLAH.-I think it has done more than its share.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER-Order! The Chief Secretary will have ample opportunity to reply at a later stage.

Mr. LOVEGROVE.-1 should like to make it clear that I am in no way speaking for anybody at the Melbourne university. The council is not


responsible for anything I say, nor are any members of the staff, the students, or anybody else. No-one has asked me to say anything, and no-one has approached me concerning this matter. My inspiration for raising the matter was the documents from which I am quoting.

Mr. RYLAH.-And you are a very loyal member of the council!

Mr. LOVEGROVE.-1 do not know what the Chief Secretary means when he uses the word "loyal," but I have not been too loyal to his Government. All those connected with the university are sick of the Government, and that is why various aspects of the university have been publicized in the newspapers. Everybody knows that they are fed up. The university admitted more students last year than it should have taken, and the reward this Government gave it was to leave it in the lurch.

Mr. RYLAH.-The reward was to reduce the quota of law students from 330 to 220. However, we are getting lawyers through their courses.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr. Rafferty).-Order! I ask honorable members to cease interjecting.

Mr. LOVEGROVE.-The resolutions continue-

We wish to make it clear to Council that there is a unanimous feeling amongst the staff that this university is at present operating at a disadvantage as compared with all other Australian universities. At the beginning of a new Triennium there is a profound feeling of frustration amongst all staff members.

We believe that the financial crisis in the University of Melbourne has reached such a serious stage that it is no longer possible to prevent a grave deterioration of academic standards unless there is a marked increase in the university's income.

That fact cannot be denied. We have not enough money to employ and

retain adequate numbers of high quality staff.

We have not enough money to equip and operate teaching and research laboratories in the technical departments.

We have not enough money to buy books for tl:le library which are essential for teaching;

Therefore--I. We earnestly request the University

Council to make an immediate approach to the State Government and the Australian Universities Commission, emphasizing the gravity of the present emergency and seeking immediate financial relief.

2. We recommend that the State Government should be asked to make in its forthcoming budget a grant to this university over and above the grant already recommended by the Australian Universities Commission in its 1963 report; and as we understand that such a request would have to be made by the end of May to be effective, we ask the Chancellor to hold a special meeting of Council for this purpose.

I say with the greatest respect to the Minister of Education, who has enough worries in this matter, and to the Chief Secretary, who has come in to try to assist the Assistant Min:ister of Education, that in view of the fact that both in March and in May of this year, before the last State election, this matter had been raised at a meeting of 500 members of the staff of the university who unanimously pinpointed the situation, it is idle for the Minister or the Government or for some members of the university council to refer to this report, which was published recently by the academic staff with some diffidence, unless they are prepared to give a reasoned criticism of them.

I know that representatives of the University of Melbourne are to meet the Premier and representatives of the Australian Universities Commission, and I suppose the results of these deliberations will gradually seep up the old school tie until they reach Sir Robert Menzies. I presume he will rub his spectacles when he is not providing us with the father image on o.ne hand and putting his hand in our pockets on the other and tell the Australian Universities Commission how much money it is to give to the University of Melbourne. However, if he does so he will not do it out of loyalty to the university or out of any concern for this Government-which he regards with contempt-but because he has been driven to it by public opinion inspired by the staff · and the students of· the university. He will not do it gladly

Governor's Speech.: [9 SEPTEMBER, 1964.] Address-in-Reply. 129

but will do it reluctantly because he will be forced into it. None of the apologists for this Government can conceal the fact that, of all the universities in Australia, the University of Melbourne is the only one which has been driven into such an extreme position that it has been compelled to discard its traditions which apparently the Chief Secretary values so highly. Doubtless, when he attended the university everything was rosy and one could become a lawyer without much trouble. Now it is a bit harder, and perhaps the honorable gentleman may resent the competition.

Mr. RYLAH.-Be fair.

Mr. LOVEGROVE.-The Chief Secretary came into the Chamber and bought into a row which properly belongs to the Minister of Education, who is more than capable of handling it.

Mr. W1Lcox.-He is also a member of the council, and he does not adopt the same attitude as the Deputy Leader of the Opposition.

Mr. LOVEGROVE.-1 would very much like to know what is the ethical situation in regard to this matter.

Mr. RYLAH.-Obviously, you would not know.

Mr. LOVEGROVE.-1 have been informed that once a matter has been made public it becomes public property, and this matter was made public the other day in this report. All I have had to say about it has been said in Parliament.

Mr. WILCOX.-That is in public.

Mr. LOVEGROVE.-1 emphatically reject the suggestion that the University of Melbourne or any other institution subsidiz·ed by the taxpayers is immune from discussion in this institution. It is time these affairs were discussed here. What is the answer of the Chief Secretary on this matter? He is so ignorant of what is occurring among his own ranks that he does not know that the Committee of Public Accounts is so

Session 1964.-7

concerned about the situation that it intends to hold an inquiry into this august institution to which the Premier does not give any money but for which he has more respect than some other Ministers.

Mr. WHEELER.-From where did you get the information about the Committee of Public Accounts?

Mr. LOVEGROVE.-ls that a secret body, too? The day the Government or its supi;orters can gag the Opposition and prevent it from bringing public matters to light in this institution it can deprive us of the right of being called the Opposition.

Mr. RYLAH.-Do you want an ex-tension of time? We are so fascinated with this.

Mr. LOVEGROVE.-1 do not regard that as a compliment. Then this report was published on the crisis in the university and an abbreviated version of it appeared in the press. I understand that the staff association was in no way responsible for its appearing in the press.

Mr. ROSSITER.-Were you?

Mr. LOVEGROVE.-No; I do not play the game that way, but I reserve the right to talk here. This is an important statement which is in dispute, and I think it should be made known to Parliament. I shall read a small section from the memorandum which at paragraph 14, page 4, states-

The measures which we have envisaged above will not, in our view, prove successful unless accompanied by some internal reforms. We are, of course, aware that a council committee is already investigating the organization of the university and we have every confidence that concrete and useful measures will result from that committee's deliberations.

I admire both their innocence and their hope. I lost both many years ago.

Mr. RYLAH.-1 hope that appears in Hansard.

Mr. LOVEGROVE.-Rubbish! I went to this institution. I demand the same rights there as I expect


from anywhere else. I asked for an organization and flow chart. The Minister said that he did not understand that kind of " jargon." I do not regard the university as a business, but I do regard administration as a business, and, if it is good enough for the Australian Universities Commission to demand from the staff of the University of Melbourne an organization chart, it is good enough for them to give such a chart to the Minister and me and every other member of this Parliament if he wants it. I want to know how the university is run. If we are going to dole out millions of pounds of the taxpayers' money-I am not quarrelling with that-we are entitled to know how it is spent.

Mr. RYLAH.-You do not want the Committee of Public Accounts to investigate it.

Mr. LOVEGROVE.-lt has taken a long time for the Chief Secretary to become convinced, as he obviously now is, that the Committee of Public Accounts of this Parliament-a committee which he controls as Deputy Premier---should investigate the finances of the University of Melbourne.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr. Rafferty).-Order! I inform the honorable member that matters being dealt with by a Select Committee of Parliament may not be discussed until the committee's report is tabled in the House.

Mr. LOVEGROVE.-1 am glad of that information. The memorandum to the Council of the University of Melbourne from the academic staff further stated-

It will, however, take some time for those measures, whatever they may be, to be put into effect. Meanwhile, we cannot avoid saying that the whole staff feels there has been a complete breakdown of communications between themselves and the university council and that, pending the introduction of permanent changes, resulting from the council's inquiry some interim steps must be taken to restore this communication. It seems evident, for example, that while the staff has been able

to make its views upon academic policy known to council through such bodies as the Staff and Establishments Committee, decisions of vital importance to the university's future have been taken by council, mainly on financial grounds, without adequate co-operation with the staff. For example, recommendations made by the Staff and Establishments Committee have not been implemented because the Finance Committee has been unable to provide the necessary funds. Such decisions on the part of the Finance Committee necessarily involve a determination of priorities, but that committee is comparatively out of touch with the staff.

In view of the fact that this matter has been made public, not merely as a result of those statements issued by the Council of the University of Melbourne but also by the staff and students, this Parliament should take cognizance of it. I disagree with any contention that in matters which involve the expenditure of sums of money, the Parliament of any State is either unable or incompetent to require an account of the housekeeping of whatever scholastic institution is concerned. I reject any idea of interference in their intellectual freedom.

The Opposition has no desire to interfere in the intellectual freedom of the university. We believe it should become the repository of the greatest intellectual freedom in society. We believe it should be the sanctuary of all those who desire by the interchange of views, however revolutionary or radical or reactionary, to dispute, and by disputation reach one of those many paths to the truth which must be the individual choice of each person concerned. We believe it should be a custodian of the accumulated wisdom of the community, the place where research in the fullest and most fruitful and most civilized sense can be accomplished in peace, security, and complete intellectual freedom.

Already we know that there is an attempt to denigrate the university and other scholastic establishments to the stature of mere money-getters for industry or trainers

Death of the Honorable [15 SEPTEMBER, 1964.] William Phillip Mair. 131

of certain technological strata of society. This may be one of their functions, but if this function were unduly elevated it would completely subvert, divert and destroy the whole purpose of university life. Therefore, we have no desire to interfere in any way with those intellectual freedoms which are traditional to our British way of life. In regard to money, administration and the business side of these organizations, we have not only a right but also a duty which we believe this Parliament has not shouldered and which this Government has failed miserably to shoulder in the past three or four years.

On the motion of Mr. SCANLAN (Oakleigh) , the debate was adjourned until next day.

ADJOURNMENT. Mr. RYLAH (Chief Secretary).

! move-That the House, at its rising, adjourn until

Tuesday next, at half-past Three o'clock. The motion was agreed to. The House adjourned at 9.57 p.m.

until Tuesday, September 15.

iG.egislatitt.e Cltnuuril. Tuesday, September 15, 1964.

The PRESIDENT (Sir Gordon McArthur) took the chair at 5 p.m., and read the prayer.

DEATH OF THE HONORABLE WILLIAM PHILLIP MAIR.

The Hon. L. H. S. THOMPSON (Minister of Housing) .-By leave, I move-

That this House places on record its deep regret at the death of the Honorable William Phillip Mair, one of the members for the South-Eastern Province, and its keen appreciation of the valuable services rendered by him to the Parliament and the people of' Victoria during his long and honorable career.

I believe all members of this House received a deep shock at the sudden and unexpected passing about a fortnight ago of the Honorable William Phillip Mair, who was one of the members representing the South-Eastern Province for a little over six years since his election in the middle of 1958.

Mr. Mair had built up a reputation as a conscientious, reliable member, who was highly respected in his electorate. As a debater in this House, he spoke with conviction, deliberation and a restraint that I believe commanded the respect of all members. As a parliamentarian, he was well known as a person who travelled thousands of miles every year to reach every comer of his somewhat difficult electorate, which comprises suburban and country areas with, in some instances, water in between them.

Mr. Mair was a son of the soil, and a worthy one. His interests throughout his life centred around horticulture and agriculture. I remember as late as June speaking with him at a meeting in Koo-Wee-Rup, where he gave a really excellent exposition on modern developments in agriculture and horticulture. He was one of those advanced thinkers who realized that the future of our country is to a large degree wrapped up in the application of science to the soil.

Mr. Mair also made an impact in spheres outside this House. He was a councillor of the Frankston and Hastings Shire Council from 1948 to 1960 and was shire president in 1952 and 1953. He was an executive member of the Orchardists and Fruit Cool Stores Association of Victoria from 1935, and a director of the Tyabb Co-operative Cool Stores Limited from 1931 to 1946.

Mr. Mair rendered outstanding service to Victoria as a member of the Public Works Committee and served as chairman of that committee for two periods. As one who has always admired the work of Parliamentary committees such as this, I make

132 Death of the Honorable [COUNCIL.] William Phillip Mair.

special mention of the excellent contribution Mr. Mair made in this field. He was intensely interested in the work of the committee; he treated his responsibilities as a member of it very seriously, and spent much time thinking about the problems with which it was dealing.

We shall miss the late Honorable Phillip Mair not only as a member of the Legislative Council but as a personal friend. This House will, indeed, be the poorer for his passing, and we extend to his widow and three sons our deepest sympathy.

The Hon. J. W. GALBALLY (Melbourne North Province) .-Mr. President, members of the Labour Party, too, had great respect and admiration for the late Mr. Mair; we liked him very much in the all too short period in which he was a member of this House. As the Minister of Housing said, Mr. Mair was a sincere debater, and I believe the House looked forward to his contributions. He had a puckish sense of humour that I am sure he would have developed as he became more accustomed to the manners of the House.

Some of us who journeyed to Hastings for the funeral were deeply impressed by the large numbers of mourners present. I am sure Mr. Hunt will bear testimony to the high esteem in which Mr. Mair was held by all the people in his province. He was, of course, a returned man, and it was a matter of much sorrow that, having served faithfully for six years as a member of this House, he died shortly after his re-election. It now transpires that he had been in ill health for some time, but he made light of his misfortunes and carried on his work nobly. We, too, extend to his widow and family our deep sympathy.

Sir PERCY BYRNES (NorthWestern Province) .-On behalf of the Country Party, I extend to the relatives of the late Mr. Mair our deepest sympathy. We feel genuine sorrow at his passing. We knew Mr. Mair in the House as a fair-minded,

level-headed man who was not carried away to extremes in any of his attitudes, thoughts and points of view. As a member of the Public Works Committee, of which for some time he was chairman, he travelled throughout the State, and wherever he went he made good and abiding friends. Being essentially levelheaded and fair-minded, he was particularly suited to be chairman of the committee. In that office, he always treated everybody fairly. On various occasions I was present at the committee's hearings as witness or observer, and Mr. Mair presided in an admirable manner.

Mr. Mair was a comparatively young man, who was just beginning to get into his stride as a member of this House, and it is a matter for genuine sorrow that he should pass from our midst. I am sure that he had a brilliant future ahead of him as a member of Parliament and possibly in other avenues, too. Because of his conspicuous ability, he might have attained a much higher position than that of a private member.

I support the Minister of Housing, who spoke feelingly regarding the passing of Mr. Mair. It is a loss to the House, and we extend to his widow and children our deepest sympathy.

The Hon. A. J. HUNT (SouthEastern Province) .-Mr. Mair's death was, of course, a loss to this House, but, having known him for some nine years, I feel also a deep sense of personal loss. In that period I worked closely with him on many community projects, and as his associate in the South-Eastern Province for the last three years. Through that close association I came to know fully the great respect and affection in which Mr. Mair was held throughout the entire province-even more particularly throughout the rural sections of it. I came to understand, too, the reasons for that respect and affection.

The late Phil. Mair always believed that an ounce of common sense was worth a ton of brilliance, and the

Death of the Honorable [15 SEPTEMBER, 1964.] William Phillip Mair. 133

approach he always brought to his work was a common-sense one. He was slow to make judgments; he sifted all the facts first; he considered everything carefully; and then came to a sound and reasoned decision. Mr. Mair never spoke without taking those steps first to ensure that he was well-informed and that his views were soundly bas·ed.

He was assiduous in the representation of his electors, and Ministers can testify that when he believed a constituent was suffering from a genuine grievance he never let up until it was corrected. He did not let the matter rest just because he received a refusal to a first letter. If he believed the case was a worthy one, he always fought for it.

Mr. Mair was not a personally ambitious man. Everything he did sprang from a genuine spirit of service. Most of the jobs he undertook, and most of the offices he held from time to time-and they were many-were ones he was pressed to accept. He undertook the additional duties of those positions because he wanted to do a job, because he believed in his fellow man, and because he believed he had a duty to serve the community. Not only did our late colleague have this sense of dedication, he went further than the mere call of duty and was always ready to go the second mile. I recall that in my own election campaign I attended 100 meetings and functions, all told, and Mr. Mair came with me to 97 of them. He went far beyond what one was entitled to expect from an associate.

A most remarkable thing about the late Honorable Phillip Mair was that in all my association with him I never heard him say one derogatory or critiGal word of another human being. He carried his Christian principles, his charitable nature, with him wherever he went, and that was the mark of a real man of the kind one seldom encounters.

Mr. Mair and his wife worked always as a team. He had her support in everything he did, and

they went together among constituents and to functions throughout the electorate. Having worked and lived so closely with him, her loss is all the greater. I, too, extend my personal sympathy to Mrs. Mair and her three sons.

The Hon. A. K. BRADBURY (North-Eastern Province) .-As the present chairman of the Public Works Committee, I sincerely support the motion of condolence in the loss of our late friend, the Honorable Phil. Mair. He served on the Public Works Committee for four years; I had the privil~ge to serve under him when he was chairman, he was a member when I became chairman, and we built up a very close personal contact. Mrs. Mair gave up much of her husband's companionship in order that he might perform his duties as a member of the committee of which he was a very valued member, and to the work of which he was dedicated.

He was a very clear thinker and was fearless in expressing his own point of view, but he was always fair and was prepared to listen to the viewpoints of other members. I feel that the tribute paid to our late colleague by the Reverend P. D. Kissick at the church service was one of the finest tributes I have heard expressed of a man who had given such outstanding service to the community. Members of the Public Works Committee deeply mourn his loss. The late Mr. Mair was loved and highly respected by all members of the committee who travelled throughout Victoria, and to other States, on investigations and inquiries. Each member feels his loss greatly.

During the four years in which he served on the Public Works Committee, the late Mr. Mair became a very close personal friend of mine. Our late friend and colleague became a member of the committee on the 2nd June, 1960, and for the purposes of the record I should like to mention some of his activities. He was vicechairman from the 1st July, 1960, to the 31st December, 1960, and

134 Death of the Honorable [COUNCIL.] William Phillip Mair.

chairman from the 1st January, 1961, to the 30th June, 1961. He was again appointed vice-chairman for the period 1st January, 1962, to 30th June, 1962. In being returned both as chairman and vice-chairman of the committee within a period of eighteen months, our late colleague probably created a record in the history of the committee, because it has always been the policy that the position of chairman should rotate every six months so that the six members of the committee might occupy the position once during the life of a Parliament if it lasted for the full term of three years. The late Mr. Mair was again chairman from the 1st July, 1962, to the 31st December, 1962. He passed away on the 30th August, 1964.

The subjects investigated by the Public Works Committee during the time Mr. Mair was a member and the dates on which the inquiries were commenced included the following: The Wimmera river water storage and improvement to Broken creek and Nine Mile creek inquiry, on the 2nd June, 1960; the water resources of Victoria inquiry, on the 15th November, 1960; the GoulburnMurray drainage inquiry, on the 15th November, 1960; the Shepparton abattoirs inquiry, on the 17th January, 1961; and the second Lake Corangamite flooding inquiry, on the 28th March, 1961.

Following a number of these inquiries the committee issued reports as follows: On Lake Bellfield, on the 13th April, 1961; on the Broken creek and Nine Mile creek inquiry, on the 30th May, 1961; on irrigation from the Wimmera river and Darragon creek, on the 22nd March, 1962; and on the Shepparton abattoirs inquiry, on the 14th June, 1962.

On the 24th July, 1962, the committee commenced the Altona railway inquiry, and on the 13th November, 1962, it received a request to proceed with an inquiry into the future water supply for the Melbourne metropolitan area. Further

The Hon. A. K. Bradbury.

reports were issued by the committee as follows: On the Buffalo river storage, on the 21st November, 1962; a progress report on the Lake Corangamite flooding inquiry, on the 13th December, 1962; on the uses of lakes, rivers, and streams as carriers or irrigation water with particular reference to the lower sector of the Torrumbarry water distribution system, on the 18th May, 1963; on the Nillahcootie and Winton swamps proposals on the Broken river, on the 26th June, 1963; and on the Altona railway extension, on the 17th December, 1963. Further, on the 16th April, 1964, another progress report was submitted on the flooding of Lake Corangamite, and on the 7th May, 1964, the committee submitted a report on the Seven Creeks river basin.

During the whole of those inquiries the committee could not have had a member who contributed more to those investigations than did the late Mr. Mair. The continuous work and concentration which was required in fulfilling his duties possibly sapped a good deal of the energy of our late friend and probably brought about his death earlier than it would otherwise have occurred. On behalf of the Public Works Committee, I express to Mr. Mair's widow and three sons our deep appreciation of the services which he rendered to the Public Works Committee. We deeply sympathize with Mrs. Mair in the tragic and sudden loss of a valued and very good husband, and also with her family in the loss of a devoted father.

The Hon. G. W. THOM (SouthWestern Province) .-I should like to join with previous members who have paid tributes to our late colleague, Phil. Mair. As one of the contingent of members who were elected to this House in 1958, I was closely associated with Mr .. Mair since that date, and I always regarded him and his wife as close personal friends. I ·endorse everything that has been said concerning his sincerity

Death of the Honorable [15 SEPTEMBER, 1964.] William Phillip_ Mair. 135

and sense of dedication to his work. I agree with Mr. Bradbury's remarks. I feel that our colleague's death was precipitated in great measure by the time he gave to his Parliamentary duties and the conscientious manner in which he discharged them, because Phil. was noted for a strong sense of conscientiousness in his work.

I believe that in his work our late colleague was wonderfully assisted by his wife. Honorable members who knew both the late Mr. Mair and his wife can remember the numerous occasions on which Mrs. Mair assisted in bringing to this House members of many organizations in the South-Eastern Province in an effort to spread amongst those organizations an understanding of the manner in which Parliament works. In those activities Phil. Mair received wonderful assistance from his wife. I regard his passing as a great personal loss.

Sometimes I wonder whether the public generally realizes the great strain under which members of Parliament must work. Even since 1958, I think five members of this House have passed on, which is a somewhat high percentage having regard to the small number of members in this Chamber. It could be indicative of the burdens which members bear in carrying on their Parliamentary duties. They willingly accept that strain, and Phil. Mair would have been the last one to avoid any of the work involved in it. I know that he had a great love for this Parliamentary institution, an intense sense of duty, and an appreciation of the destiny of this House. He was a keen student of the traditions of this Chamber and felt strongly that its future must be protected at all costs. All honorable members will miss the late Honorable William Phillip Mair, and his place will be very difficult to fill. I join with previous speakers in extending to Mrs. Mair and her three sons my very deepest sympathy.

The PRESIDENT (Sir Gordon McArthur).-Before putting the motion, I should like to add a few

words to associate myself with the remarks of previous speakers. There is no question that the late Honorable Phil. Mair commanded the respect of this House; he also made many friends here. As we have already heard, he gave outstanding service on the Public Works Committee. In this Chamber, the late Mr. Mair spoke only on matters which he thoroughly understood and, for that reason, he made some very important contributions to debates, particularly as a primary producer and orchardist. He will be greatly missed in this Chamber and in his electorate. The high esteem in which he was held was emphasized by the wonderful majority by which he was re-elected to this Parliament at the last election. I also extend my sympathy to Mrs. Mair and her family, and I assure honorable members that I shall see that printed copies of their remarks are suitably bound and forwarded to them.



(Minister of Housing) .-1 move-That the House, out of respect to the

memory of the late Honorable William Phillip Mair, do now adjourn until a quarter to Eight o'clock this day.



The DEPUTY PRESIDENT (the Hon. W. R. Garrett) took the chair at 8 p.m.

REPRESENTATION OF SOUTH-EASTERN PROVINCE.

ISSUE OF WRIT. The DEPUTY PRESIDENT (the

Hon. W. R. Garrett) announced that on the 9th instant the President had issued a writ for the election of a member to serve for the SouthEastern Province in the place of the

136 Fares, Freights and [COUNCIL.] Hospital Charges.

Honorable William Phillip Mair, deceased, and that by such writ the following dates had been fixed for such election: -Nomination Day, Friday, 25th of September, 1964; polling day, Saturday, 10th of October, 1964; return of writ, before or on Tuesday, 27th of October, 1964.


USE OF SHOT-GUNS: EVIDENCE ACT 1958.

The Hon. G. J. NICOL (Monash Province) , chairman, presented a report from the Statute Law Revision Committee upon the desirability of restricting the use of shot-guns, together with minutes of evidence and an appendix; and a further report on the Evidence Act 1958, section 28, together with minutes of evidence.

It was ordered that they be laid on the table, and that the reports be printed.

FARES, FREIGHTS AND HOSPITAL CHARGES.

EFFECT OF INCREASES. The Hon. J. W. GALBALLY (Mel

bourne North Province) .-1 wish to move the adjournment of the House for the purpose of discussing the subject of the effect of the burdens which will be imposed upon the people of Victoria by the recently announced increases in fares, freights and hospital charges.

Approval of the proposed discussion was indicated by the required number of members rising in their places, as specified in the Standing Order.

The Hon. J. W. GALBALLY (Melbourne North Province) .-The importance of price stability is the outstanding challenge of the modern economy. The deliberate submission I make to-night-I ask the House to accept it-is that the Premier and Treasurer of this State knowingly and for unworthy motives withheld from . the people of Victoria a number of

facts which he was bound to divulge. To that extent the standard of public life in this State has been breached by him; and if members of his Cabinet knew the facts, those standards were breached by them also.

As Premier of this State, Mr. Bolte was last June called upon to account to the people of Victoria for his stewardship. He held high office. He had been in charge of the Government of Victoria for the past nine years; he asked for a further mandate to govern and he said that his Government had brought great prosperity and wealth to Victoria. He sought the credit for this, and, in addition, he said-

The Future: To-night I am able to present to you another programme of development for the next three years. This is possible because the Government has been in office long enough to know the problems and to plan for the future.

When he uttered those words, he must have had in mind the savage increases that he imposed upon the people of Victoria before the new Parliament had time to take its seat. To that extent he betrayed the trust imposed in him by Parliamentary government. Is there any difference between his action in withholding from the shareholders of this State vital information on which they could form a judgment, and that of the Kormans and the Reid Murrays into whose activities this Government is presently inquiring? Of course not! In the spate of company frauds with which this community has been plagued during the past few years, they have seen fit, together with others of their ilk-directors of some public companies-to withhold information and mislead their shareholders. What then is the difference between Mr. Bolte and his Cabinet and the Kormans and the Reid Murrays in this community?

The Hon. SAMUEL MERRIFIELD.There is no difference. Silence now reigns supreme .

Fares, Freights and [15 SEPTEMBER, 1964.] Hospital Charges. 137

The Hon. J. W. GALBALLY.-That is so. Can anyone tell me that the Government did not know in June the state of the finances of the State Electricity Commission, the Gas and Fuel Corporation, the Railway Department, the Melbourne and Metropolitan Tramways Board, and the hospitals? Of course it did! One now sees the great gulf that has developed between the rulers of this community and the people who are being governed. On the broader scale, that is not good for any country. The election which returned Mr. Bolte and his so-called party was a farce; there were no proper issues upon which the people were given facts to enable them to form a judgment.

Men in public life in Victoria and indeed, througbout Australia and Great Britain have always adhered to high standards. The members of this Government have broken them deliberately. Whom have they sacri: ficed? The answer is: Those people in the community least able to bear the burdens. What is the answer? If they were men of honour, every man Jack of them would resign. I am not suggesting that they will resign; they will cling to office, and the Premier, through his news sheet will to-morrow night have ~ complete answer to what I have said in this House, because, whatever may be said about Mr. Bolte and his virtues, no one would ever say of him that he has advanced the cause of Parliament.

Where are all the announcements made concerning these savage increases? My colleagues have been busy writing letters to the various Ministers asking for details. Has any official announcement been made except through the " Government Gazettes "-the Herald and the Sun News-Pictorial? Not at all. That is what this Administration thinks of Parliamentary government. It could not wait until Parliament met so that the Ministers, if they had the guts, could stand up in their places and say, " We have to do this and have to do

that ". But it is terribly easy to get the ear of a friendly newspaper. That is the way this Government carries on.

The long line of standards in Victoria, going back for I 00 years has been betrayed by Mr. Bolt~ and his Cabinet. I impeach him in the name of Parliamentary government whose sacred trust he has betrayed; I impeach him in the name of the people of Victoria whose rights he has trodden underfoot· I impeach him in the name of every ~age-earner ~h?se £1 basic wage rise he has mcmerated; and I impeach him in the name of the Arbitration Commission whose judgment, after a long and ex: tensive hearing, he sabotaged before the ~nk ".Vas dry. The wage-earners of V1ctona got, not a wage rise, but a wage cut. That was the reason why honorable members saw such a spontaneous swell of indignation in Melbourne and right throughout the length and breadth of Victoria to-day. Of course, people will make sacrifices· but the people of Victoria now realiz~ that they have been out-smarted and out-witted by a cheap trickster. Last Saturday an important sporting event was held on the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

The Hon. G. W. THOM.-We were robbed.

The Hon. J. W. GALBALLY.-In a moment I shall tell Mr. Thom who was robbed. This event, a battle of two skilled companies, was held before a wonderful Australian audience. But there was another secret encounter, and no statement was issued thereafter. There is a knight of straw who, for the past fifteen . years, has .been assiduously ~hovellmg mo~ey mto various pro-1ects, and puttmg value back into the £1! He has never been a great admirer of the Premier of Victoria. When the Premier first took office and went to Canberra, the other Premiers complained, " Where does this man come from? Who is this Daniel who asks to run the State with a deficit of £2,500,000 a year, which he is going


to fund out of loan moneys?" They were loud in their lamentations concerning Mr. Bolte, whose name rapidly became a bar-room jest around Canberra.

The Hon. G. w. THOM.-They have changed their tune now, have they not?

The Hon. J. W. GALBALLY.-1 shall discuss that aspect presently. The Prime Minister, a patient man, bore our Premier with a patient shrug, and then news filtered in from Victoria that the Bolte Government was fanning the fires of inflation. The land speculators regarded Victoria as a Mecca, and it was said that Mr. Bolte's Cabinet was altogether too friendly with the hire-purchase people, and so on. At one stage Mr. Bolte said that he was not going to see the people fleeced by these money-lenders, but under pressure he forgot all that.

Then, of course, the Prime Minister, whose standards with regard to his Cabinet have always been meticulous, well remembered what had happened in 1939. When some question arose regarding the Postmaster-General being a director of certain public companies, the Prime Minister of the day, Mr. Lyons, laid down certain rules in the House. A Minister of the Crown ought to forgo his directorships of public companies.

Sir Robert Menzies, who was then Mr. Menzies, Attorney-General in the Commonwealth Government, said that he agreed with every word that his Prime Minister had uttered and that he had resigned his directorships. He arched his eyebrows at the action of the Bolte Government in Victoria, one of whose prominent members was a director of several public companies. When attention was drawn to these matters, Mr. Bolte rushed in and said, " How could anybody say that?" Of course, he could not appreciate the difference. So it will be seen that for many years the Prime Minister has entertained some doubts about Mr. Bolte, the standards of

public life in his Government, and the way he has conducted affairs in Victoria.

There were complaints at Canberra that the credit squeeze would not have been necessary if it had not been for the imprudent actions of the Bolte Government in Victoria. The near defeat of the Menzies Government after the credit squeeze was laid at the door of the Bolte Government. Of course, in June Mr. Bolte knew that his reckless gambling with the State's finances had to come to an end. But, of course, he wanted to get back into office. He knew that all he had to do was to go through the motions, and with the help of his friends in Flinders-street all would be well. Honorable members know that wonderful free press which we have in this State of Victoria.

Mr. Bolte knew that as a result of his reckless policies something had to be done, but, of course, he was not going to let on until after the election. He thought, " I will then let the cat out of the bag, and by the time Parliament meets they will have had something to say about this in the newspapers and it will all be over."

This time, however, the people have decided that they have been "had." So this Yarra gambler-I was going to call him a Mississippi gambler, but he is too small-this " knight of the broken bridge " had one soiled card left-income tax. He was going to play merry hell with it. The Prime Minister said-and the warning lights were flashing red" Mr. Bolte is an experienced Premier. He needs no advice from me."

But see what happens when a man is playing his last card. He rushed in. On Saturday morning, when most people were repairing to the Melbourne Cricket Ground, whistling away, " Oh what a beautiful morning. Everything is going my way," he went along to the " Sidney Greenstreet " of Australian politics, Sir Robert Menzies, who sat there and listened. Nothing was said


afterwards. The usually voluble Mr. Bolte had, like Cincinnatus, returned to his farm. Of course, he had not done anything of the kind. The Prime Minister, like Sir Francis Drake of old, waiting for the Armada to be launched by Mr. Bolte, went off and played bowls somewhere out in his electorate.

The DEPUTY PRESIDENT (the Hon. W. R. Garrett).-! point out to the honorable member that he seems to be getting farther away from the motion.

The Hon. J. W. GALBALL Y.-1 shall come back to it very quickly, Mr. Deputy President. The Premier went off to launch his Armada in Flinders-street. Channel 7 was going to look after him. He explained on Sunday night that he was not going to be bought off. By gad, Sir, you could not buy him off, not with all the money in the world! But there might be some difficulties about having to fill in two forms. Have honorable members ever heard anything like it in all their life? I can remember before the war when we had both Federal and State income tax. There was only one form. This persisted right up to the institution of uniform taxation. Both the State and the Federal income tax were dealt with on the one form. The Premier said that he did not want to put anybody to any trouble at all. What do honorable members think of that for a piece of deception? That is where the Armada finished-on Channel 7.

The Hon. v. 0. DICKIE.-Even under the old set-up, although there were two sets of figures, they were on the one form.

The Hon. J. W. GALBALL Y.-1 am not quite sure of that, but I am prepared to concede it. In other words, if a person's income was £1,000 it was necessary to write it down in two columns.

The DEPUTY PRESIDENT (the Hon. W.R. Garrett).-Order! I must again remind the honorable member that on his motion he proposed to

speak on " the effect of the burdens which will be imposed upon the people of Victoria by the recent~yannounced increases in fares, freights and hospital charges." There is no mention of income tax.

The Hon. J. W. GALBALLY.-The reason for that, Mr. Deputy President, is that the Premier never had any intention of going on with the income tax, and this business about, " You know, I cannot be bought off " is all stuff and nonsense. The last thing a Liberal Premier would ever do would be to have double taxation in Victoria because it would fall heaviest on those who earned most. He would not be allowed to get away with that for five minutes.

The Hon. MURRAY BYRNE.-Would you support State income tax if it fell heaviest on those who earned most?

The Hon. J. W. GALBALLY.-No. Mr. Byrne has been away too long. He can assure his friends-all members of the Liberal Party can-that we have heard the last of State income tax. Do not worry about that. Now where do we go?

The DEPUTY PRESIDENT.-The terms of the motion deal with fares, freights and hospital charges.

The Hon. J. W. GALBALLY.-The increases in those various instrumentalities would be savage enough, but, when they are added to the spate of things which must necessarily follow in the form of a chain reaction, the matter becomes more serious. Mr. Feltham asked me to-day, "What about taxi fares?" Everything is affected, including milk and bread. Everything will go up.

I said at the outset that the most important thing in a modern economy is to contain prices, and nowhere is that more important than in Australia to-day. That was recognized by the Prime Minister in 1949, when the basic wage was less than £7. Now, it is £15 or £16. The Prime Minister said, " We will put value back in the £1." At the rate he is going, by the turn of the century the basic wage


will be £100 a week, and when one gets on a tram in Bourke-street and hands the conductor a £1 note there will be no change. Is that the sort of Liberal policy we are espousing in Australia to-day? They are frauds from one end of Australia to the other;

On this question of the containment of prices, Governments ought to give a lead to the rest of the community. The basic wage increase became operative in June, and within a few weeks it had all blown away. The Bolte Government pours petrol on the fires of inflation. Why did not the Premier do what he advocated in 1958, 1959 and 1960-budget for a deficit? Sir Arthur Warner used to tell us in this House what a wonderful thing it was for a modern economya deficit of £2,500,000.

The Hon. G. w. THOM.-How is the deficit to be funded?

The Hon. J. W. GALBALLY.-The Premier ought to know. He has been doing it for years. He funds it out of loan moneys and that is what got Victoria into all this trouble.

The Hon. L. H. s. THOMPSON.-Do you believe in that still?

The Hon. J. W. GALBALLY.-Does the Minister believe in it?

The Hon. L. H. s. THOMPSON .-Not at this stage.

The Hon. J. W. GALBALLY.-Yet when we warned the Government here year in and year out of the dangers, and when the Premiers of New South Wales, South Australia, Queensland and Tasmania, said at meetings of the Loan Council and on other occasions, " We cannot put up with this Mr. Bolte. He will ruin us all."

The Hon. L. H. s. THOMPSON.Look what they did for the Commonwealth each year.

The Hon. J. W. GALBALLY.Those Premiers know how to run their States. What have we wasted on the bridge-millions.

The Hon. L. H. s. THOMPSON.-Tell us about the Opera House.

The Hon. J. W. GALBALLY.-I will tell the Minister of Housing about something else. The Government gave BP one of the best sites in the world for nothing, and that firm would have paid £15,000,000 for it. The first Elizabeth sent Drake around the world and made a good profit out of it for Merrie England. Why cannot we make profits out of some of the oil companies that are using our assets under the second Elizabeth? The whole question of the sabotage of the Arbitration Commission is something that concerns the people vitally and utterly.

Forget for the moment the fact that the Government has destroyed what the wage earners thought they would get as an increase after a long, expensive and patient hearing. What about all the retired people and others who are living on fixed incomes and now see inflation burning them up? What is Mr. Bolte saying about that? He has some cock and bull story that he has not raised anything since 19 something or other.

The Hon. R. J. HAMER.-1959.

The Hon. J. W. GALBALLY.-I knew that a Minister would remember the year. I sympathize with every man who walked to-day from the stadium to Parliament House, and I deprecate the attacks made on these people by the Premier. These men are dependent on the wages they earn for the support of themselves, their wives and their children. They have no other resources. They do not share in any capital gains on the Stock Exchange or from land speculation and so on. It is vicious to make attacks on such people.

The Hon. P. v. FELTHAM.-! think the Premier saiq. that, because they had made this demonstration to-day, he was all the more determined to go on with his plans.

The Hon. J. W. GALBALLY.-That is so. He said that the demonstration was purely political. What does that

Fares, .Freights .and [15 SEPTEMBER, 1964.] Hospital Charges. 141

mean? Are they not entitled in a democracy to make a demonstration? Is there anything wrong with people exercising a right to march through the streets, or are we going to pin the populace down? Is that the aim of this Government? Wage earners to a man registered a protest against the inflationary spiral that threatens almost to put them out of existence, and the great Mr. Bolte says the protest is political. Of cours·e, it is political. They want action. They want this spiral stopped.

I hope the House will entertain my mo_tion, that it will debate it and pay full regard to this most serious challenge . to our Parliamentary institution. I am not for one moment so naive as to believe that this Government will resign. It has the hide of an elephant. But when we get over this crisis and all these troubles are forgotten, one can depend on the fact that the action of the Premier and the Liberal Government in deliberately concealing from the people of Victoria the true state of our finances and the necessity, as they now claim, for some action at a time when they were bound as trustees of the public purse and as guardians of the community to speak up, will greatly damage our Parliamentary institution in the public mind. In the circumstances, the deliberate silence of the Government was shameful.

The Hon. G. J. NICOL.-You know that is a deliberate lie, Mr. Galbally.

The Hon. J. W. GALBALLY.-How can Mr. Nicol say that it is a deliberate lie when, as soon as the elections were over, the most savage increases in the history of Victoria were heaped on the people from all sides. They occurred overnight.

The Hon. L. H. s. THOMPSON.They occurred after the Loan Council meeting, and you know it.

The Hon. J. W. GALBALLY.-Mr. Bolte was granted approximately £5,000,000 for unemployment relief after the 1960 credit squeeze when

there was a great scatter at Canberra to see that something was done to repair the damage. Mr. Bolte knew that that £5,000,000 would have to come off his allocation.

The Hon. L. H. s. THOMPSON.-He did not.

The Hon. J. W. GALBALLY.Could he not have asked if it was there for ever? Of course, he is able to ram these things down the throats of the people because in this glorious State of ours we have only one point of view being put out to the people through the press, the radio and the television. Where is the Premier to-night? He is launching an armada from Mr. Ansett's dam. He is at Channel 0. So he goes from one friend to another, and we are expected to put up with it.

The Hon. L. H. S. THOMPSON (Minister of Housing) .-At the outset, I should like on behalf of the Government to register a formal protest about something which occurred to-night. I do this reluctantly, but I feel that it should be done. I know that in this House pairs are not officially recognized, but through Parliamentary practice they have come close to official recognition.

The Hon. J. W. GALBALLY (Melbourne North Province) .-On a point of order, I object to the remarks of the Minister of Housing. They have nothing to do with the motion. He should adhere to the subject-matter of the motion. I ask you, Mr Deputy President, to rule that the Minister cannot talk about pairs under the terms of this motion. I warn the Minister that if he says something about this to-night, we will finish it. We will deal with certain threats which were issued to us to-night. I warn him to say nothing further along the lines he has opened. I appeal to you, Mr. Deputy President. to uphold the forms of this House. If you do not, we will all be sorry.

The Hon. L. H. S. THOMPSON (Minister of Housing) .-I should like to point out--

142 Fares, Freights and [COUNCIL.] Hospital, Charges.

The Hon. J. W. GALBALLY.-You brought a dying man to this House. Bill Slater was forced to come here, and he died five days later.

The DEPUTY PRESIDENT (the Hon. R. W. Garrett).-Order! The Minister of Housing has the floor.

The Hon. J. w. GALBALLY.-l have asked you, Mr. Deputy President, for a ruling on whether the Minister is speaking to the subject-matter of the motion.

The DEPUTY PRESIDENT.-! will give my ruling in a moment.

The Hon. L. H. S. THOMPSON.A man should not have been deprived of an opportunity of casting a vote on this motion merely because of his religious beliefs.

The Hon. J. w. GALBALLY.-What right has the Minister to say that on the motion? His aim is to take over as President. Now is the time to show your authority, Sir.

The DEPUTY PRESIDENT (the Hon. R. W. Garrett).-Order! I take exception to those remarks and ask for their withdrawal.

The Hon. J. w. GALBALLY.-l withdraw.

The Hon. L. H. S. THOMPSON.One of the basic freedoms in the United Nations Charter is freedom of religion. To-night an honorable member was presented with a problem of observing his religious duties and obligations or remaining to listen to the debate on this adjournment motion until such time as he could cast a vote. By the action of the Labour Party, he was prevented from having the opportunity of casting a vote. I will say no more. In the same breath I should like to thank the members of the Country Party for their understanding approach in refusing to force us to bring our Leader to this House from his sick bed.

The Hon. J. w GALBALL y .-This has nothing to do with the motion. It is no good you, Mr. Deputy President, just sitting there and

allowing the Minister to go on like this. You should give a ruling or vacate the chair.

The DEPUTY PRESIDENT (the Hon. R. W. Garrett).-Order! I point out to Mr. Galbally that I showed a great deal of tolerance when he was speaking. Only a very small proportion of his speech related to the motion he moved. I feel that I must permit the Minister of Housing a certain amount of tolerance also, and I propose to hear what he has to say.

The Hon. L. H. S. THOMPSON.Thank you, Sir. Mr. Galbally in characteristically jovial, extravagant and reckless terms has dealt with this adjournment motion to date. I rather expected that he would come forward with a detailed analysis of the proposed increases in charges and suggest what alternative charges should be imposed or suggest how the Government could reduce its expenditure this year by £8,000,000 in order to balance its Budget. Following a Loan Council meeting in early July and after the election of 29th June, the State of Victoria was faced with the prospect of finding £8,000,000 additional in revenue because expenditure will increase by approximately £14,500,000 this year. The natural increase in revenue will make it possible for £6,600,000 of that increase to be covered. The Government was faced with- the task of finding an additional £8,000,000.

The Hon. SAMUEL MERRIFIELD.Are you speaking on the Budget? The motion does not relate to the Budget.

The Hon. L. H. S. THOMPSON.It relates very directly to the Budget. Railway deficits are a direct charge on the Budget. Therefore, I submit that increased charges by the railways to avoid a deficit are directly related to the Budget. These increased charges were brought about as a result of an impending Budget deficit.

The Hon. SAMUEL MERRIFIELD.Do you want us to debate the Budget?


The Hon. L. H. S. THOMPSON.If Mr. Merrifield can debate any charges in a vacuum, he is a better man than I am. Victoria was faced with three choices. It could reduce services to the extent of £8,000,000, fund a deficit of £8,000,00 from loan funds, thus reducing expenditure in the capital construction field, or increase charges which had relation to the Budget. I am proud to be a member of a Government which had the courage to increase taxes and charges for the major reason of maintaining the high standard of the educational facilities of this State. As a former teacher, I am particularly proud to be associated with it. Victoria for many years spent little on education. The Education Department was the Cinderella Department of the State. Today, it consistently receives top priority in expenditure.

The Hon. D. G. ELLIOT.-Why should it not?

The Hon. L. H. S. THOMPSON.We promised in 1955 that it would receive priority and it has each year since.

The Hon. D. G. ELLIOT.-Why scream about it?

The Hon. L. H. S. THOMPSON.Why complain about proposals for increased taxes in order to finance this increased expenditure? One can imagine the reduction there would be in the education field if expenditure on education was decreased by £8,000,000. One must remember that of the increased expenditure for this financial year more than £7,000,000 will be spent on education. Let us be realistic. We have to finance the education of our young people in a manner that will enable them to be educated by welltrained teachers in first-class schools. That has been our policy throughout and is the major reason why we are faced with the unpopular task of raising taxes and charges. I am proud to be a member of a Government :which had the courage to do

this, because obviously nobody likes taxes or charges to be increased. The Government has taken this action reluctantly, as a last resort, because it is not prepared to curtail expenditure in this important field. In the financial year 1962-63, Victoria spent more per pupil than any other State .of Australia on education.

The Hon. J.M. TRIPOVICH.-Threepence per pupil per week.

The Hon. L. H. S. THOMPSON.That is not so. I shall quote the exact figures. Victoria spent £l19 14s. per student, Tasmania £114 7s., South Australia £110 17s., New South Wales £108 16s., Western Australia £99 10s., and Queensland £85 15s. This expenditure has 8e·en achieved despite the fact that for 22 years Victoria has received from the income tax pool at Canberra substantially less per head than any other State. If Victoria had been reimbursed by the Commonwealth according to contributions made, or had we taxed ourselves at the same level, the Government would have received about £200,000,000 more over those 22 years. Those figures are striking. We are not complaining that Victoria is contributing to the development of the smaller States of the Commonwealth, but we believe that the machinery is there through the Commonwealth Grants Commission to make additional assistance available.

The Hon. J. w. GALBALLY.-Tell us how you went to the Country Party and asked for a pair for Mr. Snider. They would not give you a pair, either.

The Hon. L. H. S. THOMPSON.I do not think Mr. Galbally wants that matter to be referred to again. When I was interrupted, I was pointing out that New South Wales was spending £108 16s. per head on education whereas Victoria was spending £119 14s. per student. I

. stress that those figures relate to expenditure p~r student in all fields of education. I also pointed out that

144 Fares, Freights and [COUNCIL.J . Hospital Charges.

Victoria has suffered more than any other State under the uniform taxation formula. Uniform taxation was first introduced in 1942.

It is impossible to understand the present financial position without some background knowledge. In 1942, it so happened that Victoria had an economical Government which was taxing the people at a much lower rate than the other States. The Commonwealth Government introduced uniform taxation, basically because the high Commonwealth rate at that time, plus the high rate imposed in Queensland, would have meant that some people in Queensland would have had to pay more than 20s. in the £1. That was the fact that precipitated the move towards uniform taxation. At that time Victoria was paying less per head in taxation than the other States. The Commonwealth Government stated that it would take over income tax and reimburse to Victoria the average of what it had collected per head over the previous two financial years. Therefore, Victoria was penalized because of economical Governments in those years.

This formula remained until 1946, when there was a slight change which took into account increases in population and in the average wage. That formula remained for a further two years until it was changed again to take greater account of increases in population and in the average wage. The total amount was split up between the various States on an adjusted population basis which made allowance for the number of children between five and fifteen years of age and the area of the States. Rightly or wrongly, this formula had the effect of penalizing Victoria. ·Treasury estimates indicate that if Victoria had continued to impose its own taxes it would have received an additional £200,000,000 over the period mentioned. This is the difference between the 31 per cent. that Victoria has been consistently contributing to the income

The Hon. L. H. S. Thompson.

tax pool and the 25 per cent. reimbursement the Government has been receiving each year.

Persons who have made a keen study of State finance are the first to admit this fact. For example, in the Financial Review of 15th September, a pertinent article by R. C. Gates points out that in those initial years Victoria received £3 7s. per head of population compared with £5 10s. per head received by Queensland, Western Australia and New South Wales, £3 19s. by South Australia and £3 14s. by Tasmania. That is some indication of the manner in which those reimbursement payments adversely affected Victoria in the early years and have continued to do so up to the present time. Mr. Gates also points out how some of these annual increased charges have become unavoidable as a result of heavy financial burdens which Victoria has been forced to bear through the years.

We do not object to the weaker States being assisted, but at the same time we believe Victoria should receive the same amount per head as other States to provide essential State services which cost approximately the same amount in each State regardless of area. It is difficult to prove that it is more costly to administer an education system in Tasmania than it is in Western Australia, or vice versa.

Mr. Gates then states that the Victorian Budget proposals for increases in stamp duties, gift duties, and drivers' licence fees, unpopular as they must be, should be seen as a praiseworthy attempt to set the State's financial house in order.

The Hon. P. v. FELTHAM.-What does Mr. Gates do in private life?

The Hon. L. H. S. THOMPSON.-! could not say. I am always interested to know the qualifications of commentators, and I realize the pertinence of Mr. Feltham's question. Judging from the manner in which Mr. Gates has written this article, he


has obviously put a considerable amount of work into a study of the State's financial relations with the Commonwealth.

The Hon. P. v. FELTHAM.-lt is obvious that he never has occasion to write out receipts, if he praises stamp duty.

The Hon. L. H. S. THOMPSON.He merely praises the effort to raise additional revenue in Victoria. I do not think he singles out one tax as being more admirable than another. The table which he illustrates for State taxation in 1962-63 shows that State taxation is higher in Victoria than in every other State except New South Wales. It shows a total of £20.2 for Victoria, £18.4 for Queensland, £13.9 for South Australia, £15.8 for Wes tern Australia, £ 14.1 for Tasmania and £21.3 for New South Wales.

When Victoria asks the Commonwealth for additional financial assistance, the level of taxation in the various States is closely studied. Although Victoria may have been collecting more in taxes, apart from poker machines--

The Hon. ARCHIBALD TODD.-Why don't you get more out of the Totalizator Agency Board?

The Hon. L. H. S. THOMPSON.We are getting £3,000,000. These figures illustrate that with the help of poker machines, which realize £5,000,000 or £6,000,000, and a tax on minerals which realizes another £6,000,000, and higher rail freights and fares, New South Wales is taxing itself at the rate of £21.3 per head annually as against the Victorian figure of £20.2. Obviously, New South Wales is already collecting more revenue in the form of State taxes and levies than is Victoria. Therefore, in order to present a good case for additional assistance, Victoria was obliged to lift its taxes at least to the level of New South Wales.

The Hon. ARCHIBALD TODD.-That is a queer argument.

The Hon. L. H. S. THOMPSON.It is an important one when it comes to Loan Council discussions in Canberra. The degree of sacrifice in the various States is carefully studied by Commonwealth Treasury officials.

The Hon. ARCHIBALD 'fODD.-But for years this Government has been using loan funds for revenue purposes.

The Hon. L. H. S. THOMPSON.That practice was adopted in the first three years that the Government was in office in the hope that at the end of that time there might be alternative courses open to us. It is true that some loan funds have been diverted to meet proper capital works charges, a practice with which modern accountants agree. However, in recent years, the Government has desisted from the practice of funding the deficit from loan funds. If the deficits are funded from loan funds any money taken out of the Loan Fund has to be repaid in 17 ! years instead of 53 years. Tn short, instead of paying interest at 5 per cent. Victoria pays a virtual interest rate of 5 per cent. plus a capital return charge of 4 per cent., ~ total of 9 per cent.

The Hon. SAMUEL MERklFIELD.You penalized the State in the tirst four years by funding the deficit.

1he Hon. L. H. S. THOMPSON.That is why the Government swung away from that practice. As I pointed out, Victoria has consistently received far less in tax reimbursements than other States. It was felt that Victoria had a special case for special assistance because it was not possible to balance our Budget.

The Hon. P. v. FELTHAM.-From where are you funding these deficits now?

The Hon. L. H. S. THOMPSON.The Government is deliberately avoiding a deficit. That is the real reason why increased charges have become necessary.


The Hon. P. v. FELTHAM.-1 am speaking of the previous series of deficits. You say you did not take money out of loan funds to meet those deficits.

The Hon. L. H. S. THOMPSON.It is true that they were funded from loan funds, but as I pointed out at the time-I think Mr. Feltham mentioned it, too-there was a limit to the number of years when this could be done. When we consider the share of the " cake " Victoria has been getting from Canberra under uniform taxation, our shortage of funds is understandable. From the 1964-65 summary of Commonwealth payments to the States per head of population, it can be seen that the relevant figures are Western Australia, £86 18s.; Tasmania, £74 19s.; South Australia, £53 10s.; Queensland, £47 13s.; New South Wales, £37 14s.; and Victoria, at the bottom of the list, £35 18s., or £51 below Western Australia. We are not complaining that other States are getting more than Victoria is receiving. Some of the smaller States must get more, but there is a very marked difference.

The Hon. SAMUEL MERRIFIELD.What is the Federal Liberal Government doing about it?

The Hon. L. H. S. THOMPSON.At odd times, of course, the Federal Government has increased the reimbursement to Victoria, and this: State is now getting a far better deal than it did under the Chifley Government. Nevertheless, it is clear that the Government has to provide a high standard of facilities with less money, and the only way to maintain those facilities is to raise additional money ourselves.

The Hon. SAMUEL MERRIFIELD.Why do you not slog the rich for once and let the poor go free?

The Hon. L. H. S. THOMPSON.I am grateful for that interjection. One of the reasons why the Bolte Government is keen on having a State

income tax is that it can be graded and adjusted according to the capacity to pay. It is a fairer tax, which can be used in a time of prosperity without increasing rates and, by and large, it is a more satisfactory and practical way of tackling the problem so that, in the future, it may not be necessary to resort to increased charges. Since the advent of uniform taxation, there has been a clear pattern which indicates that large rises have been necessary in fares, freights and hospital charges in order to avoid severe Budget deficits. As I have already stated, no Government-least of all our Government-welcomes the necessity for increasing charges. This is a burden which, everyone knows, tends to make a Government unpopular, but we feel it is right and proper, in the interests of citizens of Victoria and particularly in the interests of the future development of this State, to impose these increased charges.

Looking at the increases in railway charges over the years, we find that between 1950 and 1952 the McDonald Government found it necessary to make three separate increases in rail freights and charges. We do not criticize the McDonald Administration for that. In fact, we commend it for its courage, just as Opposition members might commend the present Government for its courage in this instance. The increases were necessary during those years to balance the Budget as the then Premier, Sir John McDonald, very carefully pointed out in his Budget for the year 1952-53-

0wing to the marked influence which transport costs have on the cost of most essential commodities, little more than half of the total cost of the increases which have occurred in wages and material prices has been passed on to the railway user. However, with the huge increase last year and the prospective heavy increase this year in railway costs outside the control of the Commissioners, and the extremely difficult situation which has developed in relation to State finance, the Government has had no alternative but to authorize substantial increases in fares and freights averaging about 35 per cent. overall. The increases in freight rates, ranging from 25


to 66! per cent., were applied from the 7th of August, and the fare increases, varying from 15 to 25 per cent. for suburban travel and 15 to 20 per cent. for country travel, were operative from the 14th of August.

The Hon. I. A. Sw1NBURNE.-Was the position in 1951 comparable with what it is to-day so far as State finances are concerned?

The Hon. L. H. S. THOMPSON.The then Treasurer was confronted with the difficult task of balancing his Budget and was forced to resort to increased charges in order to get anywhere near balancing it.

In his Budget speech for the year 1952-53, Sir John McDonald also stated-

This brings us to the core of the budgetary problem which is found in the railways. Last year the cost of operating the railways, apart from capital expenditure provided from loan funds, exceeded the revenue earned by £5,843,000. This was the railway deficit last year. In 1952-53, railway expenditure will increase by £5,596,000 to a total of £37,569,000.

On the basis of charges operating last year, the railways would have earned £25,510,000 this year, which would have left the railways with a deficit of £10,215,000, after allowing for the Treasury subsidy towards interest and sinking fund charges. This illustrates that the McDonald Government, when confronted with a somewhat similar situation to that which now obtains, resorted to similar measures.

The Hon. D. G. ELLIOT.-You have not a Budget speech by Disraeli, have you?

The Hon. L. H. S. THOMPSON.-! do not mind going back ten years. I recall that Mr. Galbally frequently goes back to the realms of Roman and Greek history, but I consider that going back to the 1950's is not unreasonable. Ten years ago the situation was somewhat similar to what it is to-day, and at that time a sirnilar remedy was applied.

The Hon. J. w. GALBALLY.-Why was no mention made of the proposed increases before the recent election?

The Hon. L. H. S. THOMPSON.There was one good reason. It so happened that the Loan Council

and Premiers' conference, which stated that Victoria would receive £5,000,000 less, met a fortnight after the election. A very convincing case was put forward in Canberra and, to the surprise of all concerned, we did not get the additionaJ £5,000,000. Had that amount been received, the increase in charges would have been of a very minor nature. The increased charges imposed by various Governments over the years indicate a definite pattern. The increases of 1950-52 were stringent ones, and there were three increases during those years. This was the obvious measure that had to be resorted to because no additional money was forthcoming from tax reimbursements. We find a similar pattern of increases in railway charges by previous Governments. They were usually around the 20 per cent. to 25 per cent. mark.

Increased charges of the order of £4,100,000 were carried by the railways without any increase in charges. Two margin increases and three basic wage increases have taken place since 1959 also with only one minor increase in charges. For example, in August, 1959, there was an increase of 28 per cent. in margins and in April, 1963, there was another increase of 10 per cent. In June, 1959, there was a basic wage increase of 15s.; in July, 1961, there was a further increase of 12s.; and, in June, 1964, another one of 20s. It is impossible to keep on absorbing increases indefinitely, as every Victorian Government over the past twenty years has discovered. A major item causing the increased charges in the railways is the basic wage and margin rises. There have been other increases relating to holiday pay, superannuation payments and so forth, but the major ones are in the particular realm which I have mentioned.

Faced with the necessity of finding an additional £8,000,000, what could the Victorian Government and the Treasury do? This is the core of the question. The sum of £8,000,000 could have been saved by stopping

148 Fares, Freights ·and [COUNCIL.] Hospital Charges.

the Police Force, hospitals and university building programmes. As another alternative the school building programme could have been reduced by £8,000,000 to £4,000,000. This would have meant that 700 classrooms would not have been built, which, in turn, would have meant that 28,000 school children would have been in unsatisfactory accommodation. I submit that no responsible Government would have taken either of those courses.

The Hon. ARCHIBALD ToDD.-Yours is an irresponsible Government.

The Hon. L. H. S. THOMPSON.When it comes to the matter of expenditure on education, it might seem to be so to the uninformed observer, but expenditure on education is a very good investment for the future of this nation. The reduction of expenditure on education by £8,000,000 would have meant the employment of 600 fewer teachers. In actuality, 2,200 new teachers are being employed this year, and 850 student teachers will have been taken on.

The Hon. J. w. GALBALLY.-ls this a pre-election speech?

The Hon. L. H. S. THOMPSON.No. Mr. Galbally asked for details and I am furnishing the requisite information. I am prepared to talk on the matter of education until I am black in the face, if needs be. When the Bolte Government attained office, the sum of £25,000,000 was spent on education in this State. I point out that the Bolte Government has spent more per pupil than any other Administration, and I, as a former teacher, am very proud of that fact.

The Hon. ARCHIBALD TODD.-The income of your Government has increased by almost 300 per cent. as compared with the Governments of former years.

The Hon. L. H. S. THOMPSON.That is true, but a generous allowance can be made for that and depreciation in the value of money, and the comparison is still most·

striking. I trust that, during the debate, the Labour Party will make some constructive suggestions as to what facilities the Government might eliminate, and not confine itself to criticizing what has been done by the Government. Obviously, an alternative course must be put forward if a different course of action is to be taken.

The Hon. P. v. FELTHAM.-Have you any figures on the railways?

The Hon. L. H. S. THOMPSON.-! have pointed out that the major reason for the increased railway charges has been wage increases amounting to approximately £4,200,000. There are other items, including increased annual leave.

The Hon. P. v. FELTHAM.-What is the revenue position put against these items?

The Hon. L. H. S. THOMPSON.-! shall come to that point. Increased annual leave has cost £350,000, long service leave £11,000, service grants and retiring gratuities £783,000, payroll tax £128,000, payments to the Commonwealth standard gauge account £141,000, superannuation £500,000, and resumption of Sunday trains £466,000. Those figures are for the two financial years 1959-60 and 1960-61. Over the four-year period since 1950-60, the total increase has been £6,600,000.

The Hon. P. v. FELTHAM.-What about the other side of the accounts, showing the revenue?

The Hon. L. H. S. THOMPSON.-In order to allow the railways to balance their budget and also to contribute the appropriate amount to debt charges of approximately £1,700,000 for the current financial year, it was necessary to increase freights by 1 O per cent., fares in the metropolitan area by 22! per cent., and fares in the country by 20 per cent.

The Hon. P. v. FELTHAM.-You are losing on freights?

Fares, Freights and (15 SEPTEMBER, 1964.] Hospital Charges. 149

The Hon. L. H. S. THOMPSON.-! shall come to that point when making a comparison with conditions in other States.

The Hon. A. K. BRADBURY.-What was the freight position last year?

The Hon. L. H. S. THOMPSON.The freight on firewood is £21 per ton under the new rates as against £27 6s. in New South Wales.

The Hon. I. A. SWINBURNE.-You know that this freight has always been cheap so that people in Melbourne could buy cheap firewood.

The Hon. L. H. S. THOMPSON.-! did not know that. The new freight on manure and superphosphate is £16 in Victoria and £29 6s. in New South Wales.

The Hon. P. v. FELTHAM.-What is the over-all position? Is there a loss on these freights?

The Hon. L. H. S. THOMPSON.-1 shall cover that point later. It is not easy to isolate these factors. All the Government can do from the Budget point of view is to see that the railways pay their way on the whole of their operations, including their recent debt charges to the Budget. This is the Government's aim.

The Hon. P. v. FELTHAM.-The Minister of State Development is suffering anguish because the Government is putting up country freights.

The Hon. V. O. DICKIE.-1 am not making a sound!

The Hon. L. H. S. THOMPSON.No Government relishes such an approach, but this has been found necessary. The freight on oats and maize in New South Wales is £32 a ton, against £22 in Victoria; on hay and straw, the figures are £35 in New South Wales and £29 in Victoria.

The Hon. I. A. SWINBURNE.-What is the mileage covered in New South Wales?

The Hon. L. H. S. THOMPSON.-1 am making a comparison of mileage rates per ton.

The Hon. I. A. SWINBURNE.-Many goods are hauled twice as far in New South Wales as in ViCtoria.

The Hon. L. H. S. THOMPSON.The figure for ton-miles performed per £1 of production in New South Wales was 2.6 compared with 1.6 in Victoria. There is a substantial difference there brought about largely by the fact that in New South Wales there is a 3d. per ton-mile charge on intra-state road transport. Members of this Parliament would tend to frown on any increase in our road charges. The general feeling has been in favour of reducing rather than inincreasing these charges.

The Hon. V. 0. D1CKIE.-ln New South Wales they are nine times heavier than in Victoria.

The Hon. L. H. S. THOMPSON.Yes. The charge is one-third of a penny a ton-mile in Victoria compared with 3d. a ton-mile in New South Wales.

It may be suggested, and I have heard it argued, that the increases would not have been necessary had the Victorian Railways been more efficient. Let us examine the situation. For the ten-year period from 1952-53 to 1962-63, the figure of contents ton-miles per ton of rollingstock capacity has gone up 31 per cent. The figure of average miles per wagon per day has increased by 31 per cent. also.

The Hon. J. M. TRIPOVICH.-What does that mean?

The Hon. L. H. S. THOMPSON.It suggests that the rolling-stock is being used to maximum capacity. Increased efficiency is evident throughout the decade from the early 1950's to the early 1960's. The average tonnage (net) per loaded wagon mile has shown a 19 per cent. improvement. The figure for contents load per goods train-mile has improved by 22 per cent.; for standing time (hours) per 1,000 trainmiles by 23 per cent.; and for contents ton-miles per employee on working expenses by 30 per cent.

150 Fares, Freights and [COUNCil...] Hospital Charges.

Let us look at the over-all picture by making a comparison with New South Wales, taking into account all the relevant factors. The Victorian performance compared with that of New South Wales is 14.3 per cent. better. Obviously, the efficiency of the railways in Victoria cannot be condemned. There is a marked superiority when a comparison is made with a railway system such as that of New South Wales, which itself is recognized as being an efficient one; anyone who travels in New South Wales appreciates that fact.

The Hon. A. K. BRADBURY.-When were passenger fares last increased?

The Hon. L. H. S. THOMPSON.Suburban passenger fares were last increased by 10 per cent. in 1960.

The Hon. A. K. BRADBURY .-Can you state the increased revenue received by the railways since that time as a result of the higher passenger fares?

The Hon. L. H. S. THOMPSON.I cannot state the figure off-hand. Allowance has been made for a 10 per cent. drop in traffic as a result of the increase.

The Hon. A. K. BRADBURY.Twelve months after passenger fares were increased, did not the then Minister of Transport, Sir Arthur Warner, state that that was the worst thing he had done, and that the railways had only broken even because the increases merely made up for those who where turned away?

The Hon. L. H. S. THOMPSON.I do not recollect Sir Arthur Warner making such a strong statement as that. In analysing these figures, one finds that there is not a great difference between the new rates in Victoria and the rates current in New South Wales. Some are above and some are below those in New South Wales.

The Hon. A. K. BRADBURY.-That does not justify the increases in Victoria.

The Hon. L. H. S. THOMPSON.New South Wales is obtaining additional revenue from the railways.

The Hon. R. W. MAY.-You are making out a case for uniformity.

The Hon. L. H. S. THOMPSON.No. I merely say that at financial conferences Victoria is expected by the Commonwealth-by the Treasury officials of the Commonwealth-and by other States, particularly the smaller States, to maintain roughly a level of taxation comparable with that of the other major industrial State, New South Wales, before it can claim additional assistance.

The Hon. R. W. MAY.-Then there ought to be uniformity in the matter of unimproved land value exemptions. In New South Wales, there is an exemption of up to £15,000.

The Hon. L. H. S. THOMPSON.That is another field which could be debated for hours. The Government has endeavoured to bring the· Victorian rates to the New South Wales level. Some are higher and some lower, but it is expected that the increased revenue will be in the vicinity of £4,000,000.

What is the general impression of experts in the economic field who have studied the present Budget and can be regarded as relatively impartial? The Age newspaper is generally accepted to be one of the best newspapers in Australia. Its editorial of the 10th September, states-

The increased taxes and charges which Victorians will have to pay the State Government this year are an unavoidable part of the price of prosperity. They are unpalatable but, in sum, they are necessary. The cost of schools and hospitals and all the other essential works and services that a modern State provides, and the public demands, has risen and it must be met. There is no doubt that we can afford it.

Finally, the leading article statesThis Budget will be remembered as the least popular and the most criticized of Mr. Bolte's career. It must be commended for having successfully bridged the gap, boldly and realistically, between revenue and expenditure this year.


The other suggestion made to avoid increases of this nature in the future related to the imposition of a State income tax. It would not necessarily avoid all future increases of this type but it might mean that the Budget could be balanced without resort to increased charges, which are never popular, and have some sort of inflationary effect on the economy. But with the existing powers and sources available to us we have no real alternative.

Another aspect of this proposal deserves commendation. Mr. R. C. Gates points out in the Australian Financial Review-

But the personal income tax has several important advantages as a source of additional State revenue.

It is closely related to ability to pay. Its yield varies automatically with increases in incomes, including increases arising from inflation.

And it would restore to the States some of their lost prestige, and perhaps make them more willing as well as more able to rely on their own resources for additions to their revenue.

The problem is to secure these gains without sacrificing the advantages of the single income tax system.

For this purpose, Mr. Bolte's proposal has obvious merit.

Numerous letters commending this proposal have been written to the daily press by people in the world of economics. There· is now a world-wide trend towards this type of tax in other countries which have a Federal system. Consider, for example, Canada and the United States of America. They are countries with comparable land masses to Australia. Other speakers will perhaps cite New Zealand and England as countries where there are unitary Governments -central Governments-and no subsidiary Governments that enjoy independence. Those are countries about the size of Victoria-100,000 square miles. Countries which compare geographically in land mass with Australia with its 3,000,000 square miles, namely, Canada and the United States of America, are moving in the direction of decentralized taxation.

For example, in 1959, 31 States out of the 50 States of America imposed a State income tax on individuals. To-day, 37 States levy State income tax.

The Hon. J. M. TRIPOVICH.-Those States provide social services, too.

The Hon. L. H. S. THOMPSON.The State taxing systems have apparently worked so well in the Dominion of Canada and in the United States of America that they have been extended in recent years. The uniform tax system which has been so enthusiastically supported by Mr. Calwell and the Labour Party through the years has very real shortcomings, because the States are hamstrung. They are forced to go, cap in hand, to Canberra each year where another Government decides how much each State needs for its Budget requirements in the ensuing year. Such a system encourages financial irresponsibility, "passing of the buck," and controversy, and has done through the years.

The Hon. SAMUEL MERRIFIELD.Do you think Mr. Menzies is trying to check that?

The Hon. L. H. S. THOMPSON.At the 1953 Premiers' conference the Prime Minister offered to give the States back their taxing rights. Some of the Premiers showed some enthusiasm, but the scheme was killed by the Labour Premiers of Western Australia and Tasmania-Mr. Hawke and Mr. Cosgrove-who flatly refused to have anything to do with the system. Despite the fact that Labour policy has been in favour of the abolition of the States, some Labour Governments have shown a sense of realism at times. For instance, in 1957 the New South Wales Labour Government joined Victoria in challenging uniform taxation in the High Court of Australia, and we would welcome the Labour Party in Victoria showing a corresponding degree . of courage and realism.


I wish to quote a letter from the Ritchie Professor of Economics, Professor Downing, which appeared in the Age of Saturday 12th September. It reads-

The Premier (Mr. Bolte) is to be sincerely congratulated on his courage in taking a most constructive step in the development of Commonwealth-State financial relations.

For success in over-all management of the economy it is essential that the bulk of revenue collection should be under the control of a single policy-making authority, which can only be the Commonwealth Government.

That Government's tax reimbursements recognize that it is the States which have the main immediate responsibility for development and welfare expenditures throughout Australia.

It is, however, for political, social and economic reasons, highly desirable that the States should have a margin of financial independence so as to leave them free to develop and expand their own regional economies.

This gives scope to the originality and initiative of State Ministers and civil servants, and permits each State to put its own individual stamp on its development and welfare policies.

It is very much to be hoped that we shall not sell this new freedom claimed for us by the Premier in return for a more generous tax reimbursement from the Commonwealth.

Rather it is to be hoped that all the other States will follow Mr. Bolte's lead.

Once again Victoria is in the van. The great advantages of uniform taxation

can be fully protected by Commonwealth legislation to the effect that tax reimbursements will continue to be paid to States who levy additional income tax provided that the rates do not exceed a prescribed maximum, and provided that they accept a uniform income assessment act and leave the Commonwealth Government to act as tax collector on their behalf.

Given these safeguards, freedom for the States to control their own marginal revenue and expenditure policies can bring nothing but good.

They are the considered opinions of one of Australia's leading economists, and I commend them to the consideration of every member of the House.

The Hon. J. M. TRIPOVICH.-Are you a State-righter?


The Hon. L. H. S. THOMPSON.-! believe in the retention of the Federal system of Government. In this modern age where educational standards are being raised and more and more people are able to participate in the affairs of Ciovernment, I consider that, in order to have a high level of democracy, power must be decentralized and not concentrated in one place-for example, in Canberra.

Summing up, it is obvious that the Victorian Government was confronted with a most difficult problem when it realized for the first time in the first week of July that it would not be receiving the additional £5,000,000 that it obtained from the Commonwealth last year. The Government has consistently pursued a policy of making provision for rapid and spectacular expansion, and it was felt that any curtailment of expenditure would automatically curtail this expansion. When the State Budget was studied to see what items largely brought about this increased expenditure, it was seen that education accounted for £7,000,000 and that hospitals, which the Minister of Health will deal with in detail later, accounted for another £1,000,000.

The Government felt morally obliged to make provision for continued expansion of those facilities and further expansion in the important field of housing. One alternative was to take money from the loan funds. However, if that policy had been adopted, the erection of important buildings would have automatically been limited. If the sum of £8,000,000 had been taken from the school construction programme, it would have resulted in 28,000 school children being provided with unsatisfactory accommodation. Therefore, despite the fact that a by-election was imminent and that increased charges would be unpopular--

The Hon. J. M. TRIPOVICH.-You did not know that a by-election was imminent.


The Hon. L. H. S. THOMPSON.That was known when the Budget was presented. Tile Government felt that in the interests of the future expansion of this State and to ensure that Victoria would remain in the vanguard of development amongst the States of the Commonwealth, it was morally obliged to impose those charges.

Sir PERCY BYRNES (NorthWestern Province) .-The Country party believes that it is proper that this motion should be debated. The subjects referred in the motion will result in seriOus increases in the cost of living and in the cost of production in Victoria. Any increases or burdens that are imposed fall most heavily on two classes of people-those who have to work to earn their living, and the primary producers. That is what is happening to-day. There is a fiction abroad that the Victorian community is so wealthy that the people can take anything that is handed out to them and that the State can still keep on progressing. That is the most unfortunate atmosphere in which we live to-day. We object to that point of view, therefore we want this matter to be thoroughly debated, not from the point of view of comparing Victoria with New South Wales or what happened ten or fifteen years ago, but from the point of view of what is happening to-day and how the people are being affected. There is no doubt that large sections of our population are being affected.

The Minister of Housing submitted a great deal of information, and it is obvious from his remarks that his Government considers that it has received a raw deal from the Commonwealth Government and for that reason has to increase State taxes. If Victoria is being treated badly by the Commonwealth Government and is not receiving its just due, that is another reason why the present debate should take place in this House. If the whole matter is ventilated, it should be of assistance and not a hindrance to this Government.

I wish to refer to the Railway Department, which was mentioned by the Minister. If ever an organization required examination, it is that Department. Figures were quoted to show the position that obtained when the McDonald Government was in office. I remind honorable members that the revenue of the State at that time was about one-third of the present revenue. Conditions are now altogether different. There is a much bigger population in Victoria than there was at that time. Since then, the primary producers have increased their production, largely for export, and to-day there is hardly one primary commodity not being produced in record quantities, and most of it is being exported. The State is somewhat wealthier as a result of those exports, but it is important that costs should be maintained at a low level.

It must not be forgotten that when the McDonald Government was in office there was a hostile Government in Canberra. To-day the Commonwealth Government is supposed to be sympathetically disposed towards the Victorian Government, and I consider that this Administration has had a pretty fair deal, much better than any previous Government. However, if the Government wants to put Victoria on an even keel, it should endeavour to have the relations between the Commonwealth and the States thoroughly examined so that we may receive a proper return. We should not be talked into doing things that are wrong if they result in our levying heavy taxes on the people. The Prime Minister is called a benevolent dictator. If he exercises such control that he can push Victoria into a corner, this Government is not doing a very good job. It is definitely failing in that regard.

The tremendous quantities of wheat and other cereals which are being exported are earning money that is resulting in the employment about which so many boasts are made. The carriage of those cereals


is returning large revenue for the railways. I should say, at a rough guess, that the wheat produced last year resulted in railway revenue of approximately £5,500,000, and that the cartage of other cereals brought in well over £1,500,000. That is about £7,000,000 in freight. Wheat and other cereals are carried in bulk and cause little trouble. Strange as it may seem, the cost of freight represents about 15 per cent. of the value of the crop. I should like anyone to indicate any manufactured commodity that pays railway freight which equals 15 per cent. of its value. However, the wheat grower has to pay that percentage, and it is now proposed to increase freight rates by 10 per cent. The wheatgrowing members of the Liberal and Country Party should talk to their constituents along those lines and see how they get on. The proposal is worse than daylight robbery. The increases have been proposed soon after an election when the electors were bulldozed by all sorts of statements which had no foundation in fact.

We boast a great deal about the prosperity of the State but, unfortunately, we are living beyond our means, primarily because we do not have sufficient backbone to state a proper case to Canberra.

The Hon. G. J. NICOL.-Who chaired the last Premiers' conference?

Sir PERCY BYRNES.-! understand that Mr. McEwen, the Deputy Prime Minister, chaired the meeting, and it is said quite openly by the members of all parties that he is the only member with any brains on the Government side of the House. It is because of Mr. McEwen's efforts that it is possible for the goods produced in Australia to be sold in every market and in every country of the world. He has put Australia on the map and enabled us to sell our primary products as well as other products.

The Hon. J. w. GALBALLY.-He should be the Prime Minister.

Sir PERCY BYRNES.-That is so.

The Hon. G. J. NICOL.-Who sold the wheat to Red China?

Sir PERCY BYRNES.-If we could sell Mr. Nicol to Red China it would be one of the best deals ever transacted by us. I consider that there should be a thorough investigation of the Railway Department. In making this suggestion, I do not wish to speak detrimentally of those who are managing the Department to-day. The problem is that the Department has grown too big for the present management, which is facing an uphill fight.

The State Electricity Commission, which is selling a commodity that everybody needs, is much more advantageously situated than the Railway Department, which is selling something that many people do not want. To a large extent, the Department seems to have tossed in the sponge, as it were. I have spoken to many railwaymen throughout the State, and it appears that the conditions of employment in the Department are extremely bad. I do not think it is entirely a question of pay; the conditions of employment in the lower echelons of the staff are extremely poor. Obviously, the members of the staff cannot put their best into the job if there is a malaise in the Department, which leads to the work being performed unsatisfactorily.

The Hon. J.M. WALTON.-The Victorian railwaymen are the lowest paid in the Commonwealth.

Sir PERCY BYRNES.-That could be so. I have heard quoted the rates of pay of assistant station masters who are responsible people and they do not seem to be highly paid. However, I am referring to the conditions of employment.

The Hon. SAMUEL MERRIFIELD.-The conditions of tramwaymen are worse.

Sir PERCY BYRNES.-That may be so. I think it is time that a complete examination of the railways


was carried out by a group of business consultants with a view to improving the service so that our railways could become an asset to the State. It is not enough to travel around the country, as the chairman of Commissioners does now and then, in order to meet deputations at various railway stations.

The Hon. I. A. SWINBURNE.-Usually he answers in the negative to requests that are made to him.

Sir PERCY BYRNES.-Usually, the chairman of the Railways Commissioners informs people that certain services will be reduced, and so on. I do not take it for granted that these various services must always be reduced or curtailed. I believe the Department has distinct possibilities. Victoria is an expanding State, with an expanding economy and, if properly managed by people with enterprise and vision, the Department could play an important part in the State's development. Unfortunately, there is no one with enterprise or vision responsible for the Department to-day. Those who are charged with the administration of the Department seem to adopt the attitude that they cannot do any better, and that the Department is going downhill, with the result that we must pay increased fares and freights, including increased wheat freights. , I admired the skilful way in which

the Minister of Housing avoided revealing to honorable members what the freight rates were. I should have thought that a man of the honorable gentleman's intelligence would be conversant with the freight rates, but it was apparent that he did not wish to disclose them because it is not a good story. I consider that the Department should be examined from top to bottom and thoroughly reorganized. If this were done, we would not be required to pay increased charges, but we would have a service which would be worth while to the State.

I shall now deal with hospital charges. I point out to honorable members that three years ago a

Country Party committee thoroughly investigated the present hospitalization scheme, payments of social service and so on, and an elaborate report was furnished to, and later adopted by, the party. It was obvious from this report that the situation which has now arisen would be encountered sooner or later. I appreciate that, to some degree, this is more a Commonwealth than a State matter, but whilst our State Minister of Health may not approve of these things, he is not very vociferous concerning them, nor is Senator Wade, the Federal Minister of Health, who is a member of the Country Party. ·

To-day, the ordinary public ward patient must pay £28 a week. Is it possible for those persons who must use the public wards to pay that amount? I appreciate that the cost of running a hospital is extremely high. The cost for a patient in an intermediate ward is from £33 to £34 a week, and for private wards, the cost ranges up to £56 a week. Patients who can afford to pay £56 a week for a private ward will no doubt continue to do so, but patients who would normally be admitted to an intermediate ward will, under the increased charges, be forced to enter a public ward.

If honorable members could realize the difficulties which to-day confront housewives who are trying to educate children, clothe families and provide fares for their husbands travelling to and from work, they would realize the problems which exist. Housewives are having a difficult time. This situation is confined not only to those whose husbands are receiving the basic wage, if there are any-probably most people earn more than the basic wage-but to the wives of persons who earn £18 to £20 a week. I do not know how they manage to live on such wages. Although the average white-collar worker, who probably earns £25 to £35 a week, may appear to be doing reasonably well, it is obvious that he, too, is confronted with certain financial


difficulties. It is our duty as members of Parliament to see that these people are not burdened with costs they cannot meet.

I am not satisfied with the atmosphere which appears to exist whereby, because there is such a lot of money about, more or less anything goes. Teenagers and those who have no responsibilities may be able to afford certain increased charges, but those who are endeavouring to rear families are finding it extremely difficult to do so. This applies particularly to persons who have two or three children at a high school or technical school. Where is the free education of which we hear so much? I do not think it exists. It is Parliament's duty to discuss these matters and, if it does not do so, honorable members are failing in their. obligations to the electors. It is our duty to protest against these increased charges.

I consider that the position should be thoroughly examined and that a strong case should be submitted to Canberra in support of Victoria's claim to be granted more favourable treatment than it has received in the past few years. Irrespective of whether it is a Government or a private individual, the day inevitably comes when the piper must be paid, as it were, for the debts that have accumulated. Sooner or later, the cash runs out. Good management is necessary. Parliament should be satisfied that this Government's management is sound and that it is absolutely essential to increase these costs.

I do not believe that the existing hospital benefits system is sound. We must get out of our minds the attitude that because there appears to be a tremendous amount of money to burn, it does not matter what the people pay for various services. Despite . the money in the savings banks, many people in the community are facing a difficult time to-day. The Government must look after these people and it must

Sir Percy Byrnes.

press the Menzies Government for greater assistance than has been given in the past. If it cannot do that, it should look for support from us, and we will supply it, even if we have to put in a new Government to do so.

The Hon. ARCHIBALD TODD (Melbourne West Province) .-1 listened with some interest to the Minister struggling to def end the action of the Government in increasing fares. I do not propose to traverse the whole gamut of financial administration of this Government. The Minister read statements by people, who, through the journalistic columns, had praised the efforts of the Bolte Government. However, I point out that some persons strongly disagree with them and that they repeat what my party has been saying for a number of years. We have been telling the Government that it has been blundering along the financial road in this State and that eventually there would be a day of reckoning. A Canberra newspaper, through its financial column and its editorial, has told Victoria quite frankly that the position in which it finds itself to-day is attributable to the financial blunders of the Premier. The Australian, the new Canberra newspaper, presented a level-headed view of the situation, and pointed out that the real reason for Victoria's plight is that under the stewardship of tlie Bolte Government over the years conditions have gone downhill.

My colleagues will discuss the financial aspect of the Government administration and will criticize the charges levied on those members of the community who are least able to afford them. The Leader of the Country Party referred to the Railway Department. I propose to devote my attention to the sister utility, the tramways Board. Sir Percy Byrnes suggested that an inquiry should be held into the Railway Department; I emphasize that there should be a Royal Commission into tfie administration of the Melbourne


and Metropolitan Tramways Board, because the Government has allowed it to run to seed.

Since 1950, passengers have left the tramways Board by the thousands and have turned to other forms of transport to travel to their places of employment. To-day the trams carry only those people who are unable to afford a better form of transport. Week by week the service becomes worse. What is the reason for this situation? The Government has failed to exercise any authority over the martinet who runs the tramways Board; he never seems to forget that he was once an Army officer.

Instead of a happy band of employees, the Board has a staff consisting of the most discontented men and women that it would be possible to obtain. The reason for this state of affairs is that there has been a complete lack of appreciation by the officers of the Board of the services being rendered to them by their employeesthere has been no conciliation in any shape or form. When the union wanted something done, it was finally forced to direct action. The chairman of the Board could not rush to the Industrial Court quickly enough to have the union fined-£1,500 in the past few days. Will that breed confidence in the administration of the Board among the employees? This state of affairs should attract the attention of the Minister of Transport.

Over the years there has been a tremendous labour turnover in the tramways Board. The only people who remain in the service are the loyal employees who have long years of service and who have qualified for long service leave and accumulated gratuities; they .cannot afford to leave the service. If they did not have those emoluments, the Board would not be able to run a transport service because there would not be sufficient running staff to operate the buses or the trams.

Let us examine the recent dispute at the Malvern depot and tie it up with the complete lack of sympathy by the Board with the plight of its employees. We must remember that the people in the roster room and those above them work a five-day week and enjoy a comfortable spread of hours. But the operating employees who work to the rosters devised by these " birds " in the roster room, do not know what it is to have a five-day week or an eight-hour day. They cannot spend eight hours consecutively with their families. Over the years conditions have consistently worsened. To-day there are no vacancies for employment in the head office of the tramways Board, but it is safe to say that 300 outside employees could be placed to-morrow. These employees cannot be obtained because the conditions in the service are so bad-they compare with those existing in relation to the railways as instanced by Sir Percy Byrnes.

It is the prime responsibility of the Government to supervise the work of the public servants it employs to administer public utilities. I suggest that, over the past nine years, very little interest has been demonstrated in the work of the tramways Board by the responsible Minister or the Government. The tramways Board has been allowed to run along at leisure, reducing the service to the public and avoiding the obligation to recruit more staff. I am a firm believer in a good industrial relationship between employer and employee. To develop that relationship there cannot be a one way traffic, there must be give and take. The employer must be prepared to give as well as take; on occasions he must be prepared to consider the needs of the employees and the reason for the discontent that sometimes becomes apparent in the service.

It is apparent that there is no give and take with the tramways Board. A simple request is pooh-poohed and the statement is simply made, "You must do this before we consider


that." That is no solution to a problem. The tramways union and the members who belong to it-the outside staff of the tramways Board -play an important part in the functions of the Board. Their needs should be considered by the Board in a fair and amicable manner at all times.

On the 14th May, this year, a union deputation met the Board in relation to seven minor matters, most of which affected safety. In private enterprise these matters would be dealt with between the management and the shop steward, but the union had to form a deputation. It is difficult to believe, but it was three and a half months before the Board furnished a reply to the union. I have seen the correspondence from the stage of the Board's agreeing to receive the deputation, to the final decision of the Board to the union. That illustrates the co-operation the union obtains from the tramways Board. I do not speak in a hearsay manner because day after day I travel with the tramway crews, who have been in the service of the Board for years, and I know that the complaints they make are genuine.

The dispute at the Malvern depot related to an alteration of rosters. To understand rosters, we must understand something of the tramways system.

The Hon. V. 0. DICKIE.-How does this relate to the adjournment motion?

The Hon. ARCHIBALD TODD.-1 shall explain to the Minister who has lately been elevated to Cabinet rank, that it is the duty of the Government to see that the state of affairs which now exists within the Melbourne and Metropolitan Tramways Board should not occur, and if the Government had been doing its duty, the tramways service would be efficient instead of being a run-down organization.

The Hon. v. o. DICKIE.-1 only asked a simple question.

The Hon. ARCHIBALD TODD.The honorable gentleman should not have asked it; he should have had enough intelligence to understand the positio~. The Malvern depot serves a tramway network in its particular district. There are 118 tables within that depot. A table is the spread of hours worked by a particular crew. Of those 118 tables, 63 relate to broken shifts. A broken shift is one where a crew commences work as early as 6 a.m., spends a few hours on the road, is stood down for three or four hours and then returns to work. The day in some instances extends over a period of eleven and a half hours. Naturally any extension of the stand-off period between the morning spread and the afternoon spread is not appreciated by the employees-they like to finish their shift in a short time and be done with it.

The new roster at Malvern was posted on a Friday, presumably so that little notice would be taken of it over the week-end. Although it was posted within the period prescribed by the award, it was done to avoid detailed observation by the crews. The crews immediately objected and asked that the Board receive a deputation. The roster chief agreed to receive Mr. O'Shea and the shop delegate. The roster committee, consisting of four people at the Malvern depot, asked to be present because they knew the facts. The Board refused their request. What earthly reason was there for the Board declining to hear four people who had a knowledge of the subject? Ministers who have had experience in receiving deputations would not regard half a dozen individuals as a cumbersome deputation, but the Board did so.

One thing led to another, and then there was the stoppage. The people at the Malvern depot merely wanted to work the old roster until they had an opportunity to discuss thel.r grievance with the Board. The alteration of a roster is not a life or death matter; it could have stood


over for a month with very little difference to the operation of the service. The Government should give the lead to the community, but there was no conciliation from the Board. The attitude was: "Work the new rosters and we will talk with you."

Anyone with common sense knows that when a state of affairs is accepted, it is difficult to have it amended. One can understand the views of the people at the Malvern depot who got such short shrift when the Board said, " We are not going to talk to you." Is it not reasonable for the men to say to the Board, " Let us work under the old rosters until we are able to talk to you "? If the Board had adopted that attitude, the men would have probably been in a much better frame of mind to accept any changes, because the Board might have had the opportunity to make out a case. But it was not prepared to do so; all it wanted to do was to grind the heel on the men.

The employees at the Malvern depot had reached the stage where they were forced to the position of holding a stoppage on the Monday, and the chairman of the Board could not get to the court quickly enough to have the union fined. The union would not go to court, because it knew that if it did so it would be merely going through the motions of achieving justice. There was no form of justice available there. The men could not get justice for their case because they wanted to work the old rosters until the matter had been resolved. So the union is £1,500 poorer, and another cancer exists among the employees of the Melbourne and Metropolitan Tramways Board.

All of the blame lies directly at the feet of the Government, and the Minister of Transport is not entirely free from blame in this matter. I understand that the Trades Hall Council asked the Minister to intervene to see if he could have work resumed on the old rosters until the men could tfl lk to the Board, but the

honorable gentleman refused to do so. He could not even use a little common sense. His already waning popularity as Minister of Transport, as shown in the last election, went down further. He had the opportunity of re-establishing himself ~y telling the military gentleman m Bourke-street and his assistant, Eakins, " I believe it would be a good thing if you conceded this little point to the men. Let them return to work on the old rosters, receive their deputation and hear their argument against the new rosters."

It is not possible to get anything from this Government. Its members are content to let the show run to seed. We have not seen a new 41-seater bus on the road for years. A new service has been promised for the Footscray route for a long time. It was said, "You will have a twoman service when it is justified." To-day all the rattle traps run on the Footscray route to Sunshine and other places. They are the things we complain of. On top of that the Board has the audacity to ask the unfortunate worker, who cannot afford any other form of transport, to pay more in fares.

There is a crying need for an investigation into the affairs of the Melbourne and Metropolitan Tramways Board. There is a need for the public to know how much money has been wasted, with the approval of the Government, in jaunts overseas to recruit for the Board employees, who never remain more than a week in the Board's service. Those are the things we want to know. How much money has been wasted year after year in training and outfitting employees who never remain in the service more than a few months? Constantly week after week, employees leave, and there is a need to train new men. We have no idea of the thousands of pounds that have been wasted in these ways instead of pursuing a course of providing better working conditions to attract men into the tramways service. Those are the things that count.


In the years to come, probably the parking problem will have a major effect on the movement of our popu]ation, and many people will revert to the use of public transport, but they will not go back to the Board's services while they are run down and it is altering rosters all the time to reduce the headway. There could be a period of twenty minutes between trams to-day; to-morrow the interval could be 25 minutes; and next week it could be 30 minutes. Finally trams could. run every hour. On Sunday mormngs on the Port Melbourne line, there is one bus every half an hour and the taxis do a roaring trade, simply because the Melbourne and Metropolitan Tramways Board cannot see further than its nose and does not want to bestir itself because it is managing quite happily under the present Administration.

I aver that the Government is responsible for every stoppage that occurs within the Melbourne and Metropolitan Tramways Board over rosters. It is morally responsible for the Malvern depot stoppage, because it did not tell the Board that it ought to conciliate properly with the men and talk to them. I gave the House an example. It took the Board three and a half months to reply to seven simple requests that should not have taken more than a couple of hours to decide. On top of that the Government says to the people, "You have to pay more in fares." What about making the service a little more attractive? What about making it a little easier for the people who receive small wage envelopes to get along? I move among these people; I live amongst them and I know their problems. On some lines it will cost as much as 5s., 1 Os. or l 5s. a week out of the workers' pay envelopes to travel to and from their employment.

The trade union movement puts a case to the court for an increased wage, for a share of this so-called prosperity in this affluent society. What happens? So far as the people I represent are concerned, the ordinary people with large families on

The Hon. Archibald Todd.

the bottom level-the Minister knows something about those people-and the others who are buying homes, every penny that is wrenched from them means a tightening of the belt.

So, Mr. President, I say that we are justified in condemning the Government. We had some inkling of these projected fare rises before the election, and I asked a question in this House, " Would the rises be announced before the election?" Of course, nobody knew anything about them, but I am firmly convinced that it was well known in inner Government circles that there would be a rise in fares after the election. Probably it was all worked out because it came forward much too easily.

Before I conclude, I repeat that there ought to be an immediate inquiry, either by the Committee of Public Accounts, a Select Committee of Parliament or a Royal Commission, into the full administration of the Melbourne and Metropolitan Tramways Board and its position in the State of Victoria. We ought to look at the administration by the Government because after all the Government and the Minister of Transport are responsible for these things. We ought to know how much time and attention is being given to their duties by senior officers. We ought to tell the tramways Board that we expect it to promote happy relations with its employees. We do not want the Board to go down on its knees to the employees, and they do not expect it. But they do expect to be treated like human beings and not automatons, which is how the Board treats them to-day. It says, "Work the new rosters or else. Then we will talk to you."

If there had been the slightest spark of conciliation on the part of the Melbourne and Metropolitan Tramways Board in Little Collins-street there would have been no stoppage at the Malvern depot, and the public would not have been inconvenienced. It is only right that we should seek

Fares, Freights and (15 SEPTEMBER, 1964.] Hospital Charges. 161

through the columns of the press to let the travelling public know that it is not the men, the crews on the job, who are morally responsible for the stoppage. It is the "seat warmers "in Little Collins-street who are responsible. Let the press lay the blame at the feet of the administrators of the Board, not at the feet of the crews of the Malvern depot. This is not something new; it has been going on for years.

The only period during which we had some con cilia ti on was under the regime of the Cain Government. All honorable members remember the 41-seater bus dispute. The then Minister of Transport, who is no longer a member of the Labour Party, did not recognize the rights of the union, but the Government was prepared to appoint an arbitrator, whose recommendations favoured the union. Those are the kinds of things that breed good spirit in the employees of a public utility. Let us be fair to the tramway men. Some of them work very long hours in the shifts they perform. They cannot go home during the period when they are standing by on a broken shift. They have to lounge about the depot or wander away somewhere and return when they are due to take out a bus or tram. I am proud to stand here and put a case on behalf of the tramwaymen. I think they have had a raw deal over rosters and the sooner they get a fair go the better.

The Hon. I. A. SWINBURNE (North-Eastern Province). - The motion before the Chair deals with three matters-railway freights, railway fares and hospital charges. My Leader, Sir Percy Byrnes, dealt with two matters, and I think they are the most important so far as members of the Country Party are concerned.

When the Minister of Housing was making his speech, some honorable members endeavoured by many interjections to ascertain the actual profit made on freight charges in this State. The Minister read for some 20 minutes from

Session 1964.-8

various references; he read all sorts of mileage rates; he mentioned how much trucks carried, how long they stayed in places, how much they travelled, and so forth; he gave many statistics, but he did not deal with the fundamental fact of the profits.

I understand that last financial year a profit of about £4,000,000 was made on railway freights in this State, and that there was a loss of about £2,500,000 on country passenger services and of about £3,000,000 on suburban passenger services. The Minister kept skirting around the question and would not come to the point. An analysis of the figures shows that the Railway Department has practically balanced its budget.

An increase in freights has two effects. It taxes people who are already paying sufficient to enable a profit to be made, and, as I have said, the amount of traffic carried by the Victorian railway system enabled it to show a profit last year of approximately £4,000,000. As Sir Percy Byrnes pointed out, much of that was obtained from the transport of grain by an efficient system of bulk handling of grain from silo to silo. The Government is prepared further to increase the burden on those who cannot pass it on to anybody else. This will result in an increase in the cost of production at a time when all our national leaders are asking us to produce more and thereby reduce production costs. A 10 per cent. increase in freight charges will have to be met by every primary producer and also by every user of any commodity carried by the railways in the State, and it will affect every worker, businessman and professional man living outside the metropolitan area.

The Hon. R. J. HAMER.-And in the metropolitan area.

The Hon. I. A. SWINBURNE.-It will not affect the user in the metropolitan area so much as it does the country user of commodities such as groceries and other goods which are manufactured in the metropolitan area.


The amazing fact revealed by the speech of the Minister of Housing was that Victoria is trying to copy New South Wales. It was stated that it was necessary for Victorian freights and fares to be in some sort of proportion to those of New South Wales. Why? Was that Mr. Bolte's idea as Treasurer of Victoria, or was it Mr. Holt's idea as Treasurer of the Commonwealth? It seems that every time the Treasurer goes to Canberra for a Premiers' conference, Mr. Holt says to him, "You are not taxing your people as much as New South Wales, and you will h~ve to do so." The Minister for Local Government is nodding his head. Apparently Mr. Holt is the Treasurer of this State.

The Hon. v. 0. DICKIE.-Mr. McEwen makes a similar contribution, too.

The Hon. R. J. HAMER.-Call it the Federal Government.

The Hon. I. A. SWINBURNE.Apparently the point I was making has been proved. This demand comes from the Federal Treasury, not from the State Treasury. Interstate goods traffic is not to be subjected to increased charges. There will be no increase in respect of goods carried on the standard gauge line constructed between Melbourne and Albury, yet the aim is to achieve uniformity with New South Wales. If the cost of transporting goods from the other side of the River Murray to Sydney is higher than the cost from Victoria to Sydney, why does the Government not allow increases on goods carried on the standard gauge line'?

An extremely difficult problem arises in areas bordering the River Murray. Every ton of general merchandise carried on the railways to Albury is carried at a flat rate of approximately £5 per ton. The reason for this is to enable the railways to compete with road transport. The result is that a large percentage uf goods which are to be delivered in parts of northern Victoria are taken interstate by train, unloaded,

and then put on to road transports and brought back to Victorian towns. ln spite of all this handling, a profit is still shown.

Since this system has been instituted, goods have been transported by rail over the border and then brought to Myrtleford by motor truck at a cost cheaper than previously. As a result of the system, consignments to Myrpeford railway station have fallen by 50 per cent., and the extra impost of 10 per cent. will cause a further dedine. Why are goods to be carted from Melbourne to Sydney at the same rate as previously? The problem that should be overcome in the northern part of the State will be intensified. As a result of the I 0 per cent. increase, it will be possible for goods to be carted at a profit for another 50 miles back from Albury. The amount of traffic carried on Victorian lines apart from the interstate line to Sydney will be reduced and more goods will be forced on to the standard gauge line for transport to New South Wales and return to Victoria by road transport.

The previous Minister of Transport, Sir Arthur Warner, was endeavouring to overcome this problem. The new increases in general Victorian rates without an increase in interstate rates will cause the problem to become worse. This will affect decentralized industries, which are a responsibility of the new Minister of State Development. Increased freights will have the effect of putting the costs of these industries further and further out of proportion compared with those of their city competitors. That is why the Government will not get the increased revenue it hopes for if it continues its policy of increasing rates on the scale proposed at present. Unless this problem is closely examined people in country areas will find themselves in a serious plight.

My colleague Mr. Bradbury stated, by interjection, that increased fares would result in the reduction of the


number of people travelling on the trains. I know that since the last increases in fares on the north-eastern line the carriages have been half empty on most trips as very few passengers travel. We know that the present proposal will increase the existing second-class fares to the present first-class rate. That will encourage more and more people to travel by motor car. At the present time it is almost as cheap to travel alone by car from my home town to Melbourne and back again as it is to pay the railway fare. Instead of relieving road congestion, the Government will drive more and more people to road travel. As was proved by figures quoted by Sir Arthur Warner, this will not result in any increased revenue to the railways.

I consider that the burden of finding increased revenue to overcome the difficulties of the Government in bridging the £8,000,000 gap should never have been placed on the railways because of the economic difficulties such a policy creates. This hampers the development of the State. I know that other avenues have been used also, but in my opinion it is false economy to raise fares for travel to the outer parts of the State. This will only increase the burden on the people and will not result in the revenue increase expected.

I know that the Minister of Housing has two great ambitions in life. One is to advance education facilities and the other is to provide all families with homes of their own. I give him full credit for both ambitions. Nevertheless, I think he should pay due regard to where the Government is going with its financial policies. I agree that we must do the best we can so far as education is concerned. It has been stated that this Government has increased expenditure on education from £27,000,000 to £70,000,000. Because of the rapid increase in population after the second world war, it was known years ago that increased expenditure on education would be needed. I think figures were produced in 1950

or 1951 showing that the peak would be reached in 1963 or 1964. However, it was not known at that time that the cost of building class-rooms or high schools as completed units would be twice as great in 1964 as in 1950. If the Minister of Housing cares to examine the relevant figures, I am sure he will find that costs have nearly doubled. Therefore, the comparison between the expenditure of £27,000,000 in the 1950's and £70,000,000 to-day is completely out of balance.

In regard to providing homes for every family in the State, I point out to the Minister that after those people in the lower income group have met all the increased charges they will find that they are unable to keep their children at school beyond the age of fifteen or sixteen years. More and more young people will be thrown on to the labour market in an endeavour to keep a roof over the heads of the family. Unless these young people are sent out to earn money at an early age, their parents will have no possibility of meeting the demands on them under the home ownership plans of the Government. Therefore, I urge the Government to consider where it is going in order that it will not continue to levy charges on the people least able to bear them.

I now wish to speak on the subject of hospital charges, a matter that was covered by my Leader. I know that the Minister of Health will be concerned with the outcome of the proposed increases. A big percentage of the patients in hospitals, whether in the country or the metropolitan area, come from the middle, and lower income groups. It will be found that they will not be able to pay the increased rates, and more and more of them will seek admittance to public wards instead of intermediate or private wards. The result will be that when the accounts of hospitals are presented to the Minister greater deficits will be shown, and he will be called upon to pay more in maintenance to overcome these difficulties.


I know a little about hospital finance because I am associated with the bush nursing scheme, and I am aware of the problems which result each time there is an increase in charges. Those who administer the hospitals request more maintenance money from the Government. That is what will happen in this instance. Instead of increased revenue being received as a result of the Government's proposal, it will be found that the Government will be called upon to pay out more money to hospitals. Yet the efficient hospitalization of which we have become very proud in Victoria will not be provided. The Government's proposal will result in greater expenditure and will at the same time reduce the services available to the public. ·

The Hon. J. M. TRIPOVICH (Doutta Galla Province) .-I wish to associate myself with this adjournment motion and to reply to some of the remarks of the Minister of Housing. Of course, the Minister broadened the debate by discussing the basis of uniform taxation. He outlined its history and effect. Uniform taxation has definitely prejudiced this State. This is so because of the low rates of taxation that were imposed on the people of Victoria when inadequate social services were provided by Administrations prior to the introduction of the uniform taxation system. I do not propose to enter into a discussion of uniform taxation except to say that uniform taxation must continue in Australia if the smaller States are to be assisted. That is the penalty that has to be paid, but it does not divorce the Premier of this State from the responsibility of going to Canberra and seeking justice for Victoria, just as the Premier of New South Wales does for his State.

I want to answer briefly the Minister of Housing on the question of education. He quoted the expenditure of the State on this service, which is one he is very keen on, as we all are. However, I urge him not to decry the effort of New South

Wales in relation to education. During previous debates I quoted figures to this House which reveal the position, but I cannot find references at the moment. However, on the 18th September last, I asked questions relating to the total amount of money Victoria spends on education, the number of State schools in existence and the number of pupils enrolled.

Taking identical figures from the answers that were given to me, and comparing them with the New South Wales figures, it is clear that we spend exactly 3d. per week per pupil. more than New South Wales does. When the density of population of New South Wales is compared with that of Victoria, I say that more is being done in New South Wales than is being done in this State. New South Wales has fought for special consideration, but it has applied taxation in that State year by year to obtain more money to finance development. I should like to examine what New South Wales has done. Under a Labour Government up to 1962-63, 63,000 Commission homes which house 270,000 people were erected in New South Wales. Does that not compare more than favourably with the Victorian effort? This Government has not maintained the housing figures which were being achieved before it came into office. So far as education is concerned, the New South Wales Labour Government has increased State school accommodation by the erection of 12,089 classrooms between 1946 and 1962.

The Hon. MURRAY BYRNE.-Do you support poker machines?

The Hon. J. M. TRIPOVICH.Has Mr. Byrne seen poker machines operating?

The Hon. MURRAY BYRNE.-Yes. The Hon. J. M. TRIPOVICH.-Has

he looked at the clubs in which they operate?

The Hon. MURRAY BYRNE.-Yes. The Hon. J. M. TRIPOVICH.-Has

Mr. Byrne also looked at the highways and bridges in New South


Wales, and the standard of the railways in the State? When one starts to compare what has been achieved in New South Wales with what has been achieved in Victoria, it is clear that we are absolutely behind the times, regardless of poker machines. The New South Wales Government has increased the number of high schools from 46 to 157, and the number of first and second-class primary schools from 85 to 683. Whereas in 1941 there were only 337,073 children in 2,608 schools, in 1963, there were 637,000 pupils in 2,708 schools. What this Government has achieved has been due not to the administration of the Government, but to a population explosion. It is clear that in the education field, Victoria, when compared with New South Wales, is lagging sadly behind.

The Labour Government in New South Wales has established the University of Technology, now the University of New South Wales, the University of New England, and the Newcastle University College, and it has increased payments from Consolidated Revenue to universities to £5,200,000, compared with £675,000 in 1950-51. When that is compared with what was contained in a letter read in another place recently, the sorry record of this Government in regard to what has been done in university education is made clear.

The Minister of Health was rightly proud of having opened at Keilor the other day, Victoria's 149th baby health centre. According to a document in my possession, the New South Wales Labour Government has subsidized the establishment of 393 baby health centres. An examination of road works and some of the other works, particularly when bearing in mind the fact that some Government members were with us recently when we looked at the Gladesville bridge, is also interesting. In 1962, New South Wales established a road building programme involving expenditure of £154,000,000, of which £100,000,000 was allocated for country roads, and

£54,000,000 for the city. What have we got in Victoria? We have 4 miles of freeways, of which 1 ~ miles is still under repair.

What is the position when we endeavour to obtain information from this Government? Recently, I was anxious to obtain access to certain figures in order that I might test what it is alleged caused the Government to increase fares and freights to the extent proposed. We should like to examine the case put up by the Railways Commissioners or the facts and figures which the. Government studies to make these increases and to claim that if the freights and fares are not increased, the educational programme will have to be curtailed. I am sorry that the Minister concerned is not an observer in this House at the moment-he was here earlier. Rightly, I telephoned the Minister's secretary and said, "Can we have access to this information?" and he replied, "I do not know whether you can get that." Why cannot we obtain this information? Why must we undertake our own research into these matters? As Her Majesty's Opposition, are we not entitled to study the Government's case for imposing increases of 22 per cent. on fares?

It was alleged that, because of the high cost of wages, particularly the £1 a week increase in the basic wage, and because the Government needed extra money for the education programme, without which it would have to close up certain schools, the whole of the railway accounting system must be altered. Once again the Department must carry its own interest charges. I recollect the former Minister of Transport saying that it was not right that the Department should meet interest charges. When the honorable gentleman pointed out that no railway system in the world to-day was operating at a profit and that the railways should not have to carry interest charges, all Government members nodded in agreement.


The Hon. G. J. N1coL.-lt is only int~rest charges over the last few years.

The Hon. J. M. TRIPOVICH.-The Minister did not say that. He said that having regard to modern accounting practices, the railways should not have to bear interest charges; that they should have to meet only operating costs. The honorable gentleman admonished my friends in the corner by saying that the railways-he claimed to have no control over them-were the plaything of politics, and that it was completely unfair for the Department to meet interest charges if they were to operate on a business footing.

I should like to direct the Government's attention to the annual report

·of the Railways Commissioners for the year ended 30th June, 1963, and to compare the staff statistics for the years 1962 and 1963. An examination of the relevant figures reveals no major differences. As a matter of fact, in 1962 there were 29,946 members of the staff, and in 1963, the staff was 28,911, or approximately 1,000 less. I am particularly interested in the reduction of staff of 1,000. An examination of the various branches within the Department reveals that in the secretary's branch there were 208 members on the staff in 1960, compared with 220 in 1962, and 227 in 1963. The total staff in the accountancy branch has increased from 628 to 651 during this period.

Without wearying honorable members with the exact figures, I point out that the total staff position in the stores, rolling-stock, traffic, commercial, electrical, and refreshment services branches remained basically the same. However, the total number of staff in the way and works branch decreased from 8, 196 in 1962, to 7,167 to-day. I emphasize that this branch is responsible for the condition of the railway tracks. I ask the Government whether this fact has anything to do with derailments. Have the Railways Commissioners been asked any questions on this

point? The Minister has stated that trains are now loaded more heavily and travel faster than ever before, but I point out that the track maintenance staff has decreased by 1,000. Did the Minister say that that was the cause of the recent derailments? I recall that Mr. May or Mr. Bradbury asked the costs involved for a certain derailment in his district where a number of trucks were involved. The Leader of the House informed the honorable member that the figures were not available.

Let us examine the 59 derailments that have occurred. Would the cost average £100 per derailment. Some of them have involved the derailment of eight or ten trucks which were not only cast off the line but also from bridges into creek beds. Many of these trucks were loaded with valuable merchandise. I have been through the Commissioners' report but I cannot find the cost of claims paid on those consignments. Have not such costs increased by some millions of pounds? What about the overtime that has been worked in dealing with these derailments? Is there any record of that? When the Government discontinued quarterly cost-of-living adjustments in 1953, it stated that it was going to stabilize the economy. The basic wage calculated on the " C " series index in 1953, has risen from £11 15s. to what should be £16 7s. at present. I have yet to learn that that result means stabilization.

The working expenses for the Railway Department in 1960 amounted to £27,662,114, whereas in 1963 they were £30,607,736, an increase of about £3,000,000. Does that increase necessitate a 22 per cent. rise in fares? I desired to obtain figures which could be tested, but the Government would not make any information available. I do not blame the Commissioners for this state of affairs. I asked one of the Commissioners how he justified his case, and he replied that he had submitted a report to the Minister. Am I not entitled to some information, or must


I laboriously ask questions in this House, as I have done previously and to which I have received answers which were untruths. The Government has not justified to my satisfaction an increase of 22 per cent. in fares. The Minister of Transport will no doubt inform members of the Government party-the previous Minister was frank enough to inform honorable members in this Housethat the Government's action will result in fewer and fewer people travelling on the trains and in greater financial losses being incurred.

I now wish to say something about the revenue that this Government has had available to it over the past four years. As my Leader has said, the Premier is now in a position of his own making due to his stupidity in the method of budgeting which has brought him to the stage where he has not only to compare taxes with every other State but also to scrape the bottom of the barrel and go from State to State asking, " What can I tax next? " A cartoon appeared recently in the newspapers depicting a raft landing on the Queensland coast and the Premier saying, "I wish we had it in Victoria. We could whack a tax on it."

In the financial year 1959-60, Victoria had available to it £168,000,000 from revenue and £52,000,000 from loan funds, a total of about £220,000,000. In 1960-61, revenue increased by approximately £17,000,000 to £185,000,000, and with loan funds of approximately £52,000,000 the total available amounted to about £237,000,000. In the financial year 1961-62, revenue again increased to £196,000,000 and loan moneys to £53,000,000, a total of £249,000,000. In addition, Victoria received a special allocation of £1,800,000 from the Federal Government. The New South Wales Government received a similar allocation. It did not treat this as revenue; it increased taxation in accordance with its needs. In 1962-63, the Victorian revenue increased by approximately £11,000,000

to £207,000,000 which, together with £55,000,000 of loan moneys, made a total of £262,000,000. On this occasion, Victoria received a special allocation of £3,700,000 from the Commonwealth Government. New South Wales received a similar allocation because the Federal Government was endeavouring to overcome the unemployment situation. The New South Wales Government did not use this special allocation tu balance its Budget; again, it increased taxation in accordance with its needs. The Victorian Government did not take any such action; it relied on receiving a handout from the Federal Government in future years.

In the year 1963-64, Victorian revenue again increased to £222,000,000 which with loan moneys of £59,000,000 made the total sum of £281,000,000 available to the Government. On this occasion, the Federal Government made a special allocation of £5,800,000 to Victoria, as it did to New South Wales. This was the Federal Government's contribution towards curing the unemployment situation which existed prior to the last Federal election. The New South Wales Government did not use its allocation to balance its Budget, as did the Victorian Government; again, it increased taxation. The reason why the Victorian Government is so far behind in its finances is that it has paid nearly £11,000,000 of special grants into revenue in order to balance its Budget without increasing taxes prior to a State election. Now that the special grants from the Commonwealth Government have been cut off, the Victorian Government has to increase charges.

It is all very well for the Government to say that, if it does not have more money available to it, education will suffer, but an examination of Hansard will reveal that on numerous occasions Mr. Merrifield criticized the Government on its Budget proposals, as did Mr. Galbally. The Government is the victim of its own neglect, and the ordinary wage


earners will have to foot the bill through increased taxes and charges after an election. When the Government wiped out quarterly cost-ofliving adjustments it claimed that it would give Victoria stability. Following every wage adjustment, there has been a general increase in prices. If an ordinary businessman acted in the way this Government has acted, he would not only be admonished by the court but also be put in gaol.

At their inquiry in February, the Arbitration Commissioners determined the basic wage issue on increased productivity and prices. They arrived at the conclusion that the economy of Australia could afford to raise the standard of living and the workers were given an increase of £1 a week; but three weeks later these workers lost 25s. through price increases. I warn the Government that if it wishes to continue with budgeting of this type, the demonstration that was held outside this House to-day was nothing to what will occur in the fui:ure. I offer the Government no sympathy; I stand in defence of the workers. The Government has led the spiral of inflation by attempting to make every Government Department pay its way. From the country point of view, Mr. Swinburne has clearly shown to-night that this cannot be done in relation to railways and it cannot be done in education.

I believe it is now the policy of this Government to charge for electricity which was formerly supplied free to canteens to enable mothers to heat pies to provide the children with hot meals.

The Hon. ARCHIBALD TODD.-No charge is made for power to General Motors.

The Hon. J. M. TRIPOVICH.-That is so, and it matters nothing that the Government can subsidize Alcoa at Geelong. There is also to be charged a royalty of 3d. a ton on the Government brown coal mined at Yallourn, but what about royalties for the privately-mined brown coal? This

Budget is a hotch-potch affair, with the Premier and the Government meandering from crisis to crisis. It has put into revenue money received from the Commonwealth in order to balance the Budget. Now there is to be a steep increase in State taxes. The demonstration that occurred outside Parliament to-day was nothing to what will occur in the future, and I shall be with the demonstrators.

The Hon. D. G. ELLIOT (Melbourne Province) .-I have listened with interest to the statement of the Minister of Housing, and I am prompted to crystallize some of the important features that have been raised from this, the Opposition, side of the Chamber. I shall ask the Government some questions right from the shoulder: First, before the elections conducted in Victoria this year, did the Government know what the 1964-65 commitments would constitute? If not, it is not fit to govern. Secondly, if so-naturally it would be so, otherwise the Government would be guilty of no forward planning, for which it has already become famous-why did it not tell the people'? The answer is also obvious. There was deliberate deceit on the part of the Government. Thirdly, did the Government have any information that the credit squeeze hand-out by the Federal Government would not be duplicated? Even the cockatoos at the zoo were screeching out the answer to that question. Of course the Government knew, and it is sheer hypocrisy to say that it did not know. Fourthly, if the Government states that it has made a study of the State finances only in the six weeks since the election, it is either guilty of culpability or it is telling blatant lies.

The Minister of Housing is an exteacher and has a knowledge of the educational requirements of this State. Mr. Downer, the Federal Minister for Immigration, is reported at page 1217 of Federal Hansard of 19th September, 1963, as having said:-

1 invite honorable members to direct their minds to this alleged parsimony on the part of the Commonwealth, this alleged

F(Jres, Freights and [15 SEPTEMBER, 1964.] Hospital Cliarges. 169

starvation of the States, this pauperization, and to recall what the Premier of Victoria said recently when he introduced that State's current budget. Was this a song of sorrow by Mr. Bolte?

This is only last year. Was this a lamentation that there was so little money for education? Was this a tirade against the Commonwealth? Not a bit of it.

In other words, he was saying in unequivocal fashion that Mr. Bolte was more than satisfied with the hand-out of the Federal Government in relation to education. I now quote from the official publication of the Victorian Teachers' Union, the Teachers' Journal of June, 1964, which states-

In 1960, the Australian Education Council of which the Victorian Minister and director are members, issued an authoritative document entitled A Statement of Some Aspects of Australian Education. This statement, based on official figures, emphasized the urgent needs of State education services and was the basis of a special appeal to the Federal Government for additional help.

With Victoria badly needing more money, with class-rooms and teachers in short supply, and local parent organizations expected to provide more and more money for both grounds and buildings, Mr. Bolte could have been expected to give his support to the other Premiers in their appeal.

They wanted more money for all sections of their education services, but our Victorian Premier contented himself with a special plea for help for technical schools, apparently trying to convey the impression that all other sections of Victorian schools were in perfect condition and needed no more help.

Since then the Australian Education Council has brought this document up to date, and when the revised version was released to the public in December, 1963, it pointed to the need for at least an extra £20,000,000 each year for the next four years over and above the present rate of spending.

Mr. Bolte has been strangely silent and apparently has no wish to embarrass Sir Robert Menzies, even though his own education Minister, Mr. Bloomfield, was one of those who authorized the publication of this alarming report.

Yet another report has been prepared and presented to the Bolte Governmentthe report of the committee investigating Victoria's university needS".

I quote this article because of the outcry from the Government about what it has to do to provide for

the educational needs of Victoria. Here is written evidence that its planning is almost negligible-and that is how it is from year to year as the minimum requirement presents itself. The statement continues-

In fact, the Bolte Government has been quite content to allow the Federal Government, through the Australian Universities Commission, to determine in detail, what university accommodation will be available to Victorian students.

The development of Monash University has been geared directly to Federal grants, with the Bolte contribution fixed at a pound for pound basis and not a penny more.

The smug complacency of the Bolte Government was seized upon in the Federal Parliament on 19th September, 1963, when the Federal Government was anxious to reject a labour-sponsored motion for a Federal inquiry into all aspects of education couched in almost the same terms as the request of State Premiers for such an inquiry in 1961.

Once again reference is made to the statement of Mr. Downer-

Mr. Downer, then Minister for Immigration, in arguing that the States were well satisfied with Commonwealth efforts in education, relied heavily on the attitude of Mr. Bolte. Referring to Mr. Bolte's Budget statement on education, he said:

"Was this a song of sorrow by Mr. Bolte? Was this a lamentation that there was so little money for education? Was this a tirade against the Commonwealth? Not a bit of it."

The refusal of the Bolte Government to develop any long-term educational objectives, and its inability to demand adequate Commonwealth assistance to achieve such objectives is the greatest single barrier to planned educational development in this State.

The Minister of Housing has the gall to defend the Government's attitude on education. Once again it is rank hypocrisy. He quoted editorials tonight from the Age, the greatest Tory newspaper in the Commonwealth of Australia. In by-gone days it had the decency to support Labour, but now it can be wiped off as an epistle of complete reactionaries.

I have here an editorial by the Australian. We know that at the head of that newspaper is Mr. Rupert Murdoch, who, from time to time, is capable of being frank with respect to politics. He is fairly neutral. In

170 . Fares, Freights and [COUNCIL.] Hospital Charges.

his college days he handed out tickets for the Labour Party, but he has changed his politics as the years have

. passed, until to-day, if it came to a matter of first, second and third, it would be found that Rupert Murdoch supports the financial empire which he represents, and who would blame him. Here is the Australian editorial-

A LOGICAL END TO MR. BOLTE'S BAD MANAGEMENT.

In Victoria, a prolonged period of mediocre financial administration by the Bolte Government is at last having its logical end in a series of increases in fares and other charges.

The £1 increase in the basic wage was mentioned by Mr. Bolte as some justification for the increases.

This was despite the fact that the Arbitration Commission felt that the £1 could be absorbed by the economy, without increasing charges.

But, what he is doing appears much more severe than anything yet announced by either South Australia or Tasmania-two States whose annual budgets were brought down last week with some increases in taxes and charges.

The real reason for the severity of the rises in Victoria is that they represent the culmination of several years of rather irresponsible financial management.

Events have caught up with the Bolte Government, and the secret of the unsound condition of the State finances-rarely discussed publicly in Melbourne by the Government or elsewhere-has been broken.

No doubt in the next few weeks, Mr. Bolte will make some effort to blame Victorian State tax and other rises on the basic wage rise or other outside factors.

We have already had that to-day from one of the Government's Ministers in this House. I do not think it was a great success.

The truth is of course, that most of Victoria's financial troubles are of the State Government's own making.

We could read other opinions, apart from the one which the Minister saw fit to use to-night. Here is an editorial which appeared to-day in the Australian. It is headed, "Mr. Bolte is ripe for a rebuff." Let us hope that the people of Victoria will have the courage to give that rebuff. It would not take a very large percentage swing to do it. I point out that

The Hon. D. G. Elliot.

there was a swing of 7 ! per cent. in the electorate of Broadmeadows. The Premier richly deserves a rebuff be-cause of his hypocrisy and the lies he has told. Let us hope that the people, in their turn, will administer the rebuff in the South-Eastern Province by-election.

The Hon. L. H. s. THOMPSON .-Cut it out!

The Hon. D. G. ELLIOT.-What I am saying is the truth. I could 1quote from the editorials of various newspapers, including the Sun NewsPictorial and the Herald. The fact remains, however, that even slight scrutiny will reveal that these increases in charges amount to much more than the figure of 25s. which was mentioned by my colleague, Mr. Tripovich. The people are now having to pay for the Bolte bungles of the past few years which have arisen from a lack of over-all planning. This has brought about the necessity for a crash programme. This is more than exemplified in the heartless increase in hospital charges, and, in that regard, I propose to quote from a report which was published in the Sun News-Pictorial of 5th September, this year. It expresses the comments of a very neutral man, Mr. E. Lewis, director of the Hospital Benefits Association. He is a conservative man by any judgment. The report states-

" The State Government must urgently reconsider the £1 per day hospital fee rise," the director of the Hospital Benefits Association, Mr. E. Lewis said yesterday.

" I am quite horrified at the rise ", he said. " Where else does the burden fall on a person when he can least afford it? When he is sick and out of work."

I do not think any member of this House would deny that statement. I would not know of a more urgent time in the life of anyone than when that person is committed to hospital and is worried about the payments that will result. The point I make is that the cost of medical treatment is becoming so high that people will be afraid to enter hospitals because of the costs involved. That tendency

Fares, Freights and, [15 SEPTEMBER, 1964.] Hospital Charges. 171

which has intruded itself into the economy, should be eradicated so far as the State is concerned. The report proceeds-

" In the Hospital Benefits Association of Victoria, we have 1,700,000 covered for benefits, but only 343,000 of them for the amount of £4 per day. Since only one in six people is paying this highest rate (for the £4 per day) it shows that people are already paying the rate that they can reasonably afford."

Mr. Lewis said, " Surely the public ward is there for those in need of help. If the rises were necessary, why not decrease the public ward rate and increase the intermediate and private fees?".

We do not necessarily agree with that.

He said the Hospital Benefits Association could consider increasing contributions, but it had no plan to do so, at least until Mr. Bolte has had a " re-think ".

The increase in hospital fees is about 33! per cent., but the wage increase amounts to not more than 5 per cent. What is the reason for this state of affairs? The burden falls on the person who can least afford it. Is that the true aspiration of the Bolte Government? All I can say is that I trust the people will digest these facts carefully and react when they have the opportunity to do so. In this State we have the highest bed charges of any Australian State. Judging from the observations of Mr. Lewis, he is very much concerned about a possible lowering in the health standards of the community due to the fact that people will be less inclined to undergo medical treatment because of the cost factor.

It is an indictment against any Government that the cost factor should enter into the question whether a person should be healthy or unhealthy. That is an aspect which should be considered very seriously by this Govemmentindeed, by any Government. An increase of bad debts is also on the horizon. With economic pressure, there will be an overloading of hospital functions, specialist service, X-ray examinations, and so forth. In other words, there will be a complete

departure from preventive treatment, and people will resort to curative. treatment only as a last resort. The same argument applies with respect · to dental services, but that is another question.

In conclusion, the Bolte Government has a lot to account for. In the short period that has elapsed since the 1964 election, it has revealed itself as a Government of sheer hypocrisy which deserves a nice smack in the pants at the by-election for the South-Eastern Province to be1 held next month.

The Hon. A. W. KNIGHT (Melbourne West Province) .-I associate myself with the remarks that have been made by my Leader. The Minister of Housing spoke of the wonderful job which his Government had done in the matter of housing, but I claim that it has ridden on the backs of the municipalities; it has brought about taxing of the ratepayers instead of engaging in slum reclamation projects. We did not get that side of the story from the honorable gentleman. He may laugh, but what about the extra taxes that have been imposed on ratepayers in Williamstown, Footscray, Port Melbourne and Sunshine?

The Hon. L. H. s. THOMPSON.-We have given them more than has been taken from them?

The Hon. A. W. KNIGHT.-That is a glossy story, but the facts are there. We are still waiting for some answers which the Bolte Government has not furnished to the Williamstown City Council in respect of payments by Government instrumentalities. That council has been waiting for nine months to receive a reply. The Government is lazy in its attitude; it merely blunders along. What happened about the question concerning rail fares which was asked by my colleague, Mr. Tood, last session? He asked-

If the Commissioners make any decisions affecting suburban train services and fares will they make such decisions known to the general public prior to the elections in June next?

Fares, Freights and [COUNCIL.] Hospital Charges.

The answer was-If any such decisions are made before

the elections, yes.

We have it on good authority that the Commissioners were drawing up their figures and drafting their timetables then. The Government gave the answer after the State elections. People living in the western suburbs and St. Kilda are being treated badly. The train fares from St. Kilda are being increased steeply. No wonder the railways do not pay on that line.

Poor people will suffer in the matter of hospitalization. Soon the Government will be putting them in psychiatric wards, which are understaffed at present. The Government talks of the glorious prosperity in this wonderful State. It should take stock of itself and deal with realities and not something yonder in the "blue." Many of the increases in train fares will affect people who cannot afford to pay them, such as those who live on the Newport-Williamstown line.

The roads will be more cluttered up than ever. There have been many complaints about the shortage of police and unmanned railway stations. People will be using bicycles to travel to work, and we shall get back to the bad days of the depression. Even the horse will be brought back into use. We shall see horses galloping along Footscrayroad and even up Bourke-street, because they will be the only means of transport available to the people. The Minister of Housing smiles, but this is a serious matter.

The acting Leader of the Government in this House glossed over many things in his wonderful story of what the Government has done. The following report appeared in the Australian of Thursday, the 10th September last: -

BOLTE'S MONEY MESS.

If proof were still needed of the mismanagement of Victoria's finances under the Bolte Government, it came yesterday with the full revelation of the tax increases to

The Hon. A. W. Knight.

be made in the 1964-65 Budget. In it, tax increases were made to yield some £5. 7 million in a full year.

This follows earlier massive increases in charges by State Government instrumentalities clearly aimed at meeting a grave budgetary problem. The increases are obviously far greater than anything announced by any other State Government.

Victoria was hit particularly hard this year mainly because of three factors, none of which has received proper attention in the deplorably superficial and apologetic public discussion of the issues in Melbourne.

The first was the decision of the Bolte Government to absorb into normal revenue the whole of the £5 million odd in special unemployment grants by the Commonwealth Government in 1963-64. Removing this special grant-only intended to be temporary in its incidence and treated as such for budgetary purposes in New South Waleshit the Victorian Budget particularly hard.

The second event was this year's Premiers' conference and the Loan Council meeting. Mr. Bolte may have hoped forand responsible people close to the Federal Government were fearful he wou1d get-a special handout from the Liberal Party at the Federal level to bail him out of his obvious financial mess.

The Government should take stock of itself in the light of the demonstration that took place to-day. It is all very well to say that the demonstrators were members of the trade union movement. They were not all members of the Labour Party. I know that many are members of the Liberal Party. Quite a few members of the Government party marched in disgust of the people who are managing the affairs of this State.

The Hon. G. J. O'CONNELL (Melbourne Province) .-I associate myself with my Leader in the motion for the adjournment of the House which he has so ably submitted. The people of the constituency which I have the honour to represent will suffer from an increase of 3s. 9d. in their rail fare. On a weekly basis, the fare from Collingwood to the city will cost 12s. Id. or 2s. 5d. a day. No wonder the number of people using the railways is declining. Many people who travel from Collingwood to the city and other places to their


employment are getting together to travel by car, which will be cheaper than they can journey by rail.

What will the people receive from the railways for these increased fares? They will have unmanned, dirty, filthy railway stations and entrances, and inadequate lighting, which has been evident for months. The trains are a disgrace. The Tait type trains have not been painted since they came into service, and some of the blue Harris trains, which we agreed were a magnificent sight travelling along our lines a few years ago, are deteriorating for want of some paint. The Minister of Housing knows that what I am saying is true.

Mr. Swinburne covered the matter of rail freights very well. Even the children in the north-east are saying, "Give us this day our daily derailments." A derailment occurred a fortnight ago in Richmond at the Green-street crossing-a derailment in the sanctum of Richmond! Much has been said about the demonstration this afternoon when 16,000 or 17,000 people marched the streets of Melbourne showing their contempt for the Government's attitude towards the workers of Victoria. If the members of the Government had any internal fortitude they would not rise in this House to def end the Government; they would resign as a body. They should resign, because they do not have the confidence of the people. They did not have the honesty to tell the people when they contested the last election what they were going to do. As my learned friend Mr. Elliot said, the cockatoos at the zoo were shouting it from the roof tops.

The Premier and his Government are blaming the basic wage increase of £1 for all the proposed increases. If the worker obtained his proper due, he would be receiving another £1 ls. in addition to that rise. If the cost.ofliving adjustments had not been taken away, he would have been receiving

£2 ls. or £2 2s. more than he was receiving prior to the last basic wage increase. This Government is responsible for that, yet it is blaming the basic wage rise for everything. The Premier was beaten to the punch by the traders and large emporiums in this city. As soon as the £1 increase in the basic wage was announced by the court, the prices of various commodities, including boots and shoes and children's footwear were increased. Most of the £ 1 rise was absorbed before Mr. Bolte could have a go. Now he wants to take his share out of the 4d. which is left.

The Government can be condemned in a number of directions, including health services and aid to kindergartens. I point out to the Minister of Health that the kindergartens in my district do not receive enough money by way of subsidy to pay the teachers. I should like the Minister to give consideration to some of the kindergartens in Richmond, because they are not receiving sufficient funds. I could speak at length regarding housing, but I shall not embarrass the Minister of Housing on that subject to-night-I shall do so on another occasion.

We know that the Premier has to obtain revenue, but he is penalizing people who can ill-afford to pay more. Although many wage earners receive margins above the basic wage of £16 7s. a week, there are still a number in receipt of only that amount. I know of a family man living at Belgrave who receives £18 5s. a week, and in future it will cost him nearly 30s. a week to go to work by train. After he has paid income tax, superannuation contributions and 30s. for fares, there will not be much left. Members can understand how the increases will affect him and his family.

Mention has been made of " onearmed bandits" in New South Wales. It should not be forgotten that the off-course totalizator in Victoria

174 Fares, FreiglUs and [COUNCIL.] Hospital Charges.

brings in considerable revenue. Two or three weeks ago, a dividend of £17 10s. for the daily double was announced on the racecourse, and punters holding winning tickets were paid that amount. Subs·equently, it was discovered that a little bit of a mistake had been made and that account had not been taken of the fact that a horse in one of the races had been scratched. As a result, on the Monday, holders of winning tickets received only £13 5s.

The Hon. I. A. SWINBURNE.-Nobody who had been paid on the Saturday refunded the excess!

The Hon. G. J. O'CONNELL.That is so. The Government is getting much revenue through the Totalizator Agency Board. Unpaid dividends from the off-course totalizator last financial year amounted to £150,000, and totalizator fractions to £330,000. Those two items total nearly £500,000.

The Hon. G. W. fHOM.-Have you looked at the Estimates?

The Hon. G. J. O'CONNELL.Never mind the Estimates. I am discussing facts supplied by the Minister. The Government should not worry about what is happening in New South Wales, where there is a Labour Government; it should look after this State. In fact, the Government should resign. If a Labour Administration were formed we would get somewhere.

The Hon. R. W. MACK (Minister of Health) .-I want to deal briefly with the question of hospitals, which are specifically mentioned in the adjournment motion. Before I deal with the subject generally, I think it would be reasonable if I gave an answer to matters raised by Sir Percy Byrnes. He said that he would like to know the facts as they were to-day in relation to the increased charges, why they were necessary, what would be the effect of them, and so on. Sir Percy Byrnes said that the hospital benefits system in this State was not sound. I do not want anyone to

think he was suggesting that any of the societies were not financially sound. I am sure that it was not the implication.

Sir PERCY BYRNES.-That is correct -they may be a little bit too sound financially.

The Hon. R. W. MACK.-Comparisions have been made between the Victorian system and the systems in Canada and the United States of America. I am aware of the Canadian system, and it has a good deal to recommend it. It is based on a three-way partnership between the Federal Government, the particular provincial Government concerned, and the people. Basically, in Canada, the costs of hospital treatment are shared almost evenly between the Federal body, the provincial body, and the patient. If we could get a situation. in Australia whereby the Federal Government would assume the same responsibility as does the Federal Government in Canada, a great many of our problems in the hospital field would be solved.

The Hon. D. G. ELLIOT.-What about the New Zealand Government?

The Hon. R. W. MACK.-I do not want to discuss it. I appreciate the point that has been made regarding the situation in Canada. Sir Percy Byrnes ref erred to the research undertaken after his return from abroad by himself and by a number of other members of his party. A report was prepared, and he was good enough to give me a copy, which I read with a great deal of interest. However, to be perfectly fair-and I think Sir Percy Byrnes will agree with thismany of the suggestions made in the report were largely matters for Federal rather than for State_ implementation. I refer to problems facing communities all over the world concerning increased hospital charges and the burden that sick people have thrown on them at a time when they can ill-afford to bear extra burdens.

The Hon. J.M. TRIPOVICH.-ls that not " passing the buck "?

F(tres, Freights and [15 SEPTEMBER, 1964.] Hospital Charges. 175

The Hon. R. W. MACK.-Sir Percy Byrnes raised this matter, and I think I should give him an answer; I very largely agree with what he said. If members desire me to give lengthy details about these problems, I am prepared to do so, but first I shall answer the comments made by various members.

Mr. Swinburne put forward the proposition that increased fees would have an adverse rather than a favourable effect. In fact, I think his suggestion was that an increase of fees all round by £1 a day would mean that people who would otherwise pay for intermediate beds would occupy public beds, that people who previously would have gone into private beds would come back into intermediate beds, and that the final result would be a smaller income from patients than there is at present.

On the experience that we have already had of increased fees, I do not think that argument will hold water. The most pertinent point against it is that, for a comparatively small payment, people will be able to cover themselves through the hospital benefits associations for the increased amounts they may be called upon to pay.

The Hon. I. A. SWINBURNE.-The fees are getting beyond the capacity of the people.

The Hon. R. W. MACK.-1 do not think so.

Sir PERCY BYRNES.-There will be a gap between the time when the fees are increased and the time when the hospital benefits associations adjust their charges; they have not given the matter any consideration yet.

The Hon. R. W. MACK.-1 agree there will be a gap, but I suggest that the great majority of people who want either private or intermediate accommodation will be prepared to pay the additional amount that will eventually be worked out by the societies to cover the increased charges.

The Hon. I. A. SWINBURNE.-That applies to private accommodation but not so much to intermediate; those patients are on the borderline now.

The Hon. R. W. MACK.-The estimate of what will be obtained from the increased fees has not been on the basis of 100 per cent. collection of the additional £1 per bed-day in every category, because we realize that will not follow.

Sir PERCY BYRNES.-Why were the supplementary payments usually made by the Hospitals and Charities Commission not made last financial year to many hospitals? A large number of hospitals which incurred deficits received less money last financial year than they did in the previous year.

The Hon. R. W. MACK.-That is true, and it is also true that, in the year just concluded, many hospitals were in really difficult circumstances maintenance-wise. The budgets for hospitals are submitted by the hospitals Boards and are reviewed by the Hospitals and Charities Commission, and the grants are allocated on those budgets. One of the factors which contributed was that the Commonwealth Government increased the amount that it paid in respect of pensioners from, I think, 12s. to 36s. a day. So that, in respect of pensioner patients, every hospital could expect treble the amount it had received in the previous year, and that was taken into account in working out their budgets.

The Hon. A. K. BRADBURY.-But that increase did not work out in practice.

The Hon. R. W. MACK.-1 agree. What has happened is that the great majority, not all, of the institutions have been worse off maintenancewise in the year ended 30th June, 1964, than they were in the year ended 30th June, 1963.

The Hon. A. K. BRADBURY.-How are they going to get out of that difficulty now?


The Hon. R. W. MACK.-1 cannot hold out any hope that they will be able to afford any luxuries in the current year. As this House is aware, the amount of money made available by the Government this year will be increased by £1,200,000, and this will go some substantial way towards helping them, but it will still be a tight year for hospital managements.

The Hon. A. K. BRADBURY.-How will these increased costs be absorbed?

The Hon. R. W. MACK.-1 shall deal with that question in a moment. I turn now to the point raised by Mr. Elliot, who quoted what Mr. Lewis of the Hospital Benefits Association said. Of course, Mr. Lewis is opposed to an increase. Most of the hospital benefits organizations are opposed to an increase. I have already informed Mr. Swinburne what it means to them. They have to convert their contributions to a different scale. Instead of the payments being, say, 6s. a week, in future they will be perhaps 7s. 6d. Naturally, the hospital benefits organizations do not like this. First, it gives them a lot of extra work.

The Hon. D. G. ELLIOT.-You are not suggesting that is the only reason, are you?

The Hon. R. W. MACK.-No. If Mr. Elliot will give me time, I shall give the other reasons. Secondly, the benefits associations are anxious to see that their contributors are by and large freed from any personal payment for hospitalization. They like to provide a table under which a person can go into hospital and say, " I am a member of a benefits organization, take my Commonwealth grant and the organization will meet the remainder of my bill." In those circumstances, patients can walk out of hospitals without paying a penny.

The Hon. D. G. ELLIOT.-Do you not give them full marks for that?

The Hon. R. W. MACK.-Of course I do. I am not opposed to that. I am only giving the reasons why the

Hospital Benefits Association is opposed to the increase, which is the point at issue.

Mr. Knight spoke about the people who could ill afford to pay hospital fees. Let us consider the pensioners, the people who generally concern the Labour Party as they concern all other parties. They are treated free; they pay nothing. The people next in line are those on a low income. There has never been an instance where a person who could not pay his hospital bill has been made to pay. Everybody knows that hospital fees are never sued for in the courts unless, first of all, the Hospital and Charities Commission recommends that course and, secondly, the Minister of Health approves of it. Since I have been Minister of Health, there has never been a case where approval has not been subject to the proviso that no hardship shall be caused. In point of fact, in some instances where hospitals have submitted lists of people recommended to be sued, the Hospitals and Charities Commission has ruled out certain names before submitting the lists to me because it believed, on the information it had, that hardship would be caused.

Mr. O'Connell referred to kindergartens, but I do not propose to deal with that subject to-night, because it is not covered by the motion before the House. If the honorable member cares to raise it during some other debate-on the Address-inReply or a Consolidated Revenue Bill -I shall be happy to accommodate him.

The Hon. G. J. O'CONNELL.-! shall follow your advice.

The Hon. R. W. MACK.-The question arises of what has caused the increase in hospital charges of £1 a day. Irrespective of political belief, all members of Parliament would be satisfied that no Minister of Health, whatever his politics were, would impose an additional charge unless it was essential.


In 1954-55, the actual expenditure from Government funds on hospitals was £8,019,000. In 1955-56, it was £8,840,000, and in 1956-57, £ 10,500, 000.

The Hon. J. M. TRIPOVICH.-What was the level of the basic wage then?

The Hon. R. W. MACK.-I suggest that Mr. Tripovich should work that out for himself.

The Hon. J. M. TRIPOVICH.-The argument you are now using is not relevant if it is not linked with the basic wage.

The Hon. R. W. MACK.-In 1957-58, the expenditure was £11,144,000; in 1958-59, £11,499,000; in 1959-60, £12,789,000; in 1960-61, £12,997,000; in 1961-62, £14,150,000; in 1962-63, £15,000,000; in 1963-64, £15,500,000; and for this year, £16,700,000. As I mentioned before, the increase over last year is £1,200,000.

The Hon. J.M. TRIPOVICH.-That is an increase of practically 100 per cent., and the basic wage has not risen to that extent in the period covered. Your argument is completely fallacious.

The Hon. R. W. MACK.-I have not completed my argument. I am only pointing out what the situation has been so far as Budget expenditure is concerned over a period of eleven years.

I now turn to the next question which vitally affects hospital charges and which is related directly to the increase of £1 a day. The hospital institutions of this State find that the additional salaries and wages paid to employees in the hospital field as a result of the increase in the basic wage, add precisely £900,000 to their expenditure. The £1 a day in hospital fees in this financial year will amount to £900,000, if our estimates are accurate. So, in fact what we have done in adding £1 a day to these charges is to reimburse the hospitals £900,000 purely on account of the increased basic wage expenditure applicable to their own staffs.

The Hon. SAMUEL MERRIFIELD.For this year?

The Hon. R. W. MACK.-Yes. The Hon. SAMUEL MERRIFIELD.

The Government has not taken any proportion of the increase?

The Hon. R. W. MACK.-So far as the basic wage is concerned, that is true. There are plenty of other increases, and there will be further increases, but the cost to the hospitals of Victoria as a result of the payment of the basic wage increase to their own employees only is £900,000, and that is the amount estimated to be recouped, as worked out by the accountants of the Hospitals and Charities Commission, for this financial year; the increase applies for eight months as from 1st November to the 30th June.

The Hon. J. M. TRIPOVICH.-What percentage of that £900,000 do you think you will recoup? Will you collect all of it?

The Hon. R. W. MACK.-Yes. On the best estimate that can be prepared, in the current year, we will collect £900,000, after making allowances for the matters mentioned by Mr. Swinburne, and so on. This is not worked on the basis of so many bed-days at £1 a day extra; it is the considered calculation of the statistical and accountancy staff of the Commission.

The Hon. J. M. TRIPOVICH.-Why did you not graduate it by imposing an increase of 10s. for beds in public wards, and £2 for beds in private wards?

The Hon. R. W. MACK.-There could be all sorts of ways of doing it, but it did not seem unreasonable to impose an increase of £1 a day in every field, or £1 a day flat, and that is exactly what has been done. Mr. Tripovich might have adopted some other means.

The Hon. SAMUEL MERRIFIELD.We would.

The Hon. R. W. MACK.-The Government has done it in the manner that I have explained.


The Hon. D. G. ELLIOT.-We are entitled to disagree with that.

The Hon. R. W. MACK.-That is so.

The Hon. ARCHIBALD Tonn.-Ned Kelly was a gentleman alongside your Government.

The Hon. R. W. MACK.-That is ungentlemanly; I did not think Mr. Todd would make such a statement. It is true, as Sir Percy Byrnes knows, that hospital costs throughout the world are causing headaches, not only to Governments, but also to the people who administer the hospitals. The situation is probably worse in America than in the majority of other countries. Wherever one goes, rapidly rising costs of hospital treatment are prevalent. How can the increased costs be covered other than by the means which is being adopted by the Government, namely, increasing each year the Government contribution towards the extra costs involved, increasing periodically the fees that are paid by the patients, and increasing when we can the contribution that is made by the Commonwealth? Neither I, nor any other State Minister of Health during my term of office, has ever been satisfied that the Commonwealth is treating the States fairly in this respect. We received 36s. for pensioners when the average bed cost was £6 a day; in respect of other people, we received no increase. We now receive £ 1 a day for an insured patient and 8s. for an uninsured patient, and that h'as not altered for years, despite the fact that costs rise every year.

It is proper that the House should be supplied with the reason why the hospital costs rise so steeply. Costs rise because of three main factors: first, because of the increase in the number of in-patients; secondly, because of the increase in the number of out-patients attending; and, thirdly, because of the increase in staff. Taking the years 1955 to 1963, the percentage increase in the number of

in-patients was 41 per cent.; outpatients increased by 38 per cent.; the increase in staff was 43 per cent.; and the increase in beds was 16 per cent.

Between 1955 and 1963, the medical staff increased from 600 to 1,100; in the same period, the nursing staff increased from 7,460 to 10,500, and other staff increased from 7,418 to .9,600. What has brought these increases about? All honorable members appreciate that there has been a vast change for the better in nursing conditions in our hospitals. Nurses have been granted increased holidays, and shorter hours of work, and there have been changes in all sorts of directions. No one in this House would say that members of the nursing profession to-day should be treated as they were in 1944, or 1940, or thereabouts.

The Hon. J. M. TRIPOVICH.-They had to fight very hard to get improved conditions.

The Hon. R. W. MACK.-That may be so, but they have got them. I do not say that they should not have obtained improved conditions; in fact, I consider that they were entitled to them.

The Hon. D. G. ELLIOT.-Victoria still has the highest bed rate in Australia.

The Hon. R. W. MACK.-There are plenty of good reasons for that.

The Hon. D. G. ELLIOT.-Your Government has brought that situation about.

The Hon. R. W. MACK.-That is not so. If honorable members want me to go into all the problems associated with the question of hospitals, we will be here for a long time. I think it is only right to restrict myself to giving the facts concerning increased costs. I have given three factors which influence costs. One other factor which influences hospital costs more than any other is the large number of female staff


employed in hospitals. It is estimated that approximately 80 per cent of hospital staff consists of female labour. Since the war, there has been a vast improvement in female rates of pay compared with male labour rates. This has increased costs in the hospitals field to a higher degree than is applicable to industry generally.

Another factor which has had an effect on hospital costs compared with industrial costs is the replacement of trainee staff by highly skilled staff. New improvements in medicine and treatments have been brought to light from time to time and, as soon as they are available, people quite rightly demand them. However, the higher the skill, the more important it is that the people who handle the new techniques should be highly skilled in the handling of them. Whereas years ago, it was possible to use what might be called comparatively unskilled labour, to-day there is a demand for highly skilled technicians in all of the advancements which are being made in the field of medicine.

Following the introduction of new techniques and such like, there has also been a growth in hospital services, and by quoting figures, I shall explain exactly what I mean. Earlier, I stated that costs increase because we employ 80 per cent. of female labour, and it may be interesting to note that, in 1946, the salary of a staff nurse was £248 a year. In 1959, the rate was £690, and in 1964 it is £874. A radiologist at one metropolitan hospital was paid £750 per annum in 1946. In 1959, his salary was £3,500, and in 1964, it is £5,000. The percentage increase in the radiologist's salary from 1946 to 1959 was 467 per cent., and it has since increased to £5,000 per annum in 1964.

Let us examine some of the ancillary services that have grown up in conjunction with hospitals. There is a great demand for these services in every hospital. All hospitals want almoners, physiotherapists, speech therapists, and dietitians. In 1946,

the average pay was £312 per annum; in 1949, it was £914; and to-day it varies between £1,132 and £1,727, with the top people receiving up to £1,910 per annum.

In regard to resident medical officers-the young men who have just graduated and been registered by the Medical Board-in 1946, the first-year medical officer was paid £175 a year; in 1949, he received £800; and to-day he is paid £1,185. The second-year medical officer received £300 in 1946, and to-day he is paid £1,460. In 1946, the third-year officer received £300, whereas to-day he receives £1,790. The fourth-year officer was paid £300 in 1946, and now receives £2,065. The increased costs are tremendous.

The Hon. J. M. TRIPOVICH.-They would be comparable with those in other States.

The Hon. R. W. MACK.-I should think so, but these costs are out of all proportion to increases which have occurred in industry.

The Hon. J. M. TRIPOVICH.-That might be so, but other States are suffering from the same disadvantage but are not taking the action that this Government is taking.

The Hon. R. W. MACK.-Other States have to manage their affairs; we have to manage ours.

The Hon. J. M. TRIPOVICH.-They are doing a lot better than this Government.

The Hon. R. W. MACK.-Until now we were comparable with every other State in the Commonwealth. I shall not be surprised if by the 1st November, when our fees will be increased by £1 per bed, Victoria will still be comparable with quite a number of the other States because I believe they are facing the same problems in the hospital field.

The Hon. G. w. THOM.-Victoria has the best hospital services in the Commonwealth.

The Hon. R. W. MACK.-That is true, although I suppose other States would deny that that is so. We have

180 Fares, Freights and [ASSEMBLY.] Hospital Charges.

specialist services in Victoria that are not available in any other State. One other factor which increases costs is that hospitals must staff for peak loadings. They cannot be in the situation where they are unable to cope with casualties or accidents. They must be able to cope all the time. These fluctuations are largely unpredictable. No one can make a plan of what is going to be the intake to-day or to-morrow. Therefore, that is a problem which also faces the hospital community.

I do not think I need go into further figures at this stage to prove that there is a real problem in the hospital field. If all the demands of the hospitals were met, costs could become astronomical. The demands from the public health point of view or the individual health point of view cannot all be met. Obviously, it is not possible to establish more than one cancer institute such as we have in Melbourne. If hospital charges were not increased by £1 per day, a further sum of £900,000 would have to be found this year from the Budget.

The Treasury has found an extra £1,200,000 from the Budget, and the people and the benefit institutions are going to find the other £900,000. I do not think that will impose on the community the hardship that so many people fear. The great majority of people will cover the extra cost by taking out the requisite insurance with the various benefit funds that operate successfully throughout the State. By interjection, Mr. Merrifield referred to an increase of 33-§- per cent. It is possible that the position could have been met by an 8 per cent. increase each year. Generally speaking, increases in fees have been made at four-year intervals. Obviously, it is inadvisable to make too many variations in fees because people have to insure themselves from time to time to cover the extra costs involved. I believe the Government acted properly in all the circumstances in imposing the extra charge on hospital beds.

The Hon. R. W. Mack.

The Council divided on the motion for the adjournment of the House (Sir Gordon McArthur in the chair) -

Ayes 15 Noes 14

Majority for the motion 1

Sir Percy Byrnes Mr. Clarke Mr. Feltham Mr. Galbally Mr. Hewson Mr. Knight Mr. May Mr. Merrifield

Mr. Dickie Mr. Garrett Mr. Gawith Mr. Granter Mr. Grigg Mr. Gross Mr. Hamer Mr. Hunt

AYES.

Mr. O'Connell Mr. Swinburne Mr. Todd Mr. Tripovich Mr. Walton.

Tellers: Mr. Bradbury Mr. Elliot.

NOES.

Mr. Mack Mr. Nicol Mr. Thom Mr. Thompson.

Tellers: Mr. Byrne Mr. Campbell.

PAIR. Mr. Mansell I Mr. Chandler.

The House adjourned at 12.19 a.m. (Wednesday).

11l.egislntin.e i\ss.emhly. Tuesday, September 15, 1964.


GOVERNMENT INSTRUMENTALITIES.

ASSETS: INVESTMENTS: CHARGES: FINANCE.

Mr. LOVEGROVE (Fitzroy) asked the Premier-

1. What is the value of the assets of the State Electricity Commission, the Gas and Fuel Corporation and the Melbourne and Metropolitan Tramways Board; what moneys each authority has invested; and what was the income from investments of each authority in each year since the Government took office?

Employees. (15 SEPTEMBER, 1964.] Aborigines. 181

2. When the assets of each of these authorities were valued?

3. What profit (if any) each authority has made and how this profit has been spent in each year since the Government took office?

4. What increases in the charges of each of these authorities have been made since the Government took office, and when those increases were made?

5. What increases in railway charges have been made since the Government took office and when they were made?

6. What other public utilities own real estate, and own the buildings used by them and any other buildings?

7. What other public utilities have secured income from profits, rents or investments and how much they have secured in each of the financial years 1959-60 to 1964-65?

8. What is the present value of the assets owned by these utilities referred to in parts 6 and 7 above, when their assets were last valued; and what was the valuation in 1959-60, in respect of each?

9. What increases in the charges of these other public utilities have been made since the Government took office?

Mr. BOLTE (Premier and Treasurer) .-As the honorable member was advised last week, I am endeavouring to obtain this information for him. When it has been collated, I shall inform him so that he may then repeat his question.

GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES. SALARIES IN EXCESS OF £2,000.


How many people on the Government payroll are receiving more than the base salary of Members of Parliament, namely, £2,000 per annum?

Mr. BOLTE (Premier and Treasurer) .-The answer is-

In the absence of a precise definition of the term " the Government pay-roll " used in the honorable member's question, the expression has been interpreted very broadly.

Accordingly, the figure involved includes not only persons employed under the Public Service Act but also Judges, teachers, the Police Force, the State Electricity Commission officers, Railways Commissioners and Tramways Board and staffs and the members and staffs of a variety of Boards, trusts and the like.

Including all these groups, there is a total of 11,657 persons receiving more than £2,000 a year.

ABORIGINES. EDUCATION: FINANCIAL

CONTRIBUTIONS.


What organizations or individuals (including Government Departments) have made financial contributions for the purpose of assisting the education of aboriginal children, and what were the amounts of such contributions?

Mr. RYLAH (Chief Secretary).The answer is-

The major portion of the cost of education of aboriginal children is borne by the Education Department. No separate records are kept by that Department of the costs involved in the education of these children.

During the 1964 school year, an amount of £1,521 has been spent by the Aborigines Welfare Board to assist in the education of aboriginal children. Private sponsors, whose names I am not at liberty to state, have contributed an additional sum of £646. The major part of these moneys was used for assisting 64 aboriginal students at secondary schools.

The " Save the Children Fund " has spent £2,800 to assist in the education of 76 primary and secondary aboriginal students, while the Lions Club has spent £100. The Aborigines Advancement League has made grants of between £15 and £30 to 22 secondary students. Other organizations which have assisted in the education of aboriginal children include-

Country Women's Association groups; a branch of the Primary Producers Union; community service clubs in the Geelong

and Stawell districts; Aboriginal Scholarships Committee of the

National Union of Australian University Students.

The precise amounts contributed by these organizations are not known. This list is not exhaustive, as some assistance is arranged without the knowledge of the Aborigines Welfare Board.

WORKERS COMPENSATION BOARD. REPORT.


Whether His Honour Judge Frederico made a report on the operations of the Workers Compensation Board ; if so, whether he will lay such report on the table of the Library?

182 Brunswick [ASSEMBLY.] Free Library.


His Honour has made a report to the chairman of the Workers Compensation Board on certain proceedings of the Board but, as the report is addressed to the chairman, and is currently receiving consideration, I am not prepared to lay it on the table of the Library as requested.

If there is any aspect of importance which might have been covered by the Judge and in which the honorable member is interested, I shall be pleased to discuss it with him.

BRUNSWICK FREE LIBRARY. GOVERNMENT GRANT.

Mr. FENNESSY (Brunswick East) asked the Chief Secretary-

!. Whether the Brunswick Free Library is eligible to receive a grant from the Government; if not, on what grounds it is ineligible?

2. Whether the Free Library Service Board at any time recommended any such grants to the Brunswick Free Library; if so, what were the amounts granted (if any) and when they were paid?

Mr. RYLAH (Chief Secretary).The answers are-

1. The Brunswick Mechanics' Institute and Free Library is not eligible to receive a municipal library subsidy, as it is controlled by a committee appointed under the: Brunswick Mechanics' Institute Act.

To be eligible for a municipal subsidy, a library service is required by the Free Library Service Board to be fully controlled by a municipal council and to comply with the standards set for free libraries.

2. As the Brunswick Mechanics' Institute and Free Library is eligible to receive Children's Free Library grants, which are available to children's library services, whether municipal or non-municipal, the Free Library Service Board has recommended and the Chief Secretary has approved of the following payments:-

1954-55 1955-56 1956-57 1957-58 1958-59 1959-60 1960-61 1961-62 1962-63 1963-64

TOTAL

£. s. d. 71 13 0 70 13 11 71 8 0 66 9 5 61 6 4 53 7 10 51 19 1 47 15 2 43 10 0 42 4 7

580 7 4

The amount paid each year to the Brunswick Mechanics' Institute was the maximum amount available under the Children's Free Library Grant which is fixed at £5,000 and the reduced amount each year is indicative of the extra children's library services being established.

AUSTRALIAN CONGRESS FOR INTERNATIONAL CO-OPERATION

AND DISARMAMENT. RELATIONSHIP WITH COMMUNIST

PARTY.

Mr. DUNSTAN (Mornington) asked the Chief Secretary-

Whether the Government has made a critical analysis of the " Australian Congress for International Co-operation and Disarmament", to be held in Sydney between the 25th and 30th October next; if so, whether any relationship of the organization and aims of this Congress to the Communist Party and the World Peace Council has been found; and whether any Victorians are known to be among the sponsors of the congress?


The Government has caused certain inquiries to be made concerning the proposed Australian Congress for International Co-operation and Disarmament to be held in Sydney between the 25th and 30th October next.

Following the Hungarian revolution in 1956, the World Peace Council, widely recognized as a " Communist Front ", fell into disrepute, but in July, 1958, the council convened a congress in Stockholm to launch a further " peace " offensive, and in April, 1959, the Australian and New Zealand Congress for International Co-operation and Disarmament was launched. This organization attracted many leading figures from cultural and religious fields to its ranks, who could by no stretch of the imagination be classed as communists or sympathizers, but the World Peace Council had achieved its objective of setting up a " peace " organization of apparent respectability. Since that date, however, many sponsors and patrons have dissociated themselves from the congress.

Victorians are known to be among the sponsors of the congress.

TEACHERS TRIBUNAL REPORT OF CHAIRMAN ON OVERSEAS

TRIP.

Mr. HOLDING (Richmond) asked the Minister of Education-

Whether the chairman of the Teachers Tribunal made a report to the Education Department following his recent trip overseas; if so, whether he will lay the report on the table of the Library?

State Electricity [15 SEPTEMBER, 1964.) Commission. 183

Mr. BLOOMFIELD (Minister of Education) .-The answer to both parts of the honorable member's question is " Yes ".

STATE ELECTRICITY COMMISSION.

PURCHASE OF ELECTRIC POWER FROM NEW SOUTH WALES: COST: HAZELWOOD POWER STATION.

Mr. WILKES (Northcote) asked the Minister of Electrical Undertakings-

1. How much electrical power was purchased by the State Electricity Commission from the New South Wales Government in each of the last three financial years and into what system it was distributed?

2. What was the total cost of this power in each financial year?

3. How the purchase price of bulk power supplied by New South Wales to Victoria compares with the production cost of a similar quantity produced in Victoria?

4. What effect the operation of the Hazelwood Power Station will have on-(a) the cost of producing electrical power; and (b) the ability to meet the total demands of the State?

Mr. G. 0. REID (Minister of Electrical Undertakings). - As the answers to these questions include some detailed material explaining a complex clause and agreement, I should like them to be incorporated in Hansard without my reading them.

Leave was granted, and the answers were as follows:-

1. 1961-62 49.209 M. kWh. 1962-63 303.469 M. kWh. 1963-64 611.990 M. kWh.

This energy was distributed through the State inter-connected system.

2. 1961-62 1962-63 1963-64

£ 99,049

723,044 1,425,649

3. In general terms, the price to be paid -at any point of time-for electricity transferred under the interchange agreement with the Electricity Commission of New South Wales is the arithmetic average of the incremental cost to the seller and incremental value to the buyer. More precisely, the purchase price of bulk energy (whichever party is purchasing) is arrived at (subject to certain provisos) by averaging the incremental cost to the supplier of supplying electricity at the point of interconnexion with the incremental cost to the

receiver of theoretically generating the additional electricity on its own system and transmitting it to an agreed-upon load centre less the cost of transmitting the replacement interchange electricity between the point of interchange and the said load centre.

The agreement therefore is reciprocal enabling the two State systems to be operated to their mutual benefit:-

(i) By operation of the most economical plant available at any time.

(ii) By sharing of the over-all savings in cost equally between the two Commissions.

As a result of the interchange arrangement, both States made a saving in 1963-64 of some £214,000 compared with generation in higher cost stations. The average interchange price to Victoria was 0.569d. per kWh. While at this rate it would not have paid the Commission to off-load any of the larger post-war generating sets, it did, however, permit the off-loading of the older and less efficient units which otherwise would have to be brought into operation to meet peak demands.

4. (a) As each unit of the Hazelwood power station is completed, the average cost of producing power for the Victorian system will be reduced. It will then be possible to take out of service some of the older and less efficient plant in other parts of the system. Therefore, as each set is brought into service there will be less likelihood of power being requisitioned from New South Wales.

(b) During the winter of 1965, the Commission will not have any reserve of generating plant, but in subsequent years additional installations at Hazelwood will enable the Commission to meet the State's demand for electricity up to 1969 with some margin as a reserve against emergencies. To achieve this position in the face of increasing demands for electricity it has been necessary to accelerate the construction of Hazelwood so that the sixth 200 MW generating set is now planned to be in operation by 1969 instead of 1971-as planned when the Hazelwood legislation was approved in 1959.

ROADS. CONSTRUCTION AND EXPENDITURE BY

GOVERNMENT INSTRUMENTALITIES: MONEYS RECEIVED AND PAYMENTS BY COUNTRY ROADS BOARD.

Mr. LOVEGROVE (Fitzroy) asked the Minister of Public Works-

1. What moneys were received by the Country Roads Board during the financial year 1963-64 and are estimated to be received in the year 1964-65 from-( a) the Commonwealth Government; (b) State taxation on motorists; and (c) other sources?

184 Roads. [ASSEMBLY.] Municipalities.

2. What amounts were spent in 1963-64 and are proposed to be spent in 1964-65 by the Country Roads Board on roads-( a) in the metropolitan area; and (b) outside the metropolitan area?

3. What amounts were spent in 1963-64 and have been proposed to be spent in 1964-65 by the Country Roads Board on( a) interest and sinking fund payments; (b) payments to the Tourist Fund; (c) plant purchases; and (d) administration?

4. What moneys were spent on roads in 1963-64 and are proposed to be spent on roads in 1964-65 by-(a) the Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works; (b) the State Electricity Commission; ( c) the Forests Commission; ( d) the Melbourne Harbor Trust; (e) the Public Works Department; and (f) the Housing Commission in the metropolitan area, and outside the metropolitan area, respectively?

5. Vv1hat roads were constructed in 1963-64 in the metropolitan area by-( a) the Country Roads Board; and (b) the Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works, and what roads each authority proposes to construct in 1964-65?

Mr. PORTER (Minister of Public Works) .-The information sought by the honorable member for Fitzroy has been collated-it embraces approximately 25 pages of foolscap. Accordingly, I suggest that the honorable member should move that the information sought by him should be laid before the House in the form of a return.

MUNICIPALITIES. FUNDS: COUNTRY ROADS BOARD ALLOCATIONS AND SPECIAL GRANTS.

Mr. WILKES (Northcote) asked the Minister of Public Works-

1. What total funds for the financial year i964-65 have been allotted to-(a) country municipalities; and (b) metropolitan municipalities?

2. Which metropolitan municipalities received allocations from Country Roads Board funds and special grants and what were the allocations and the amount of the council's contributions in each case?


1. (a) The Country Roads Board has allocated £13,669,220 for financial year 1964-65 to country municipalities, that is, municipalities outside the Melbourne metropolitan planning area, for works on main roads and unclassified roads outside the boundaries of the Melbourne metropolitan planning area.

(b) The Country Roads Board has allocated £4,016,482 for financial year 1964-65 to metropolitan municipalities, that is, municipalities within or partly within the Melbourne metropolitan planning area, for works on main roads and unclassified roads within the boundaries of the Melbourne metropolitan planning area.

2. The following allocations have been made from Country Roads Board funds to municipalities for works within the boundaries of the Melbourne metropolitan planning area for financial year 1964-65:-

Unclassified Roads. Main Roads. Total

Municipality. C.R.B . C.R.B. Council C.R.B. Council .Allocations.

Allocation. Contribution. Allocation. Contribution.

Altona .. .. .. 24,395 24,175 114,166 138,561 Box Hill .. .. .. 39,149 29,649 75,084 114,233 Brighton .. .. . . 8,375 8,375 24,837 it5' 33,212 Brunswick .. .. . . 18,260 11,730 704 ~ 18,964 O:> Camberwell .. .. .. 133,739 82,854 7,146 ...... 140,885 Caulfield 11,311 10,991 11,041 ~~ 22,352 .. .. . . ,... 0

Coburg .. .. .. 38,401 20,401 2,250 ~~ 40,651 Collingwood .. 58,250 22,250 7,095 s <1.l 65,345 .. .. .s~ Essen don .. .. . . 14,882 14,882 14,689 P,.O 29,571 Fitzroy .. .. . . 25,000 5,000 5,724 &5~ 30,724 Footscray .. .. .. 32,076 22,935 67,450 ...= ~ 99,526 Hawthorn 22,391

..,._.,. 22,391 .. .. .. . . .. o~

Heidelberg .. .. .. 28,135 18,060 193,283 CQ ::::! 221,418 Keil or .. .. . . 49,290 32,860 86,969 '.?J8 136,259 Kew .. .. ..

I 14,092 14,092 57,677 § 'E 71,769

Malvern .. .. . . 8,617 8,617 6,074 't:! <1.l 14,691 Melbourne .. .. .. .. . . 10,022 ~ s 10,022

<1.l,... Moorabbin .. .. .. 33,917 33,917 166,682 a:> a:> 200,599 Mordialloc 10,638 10,638 26,045

gJ ..,. 36,683 .. .. .. ti!,...

Northcote 16,727 16,188 107,329 a:> 124,056 .. .. .. ""''t:! Oakleigh .. .. .. 73,396 63,042 208,238 z§ 281,634 Port Melbourne .. .. 19,692 17,528 3,562 23,254 Prahran .. .. .. 13,500 13,500 100 13,600

Town Planning. [15 SEPTEMBER, 1964.] Railway Department. 185

U 1 "ft d R els nc ass1 e oa Main Roads Total

Municipality. C.R.B. C.R.B. Council C.R.B. Council Allocations.

Allocation. Contribution. Allocation. Contribution.

Preston .. .. .. 34,407 Richmond .. .. .. 42,992 Sandringham .. .. 13,468 St. Kilda .. .. . . 15,250 South Melbourne .. .. 32,293 Sunshine .. .. .. 49,950 Williamstown .. .. 45,640

I Broadmeadows .. .. 24,152 Chelsea .. .. . . 9,675 Dandenong .. .. .. 38,442 Doncaster and Templestowe .. 44,735 Nunawading .. .. .. 88,267 Ringwood .. .. .. 45,953 Springvale .. .. .. 44,695 Waverley 46,760 .. .. .. Berwick .. .. .. 650 Bulla .. .. .. 8,030 Cranbourne .. .. .. 3,405 Eltham .. .. .. 36,110 Frankston .. .. .. 20,170 Melton .. .. .. 981 Werribee .. .. . . 4,340 Whittlesea 17,026 .. ..

.. I 1,339,233 I

TOWN PLANNING PROPOSED RING ROAD THROUGH EAST

MELBOURNE AND JOLIMONT.

For Mr. CLAREY (Melbourne), Mr. Mutton asked the Minister of Public Works, for the Minister for Local Government-

If he will lay on the table of the Library all files in his Department relating to the proposal of the Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works to construct a " ring road " passing through East Melbourne and Jolimont?

Mr. PORTER (Minister of Public Works) .-The Local Government Department files relating to the proposed " ring road " have been laid on the table of the Library.

RAILWAY DEPARTMENT. GOWRIE RAILWAY STATION:

CONSTRUCTION: COST.

Mr. WILTON (Broadmeadows) asked the Minister of Transport-

How many men are employed in building the. Gowrie railway station, and what is the estimated date for the completion of the building?

25,643 142,559 176,966 25,328 300 43,292 13,468 60,525 73,993 15,250 7,462 i6' 22,712 22,293 30,440 co 62,733

0:. 39,550 76,800 ~ 126,750 26,320 75,522 J-4.._.; 121,162

Q) 0 22,668 65,077 ..c-<tl 89,229 9,445 774 s r1l 10,449 .s "d 37,266 62,713 P< ~ 101,155 7,858 122,507 Jj~ 167,242

86,767 204,630 ,.c:I I>.. 292,897 28,665 51,883 ~""' 97,836 o~

28,497 139,686 ~§ 184,381 26,340 186,916 ...... 0

~o 233,676 325 4,014 § 'E 4,664

1,415 10,266 "d r1l

18,296 876 370 ~ s 3,775

7,393 96,698 r1l""' 132,808 Q) Q)

5,640 77,300 ~~ 97,470 c:6""' 273 750 Q) 1,731 ~"d

1,120 1,250 0 i:: 5,590 4,080 40,249 z ::s 57,275

918,164 2,677,249 4,016,482


Eleven railway staff are employed on the site at Gowrie.

Other staff in departmental workshops are engaged on joinery, and steelwork for alterations to overhead structures.

Owing to shortage of staff, the station buildings are to be erected by contract. Tenders have been advertised and close on 23rd September, 1964. The opening date of the station will depend on the time required by the successful tenderer to carry out the work.

MELBOURNE-MILDURA FREIGHT TRAFFIC: Fruit Flyer SERVICE.

Mr. WHITING (Mildura) asked the Minister of Transport-

!. What increase (if any) has occurred in rail freight traffic between Melbourne and Mildura and vice-versa since the introduction of competitive freight rates on 1st October, 1963?

2. Whether the Railways Commissioners have given consideration to the introduction of the Fruit Flyer service from Mildura on Sunday evenings?

Mr. MEAGHER (Minister of Transport) .-The answers are-

1. Separate statistics are not maintained of rail traffic in commodities which were subject to the reduced freight rates introduced on 1st October, 1963.

186 Housing [ASSEMBLY.] Commission.

2. On a number of occasions from 1958 to 1961, the Fruit Flyer was run from Mildura to Melbourne on Sundays for periods of varying duration.

Because of the poor revenue return, the train has not since been run on Sundays, and there is no indication that its restoration now would be a payable proposition.

HOUSING COMMISSION. CARLTON AND FITZROY RECLAMATION

PROJECTS.

Mr. LOVEGROVE (Fitzroy) asked the Assistant Minister of Education, for the Minister of Housing-

!. When it is proposed to begin demolition for the Dickens-street, Carlton, project, and what is the estimated cost of resumption of the site?

2. How many and what types of flats are to be erected on the site, what are the financial arrangements between the Housing Commission and developers, and what are the anticipated rents or purchase prices of the proposed flats?

3. How much the Commission is receiving from the Melbourne City Council for the resumption of the site for the Dickens-street project?

4. What action the council has taken in carrying out any agreement between it and the Commission?

5. What moneys and/or lands the Commission received from the Melbourne City Council; what are the values, areas, and locations of the lands; and what are the details of the financial formula?

6. How many flats for rental or sale have been erected in return for these moneys and lands, and where they have been erected, and how many will be erected in the current financial year, and in each of the next two financial years?

7. When an over-all plan will be completed for the 80 acres in Carlton bounded by Princes, Lygon, Elgin, and Nicholson streets?

8. What population it is estimated these 80 acres will have when reclaimed, and what amenities and arrangements for traffic control are envisaged?

9. What are the details of the two projects at present under consideration in conjunction with the Fitzroy council?

10. What are the financial proposals for the proposed Fitzroy development by ownyour-own flat co-operatives; what are the names of the officers of these co-operatives; and what areas they are seeking for private development in the Fitzroy electorate'?

11. When an over-all plan for Fitzroy will be completed in connexion with the over-all plan for Carlton?

12. What arrangements are being made to provide adequate educational facilities in the areas to be developed?

13. Whether Fitzroy residents affected will be rehoused in Fitzroy?

Mr. ROSSITER (Assistant Minister of Education) .-The Minister of Housing has supplied the following answers:-

!. Demolitions wi11 commence as soon as legal procedures in connexion with the proclamation and acquisition of the area are completed and properties are acquired and occupants vacate or are rehoused. Estimated cost is £240,000.

2. This area is under consideration for development by private developers and if this procedure is followed the land will be sold by public auction or tender and the purchaser will then be required to submit his proposed plan of redevelopment to the Commission for approval.

3. Nil. No agreement. 4. No agreement. 5. The Commission has received the

following grants from the Melbourne City Council:-

( a) £350,000 with a further £250,000 to be spread over this financial year and the following two financial years;

(b) an area of 6! acres of land in Victoria-street, Flemington, valued at £110,250;

(c) an area of 4 acres of land in Altonastreet, Kensington, valued at £35,000.

The grants were the result of agreements which provided for two grants of £300,000 each by payments of £100,000 each year, the first £300,000 being funded by anticipated additional rates of £17,000 each year and the second by anticipated additional rates of £19,000 each year as a result of the Commission's redevelopment.

6. Flats already erected on estates covered by agreements are-

Canning-street, Carlton 56 Boundary-road, North Melbourne 380 Reeves-street, Carlton . . 136 Debney's estate, Flemington 198

Flats proposed to be erected are-1965-66-Debney's estate, Flem-

ington 180 Reeves-street, Carlton . . 180

1966-67-High-street, Carlton 536 1967-68-Boundary-road, North

Melbourne 160 Debney's estate, Flem-

ington 524 7. The town planning of this area is now

being carried out by the Commission and will be completed as soon as possible.

8. The population of this area following redevelopment could vary between 10,000 and 15,000 persons. No detailed planning

Housing Commission. [15 SEPTEMBER, 1964.] Hospitals. 187

has been finalized as the Commission intends to confer with the Melbourne City Council, the Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works, the Education Department and traffic authorities.

9. The two areas in Fitzroy under consideration for reclamation are--

(a) an area of approximately 2! acres having frontages to Hanover, Fitzroy and King William streets;

(b) an area of 10.2 acres within the area bounded by Gertrude, Brunswick, Webb and Napier streets.

10. Public Servants' Co-operative Community Advancement Society Limited is a society registered under the Co-operation Act 1958 for the purposes of developing a site in Hanover-street, Fitzroy, with a block of own-your-own flats.

The society has arranged loan accommodation with the Commercial Bank of Australia Limited of £100,000 to finance the erection of the flats.

The larid has been purchased from the Housing Commission at a cost of £19,000 which has been met by deposits paid by members of the society who will purchase the flats when erected.

The names of the officers of this society are as follows:-

Arthur Augustus Calwell, Director William Sutherland Helem, Director Harry Ernest Medley, Director Henry Joseph Rosengren, Director David Stanley Watson, Director Laurence John Heale, Secretary.

The Stratum Titles Co-operative Housing Society (No. 3) Limited is a co-operative housing society registered under the Cooperative Housing Societies Act 1958 for the purpose of making advances to members to purchase the own-your-own flats to be erected at Hanover-street, Fitzroy.

The society has arranged with the Commercial Savings Bank of Australia Limited loan accommodation of £100,000 to finance the purchase of the own-your-own flats at Hanover-street, Fitzroy.

The officers of the society are as follows:-

Thomas Andrew Latham, Director William James Green, Director Henry Howard Newport, Director Allan Bruce McMullin, Director Graham Alexander Bone, Director Laurence John Heale, Secretary.

The co-operative has indicated an interest in land adjoining the area already purchased but no definite area has been stated.

11. The Commission is currently considering its slum reclamation programme generally, but it is indefinite when this will be completed in respect of the municipality of Fitzroy.

12. The Commission works in close liaison with the Education Department in the provision of educational facilities for redevelopment areas.

13. Normal policy is to rehouse persons displaced from any area in the same locality if they so desire and this policy will apply to reclamations in Fitzroy.

HOSPITALS. BEDS: CHARGES: PATIENTS.

Mr. LOVEGROVE (Fitzroy) asked the Assistant Minister of Education, for the Minister of Health-

1. How many-( a) public; (b) private; and ( c) intermediate beds are available in hospitals, and how many in each classifica ;jon are occupied at present?

2. How many beds are free and what charges are made for the other beds?

3. How many applicants are awaiting admission as in-patients to these hospitals?

4. What is the average length of time a patient occupies a bed, and what is the over-all average cost to the patient per week?

5. When hospital charges have been raised since the Government took office, and what were the increases in each case?

6. When medical charges have been raised since the Government took office, and what was the average cost per in-patient?

7. How many out-patients are attending hospitals?

Mr. ROSSITER (Assistant Minister of Education) .-The Minister of Health has supplied the following answers:-

1. Beds available, 1962-63: Public Non-public

8,590 4,272

12,862

Daily average occupancy, 1962-63: Public · 5,987 Non-public 2,854

8,841

2. Notifiable infectious patients are entitled to free hospital care during the infectious period.

Pensioners holding medical entitlement cards are given free hospital care.

Fee charges in public hospitals from 1st May, 1960-

Public Intermediate

60s. per day. 72s. per day

Charges for private rooms vary amongst hospitals from approximately £4 to £6 per day.

188 H ospit,als. [ASSEMBLY.] Immigration.

3. In country areas generally, the numbers are relatively low. In the metropolitan area the figure is higher, mainly because of medical emergencies in old people and because of those needing treatment in special medical or surgical departments. Precise figures could be obtained only by seeking a return from every public hospital.

4. Average stay in hospital, 1962-63: 11.1 days.

Fees charged to patients per week are: Public . . £21 per week Non-public £25 4s. to £42

The over-all average cost to the patient is not available. This cost varies considerably because of:-

5.

(a) Commonwealth and fund benefits; (b) Remission of fees in cases of hard

ship; ( c) Free treatment for pensioners and

infectious diseases patients; ( d) Insurance coverage, for example,

workers compensation and motor car accident patients.

1st July, 1956. 1st May, 1960.

- Increase New Increase New per Rate per per Rate per

Day. Day. Day. Day.

Public .. 18s. 36s. 24s. 60s.

Intermediate .. 15s. 54s. 18s. 72s.

Semi-private-Varying rates 3s. to 60s. to 20s. to sos.

15s. 75s. 5s. (basic rate)

Private-Varying rates ..... I 63s. to 30s. to 93s.

19s. 6d. 90s. 3s. (basic rate)

NoTE.-There are some special private beds for which current fees range up to £6 10s. per day.

6. There are no medical charges for public in-patients. Private and intermediate patients are charged for pathology and X-ray examinations according to scales approved by the Hospitals and Charities Commission. These scales were varied:-

Pathology-31st March, 1960. 10th August, 1964.

X-ray-5th July, 1955. 17th October, 1961. 1st September, 1964.

Specific information concerning the average cost per in-patient for these services is not available. Non-public patients are treated by their own doctors, and medical fees in these cases are a matter for settlement between doctor and patient, although the Australian Medical Association recommends suggested average fees to doctors for visits and consultations and for special professional and technical procedures. These suggestions are intended for guidance only.

7. 1962-63-658,006 patients, making 1,777,236 attendances.

Mr. Rossiter.

IMMIGRATION. VICTORIAN INTAKE: BRITISH AND

NON-BRITISH MIGRANTS.

Mr. WILKES (Northcote) asked the Minister of Immigration-

!. What was the migrant intake into Victoria in each of the last three financial years?

2. What percentage of the whole migrant intake into the Commonwealth this represents in each of those years?

3. What was the number of-( a) British migrants; and (b) migrants from other countries, in each of those years?

Mr. WILCOX (Minister of Immigration).-The answers are-

1. 1961-1962 1962-1963

42,708 44,375

1963-1964 (9 months to 31st March) 33,787

Per cent. 36.2 2. 1961-1962

1962-1963 32.3 1963-1964 (9 months to 31st

March) 29.8

3. 1961-1962 1962-1963 1963-1964 (9 months to 31st March).

British. Nan-British. Total.

16,649 26,059 42,708 21,670 22,705 44,375 17,402 16,385 33,787

The above figures are of permanent longterm arrivals who disembarked in Victoria. No account is taken of subsequent movements interstate, or, of course, movements to Victoria from other States.

Victorian migrants who come to Australia by air and disembark at Sydney are classified as New South Wales arrivals. Perhaps I should add that as far as the final intake of migrants into different States is concerned-using the word " intake " as the honorable member did in his questions-there are no statistics available. The figures which I have supplied relate only to the point of disembarkation.

ROADS. CONSTRUCTION AND EXPENDITURE BY

GOVERNMENT INSTRUMENTALITIES: MONEYS RECEIVED AND PAYMENTS BY COUNTRY ROADS BOARD.

Mr. LOVEGROVE (Fitzroy) (By leave) .-1 move-

That there be laid before this House a return showing:-

1. Moneys received by the Country Roads Board during the financial year 1963-64 and estimated to be received in

Statute Law [15 SEPTEMBER, 1964.] Revision Committee. 189

the year 1964-65 from-(a) the Commonwealth Government; (b) State taxation on motorists; and ( c) other sources.

2. Amounts spent in 1963-64 and proposed to be spent in 1964-65 by the Country Roads Board on roads-(a) in the metropolitan area; and (b) outside the metropolitan area.

3. Amounts spent in 1963-64 and proposed to be spent in 1964-65 by the Country Roads Board on-( a) interest and sinking fund payments; (b) payments to the Tourist Fund; ( c) plant purchases; and ( d) administration.

4. Moneys spent on roads in 1963-64 and proposed to be spent on roads in 1964-65 by-( a) the Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works; (b) the State Electricity Commission; ( c) the Forests Commission; ( d) the Melbourne Harbor Trust; ( e) the Public Works Department; and (f) the Housing Commission-in the metropolitan area, and outside the metropolitan area, respectively.

5. Roads-constructed in 1963-64 in the metropolitan area by-( a) the Country Roads Board; and (b) the Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works, and the roads each authority proposes to construct in 1964-65.



EVIDENCE ACT 1958. Mr. WILKES (Northcote) presented

a report from the Statute Law Revision Committee upon section 28 of the Evidence Act 1958, together with minutes of evidence.

It was ordered that they be laid on the table, and that the report be printed.

LATROBE VALLEY (AMENDMENT) BILL.

Mr. DARCY (Minister of Water Supply), by leave, moved for leave to bring in a Bill to amend the Latrobe Valley Act 1958, and for other purposes.


a first time.

STATE FORESTS LOAN APPLICATION BILL.

Mr BALFOUR (Minister of Lands) presented a message from His Excellency the Governor recommending that an appropriation be m·ade from

the Consolidated Revenue for the purposes of a Bill to sanction the issue and application of loan money for works and other purposes relating to State forests.


On the motion of Mr. BALFOUR (Minister of Lands) , the Bill was brought in and read a first time.

ACQUISITION OF MATERIALS BILL.

Mr. RYLAH (Chief Secretary) moved for leave to bring in a Bill to amend section 50 of the Country Roads Act 1958, section 63 of the Lands Compensation Act 1953, section 658 of the Local Government Act 1958, and section 308 of the Water Act 1958.


a first time.

AGRICULTURAL COLLEGES BILL. Mr. BALFOUR (Minister of Lands)

moved for leave to bring in a Bill to amend the Agricultural Colleges Act 1958, to validate certain regulations, to excise certain areas from land permanently reserved as a site for the purposes of a State agricultural college, and for other purposes.


a first time.

MOTOR CAR (AMENDMENT) BILL. Mr. WILCOX (Minister of Immi

gration) moved for leave to bring in a Bill to amend the Motor Car Act 1958.


a first time.

CRIMES (AMENDMENT) BILL. Mr. WILCOX (Minister of Immi

gration) .-1 move-That this Bill be now read a second tune.

190 Crimes (.Amendment) [ASSEMBLY.] Bill.

This Bill proposes a number of important, but unrelated, amendments to the Crimes Act 1958. Because each clause deals with a new subjectmatter, I think it would be advantageous to consider the clauses immediately. Clause 1 is the usual citation and commencement clause.

Sub-section ( 1) of section 83 9t the Crimes Act 1958 empowers a court to order a person convicted of illegally using a motor car to pay compensation to the owner of the car for any damage done to the car by the illegal use. Doubts have arisen whether this provision enables a court to order an offender released on probation under section 508 of the Act to pay compensation for damage he has caused. Under section 508, conviction is prerequisite to probation, but sub-section ( 1) of section 520 provides that where a probation order is made the conviction shall be deemed not to be a conviction for any purpose other than those specified in the section. An order under section 83 for the payment of compensation does not appear to be within the exceptions, so that an offender placed on probation appears able to escape such an order. The Crown Solicitor has suggested that any doubts should be removed. Clause 2 accordingly amends sub-section ( 1) of section 83 to include reference to release on probation or on bond. It seems clear in principle, because of the finding of guilt, that the court should be able to order the offender to pay compensation for actual damage.

From time to time, the police receive complaints about dangerous and drunken driving in parklands and on beaches, otherwise than on properly constructed carriageways. Subsection (4) of section 318 of the Crimes Act 1958 defines " motor car " and " highway " in terms of those definitions in the Motor Car Act 1958. Paragraph (b) of the proposed new sub-section (4), as contained in clause 3, adopts the Motor Car Act definition of " highway " with a variation in that the words in

Mr. Wilcox.

brackets in proposed new paragraph (b) namely, " (whether having a defined carriageway or not) ", are substituted for the words, "for passage with vehicles " in the existing Motor Car Act definition. This paragraph is therefore not limited to places ordinarily used for passage with vehicles, as roadways, but will extend to places like grassl_ands and beaches where cars are not normally driven by right-minded citizens.

Under section 320 of the Crimes Act, the power of a court to cancel or suspend driving licences is limited to convictions for reckless, dangerous or drunken driving under sections 318 and 319 and does not extend to a conviction for manslaughter arising out of the driving of a motor car. Clause 4 corrects the anomaly. There is no doubt that this is a sensible provision.

Clause 5 proposes to enable the service of certificates of blood tests to be proved by affidavit. Service of most documents is proved in this fashion. This also seems to be a sensible provision.

Clause 6 is designed to provide a simple means of recovering fines imposed in the Supreme Court and courts of General Sessions for indictable offences. Fines could always be imposed for offences classified as misdemeanours, but fines were comparatively rare until dangerous and drunken driving were made indictable offences in 1955. Most of these indictable cases would be disposed of summarily in courts of Petty Sessions under section 321 of the Act, but a considerable number do go for trial by jury and nearly all of those would be tried in General Sessions. The majority of those convicted would be fined. A fine has always been regarded as a debt due to the Crown for the recovery of which execution could be had against the person, land and goods of the defendant. At common law, the sheriff was the person whose duty it was to see to the recovery of fines for the Crown. By the Supreme Court Act 1958, our

Crimes (Amendment) [15 SEPTEMBER, 1964.] Bill. 191

Supreme Court has the same jurisdiction and powers as the old common law courts in England prior to the 4th January, 1875, but the Act makes no particular provision for the enforcement of fines. The Justices Act makes much the same sort of provision for Courts of General Sessions, but ultimately provides that an order of General Sessions may be removed into the Supreme Court for enforcement as if it were a Supreme Court order.

The Crown Proceedings Act 1958 governs proceedings by and against the Crown, but, by section 4, applies only to fines " imposed upon any person otherwise than by a judgment or conviction of some court or justice ". Section 439 of the Crimes Act deals with the question, but in terms of procedures that are now difficult to ascertain. Simply saying, in effect, that fines by the Supreme Court and General Sessions may be recovered as they were prior to the 4th January, 1875, is not very helpful 90 years after that day without a clear picture of the procedures followed prior to 1875.

The Statute Law Revision Committee has looked at this problem, and in its report of the 24th April, 1963, on the recovery of fines, recommended the adoption of a simple recovery procedure modelled on Petty Sessions methods. Clause 6 of the Bill requires a court, in imposing a fine, to fix a term of imprisonment for non-payment of the fine so that, if default is made, all that will be necessary will be the issue of a warrant of commitment by the appropriate court clerk. For fines outstanding at the commencement of the Act, a special provision is made in the Bill to make a defaulter liable for one day's imprisonment for every £1 of fine outstanding.

Section 465 of the Crimes Act provides that a stipendiary magistrate, upon being satisfied by information on oath laid by a member of the Police Force not below the rank of

inspector, may issue a warrant authorizing a member of the Police Force or other person, to search a building, receptacle or place for stolen property or other articles that may afford evidence as to the commission of an indictable offence or which it is believed may be used in the commission of an indictable offence. Sub-section (3) of section 27 of the Justices Act 1958 provides that a warrant to search for any thing shall only authorize a search by day unless there is specific power to search by night.

Clause 7 makes three small amendments to section 465 of the principal Act. First, under paragraph (a), a justice will be enabled to issue the warrant. Magistrates are few in number and in an emergency might be very hard to locate. Often honorable members have something to do with the appointment of justices of the peace, and it has been a policy of the Government for some time to be more sparing than used to be the case in the appointment of justices. I think this is a proper policy, in view of the substantial powers that justices can exercise if called upon to do so. This is another example of the powers that are placed in the hands of justices. It is proper that the policy of the Government should be continued, because more and more powers are being given to justices as related to their duties in Petty Sessions.

For much the same reason, paragraph (b) of clause 7 would require the information on oath of a member of the Police Force " of or above the rank of sergeant," not "of or above the rank of inspector " as heretofore.

Paragraph (c) of clause 7 negatives the present operation of subsection (3) of section 27 of the Justices Act by specifically providing for execution by night.

Sections 516 and 517 of the Crimes Act detail the procedures for taking action against a probationer failing to

192 Crimes (Amendment) [ASSEMBLY.] Bill.

comply with any requirement of his probation order or being convicted of an offence committed during the probation period. Sub-section ( 1) in each section provides for the issue of a summons or a warrant in the first place, but makes no provision for the event of a defendant not appearing to answer his summons. One of our foremost criminal lawyers and Judges, Sir John Barry, has suggested that the sections should go on to provide that a warrant may be issued for the apprehension of a defendant who fails to answer a summons for breach of probation. The words proposed to be inserted in sub-section ( 1) of each section by clause 8 will meet his point.

Clause 9 provides for the insertion of a new section 5 l 9A in the Act. Under section 517, a probationer may breach his probation by being convicted of an offence during the probation period. In proceedings for breach of probation, it is presently necessary for the prosecution to prove that the defendant is a person who was both released on probation in respect of one offence and convicted of another offence committed during the probation period. This is largely a question of proving identity, but it is proving troublesome. Unless both convictions are in the same court on informations laid by the same informant, but at different times, it is necessary to have different witnesses to prove that the same man was convicted on the relevant occasions. Where the breaching conviction occurs in a court other than that in which the probation order was made, someone is now involved in a journey, perhaps at great inconvenience and cost, to prove one or other of the convictions, depending where the breach proceedings are brought. Even where the convictions are in the same court, it commonly happens that the police officer on whose information the probation order was made has in the meantime been transferred to another place, possibly to the other end of the State. Because of the difficulty of arranging a

Mr. Wilcox.

time and place suitable to all concerned, delays seem to be inevitable on the present system.

At the request of the Chief Justice, the Government has examined ways of speeding up the hearing of breach cases, and eventually feels, because many defendants appear prepared to admit prior convictions, that provision should be made whereby defendants may b_e asked to say whether they admit the convictions on which the breach proceedings are based. The new section proposed to be inserted by clause 9 accordingly provides that where the information charging the breach alleges particulars of the convictions the defendant may be asked whether he admits them. If he admits the convictions, no further proof will be required. If he does not admit the convictions or any of them, the court will be able, under subsection (3), to adjourn the proceedings to allow formal proof of the convictions without making an order for costs against the prosecution on the adjournment. The discretion on costs should enable the courts to balance the public interest against the necessity of doing justice to defendants in these cases. The Government wants to encourage the disposal of cases and feels that, so far as is reasonably practicable and convenient, every effort should be made to ensure that the necessary witnesses are present so that breach of probation hearings are not needlessly adjourned. The new procedure is analogous to the allegation and proof of prior convictions generally under sections 376 and 395 of the Crimes Act.

Clause 10 repeals section 531 of the Crimes Act, which was originally designed as a transitory provision enabling the Parole Board to fix minimum terms for offenders serving sentences at the commencement of the Penal Reform Act 1956. The section is now spent and may be repealed. The questions of fixing minimum terms and the order of service of sentences are now governed entirely by sections 534 and

Crimes (.Amendment) [15 SEPTEMBER, 1964.] Bill. 193

535, the latter of which was considerably expanded in 1959 by Act No. 6572. This clause simply repeals the section.

Clause 11 adds two new subsections to s·ection 532 of the principal Act. Offenders sentenced to gaol in Victoria for offences against Commonwealth Acts are imprisoned in Victorian gaols, but are subject to Commonwealth law relating to release on licence and not to Victorian law relating to release on parole under the Crimes Act. The Commonwealth desires that our Parole Board should report on prisoners serving terms in our gaols for offences under Commonwealth law, either at the request of the Commonwealth Attorney-General's Department or of the Board's own motion in any case where the Board feels that release on licence would benefit the prisoner. The Parole Board is willing to act in these cases, but thinks it should be given specific power to do so to put its authority beyond question. The new sub-sections proposed to be inserted by the clause are selfexplanatory against the background I have given and are expressed in such a way as to attract the application of other provisions of the Act, such as section 529, which relates to the protection of the members of the Board in the ·exercise of its powers.

Mr. TREWIN .-Does the Commonwealth pay the State for keeping these people in prison?

Mr. WILCOX.-! doubt whether it does. I think the State does a lot of things for the Commonwealth for which it is not paid. On the other hand, I think the Commonwealth does a few things for the State. I am inclined to agree with the interjection of a colleague that these are very few in number. Of course, this could be the sort of thing that could be considered in connexion with the broad question of CommonwealthState financial relations.

Clause 12 amends section 572, which requires that a convicted person who wants to appeal to the

Session 1964.-9

Full Court should give notice of appeal within ten days of his conviction. As the practice of requiring presentence reports is growing, so also is the interval of time between conviction and sentence. In most cases, the sentence is an important factor in determining whether the convicted person will lodge an appeal or not, and if the appeal is against sentence only, he may well not begin to consider appealing until more than ten days from his conviction. The su .. preme Court Judges have considered the question and think the section should be amended to require notice of appeal within fourteen days after conviction and sentence. Clause 12 amends the section accordingly. I do not think there is any doubt on the part of any practising lawyer that it is not unreasonable to extend that period.

Clause 13 inserts in the schedules to the principal Act a form of warrant to be used with respect to fines imposed in the higher courts for misdemeanours under the new section 439 inserted by clause 6 of the Bill.

I commend the Bill to the House.

On the motion of Mr. HOLDING (Richmond) , the debate was adjourned until Tuesday, September 29.

MOTOR CAR (AMENDMENT) BILL. Mr. WILCOX (Minister of Immi

gration) .-1 move-That this Bill be now read a second time.

The objects of this short Bill are-( 1) to enable a person aged seven

teen years and nine months to register a motor cycle; and

(2) to authorize the Treasurer to make a pro rata refund of a licence fee where the Chief Commissioner has cancelled the driver's licence on the grounds of ill health, old age or infirmity.

Sub-section (2) of section 23 of the Motor Car Act permits a person over the age of seventeen years and nine months to be issued with a motor

194 Motor Car [ASSEMBLY.] (Amendment) Bill.

cycle learner's licence, but subsection ( 4) of section 6 of the Act prohibits a motor car, which includes a motor cycle, being registered in the name of any person under the age of eighteen years. This means that a person over the age of seventeen years and nine months, but under eighteen, who obtains a learner's licence to drive a motor cycle cannot register the motor cycle and can ride a motor cycle registered only in the name of some person over eighteen years. It is considered that this is an anomaly and the amendment proposed by clause 2 of the Bill removes this anomalv and allows such learnerdriver to register his own motor cycle.

Under sub-section (1) of section 220 of the principal Act, the Chief Commissioner of Police is empowered to authorize payment of a refund of a sum equal to the amount of one-third of the driving licence fee for each whole year of the unexpired period of the licence where the licenceholder voluntarily surrenders his driving licence to the Chief Commissioner for cancellation on the grounds of ill health, bodily infirmity or incapacity.

On the other hand, where the Chief Commissioner cancels a person's licence under the provisions of paragraph (b) of sub-section (I) of section 25 on the grounds that he considers that by reason of illness or bodily infirmity, defect or incapacity, or by reason of the effects of treatment for such illness, &c., it would be dangerous for that person to drive a motor car, no provision exists to enable the Chief Commissioner to authorize any part of the licence fee to be refunded. There appears to be no justification for granting a refund in the one case and denying a refund in the other where the circumstances are similar and beyond the control of the licence-holder.

This Bill has assumed more importance as a result of the Budget Speech last week, in which it was announced that the Government proposes to increase driving licence fees.

Mr. Wilcox.

Mr. LovEGROVE.-How many licences are voluntarily surrendered each year?

Mr. WILCOX.-1 have not any idea of the number, but I can certainly ascertain that information for the honorable member.

Mr. Moss.-lf a stipendiary magistrate cancels a licence will that be deemed to be the Chief Commissioner of Police taking action?

Mr. WILCOX.-No. If a person loses his licence by action of the court, that is just too bad. He cannot expect to obtain a refund in those circumstances.

Mr. WILKES.-If a month ago a person renewed his licence for three years, will he be called upon to pay an additional fee when the Budget proposal is implemented?

Mr. WILCOX.-Although that is a Budget matter, I can answer the honorable member by saying that if a person renewed his licence at the rate of 10s. a year last week, the Budget proposal will not affect his position. I am happy to say that one of my sons obtained a driving licence only last week.

I commend the Bill to the House. On the motion of Mr. LOVE

GROVE (Fitzroy) , the debate was adjourned until Tuesday, September 22.

PUBLIC LANDS AND WORKS BILL. Mr. PORTER (Minister of Public

Works) .-I move-That this Bill be now read a second time.

A Bill of this title was first introduced into this House in May, 1963. The proposals contained in the Bill, were, by resolution of the House, referred to the Statute Law Revision Committee for examination and report. This committee, after examination of the Bill, made a report in which it approved of the general scheme of the Bill, but recommended changes in certain aspects. I think they were in the main in the schedules.

Public Lands and [15 SEPTEMBER, 1964.] Works Bill. 195

A second Bill, which contained revised provisions to incorporate recommendations of the committee was introduced into the House on 7th April, 1964, but, as further slight revision appeared desirable, the Government deferred consideration of the measure until this session.

A case came before a court in which councillors of the City of Brighton were sued in three separate capacities-as a corporation, as members of a committee of management of Crown lands, and in their private capacities. It became known to me, as Minister for Local Government, that the councillors in their individual capacities were relying as a defence on the grounds that they had not been validly appointed under the Board of Land and Works. I think this was something which had not been foreseen by the Parliamentary Draftsman, the Law Department, or the Statute Law Revision Committee when it examined the Bill. So consideration of the measure was deferred until this session.

This Bill incorporates amendments to which I have made reference, chiefly to the schedules and the addition of clause 16. Since last session there has been a general election as the result of which there are several new members of the Legislative Assembly. Members of the last Parliament will be aware of the purpose of the Bill, but for the benefit of the new members I wish to state that the main object of the Bill is to abolish the Board of Land and Works and to make provision for the holding of its property and the carrying on of its functions.

In explaining the measure, I cannot do better than confirm the comments of the Minister of Transport when introducing the first Bill and my remarks in relation to the second Bill. The Board was originally created by statute in 1857, with the object of amalgating the Department of Crown Lands and Survey and the Department of Public Works under the control of the Board and the single

Minister who was its president. This object was not achieved, however, because the Board did not function in the way in which Parliament contemplated that it would function. The two Departments really continued to function separately under the name of the Board, almost as if the statute had not been passed. This was pointed out by a Royal Commission as long ago as 1860. Subsequently, when a Minister of Railways was appointed, matters relating to the construction of railways were similarly administered separately, though in the name of the Board. This state of affairs has now existed for over 100 years, and honorable members will find the matter more fully dealt with in the report of the Committee of Public Accounts, dated 5th September, 1961.

The Government, therefore, proposes to amend the law to bring it into accord with the practice which has been followed for so long. Though in its details, and having regard to the large number of statutes conferring powers on the Board, or which refer to the Board, the Bill is rather complex, in its broad outlines it is really quite simple. The proposal is that the various functions of the Board should be allotted to the Ministers administering the three Departments concerned-namely, the Lands Department, Public Works Department, and Railway Department -and also that any property held by the Board for the purposes of those Departments should be held by the respective Ministers in the same way and for the same purposes. It is thus a Bill dealing rather with departmental administration than with substantive law.

An alteration to the original Bill makes provision for changing the title of the Commissioner of Crown Lands and Survey and the Commissioner of Public Works to the Minister of Lands and Minister of Public Works respectively. As I informed the House last session, the title of Commissioner appears these days to be an inappropriate one for a Minister of

196 Public Lands and [ASSEMBLY.] Works Bill.

the Crown. It suggests rather an executive official, perhaps subject to control by a Minister, and in fact these two Ministers have been generally known among the public and members of the House by the proposed new titles. Although not mentioned in the report, it is understood that this change is in accordance with the view of the Statute Law Revision Committee. The change is, of course, not essential to the general scheme of the Bill, but if the change is to be made, it is desirable that it be made in this measure, which makes so many amendments to various Acts in which there is reference to the two Ministers. Essentially the Bill dissolves the Board of Land and Works, and provides for the tr an sf er to others of its functions, property rights and obligations, but the way in which it does this differs in several respects from the method originally proposed.

First, certain powers included among those transferred by the first Bill to the Minister of Public Works are now transferred to the Minister of Education. These are the powers of the Board of Land and Works to acquire land for educational purposes. It may be mentioned that the amount of land acquired for educational purposes is considerable, and is possibly greater than is acquired for any other purpose. The Statute Law Revision Committee recommended that the Minister of Education should have power to acquire land directly, and not through the Minister of Public Works. As a corollary, it is provided in the Bill that, if any land acquired by the Board for education purposes is still held by it, that land is to vest in the Minister of Education and his successors for the purposes of the Education Act.

As to the other functions of the Board, what I may call Lands Department matters and Public Works Department matters, are transferred to the Minister of Lands and the Minister of.Public Works respectively, and real property held by the Board in connexion with those matters is

Mr. Porter.

to vest in those Ministers respectively and their successors. Instead of being made corporations sole for all purposes, as in the earlier Bill, these two Ministers will thus become in effect quasi corporations for the purpose only of holding property. The provision is similar to the existing provision in the Education Act 1958, whereby land is vested in the Minister of Education and his successors for the purposes of that Act, and is in accordance with the Statute Law Revision Committee's recommendation that the Ministers should be incorporated for the purpose only of holding property.

The amount of land which will be affected by this provision is not very considerable. The modern practice is for land acquired by the Board to be tr an sf erred to the Crown or other authority on whose behalf it is acquired at the same time as the Board obtains the title to it, and, in the case of the Minister of Lands, it is believed that the only land affected is land held under the Closer Settlement Act. The Bill provides that all personal property held by the Board for purposes other than railway purposes is to vest in the Crown, and that all contracts and agreements of the Board and all causes of action, actions, and legal proceedings against the Board are to be enforced and continued by or against the Crown. A person having any claim against the Board will thus not have to make a decision as to which Minister he should sue, and the Crown Proceedings Act 1958, which deals with proceedings against the Crown, makes adequate provision for the satisfaction of any judgment obtained.

There are, however, two exceptions . to this general provision. First, it is provided that claims for compensation under ·the Lands Compensation Act 1958 are to be continued or made against the Minister of Public Works. Having regard to the nature of those proceedings, and also to the fact that the Act itself provides for payment of compensation and costs recovered, it appears to be desirable that the

P'Ublic Lands and [15 SEPTEMBER, 1964.] .Works Bill. 197

Minister rather than the Crown should be the party to the proceedings. Secondly, claims to enforce the performance of a duty by the Board are to be brought against the appropriate Minister. It is obvious that a claim of this kind could not reasonably be made against the Crown. To be effective, it must be against some particular person, who could perform any duty, or do any act, or exercise any discretion, which the court might order. In such a claim against a Minister, it is, of course, possible that the Minister may be ordered to pay costs. The Bill makes provision for the satisfaction of any such order by applying the relevant provision of the Crown Proceedings Act.

I now come to railway matters. In this regard, the Bill makes a somewhat different provision. By an amendment to the Railways Act 1958, a body corporate under the name of the Railways Construction Board is established in place of the Board of Land and Works. This new authority is to consist. of the Minister of Transport, and all the functions of the Board of Land and Works in railway matters, and all property held by it for railway purposes, are to be transferred to it. Provision is also made for the transfer of the staff of the Railways Construction Branch to the new authority without loss of any of their rights or privileges. The reasons why this different provision is made in the case of the railways are, first, that the Railways Construction Branch has a separate staff of its own, whereas in the case of other matters, the Board relies on the officers of the Public Service in the Department concerned. It is, therefore, necessary that there should be a body to employ this staff. The Minister himself, being a servant of the Crown, could not be the employer. Secondly, the Board of Land and Works figures in a number of industrial awards in connexion with railway matters, and it is desirable that some authority other than the Minister in his own name should take its place in this regard.

With regard to the future performance of the functions of the Board of Land and Works, the provisions of section 11 of the Public Works Act 1958 are re-enacted in relation to the Minister of Public Works, thus formally giving to him the powers of the Board in relation to the provision of public buildings and equipment. The Minister of Public Works is also empowered to take land on lease for public purposes. Such a power had, in fact, been exercised by the Board, and it is desirable that there should be legislative authority for its exercise by the Minister. Detailed provision for the future performance of the Board's functions is also made in the schedules to the Bill in numerous amendments to various Acts. These amendments are those which appear to be necessary to give effect to the general proposition of the Bill that the Board's functions are to be transferred to certain Ministers. An attempt has been made to amend all the consolidated Acts so far as is necessary, and it is believed that the object has been achieved. A small number of unconsolidated Acts have also been amended. It would be an impossible task to amend all the Acts on the statute-book in which the Board of Land and Works is mentioned. The Bill itself, however, contains provision with regard to the interpretation of references to the Board in Acts and other documents.

Provision is made whereby in any case of doubt or dispute as to which is the appropriate Minister concerned with vested property or which Minister shall exercise any power or authority tr an sf erred under this Act, the matter shall be determined by the Governor in Council. There is also provision to validate the use of the Seal and of any past action contract or lease entered into by the Board and the appointment of members to the Board. The additional clause 16 to which I made reference is designed to prevent any ground of claim or defence already relied upon from being adversely affected by the Bill.

198 Agricultural Colleges [ASSEMBLY.] Bill.

The real meat of the Bill is contained in the numerous schedules, which have previously been examined by the Statute Law Revision Committee. In the first instance, the committee suggested a number of additions and alterations, and these have been incorporated in this measure. I intend to move that the Bill be again referred to the Statute Law Revision Committee.

On the motion of Mr. LOVEGROVE (Fitzroy) , the debate was adjourned until next day.

Mr. PORTER (Minister of Public Works) .-By leave, I move-

That the proposals contained in the Public Lands and Works Bill be referred to the Statute Law Revision Committee for examination and report.


AGRICULTURAL COLLEGES BILL. Mr. BALFOUR (Minister of Lands).

-I move-That this Bill be now read a second time.

In introducing this Bill, it is desirable to give a brief explanation of what is meant by agricultural college reserves and agricultural college leases and some particulars of how they are controlled under the Agricultural Colleges Act 1958 by the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Crown Lands and Survey. In the year 1884, the Agricultural Colleges Act constituted the Council of Agricultural Education and provided for the reservation of areas of Crown lands throughout the State as an endowment to produce revenue for the establishment and maintenance of agricultural colleges. Areas amounting to some 142,000 acres were reserved, and agricultural colleges were established at Dookie and Longerenong, the former in 1886 and the latter in 1888. All the reserves were vested in three trustees who had power to lease the lands.

The endowment reserves were described as agricultural college reserves, and the leasing of them was administered by the trustees until 1944

when the Agricultural Colleges Act, No. 5044, abolished the council and divested the reserves from the trustees. The Act revoked all the reservations and permanently rereserved the colleges at Dookie and Longerenong under the Land Act and placed them under the control of the Minister of Agriculture. The former endowment reserves were deemed to be Crown lands to be dealt with under the Land Act, with the proviso that all leases granted by the trustees were not to be affected and were to be continued. These leases are still known as agricultural college leases and, in fact, are so described in the regulations. The amending Act, of 1946, No. 5177, authorized the renewal of these leases and a further amendment in 1950, Act No. 5748, permitted the holder of an agricultural college lease to apply for a purchase lease or Crown grant where the leasehold formed an essential part of his farm or farming operations. These Acts were consolidated by the Agricultural Colleges Acts of 1958 and 1961, Nos. 6194 and 6786.

Of the original 243 agricultural college leases taken from the trustees, 120 are still current and are administered by the Department of Crown Lands and Survey. The Agricultural Colleges Leases and Grants Regulations were made on 24th July, 1951, and were amended on 27th May, 1958. These regulations were to control the renewals of leases and the issue of purchase leases and grants. Regulations known as the Agricultural College Regulations were made on 12th June, 1956, to control the Department of Agriculture's administration of Dookie and Longerenong agricultural colleges, and these regulations were superseded by the Agricultural Colleges Regulations made on 24th March, 1964. Unfortunately, in both of these cases it was overlooked that the clause revoking previous regulations also revoked the regulations made by the Department of Crown Lands and Survey in 1951 and amended in 1958.

Agricultural Colleges [15 SEPTEMBER, 1964.] Bill. 199

The main purpose of the Bill is to revive the regulations made in 1951 as amended and to validate all actions which have been carried out in the meantime. This is effected in clause 2 of the Bill. The opportunity is also being taken in clauses 3 and 4 to strengthen the regulation-making powers which were originally contained in the Agricultural Colleges Act 1928 and were continued by paragraph (c) of section 5 of the Agricultural Colleges Act 1944. A more specific provision in the latter Act relating to the making of regulations referred to the control of Dookie and Longerenong agricultural colleges.

Clause 3 deals with the resumption of the land in a renewed agricultural college lease for any of the purposes for which the land can be reserved under section 14 of the Land Act. A regulation to this effect was made in 1951, and since then the provision has been included in all renewals of agricultural college leases. It is felt that the express power to make such a resumption should be contained in the Act.

It is desired to review the scale of fees fixed in 1951 and to consolidate the regulations into statutory rules in accordance with the Subordinate Legislation Act 1962. Clause 4 proposes a new provision for the making of regulations relating to all the dealings and payment of fees with respect to agricultural college leases and grants, thus removing any doubts regarding the power to make them, particularly the payment of fees. The Bill also deals with the excision of several separate areas from the Dookie Agricultural College reserve as described in the schedule thereto. The lands are required for the following various purposes: -

Paragraph I of the schedule-6 acres and 2 perches to be leased to the Commonwealth under the Land Act as a site for a television transmission mast.

Paragraph 2 of the schedule-I rood and 8 perches which has been occupied for some years ·by

the State Electricity Commission by arrangement with the Department of Agriculture as a site for a radio telephone repeater station.

Paragraph 3 of the schedule--1 acre and 35 perches which is already leased to the Commonwealth of Australia for 21 years from 1st September, 1953, for the purposes of a radio beacon for the Civil Aviation Department. The lease was compulsorily acquired under the Commonwealth Lands Acquisition Act but this did not excise the land from the reservation.

Paragraph 4 of the schedule-2 acres and 19 perches in two separate portions to be leased to Goulburn-Murray Television Limited for a television transmission mast.

The excision of all these areas could have been dealt with in a Revocation and Excision of Crown Reservations Bill, introduced earlier in this session, but because of the special circumstances and as an amendment was to be made to the Agricultural Colleges Act, it was thought that this amending Bill should be used, and provision for the excision is made in sub-clause (1) of clause 5. The two excisions relating to the sites for the television transmitting masts are concerned with the extension of television to country areas, in connexion with which the Commonwealth required two transmitting sites at Mount Major on the Dookie Agricultural College reserve, one for its own national station and the other for Goulburn-Murray Television Limited. The Commonwealth applied to the Department of Crown Lands and Survey for permission to use the sites, and it consulted the Department of Agriculture which operated this part of the college reserve for grazing purposes. The Department of Agriculture offered no objection provided that the Commonwealth and the company were prepared to construct and maintain a sealed roadway from the entrance to

200 Acquisition of [ASSEMBLY.] Materials Bill.

the reserve to the mast sites, a condition to which both parties have agreed.

The Department of Agriculture suggested that the site occupied by the State Electricity Commission be excised from the reservation so that a lease or licence could be granted under the Land Act. At the same time, the site being used by the Civil Aviation Department is to be excised because the compulsory acquisition by the Commonwealth did not remove the land from the permanent reservation. The sealed access road to all sites will be across the reserve, and the construction and maintenance of the road will be carried out by the Commonwealth and Goulburn-Murray Television Limited under terms and conditions laid down by the Department of Crown Lands and Survey and the Department of Agriculture and imposed by the Governor in Council. Special provision for this is made in sub-clause (2) of clause 5 so that the use of part of the reserve will not conflict with the purpose of the reservation, and so that special conditions can be inserted in the leases to be granted under the provisions of the Land Act.

The excision of these areas requires a consequential amendment to the schedule to the Agricultural Colleges Act 1958, and to the plan of the reservation lodged in the central plan office of the Department of Crown Lands and Survey. I commend the Bill to the House. If any honorable member should require further information, the officers of my Department will be happy to supply it.

On the motion of Mr. WILKES (Northcote), the debate was adjourned until Tuesday, September 29.

ACQUISITION OF MATERIALS BILL.

Mr. PORTER (Minister of Public Works) .-I move-

That this Bill be now read a second time. For some years the Country Roads Act, the Lands Compensation Act, the Local Government Act and the

Water Act have made provision for the various authorities constituted by these Acts or for persons authorized by them to enter land owned or occupied by private people and to take materials such as earth, gravel, stone and the like for the carrying out of the various works of the authorities. There have been, of course, some statutory restrictions on the taking of these materials. The provisions have been used frequently and with great assistance to the carrying out of road, water and developmental works. From my own knowledge, as the former Minister for Local Government, I may say that most country municipalities would find it almost impossible to undertake their road projects without some power of this nature.

Complaints have been made to the Government on behalf of several bodies as to the manner in which these powers of acquisition have been implemented, and requests were made that the relevant legislation be amended, because it was felt that in some instances landowners or occupiers, by lack of sufficient notice from acquiring authorities, and, on occasions, acquiring authorities, by some lack of co-operation from owners and occupiers, have suffered some inconvenience which could be avoided when materials are compulsorily acquired.

These requests were referred to the Statute Law Revision Committee which, in addition to hearing evidence, sought the views of the Soil Conservation Authority on the matter. The committee made certain recommendations to the Government, and, in an endeavour to avoid the difficulties which have been mentioned, this Bill has been introduced to amend the four Acts mentioned earlier.

All these Acts contain provisions regarding compulsory acquisition of earth and other materials which are similar in content. By the Bill, it is proposed to amend each Act by adding a similar sub-section to the relevant section in the Act, providing for this power of compulsory acquisition.

Acquisition of (15 SEPTEMBER, 1964.] Materials Bill. 201

In explaining the Bill, I shall deal primarily with it so far as it concerns the Country Roads Act. The relevant section of that Act is section 50, and it is proposed to add three new sub-sections, namely, sub-sections (IA), (ls) and (le), to the section. The new sub-section (IA) provides that the Board, before exercising its power of compulsorily acquiring materials, shall serve either personally or by post notice in writing of its intention to exercise its powers on the persons whose names appear on the records of the local municipality as the owner and occupier respectively of the land in question. It is required that a similar notice be served on the Soil Conservation Authority. These notices shall also indicate in general terms the approximate position and nature of the land, and the extent of the powers which it is proposed to exercise.

New sub-section (ls) makes it an offence carrying a penalty of not more than £100 for any person who, within 90 days after receiving a notice given pursuant to the last preceding sub-section, does any act or thing with the intention of preventing the Board from exercising the power conferred on it. The subsection also provides that the doing of any such act or thing within that period of 90 days shall not preclude the Board from exercising its power.

New sub-section (le) makes it obligatory on the Board to inform the owner and occupier of the land from which material is compulsorily acquired in writing of two mattersfirst, within three days of any authorized person doing any act or thing on the land on behalf of the authority, the name and place of business of such person, and, secondly, within seven days of the expiration of each calendar month the nature and quantity of materials taken during the previous calendar month.

As previously mentioned, the Bill contains a similar provision in regard to three other Acts, namely, the Lands Compensation Act, the Local

Government Act and the Water Act. These amendments should help to protect the rights of owners, occupiers and acquiring authorities in the compulsory acquisition of materials, and at the same time should eliminate some of the general grounds for complaint. I commend the Bill to the House.

On the motion of Mr. WILKES (Northcote), the debate was adjourned until Tuesday, September 29.

DISPOSAL OF UNCOLLECTED GOODS (DAMAGED MOTOR CARS)

BILL. Mr. WILCOX (Minister of Immi


This Bill is presented to the House on the recommendation of the Statute Law Revision Committee, which was concerned at the difficulties facing tow truck operators in disposing of unclaimed damaged motor cars lawfully removed by them.

The Disposal of Uncollected Goods Act 1961 applies in relation to the bailment of goods " accepted in the course of business for repair and other treatment," and on this interpretation recent legal opinion has been expressed that such unclaimed damaged motor cars cannot be considered to be goods within the meaning of that Act. In many cases, tow truck operators find themselves left with unclaimed damaged motor cars whose owners cannot be traced, and without any safe method of disposing of those vehicles, and so the committee recommended that such damaged motor cars be included within the ambit of the Disposal of Uncollected Goods Act 1961, which allows disposal in terms of the Act of goods left for repair or treatment after due notice has been given.

Clause 2 of the Bill introduces into the Disposal of Uncollected Goods Act 1961 a new section 6A, which is designed to implement the recommendations of the Statute Law Revision Committee. Sub-section

2oz State Forests· Loan· [ASSEMBLY.] Application Bill.

(1) of that section equates the tow truck operator who removes and stores any such damaged and uncollected motor vehicle to the bailee of goods " accepted for r·epair and other treatment" under the Act, and this will permit the operator, after giving due notice, to dispose of the vehicle at the expiration or nine months from the date such goods are ready for re-delivery. As the words " ready for re-delivery " are not appropriate to the present case, the vehicles often being left on the hands of the operator without any instructions for repair being given by the owner or person in charge, the committee recommended that in the case of these damaged vehicles any reference in the Act to the date when goods are ready for re-delivery should be taken to be the date when the vehicle was received by the bailee. Paragraph (a) of sub-section (2) of section 6A has done this, while paragraph (b) of that sub-section enables the reasonable expenses for towing and storage to be considered charges due to a bailee, and deductible from any surplus money returned to the owner.

The provisions of sub-section (3) of section 6A are consequential in that, in the Disposal of Uncollected Goods Act 1961, certain procedural actions taken under the Act are linked to the date of the commencement of that Act. As a new class of goods is being brought within the ambit of the Act, it is necessary that the operative date with respect to that class be the date of the commencement of the Act resulting from the passage of the present Bill.

Sub-section ( 4) safeguards the owner of a damaged motor car from misuse of the powers given by section 6A. The sub-section prevents a tow truck operator who either owns a garage or works in collusion with the owner of a garage from taking that car to such garage where unauthorized repairs are commenced without the owner's approval. The provisions of section 6A are in no way intended to aid the recovery of

Mr. Wilcox.

charges levied for unauthorized work, and the sub-section makes this position quite clear.

The provisions of this Bill will in no way negative the protection given to the owner of a stolen car which is damaged and abandoned and subsequently towed away by a tow truck operator. Section 10 of the Disposal of Uncollected Goods Act 1961 requires that not less than one month before the intended sale of a motor car which is to be sold under the provisions of the Act, the bailee must give notice of intention of sale together with full particulars of the car to the Chief Commissioner of Police, and the bailee is not entitled to sell the car until he has received a certificate from the Chief Commissioner that the car is not recorded for the time being as stolen.

The provisions of the Bill are in accordance with the recommendations of the Statute Law Revision Committee, and I commend the measure to the House.

On the motion of Mr. LOVEGROVE (Fitzroy) , the debate was adjourned until Tuesday, September 22.

STATE FORESTS LOAN APPLICATION BILL.



This Bill provides authority for the expenditure of £1,300,000 of loan moneys. An amount of £1,050,000 has been approved for expenditure on proposed works for the financial year ending 30th June, 1965. The additional amount authorized by the Bill is to provide parliamentary authority to continue works until the passing of further legislation relative to the loan programme to be approved for the financial year 1965-66.

Clause 1 of the Bill comprises the short title and citation. Clause 2 provides for the expenditure of moneys for the purposes set out in the schedule to the Bill. The purpose

State FMests Loan [15 SEPTEMBER, 1964.] Application Bill. . 203

of! clause 3 is to ensure that no moneys shall be expended except under this measure, and has the effect of cancelling unexpended authorities remaining under any previous measure of a similar nature.

Item 1 relates to fire protection, and provision is made for expenditure of the sum of £300,000. The Commission regards the provision of adequate access in the remaining inaccessible forest areas of the State, and improvement of existing access where this is below acceptable standards, as one of its main fire protection tasks. Adequate access is a basic necessity for successful fire suppression, and the problem of lack of access is being steadily overcome through the provision each year of funds for construction of roads and tracks.

Since 1939 the Commission has constructed more than 15,000 miles of roads of various categories within State forests for timber extraction and fire protection. The funds provided this year will enable the construction of 51 miles of firebreaks; 553 miles of jeep trails; 78 miles of roads including 12 culverts and bridges; and the improvement of 32 miles of road and 195 miles of jeep trails. It is proposed to construct a further 75 dams to enable tankers to be refilled more rapidly, and the budget includes provision for the construction of four additional fire towers and two lookout huts.

Fire-fighting equipment.-Replacement of obsolete or worn fire-fighting equipment will continue. Major items in this programme are sixteen fourwheel drive tankers, one mobile· kitchen for use at major fires and two trailer pumps.

Radio.-Following the successful testing of a recently developed very high frequency radio system in mountain areas, proposals for the establishment of two systems are being investigated. The remotely controlled receivers at the central Station VL 3AA, are being replaced by equipment of modern design,

together with the control console. Twelve northern forest districts are being provided with short-wave receivers to enable the reception of weather forecasts and associated information during the fire season.

A prototype high-frequency portable mobile set has been developed in the Commission's radio laboratory, and is undergoing performance and reliability trials in the field. It is also proposed to add a further 30 lightweight 30-megacycle pack sets to the existing group of 120.

Item 2 deals with indigenous State forests and provides a sum of £115,000. Silvicultural treatment of native forests is necessary to maintain and improve their productivity, to encourage the development of the best commercial species and the kind of produce which the market requires. Such treatment may take the form of measures to establish regeneration of cut-over forests or to provide optimum conditions for growth and quality development of existing stands. Soil preparation, removal of cull or surplus trees, seed dispersal either induced or artificial, ringbarking and poisoning are involved, and increasing use is made of research findings to improve techniques. Much of this work is carried out in conjunction with revenue producing utilization operations by licensees, but departmental labour is also freely used, particularly where little immediate revenue is derived.

Very large areas of native forest in many districts require silvicultural treatment, but preference will be given to better quality forests within economic reach of main markets. It is proposed to carry out regeneration measures on 15,000 acres, liberation and thinning of overstocked stands on 12,000 acres, and coppice treatment on 6,000 acres. The principal areas on which funds will be expended include Upper Yarra, Macalister, Nowa Nowa, Broadford, Daylesford, the Otways and the northern boxironbark and red gum forests. Expenditure of £5,000 is also proposed for erosion control and improvement of grazing facilities.

204 State Forests Loan [ASSEMBLY.] Application Bill.

Item 3 provides a sum of £250,000 for extraction roads. Extension of the forest roading system is proposed, to open up new sources of timber in order to maintain log supplies to the sawmilling and other wood using industries. In general, main timber extraction roads are constructed by the Forests Commission, and the secondary feeder roads by the timber industry. All such roads also have a valuable fire protection function.

The main project proposed is extension of the Tamboritha-Bennison Plains-Moroka roading system in the Macalister district, to maintain log supplies to the Heyfield group of sawmills. This project, commenced in 1959, to provide access to stands of high quality alpine ash, is now 57 miles in length, and extension by 6 miles at a cost of £44,000 is planned. The sum of £21,000 has been allocated to complete surfacing of the 23-mile Tamboritha section of the road, to permit all-weather extraction, and £20,000 has been allowed for construction of a road to tap timber supplies in the headwaters of the Macalister river. Heyfield sawmillers will also provide funds to extend this road system.

Construction of 55 miles of new roads for timber extraction in fifteen forest districts is proposed at a cost of £55,000, the principal projects being in the Orbost, N owa N owa and Erica districts. Surfacing of existing roads is required in a number of districts, but mainly in Heywood, lforrest, and Stawell, and £24,000 has been provided. Provision is also made for some improvements to existing roads, chiefly by way of widening and easing grades and curves.

Item 4 relates to plantations of softwoods and hardwoods, and makes provision for the sum of £460,000. The Government's programme, commenced in 1960, to increase the planting rate of fast-growing softwoods in order to compensate for dwindling supplies of hardwood timber, and to provide for an expanding population,

Mr. Balfour.

will be carried a stage further by the extension of a number of existing plantations, and the initiation of two new ones.

An additional £30,000 has been provided, and this will enable a commencement to be made with new plantation projects in the Latrobe Valley and at Beaufort, which raise the annual planting commitment to 6,200 acres-a target to be attained by 1966.

Existing plantations will be extended in Lower Glenelg by 1,500 acres, including 1,000 acres in the Portland project, by 1,000 acres in Tallangatta, and 700 acres in Myrtleford, and by lesser areas in Bright, Beechworth, Mansfield, Benalla, Neerim, South Gippsland, the Otways and Stawell. It is anticipated that 5,400 acres of new softwood plantations will be established during 1964-65 against the planned objective of 5,000 acres. A further 309 acres will be planted to replace mature plantations recently harvested.

A total of 1,300 acres of hardwoods will also be planted, mainly on abandoned farmlands in South Gippsland, where labour from the Morwell River Prison will be used in clearing, planting and raising nursery stock. A second prison forestry project is being developed at Won Wron, near Yarram, and £10,000 has been provided for prison construction. Other areas in which hardwoods will be planted include Upper Yarra, Toolangi, Broadford, the You Yangs and Erica.

To achieve the plantation works programme outlined, it is proposed to allocate the sums of £121,000 for land clearing and roading, £51,000 for planting operations, £43,000 for the raising of nursery stock, and £25,000 for the tending and maintenance of recently planted areas. Provision has also been made for seed collection, construction of camp facilities, fencing, vermin destruction and fire protection.

Of equal importance to the establishment of new plantations is the silvicultural treatment of older

State Forests Loan [15 SEPTEMBER, 1964.] Application Bill. 205

ones; provision has been made for this purpose, including the essential operations of pruning and thinning. Road construction estimated to cost £27,000 in Gellibrand, Myrtleford and Bright plantations will be accelerated, so that thinning and utilization operations may be extended.

In Item 5 £80,000 has been provided for forest officers' quarters, workshops and other buildings. Funds have been allocated for the completion of staff residences at Bendoc and Rennick and for the erection of new residences at Inglewood, Olinda, Maffra, Swifts Creek and Healesville. Additions and improvements will be made to several existing residences in order to maintain a reasonable standard of accommodation. A new district office is proposed for Bright, and extensions will be made to the office at Nyah. Additional store rooms and garages are proposed at various locations.

Item 6 makes provision of £80,000 for the purchase of land. From time to time, landholders in the vicinity of the Commission's major pine planting projects offer their holdings for sale, and the Commission is glad of the opportunity to effect consolidation and to extend protection of its plantations by purchasing such land. The areas ultimately required for planting and the anticipated financial returns to the State are considerable.

Further purchases of freehold property in the Dandenong Ranges are required in order to give effect to the provisions of the planning scheme adopted by the Town and Country Planning Board, and per medium of funds available under this heading it is anticipated that the bulk of the outstanding purchase negotiations will be finalized during the current financial year. Funds will also be used to purchase timbered land which, in the public interest, it is desirable to resume in State ownership for future hardwood timber production.

The balance of funds available under this heading is required to finance the purchase of alienated land

which it is essential to acquire for efficient administration and management of the forest estate. Land for construction of roads and tracks to facilitate timber extraction, fire protection and general access is the principal requirement in this category.

I tern 7 provides for the expenditure of £15,000 on the purchase of plant and machinery other than provided under items 1 to 5 inclusive. Purchase of certain specified and costly items of plant and machinery such as tractors, graders and compressors is financed from the Forests Plant and Machinery Fund. Finance is also required for essential items of equipment not chargeable to this fund -for example, electric motors and welders, power generators, wheeled tractors and cultivation implements for nursery work, workshop tools, water pumps and petrol-driven rock drills. I commend the Bill to the House.

On the motion of Mr. LOVEGROVE (Fitzroy) , the debate was adjourned until Tuesday, September 29.

LAND (SPECIAL GRANT) BILL. The debate (adjourned from Sep

tember 8) on the motion of Mr. Balfour (Minister of Lands) for the second reading of this Bill was resumed.

Mr. HOLDING (Richmond).-This is a simple, machinery Bill which has the support of the Opposition. It concludes a series of proposals which were initiated in 1957 following the separation of the Melbourne District Nursing Society and the After Care Hospital. The very commendable work of both of these instjtutions is well known to most honorable members.

The Bill deals with the acquisition and completion of properties for the After Care Hospital, which is situated in Victoria-parade, Collingwood. It is to be hoped that the Bill will be


afforded a speedy passage in order that the valuable activities carried on by that institution will be facilitated.

Mr. B. J. EVANS (Gippsland East). -The Country Party has no objection to this Bill. We support what we think is a sensible approach, and we also trust that the Bill will have a speedy passage.

The motion was agreed to. The Bill was read a second time,

and passed through its remaining stages.



The debate (adjourned from September 8) on the motion of Mr. Balfour (Minister of Lands) for the second reading of this Bill was resumed.

Mr. FENNESSY (Brunswick East). -As the Minister mentioned in his explanatory speech, this is a short Bill to amend certain sections of the Closer Settlement Act 1938. That Act was designed to make it easier for the settler to understand the workings of the legislation. Regulations were made in 1939 to provide for the payment of fees relating to applications for land, appeals against recommendations of a local land Board, preparation of leases, consents to mortgage, and other matters.

It appears that following the passing of the Subordinate Legislation Act, No. 6886, in 1962, the Crown Solicitor expressed doubt whether, under the regulations, such fees could be imposed, and the purpose of this Bill is to remove any doubt as to the power under the regulations in relation to the payment of those fees. It provides that after paragraph ( c) of sub-section (1) of section 46 of the Closer Settlement Act 1938 there shall be inserted the following paragraph: -

(ca) the fees payable for or in connexion with applications appeals Crown grants leases certificates and regis· trations.

The inclusion of this paragraph will make it definite that the regulations comply with the provisions of the Subordinate Legislation Act of 1962.

The Minister indicated that, at the time of the passing of the Closer Settlement Act in 1938, there were, roughly, 12,000 leases existing. These leases were held by both civilian applicants ·and returned soldiers of the first world war. We now find that, of the initial 12,000 leases, only 1,200 are current, but these will, for the most part, expire in about 1978. Since 1939 further leases have been granted to both returned soldiers of the 1939-45 war and the civilian settlers who have taken up land under the Closer Settlement Act. Accordingly, it is important that this amending legislation be passed and that the proposed new provision be inserted in the Act.

The Opposition has carefully examined the matter. It is satisfied with the intention of the Government to clean up an anomaly which could exist if the matter of legality were pressed in any way, and it does not oppose the measure. We would prefer, of course, that soldier and civilian settlers should be afforded some relief, but this does not appear to be the intention of the Government. The object of the Bill seems to be to ensure that the fees imposed can be collected. When we consider the situation to-day, we realize that there is not very much activity with regard to closer settlement. Very little has been done during the regime of the Bolte Government since 1955. A little bit has been attempted at Heytesbury in the electorate represented by the Minister of Water Supply, but, speaking by and large, there has not been any great activity in the matter of closer settlement. This is something which the Opposition deeply regrets, because there are many farmers' sons as well as many other young civilians who are still prepared to go on to the land provided that they can obtain some assistance.

· Closer Settlement [15 SEPTEMBER, 1964.] (Regulations) Bill. 207

Mr. B. J. EvANs.-At the present time, they are going elsewhere.

Mr. FENNESSY.-That is so. I am sure my colleagues on the corner benches will have something to say about that aspect. Although I have keenly interested myself in primary production in this State, I nevertheless realize that country members are more closely associated with farmers than I, as a metropolitan member, am. I think that, with me, members of the Country Party would deplore the inactivity of the Bolte Government in not creating better opportunities for both civilians and returned servicemen to take up land under the closer settlement scheme.

Mr. WHITING (Mildura).-The Country Party has considered this measure, and there are one or two interesting points that come out of it. First, it is difficult for me particularly, to understand why the Closer Settlement Act was not included in the 1958 consolidation. As was mentioned in the Minister's second-reading speech, whilst originally some 12,000 leases were issued under the Closer Settlement Act, there are at the moment only 1,200 current and the majority of those will expire by the year 1978. But even that is quite a long time, and it appears to me and to other members of my party that this particular Act could well have been included in the 1958 consolidation. Of course, some leases have from time to time come back to the Crown. They have recently been re-issued and have, in some cases, from 39 to 40 years to run. Whether in the distant future, after 1978, those of us who are still members of this House will have something to do about consolidating that particular Act with the Land Act, I do not know. However I think it would be desirable. '

In some instances-one, in particular, in my electorate came up recently-two blocks of land are being farmed as one property, one block under the Closer Settlement Act and the other block under the

Land Act. As ·a result, there is a great deal of confusion, particularly so far as the lessee is concerned, and I am sure there is great difficulty in the matter of administration by officers of the Lands Department. Perhaps the Minister of Lands can iI~d.i~ate whether there is any poss1b1hty of those two Acts being combined at some future date. Apparently the Closer Settlement Fund is to be kept going for some reason, and any repayments made on closer settlement loans will go into that fund or may be regarded as a token donation to it.

The Bill i~, iJ? ef!ect, a r:nachinery measure which is aimed at improving conditions under the Closer Settlement Act. I do not know whether the Subordinate Legislation Committee took any action to ascertain whether fees could legally be charged ~nder the present legislation for the issue of leases, applications for leases, the hearing of appeals and that type of thing. It is probably a very good move to make sure that there is absolutely no loophole and no. pos~ibility of costly litigation ensmng. m the event of anyone discovermg that the provisions of this Act were not water-tight.

I suppose that, in view of this legislation being made water-tight, we could expect some increase in t~ese f ~es. This ~ould merely be in lme with our higher cost-of-living structure and the increase in taxation about which we recently heard. It would perhaps be fairly obvious that we can predict an increase in these fees, but I am led to believe that there has been no alteration to them since the Act was proclaimed in 1938. I daresay that the fees are considerably lower than they could be expected to be.

Mr. FENNESSY.-Do not open up another avenue for the Premier.

Mr. WHITING.-This is an interesting point, but I do not think fees of this character could be regarded as revenue in any shape or form. It was interesting to note that


mention was made of farmers' sons and other people living in country areas seeking land to start farming activities. As the Minister of Lands well knows, there are in my electorate two schemes-one for farming areas and one for irrigation areas. Although moves have been made to seek Government support towards making land available to people living in those areas, I am sufficiently confident to believe that, before very long, one-or, we sincerely hope, both -of those projects will be proceeded with.

In my view, the difficulty that arises is that whilst there are considerable numbers of young people seeking land of their own for the purpose of carrying on farming pursuits, there is very little Crown land available. A further problem is that where some land has been held on grazing licence or some similar tenure, there are from two to four applicants for each block if it comes up for a 21-year lease, an improvement purchase lease or a more substantial form of tenure. Whither this will lead, I do not know, but I believe the areas that are still available should be opened up at the earliest possible moment so as to keep the younger generation of farmers who are so vitally necessary to this State reasonably happy about the prospect of obtaining some land for their own use.

It would seem that sub-section (2) of section 46 of the Closer Settlement Act has been superseded by the Subordinate Legislation Act. That legislation, of course, required the publication of regulations in the Government Gazette after they were formulated, so that members of this House and of another place would have the opportunity of knowing what was going on. At first, I had some fears that the repeal of this sub-section would mean that members of this House and of another place would not be fully informed of any regulations or amendments to regulations, so that some changes might slip by when members were, perhcips, a little unwary.

Mr. Whiting.

The Country Party is, subject to the two or three observations which I have made, in favour of this Bill and will support it. We wish the measure a speedy passage.

The motion was agreed to. The Bill was read a second time

and committed.

Clause 1 was agreed to.

Clause 2 (Regulations).

Mr. BALFOUR (Minister of Lands). -I thank the two honorable members who took part in the second-reading debate for their comments. I assure them that I listened with interest and noted their remarks.

As I understand it, originally there were two classes of closer settlement. Certain closer settlement schemes were carried out by the Government, and in other instances land was allocated by land Boards to settlers who were assisted financially. Land which is being allocated to-day comes under different categories. It is possible that the leases which now exist will cease in the year 1978. The Closer Settlement Act 1938 was not included in the consolidation of the statutes in 1958, perhaps because the Parliamentary Draftsman considered that it could be redundant.

The honorable member for Mildura has referred to the question of land settlement. I assure honorable members that I am interested in seeing more done in this field. The Rural Finance and Settlement Commission is continuing to operate in the Heytesbury area, and additional blocks will be available there this month. Already twenty have been advertised and another twenty will be advertised shortly. Some additional blocks at Yanakie will be advertised, and re-. cently blocks were allocated in the Goulburn Valley.

Mr. WILTON.-Must applicants still have the necessary capital?

Mr. BALFOUR-The question of finance is taken into account. On the general matter of land settlement, and


of people taking up Crown lands on improvement purchase leases, I believe more can be done in that field and it is my hope that additional lands will be made available. I thank members for the interest they have taken in this Bill.

The clause was agreed to.

The Bill was reported to the House without amendment, and passed through its remaining stages.

STATE INSURANCE FUNDS BILL. The debate (adjourned from

September 8) on the motion of Mr. Rylah (Chief Secretary) for the second reading of this Bill was resumed.

Mr. CLAREY (Melbourne).-This is a simple Bill to amend what are practically identical sections in the Motor Car Act and the Workers Compensation Act dealing with the manner in which the interest earned on the investment of the reserve funds of the State Motor Car Insurance Office and the State Accident Insurance Office shall be credited.

It is just as simple as that, because the Bill provides that in paragraph (a) of section 75 of the Motor Car Act 1958 for the words " to that reserve fund " there shall be substituted the words " to the State Motor Car Insurance Fund," and in sub-section (3) of section 68 of the Workers Compensation Act for the words "credited to that fund" there shall be substituted the words " credited to the State Accident Insurance Fund." In other words, the measure is purely one to amend the legal wording of existing legislation so that its application shall conform to accepted accounting principles.

However, the Bill affords us an opportunity, particularly for the benefit of new members, to indicate exactly what is behind this. As honorable members are aware, there are two State insurance offices. One is the State Accident Insurance Office, whose business is confined strictly

to workers compensation insurance; the other is the State Motor Car Insurance Office, whose business is confined to third-party and comprehensive insurance. Those are the only activities in which the State insurance offices can compete. Victoria lags behind the other States of the Commonwealth and New Zealand in as much as the activities of our State insurance offices are hamstrung. They must not encroach into any field in which they are likely to compete on an effective basis with the private insurance companies.

As far back as the year 1957, the Committee of Public Accounts of the Legislative Assembly conducted an investigation into the activities of the State insurance offices. The report that it furnished has been referred to on more than one occasion. The unanimous finding of that all-party committee was that the State insurance offices were most efficiently conducted and that their administrative costs compared more than favourably with those of the privately-conducted companies-in fact, they excelled in their economy.

It was pointed out to that committee that the State offices were severely hamstrung, not merely to the extent that they were forbidden to compete with or to go into the fields of the other private companies, but also to the extent that they were not even permitted to handle their own funds. At the 30th June, 1963, the funds of the State Accident Insurance Office totalled £6, 725,699 and those of the State Motor Car Insurance Office amounted to £5,655,531. In other words, more than £12,000,000 of funds belonging to those offices were held on account in the State Treasury, and the Treasury munificently allowed the State insurance companies interest of 1~ per cent.

Naturally, the Insurance Commissioner has pointed out that his hands were more than tied because, as the insurance offices were not in a position to invest their own funds,

210 State Insurance [ASSEMBLY.] Funds Bill.

they did not earn the income that in the normal course of events they would be permitted to earn. Consequently, they were not able in some respects to make their business as attractive as otherwise would have been the case.

On 4th December, 1957, there was tabled in this House a report of the Committee of Public Accounts. That committee was representative of members of the Government party, who were in a majority-there being three of them-of the Country Party, which had two members on it and of the Labour Party, which also was represented by two members. The unanimous finding of that committee was that some relief should be given the State offices to permit them to earn a fair rate of interest on their own moneys and that they should have some say in the form of the investment.

What did the Government do? It waited until 12th November, 1963-six years-before it brought in a most innocuous little Bill. However, it did at least concede a principle. It said, not that the State offices should have authority to invest their own moneys but that the Treasurer " may " permit certain of the funds held by the Treasury to be invested and the interest to be credited to the State insurance offices.

On 29th April, 1964, I asked the Treasurer-

!. What amounts the Insurance Commissioner has been authorized by the Treasurer to invest from the State Motor Car Insurance Fund and the State Accident Insurance Fund, respectively, since the passing of the State Insurance Funds Act 1963 (No. 7063)?

That Act was assented to on 3rd December, 1963. The reply by the Premier and Treasurer was-

The State Insurance Funds Act 1963 No. 7063 was proclaimed to come into operation on Wednesday last, the 22nd April, 1964.

I do not know of any reason why there should have been that delay between assent being given to an important Bill of that character, small though it might be, and the

Mr. Clarey.

date of its proclamation. There was nothing that involved lengthy examination and implementation. The Premier went on to say-

No investments have yet been made, but the Insurance Commissioner and the 1:rea~ury are devising a plan for progressive mvestment as opportunities arise.

As if there were not plenty of opportunities between the 4th December, 1963, and the 29th April, 1964, for the investment of moneys! It is absolutely ridiculous to suggest that the Insurance Commissioner, if given the authority, would not have been able to find adequate interest-earning investments without having to wait four or five months. I do not know yet whether any of those moneys have been invested.

Surely the Government, in introducing a measure which dealt with the question of the investment of funds, should at least have told members what had been done to implement Act No. 7063, which Parliament is now being asked to amend. Members should have been given some information. But perhaps the Treasurer was so busy framing his Budget that he did not have the chance to look in and see what could be done with £12,000,000 odd held in the Treasury. However, this amending Bill has now been presented to enable a change to be made in accounting procedure.

I should like to deal with one of the insurance offices for the purpose of simplicity; they are both under the one Insurance Commissioner. The State Accident Insurance Office Fund is held in a particular Treasury account, and all the revenue and expenditure is paid out of it. As I said earlier, there was in the State Accident Insurance Office Fund at the time of the passing of the previous amending measure, an amount of £6, 725,000. There is in the existing legislation provision for the Treasurer to permit moneys from that fund to be invested in a Reserve Fund. As at the 30th June, 1963-that is the date of the latest report in my possession-the investments in the Reserve Fund

Slate Insurance [15 SEPTEMBER, 1964.] Funds BiU. 211

totalled £2,800,000. That is in addition to the sum of £6,725,000 that the Treasury held; over the years the Treasurer permitted amounts to be tr an sf erred to the Reserve Fund and to be invested, but he still held on to that amount.

A similar position obtains in regard to the State Motor Car Insurance Office, except that whilst provision is made in existing legislation for moneys to be transferred to a Reserve Fund and to be invested and the interest thereon credited to that office, up to the 30th June, 1963, no moneys had been tr an sf erred to the Reserve Fund. As I stated previously, in the amending Act of December, 1963, the Treasurer could authorize the Commissioner, with the approval of the Auditor-General, to invest moneys. I am certain that the AuditorGeneral would not have objected to a high proportion of the money being invested. The amending Act referred not only to the interest on the moneys taken out of the insurance fund which the Treasurer permitted to be invested but also to the investment of moneys in the Reserve Fund. In the amending Act of 1963, it is provided that-

The interest received from the investments of that Reserve Fund shall be credited to that fund.

A technical point has apparently been raised by an officer in one of the offices that moneys credited directly to the Reserve Fund would not normally go into the profit and loss account. In his explanation of this Bill, the Chief Secretary said, inter alia-

The effect of the provisions passed in 1963 requiring the interest derived from the investment of the Reserve Fund to be credited to that fund means that the interest would not be credited to the profit and loss account but would be an automatic credit to reserve before the trading result of either office is determined.

That is, of course, the ABC of bookkeeping and accountancy. The honorable gentleman continued-

This procedure could reduce a profit, convert what otherwise would have been a profit into a loss, or increase a loss.

I do not know how it could possibly turn a loss into a profit or increase a loss, simply because it went directly to the credit of the Reserve Fund instead of going indirectly through a profit and loss account and thus increasing the reserve account. However, the Chief Secretary pointed out that, according to the wording of the 1963 Act, the interest earned on the Reserve Fund would not in effect be brought into the profit and loss account. Of course, it would obviously have to come into the balance-sheet.

Those honorable members who are not accountants may find it a little difficult to follow this very simple arithmetical point, but this measure simply provides that, instead of the interest from the Reserve Fund being credited to that fund, it should be credited to the ordinary revenue account and in that way go directly into the profit and loss account before any appropriation is made to the reserve account. No objection can be raised to that proposal, but we do criticize the Government for not informing honorable members when bringing in this Bill, whether any of the investments which the Treasurer has been given power to make have in fact been made.

It is interesting to note in passing that the underwriting profit of the State Accident Insurance Office for the year 1962-63-which is the latest published report of the Insurance Commissioner-was £653,879. The interest earned on the cash at the Treasury-that is the grand amount of 1 t per cent. which was received from the Treasury, plus interest earned on the investments of the Reserve Fund-provided a further sum of £212,858, making a total profit of £866,737. The State Motor Car Insurance Office was not in nearly as good a position, because that Office is compelled to accept third-party risks which the majority of other companies to-day are declining to accept.

Mr. WILCOX.-1 do not think that is quite right.


Mr. CLAREY.-The report of the Committee of Public Accounts submitted in 1957, stated that many companies were declining to accept third-party insurance business and that the number of those companies was increasing year by year.

Mr. W1Lcox.-I still think you are incorrect when you say " the majority."

Mr. CLAREY.-! shall say a very high and an increasing percentage.

Mr. WILCOX.-That is quite a different statement.

Mr. CLAREY.-In Committee, I may be able to inform the Minister of the large number of companies that are declining this class of business. The point is that the State Motor Car Insurance Office is compelled to accept these risks. If no other company will accept a motorist's thirdparty business, the State Government Office is compelled to do so-there can be no denial of that. The result is that during the 1962-63 the loss on third-party business by the State Motor Car Insurance Office was £264,676. On comprehensive business, the Office showed a profit of £183,512. However, with the generosity of the Treasury, which allowed the Office interest of 1 ! per cent. on £5,655,000, amounting to £101,709, the State Motor Car Insurance Office, after a small loss of £75 on the sale of a property, was enabled to show a net profit of £20,470. Figures given in a statement attached to the Budget Papers circulated last week on the trading activities of the State Motor Car Insurance Office show that for last year it earned a profit of £202,555. That is a considerable improvement on the previous year, but detailed figures have not been given to show whether any profit-it is extremely doubtful if there was anywas earned on the third-party business.

It is contrary to insurance practice to compel an office to take on one of the most unprofitable classes of

business and to prevent it from entering the broader field of insurance. It could be shown that if these restrictions were removed, the Treasurer could be assisted to balance his budget. The Queensland State Insurance Office, which is not restricted in the same way as is the Victorian Office, showed a surplus in its fire department alone last year of £552,681. That would not be a bad " whack " for any Treasurer. When the Labour Party submits proposals, it is always asked, " Where are you going to get the money for some of these things?" We say that the State Insurance Offices should be allowed to compete with private offices and that the State Savings Bank should be allowed to compete with private trading banks. If these undertakings were permitted to compete with private enterprise, a large proportion of the financial problems of this State would be solved.

Mr. TREWIN (Benalla).-The honorable member for Melbourne has given a comprehensive, detailed and able explanation of this measure. I shall not attempt to elaborate on his remarks, because anyone who is interested in this subject will be able to read in Hansard the comments of an honorable member who has the ability to express himself and the knowledge of accountancy to place the facts before the House.

This small Bill is designed to bring about a certain change in procedure, and I believe this change is necessary. In reply to the Ministe:c who doubted certain figures quoted by the honorable member for Melbourne concerning compulsory third-party insurance, I point out that according to the latest report of the State Accident Insurance Office and the State Motor Car Insurance Office, which was issued on 30th June, 1963, the State Motor Car Insurance Office insured 28.3 per cent. of the total number of registered motor vehicles in Victoria. I feel that this report justifies the honorable member's remarks.

Mr. W1Lcox.-You quoted only a a percentage figure.


Mr. TREWIN.-The number of vehicles concerned is 285,000.

Mr. W1Lcox.-They are two entirely different things.

Mr. TREWIN.-That may be so, but one cannot overlook the report to which I referred. I shall be happy to hear the Minister's explanation concerning this aspect.

Mr. Moss.-The Minister can provide the explanation during the Committee stage; he did not do it in his second-reading speech.

Mr. TREWIN.-The Minister's explanatory speech did not supply a great deal of information, and it was only by examining the report issued by the State Insurance Offices that I was able to obtain the information I was seeking. The Country Party supports the Government in this Bill, and wishes the measure a speedy passage.

Mr. ROSSITER (Assistant Mini.ster of Education) .-1 was prepared to listen to the contribution made by the honorable member for Melbourne and agree with what he had to say because he is obviously an expert when dealing with this somewhat technical problem. The honorable member was showing a degree of expertize, which is very rare from the Opposition side of this Chamber.

Mr. LOVEGROVE.-That is a hurtful thing to say.

Mr. ROSSITER-It was meant in a kindly fashion. I should like the members of the Opposition to undertake some research in these matters and acquaint themselves with the bases of some of the important technical matters which come before this House. Honorable members would have noticed that old and shabby socialist tiger scratching a little in the last two sentences of the honorable member's speech when he gave a clear indication to the House, to the people of Victoria, and especially to the people of the SouthEastern Province, that the Labour philosophy is still there, albeit

shabby, and albeit tattered and torn. In the honorable member's speech there was a sign of the old tiger unsheathing its claws-nationalization of the banks and the insurance companies. I warn the people of Victoria that the tiger, if I may mix the simile, cannot change its spots.




Clause 2 (Interest on Reserve Funds).

Mr. CLAREY (Melbourne).-This clause is the whole substance of the Bill; everything hinges around it. I do not wish to go into great detail, but nevertheless I feel that probably the appropriate stage-and in fact the only stage-during which it is permissible to answer a question that was directed at me by the Minister in charge of the Bill is when the clause is being considered in Committee. The honorable gentleman challenged my statement that more than onehalf of the insurance companies in this State declined to accept thirdparty insurance business. I do not have the actual figures, but I should like to quote from paragraph 34 of the report from the Committee of Public Accounts on the State Insurance Offices, ordered by the Legislative Assembly to be printed on the 4th December, 1957. I emphasize that this report was furnished, not by the Insurance Commissioner, but by the Committee of Public Accounts. Paragraph 34, which is included in the report under the heading, "Causes Peculiar to the State Motor Car Insurance Office," reads-

No other single authorized insurer handles a volume: of third-party business in any way approximating that handled by the State Office. Moreover, the share of the total third-party business transacted in Victoria which is written by the State Office is steadily increasing. Whereas in 1947-48 the State Office received 9 per cent. of the total premiums paid to all authorized insurers, by 1955-56-


we are now, of course, in the year 1964-65-this proportion had increased to 19 per cent. Tiie remainder of the total business transacted was spread among approximately 80 authorized insurers.

If the Minister can show me that there are only 160 insurance companies operating in Victoria, I shall resign my seat to-morrow and let Mr. Burns have another go at me.

Mr. W1Lcox.-You cannot tell me that there are more than 160.

Mr. CLAREY.-1 shall ask a question in the House next week with a view to obtaining that information. The relevant figures were published in the Government Gazette a few weeks ago, but I did not keep them. However, I would be greatly surprised if there were not 160 companies conducting insurance business in Victoria. The report proceeds-

The reason for this position may be attributed to the natural reluctance of private insurers--

It will be noted that we did not use extravagant terms-to accept what is acknowledged to be unprofitable business. While all authorized insurers must accept business directed to them through the Motor Registration Branch the inevitable tendency would be for them to discourage that which might come to them direct. This would tend to cause the business to drift to the State Office which, because third-party cover is a compulsory prerequisite to motor registration, and because it is a Government office, must accept all business directed to it. Withdrawal of authorized insurers adds impetus to this movement. In view of the unprofitable nature of this business this trend could be classed as a primary cause of the losses incurred by the office.

That is all I propose to say, but I shall ask a question in this Housel do not know whether it will be in time for to-morrow's Notice Paperas to the number of authorized insurers and, even if 50 per cent. of them are accepting third-party insurance, there would not be many more.

In reply to the Assistant Minister of Education, I emphasize that we are in no way endeavouring to use this Bill to advocate the nationalization of

anything. All other States in the Commonwealth-and after all there are only two controlled by Labour Governments-permit their insurance offices to enter into open competition with private companies, as also does the neighbouring Dominion of New Zealand, which is not under a Labour Government, and so also will the Opposition in this Chamber when it forms the Government.




The debate (adjourned from September 8) on the motion of Mr. Wilcox (Minister of Immigration) for the second reading of this Bill was resumed.

Mr. TURNBULL (Brunswick West). -This is an interesting Bill, and although one is a little reluctant to say so, it does credit to the Government because it provides for the payment of pensions to Chairmen of General Sessions. In the post-war period, the work in the various courts increased to an extent that was not anticipated. Although the secondreading explanatory speech of the Minister of Immigration was not strictly correct, in effect his statement was adequate when he said that the Court of General Sessions is the criminal jurisdiction of the County Court. The County Court is the civil jurisdiction and General Sessions is the criminal jurisdiction.

In its wisdom, the Government saw fit to make a number of appointments as temporary Chairmen of General Sessions. In an effort to reduce the lists, on occasions the Government appointed Crown Prosecutors to these positions. However, the lists continued to grow, and as. the work increased, permanent. County Court Judges were appointed. A number of so-called temporaryappointments were made to General

General Sessions (Pensions [15 SEPTEMBER, 1964.] of Chairmen) Bill. 215

Sessions, and the appointees to those offices have continued to serve. One of these eminent gentlemen, the subject of this Bill, was for some time an acting County Court Judge. He was so appointed in 1962, and he has continued in the one office day after day and month after month. So far as pensions are concerned, this Bill proposes that two eminent gentlemen shall be placed in the same position as County Court Judges. It is provided that after ten years' serviceor before if they are incapacitatedthey will receive the same pension as is payable to County Court Judges. Of course, Crown Prosecutors appointed as County Court Judges are under the State Superannuation Fund.

This measure also provides for payment of pension on a pro rata basis on retirement before the expiration of the ten-year period, and makes provision for the widow in event of death. The Bill is a recognition by the Government of the services of these Judges to the community. We all know that one Judge, the subject of this measure, was once a member of this august Chamber.

Mr. Moss.-History may repeat itself.

Mr. TURNBULL.-! do not think so. The gentleman to whom I refer made a financial sacrifice in undertaking his office. This Bill will ensure that the two Judges concerned will continue to serve the Crown with dignity and that when they retire they will receive the fruits of this legislation.

Mr. MOSS (Leader of the Country Party) .-The Country Party supports the Bill. It is interesting to note that the Minister of Immigration, who introduced the measure, and the honorable member for Brunswick West are members of the legal profession. I interjected a moment ago to the effect that they could possibly find themselves in a situation where the effect of this Bill would interest them. So far as I am concerned, that will not be the case because I am not a legal man.

This Bill recognizes the work performed by Chairmen of General Sessions. As the honorable member for Brunswick West has stated, the measure provides not only a pension of 50 per cent. of their salary, but also a pension for their widows and a proportionate pension if they do not serve the necessary period of ten years. The Bill has been adequately explained by the Minister of Immigration. It is a fine gesture by the Government, and the Country Party wishes it a speedy passage.

Mr. SUTTON (Albert Park).-1 shall delay the passage of this Bill only so long as to say that I fully approve of it. This is not because the two persons concerned are friends of long-standing, but because of the valuable services they have rendered to the State as jurists. One is the author of at least two legal textbooks; he served in this august Assembly, as the honorable member for Brunswick West has stated, and in doing so he unquestionably sacrificed a considerable income. The other eminent gentleman has the reputation of possessing an enormous store of knowledge. He is learned in the law, and he is witty and compassionate. This Bill does the right thing for both of them.




Clause 2 (Interpretation of" Chairman").

Mr. WILCOX (Minister of Immigration) .-I wish to thank the three speakers who have supported the Bill. As they said, it is simple and straightforward, and we believe it will do justice to the persons concerned. I appreciate their reception of the Bill.



. 216 Governor's Speech : [ASSEMBLY.] Address-in-Reply.


The debate (adjourned from September 9) on the motion of Mr. Dixon (St. Kilda) for the adoption of an Address-in-Reply to the Governor's Speech was resumed.

Mr. SCANLAN (Oakleigh).-1 join with other speakers in support of the expressions of loyalty to Her Majesty and to the democratic structure of which we are a part. In doing so I compliment the honorable member for St. Kilda and the honorable member for Lowan who in formally moving and seconding the motion for the adoption of an Address-in-Reply, made worthy addresses in this Chamber. I am sure that the standards they have set indicate that in future they will make many fruitful contributions to the debates. I also compliment the. honorable member for Geelong West who so ably led the Opposition in the debate on this subject. The debate on the Address-in-Reply is a traditional right which reminds honorable members that we are part of the democratic structure. It is a debate in which honorable members may range across a vast number of subjects which interest them, and refer to problems that confront their electorates.

I wish to direct the attention of this House to two matters to which I believe the Minister for Local Government and the Premier should give some consideration. I shall deal first with water supply in the metropolitan area. Historically in Australia water is closely linked with settlement. It plays an important part in the development of rural communities. Of course, where water was found, settlements were established. Water led to the development of the metropolitan area as it is to-day. The early settlement of Melbourne was not along the coach routes or tracks struck through the bush, but consisted essentially of settlers moving along the banks of the Yarra river and the various creeks which are tributaries of it.

So it was that Oakleigh became settled as the result of its tie to Scotchman's creek. It seems rather odd that there are areas of Oakleigh only 9 miles from the General Post Office still without a reticulated water supply.

Constant complaint has been voiced by people in the Oakleigh area of the water policy of the Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works, first by the owners of property who are unable to obtain a water supply and who intend to build on the properties they own; secondly, by builders who require water before they can undertake construction; andt thirdly, by persons who intend to build but are unable to get permits to do so because there is no water available. Honorable members from rural areas have from time to time been critical of the water supply in rural areas, and I believe that criticism should also be levelled at the Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works in relation to its policy in the metropolitan area. What is the policy of the Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works in regard to the provision of water? It is that where a street is developed to the extent of 40 per cent. the Board will consider providing water to the owners of properties in the street, provided that from its works the Board will receive a revenue return of 6 per cent. In the event of a deficiency in this return the Board is prepared to accept from the local council an undertaking that it will make provision for such deficiency.

Thus a situation has arisen in Oakleigh whereby at present a number of streets are not provided with water because 40 per cent. development has not been achieved. I believe this policy is anomalous and that it is hindering and retarding development not only in the vicinity of Oakleigh but also in all outlying municipalities, including some of the fastest growing districts in the metropolita~ area, such as Waverley, Nunawading, Box Hill, Ringwood, and other areas which have been expanding so tremendously.


Unfortunately, the annual report of the Board for the last financial year is not yet available, so I shall have to refer to the 1962-63 report. It is interesting to note from this report that 100.3 miles of reticulation mains of 9 inches, 6 inches, and 4 inches in diameter were laid in the year 1962-63. It is also interesting to learn from the report that the Board is considering the extension of water facilities to the Templestowe-Doncaster area, to industrial areas east of Dandenong, to areas east of Laverton and Werribee, and to areas in Reservoir. But the point that is anomalous in all this is that almost at the comer of Warrigal-road and the Princes Highway there are streets which are without water and which have been held back because the owners of properties there have been unable to obtain a water supply from the Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works.

I have received from Mr. Snadden a reply to questions that I asked of the Board of Works concerning the Oakleigh area. If honorable members relate this to other areas farther east, they will realize what a tremendous problem exists in these outer metropolitan areas. This is the advice tendered by the Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works regarding the reticulation of water supply in the Oakleigh area-

l. Apart from streets in new subdivisions in which the subdivider will probably lay the mains before the lots are sold, there are 73 streets in the municipality which are either not, or only partly, reticulated with a permanent water main.

2. The complete reticulation of these 73 stre.ets woul~ require t~e laying of 720 chams of 6-mch and 4-mch mains at an approximate estimated cost of £60,000.

3. There are 14,286 properties in Oakleigh supplied from the Board's water system. Approximately 550 of these do not abut on a Board's mai~ and are served by teli!porary trunk extens10ns from the nearest mam.

Some 550 people have gone to the expense of providing their own trunk service extensions from the Board's

mains. However, this excludes a number of property owners who are unable to obtain water in any form.

To give a typical instance of a street which has been confronted with this problem, I refer to a crescent in Oakleigh containing 30 allotments. Part of the street is served by the Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works main. However, the Board intimated to residents in the street that it would provide water when substantial work was carried out on eight houses. During investigation, one of the house owners contacted a plumber in Oakleigh and asked how much it would cost him to get the Board's main tapped so that he could have a private main to his property.

The house owner was informed that the cost would be £116. This is almost at the corner of Warrigal-road and the Princes Highway. We know the Board will permit three connections to the one private tapping of the Board's main, but even allowing for this, to have water provided the people in the rest of the streetthey are farther away from the main than the person to whom I referred -would be required to find the sum of £414 between them to have water supplied to their houses. Of course, this would be from a most unsatisfactory service, because as all honorable members are aware, three houses connected to a I-in. main a considerable distance away will receive a very poor supply in summer.

This anomalous situation has led to a retardation of development in many of Melbourne's outlying areas. Young couples who are desirous of establishing ho1:Jses find it impossible to meet the extra cost of providing water, which is essential before they can even think of undertaking construction. In the case of longer streets which contain, say, 100 or 200 allotments, if the Board's demand of 40 per cent. development is to be met it will be a long time before water will be provided.

218 Govern01·' s Speech : [ASSEMBLY.] Address-in-Reply.

Another situation has arisen for a builder in Oakleigh, in regard to a short street of only a few allotments. The builder complains that, with this policy requiring a 40 per cent. development, the fact that one person who owns six properties in the street refuses to pay for a water supply means that none of the other property owners will ever get water, as this man is preventing the development of 40 per cent. of the frontages to the street.

Of course, this situation is all the more anomalous when it is realized that the local council has started a street construction scheme which will cost hundreds of thousands of pounds. The scheme takes in a group of other streets which are adjacent. The position is that a costly municipal road-making scheme is to proceed alongside houses which virtually have no water. Surely it is anomalous that a local government body should provide roads and footpaths at considerable expense when the Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works will not provide a water supply.

I realize that the works carried out by the Board on water reticulation are mainly financed out of loan funds, which are limited, but the Board must reconsider its policy if it is holding up the development and extension of its services to the outer metropolitan areas, which are growing so rapidly. It is even more anomalous when considered in relation to projected road-making works.

I suggest that the Minister for Local Government should direct the attention of the Board of Works to my comments, in the hope that the Board will revise its policy in this matter. It is inconceivable that a local government body should go ahead with great development, believing it is justified on behalf of its ratepayers, while the Board adopts a contrary policy, which negates the municipality's efforts. I recommend to the Board and particularly its water supply committee that this

Mr. Scanlan.

matter be investigated. Earlier in the debate the honorable member for Scoresby referred to the growth and development of Melbourne. A great deal of history will be created between now and the year 2,000, when our population will be 5,000,000.

I direct my comments now to the attention of the Premier. This State has gone through three stages in its development. First, there was the era from the foundation of the State to the end of the nineteenth century when there was a systematic development with the influx of colonists from abroad, and the discovery of minerals, and a great increase in the population occurred. Then, up to the second world war there was a further systematic development of the State based essentially on primary production and an agricultural economy.

I think it is true to say that since the end of the second world war a tremendous change has occurred, and we have entered a third cycle in which secondary industry has been developed, changing the face of the State to that of an industrial community. During that period there has been tremendous development in urbanization. I wish to bring to the attention of the Premier and honorable members the need for our historical records to be accurate for the benefit of our people of the future.

Those honorable members who have visited Britain realize that tradition plays a great part in British institutions. Unfortunately, in Australia we do not lay such great emphasis on tradition. Yet in this Address-in-Reply debate, we are taking part in a traditional utterance. Tradition is very important, for it is an essential of history. So it is necessary at this time to make sure that we pass on to future generations a complete and accurate historical dossier of the times in which we live.

In past ages it was necessary to rely to a great extent on the book and the written word to provide an


accurate record for posterity. However, no longer is the printed word the only record which can be passed on. With the development of the film and television we have now created other ways in which records can be kept. I refer, of course, to films and photographs.

Mr. WILTON.-How do you think Wagon Train would go?

Mr. SCANLAN.-! would hardly suggest to the honorable member that he should watch it, although he may be inspired by it. Recently, we have seen projects constructed in and around Melbourne such as the Kings Bridge, Spencer-street railway station, and the Country Roads Board building in Kew. There is also the projected development of Flindersstreet station, and the Ferry terminal. In recent years many overpasses have been constructed, including the Clifton Hill project, and I hope we shall soon have an overpass in Oakleigh. Tremendous changes have been seen in the private industrial field in the metropolitan area and other parts of the State. As an example, the Chadstone shopping centre was established and has created a new concept of retailing in the community.

Recently, the State Rivers and Water Supply Commission held a conference to show the municipalities of Melbourne why legislation was needed to form the Dandenong Valley Authority. However, the Commission was unable to produce any accurate graphic record to illustrate the need for flood mitigation and prevention. It was rather glaring that officials could quote figures and could give in words information about the damage caused by past floods and their frequency, but were unable to produce any graphic record, apart from a few coloured slides the Commission's officers had obtained of the most recent flood. Of course, the Commission apologized for this and stated that when such a situation arose and graphic material was needed for background to their case,

they had to rely on the newspapers. On this occasion the newspapers were unable to provide very much in the way of films, still photographs or other graphic material to document the flood position in the metropolitan area.

There is a great need within the community to provide facilities to record graphically the changes taking place at the present time. I consider that we should focus attention on the adivities of the State Film Centre. Unfortunately, the State Film Centre has suffered because of a shortage of finance, and is thus unable to carry out work it should be empowered to do. The Centre has its own photographic equipment and a little sound equipment, but unfortunately it is not permitted to use it, mainly because of the tremendous costs involved in its employment. I have been told that the last time the equipment was used to any great extent was on the occasion of the 1963 Royal visit when a filmed record was made. It was necessary for the State Film Centre on that occasion to borrow the services of twelve of the thirteen cameramen employed in making the film.

Perhaps the most alarming feature of the State Film Centre's difficulties is that it does not contain an archives section, which is so very important in this age when graphic art is playing a far more important part in giving to posterity an accurate historical record. It is necessary for the State Film Centre to approach the National Library film section which maintains an archives establishment. The only material the State Film Centre has been able to collate at the present time as a graphic record of Victoria consists of news items supplied by the Australian Broadcasting Commission under the title of Viewpoint Victoria.

The poorest selection of photographic material available to the State Film Centre is that which relates to Victoria and to our Commonwealth. Surely this in itself is a glaring indictment of the way in which the records


of our development have been kept. I appeal to the Premier to give some thought in the future to empowering the State Film Centre to establish an archives section covering what, I believe, are the important developments in this State. Time after time we hear the political slogans, " You have never had it better; the State is progressing better than ever before." Yet, unfortunately, no accurate record is kept to substantiate this. Regardless of political parties, I believe an archives section dealing with State development would be extremely useful. Even if the State Film Centre were empowered to make only a five-minute silent pan of some development project, it would be worth while.

Mr. SUTTON.-But it is not prohibited from doing so, is it?

Mr. SCANLAN.-At the present time it is not permitted to do this. If at the commencement of the Flindersstreet station project a five-minute shot had been taken of all aspects and of the surrounding area it would have been of great historical value. The same applies to the Kings Bridge, the Spencer-street railway station and suburban projects such as the Clifton Hill or the Yarraville over-passes. Filmed records of these projects would be invaluable in the future. I believe that it is vitally necessary for us to develop this activity in the State Film Centre. Unfortunately, we do not revere tradition, and this is tragic. Even if the State Film Centre were empowered to use only one cameraman to cover governmental projects with a camera or even hire commercial companies to take fiveminute shots of developmental projects in the State, we would be creating some accurate historical records for future generations.

Mr. SCHINTLER.-Would you include a film of the demonstration by the workers to-day?

Mr. SCANLAN.-Why not? I join again with the honorable members for St. Kilda and Lowan in expressing our loyalty to Her Majesty the Queen on

the occasion of the moving of a motion for the adoption of an Address-in-Reply to the Governor's Speech. Once again I compliment the honorable member for Geelong West on his very fine contribution to the debate. If the other new members of this Chamber maintain the standard set by previous speakers who are new members, it will be revealed that we have many worthy additions to this House. I congratulate all the members who have spoken and hope they will make many fruitful and enlightened contributions to the debates of the House.

Mr. PHELAN (Kara Kara).-Mr. Speaker and honorable members, I deem it an honour to lead the Address-in-Reply debate on behalf of the Country Party and to express and reaffirm our loyalty to Her Most Gracious Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. I should like to say just how much we appreciate the sincere and capable manner in which His Excellency the Governor is representing Her Majesty in this State. Those of us who reside outside the great metropolis have good reason to appreciate the sincerity of our Governor as he has taken a broad view of this State, something which has been somewhat lacking in the past. I refer particularly to the number of country visits which His Excellency has already made and the great interest he has taken in the general development of the rural areas of the State.

At this stage, I should like to mention particularly the speech delivered by His Excellency at the opening of Parliament. As a new member of this House, I was somewhat disappointed that his advisers who had prepared the subject-matter did not see fit to include some of the obvious and more important subjects that have since been presented to this Parliament. Obviously, they must have been available and known at the time of the preparation of the historic document to which I have referred. I allude, of course, to the many recent increases in the costs of vital services, such as hospitalization,

Govanor's Speech: [15 SEPTEMBER, 1964.] Address-in-Reply. 221

fares, freights, gas and electricity charges. I consider those matters are of such vital moment to the people that they should have been mentioned in the Governor's Speech.

Of course, I would be omitting something in this context if I failed to mention the words " income tax." The manner in which the modest deficiency which was mentioned in this document was arrived at is something which I believe we, as a Parliament, should avoid at all times. I believe that some of the items included in the Supplementary Estimates should have been handled in another way. If deficiencies on operations are shown up, surely the Government should not wait until the late stage of presenting Supplementary Estimates to rectify matters. As the honorable member for Melbourne stated, this is not in the interests of sound accounting.

I wish to particularly congratulate the honorable member for St. Kilda for the capable manner in which he moved the motion for the adoption of an Address-in-Reply to the Governor's Speech, and also the honorable member for Lowan for his capable support of the motion. The honorable member for Geelong West also spoke very ably. Congratulations must be extended to each of the previous speakers.

Although the cost of education represents more than 25 per cent. of the expenditure of this State, it is significant that in the Governor's Speech no mention was made of this vital service. I propose to dwell on education at some length and to deal with some of its broad aspects. First, I should like to examine the overall picture to illustrate how far out of balance is the general education system of Victoria. Reference has been made to the number of buildings erected and the amount of money absorbed in the provision of this service. To me, that does not represent any measure of the soundness of the planning that is behind the Department or its activities. Nor is it any

indication to me of the wisdom of the Administration in the expenditure of the vast sums involved.

Let us examine broadly what has occurred since the early 1940's. As a result of the great increase in our birth rate in the post-war period and without taking into account the known and planned intake of migrants, it was obvious that a great strain would be placed on the educational facilities of the State. Ample warnings were given to this effect. Consequently, at primary, secondary and tertiary levels a certain group of people were faced with a crisis; they have reached maturity after having been pressed for accommodation and having suffered from a shortage of teachers in every phase of their educational development. I believe that position does not reflect any credit on this Government.

Many references have been made to the great importance of our primary industries. This nation is enjoying a buoyant balance of payments, 83 per cent. of which is attributable to exports of primary production. Nevertheless, the Government is going ahead with the building of high schools throughout the State for the purpose of providing secondary education for our sons of the soil. In some districts no form of technical education is available. I agree with the honorable member for St. Kilda who stated that we have a great responsibility to develop the technical skills of our people and so obtain an adaptable and competent work force. No one will disagree with that statement, but members of the Country Party do not agree that adequate provision has been made to bring about that position. Honorable members who represent city electorates may be surprised to learn that it is not uncommon for apprentices in the country to have to travel 80 to 100 miles in order to receive technical instruction in an ordinary trade apprenticeship course. They have the alternative of doing the course by correspondence and then coming to


the city for three weeks' concentrated instruction in their trade. Members of the Country Party do not expect educational facilities in country areas to be better than those which are available in the city, but ·we see no justifiable reason why our young people should be asked to tolerate services which are less than those enjoyed by young people in the metropolitan area.

It is true that students who attend high schools can obtain a leaving certificate or, in some cases, reach matriculation by doing an academic course of English expression, English literature, history, geography and art. I wish to be informed what contribution such a course will make to the technical skills of our young people.

Mr. D1xoN.-lt teaches them to think.

Mr. PHELAN.-! trust that that is so. If this practice is continued, we will have a nation of chiefs and no Indians. I have been engaged in industry for a number of years and have struggled against all sorts of obstacles which the Government leaves in the path of the development of country industries. I assure honorable members that the training of country people in technical skills is of great importance. I invite honorable members to note particularly where technical colleges have been established in Victoria. I refer to those which were commenced not in recent years but when a greater proportion of the population lived in country areas. It will be found that where the technical skills of our people were developed through educational facilities, industry developed as a matter of natural course. Obviously, many members of this House have not taken the trouble to examine this point. Evidence was given on this subject before the Distribution of Population Committee, but the Government has not taken heed, with the result that high schools are being built throughout the State with reckless abandon. I believe this situation is not in the best interests of the community.

In my home city of Maryborough, we are faced with the problem of the Department's policy on education. I refer, not to the pre-election policy which was circulated in 1961 and again in 1964, but to the operative policy of the Department, which is to reduce the diploma courses that are available in the few technical colleges and schools in country districts. We have been informed that these institutions are going to be developed to university degree status, but there is no evidence of this in the practical policies which are at present operating. I have in my possession a plan which indicates that the Department is centralizing the diploma courses in Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong and Melbourne.

As recently as last week, I was informed of a ridiculous situation in which a senior mathematics and science instructor, the only one in the school at the time, was promoted to a junior technical college to instruct junior students. The teacher appealed against the promotion and transfer on the ground that his skills would be wasted. The Chief Inspector of Technical Schools advised him that this move was achieving the Department's objective of reducing the status of technical schools and colleges throughout the State and was cutting the top off diploma courses in order to centralize them. Members of the Country Party will fight tooth and nail to retain those colleges, which were developed before the Education Department had control of them. I refer particularly to the Maryborough School of Mines, as it was originally, and which later became a council school before the Education Department took it over. This college turned out thousands of diploma students who were qualified in metallurgy, mechanical and electrical engineering and like trades, and I see no reason why a planned policy to centralize secondary education should be instituted. Members of the Country Party believe it is high time that responsible planning was undertaken in regard to the vital question of education.

GoJJernor's Sp~oh: [15 SEPTEMBER, 1964.] .Address-in-Reply. 223

It will be found that technical education and industrial development go hand in hand. When a person is considering the establishment of industry in a country district, the first thing he wants to know is how his trained personnel will be built up. Such· personnel are obtained through apprenticeship training; the industrialist cannot import and transplant all his labour to a country area. Therefore, technical training of a reasonable standard must be available.

I turn now to the question of tertiary education. It is to be regretted that many of the warnings which were voiced in relation to the need for developing tertiary education have been ignored. I believe the Government stands condemned in this regard, because many prominent educationists issued such warnings. The Government made pre-election promises both in 1961 and in 1964 in relation to the establishment of additional universities and university colleges in the country. To date, no action has been taken in this regard. It is now proposed to establish the third university at Bundoora, again in the metropolitan area. The Country Party believes it is high time that a residential university was established in a country district. During the last election campaign, I was horrified when it was stated openly in the Kara Kara electora~ that the Government had no choice in the matter. One of the weak excuses advanced was that the Commonwealth Government would not advance the funds for the building of the third university unless it was located in the metropolitan area. The Federal member for Mallee asked the Prime Minister whether the Federal Government had directed the Victorian Government where this university was to be established. The Prime Minister replied in the negative. Nevertheless, the third university will be situated in the metropolitan area. I believe a residential university should be established in one of the provincial cities.

In his Speech, His Excellency referred to the introduction of legislation to make provision for items foreshadowed during the election campaign. I presume it is my political immaturity which makes it difficult for me to appreciate the Government's action in appointing the fifteenth Minister. I agree that education is of such importance as to warrant the appointment of an Assistant Minister, but the introduction of the legislation to make provision for the appointment of the additional Minister should have been subsequent to the delivery of the Governor's Speech. The fact that this was not done in di ca tes to me that there was some unethical handling of the situation, because the additional portfolio to be established was already filled. I believe this position savours of a contempt for Parliament as a whole. The Government's action was unethical because the unfilled portfolio was that of the Minister of State Development. In view of the fact that this commitment had been made in pre-election promises and the position filled prior to the opening of Parliament, the position appears to me to be most irregular.

The honorable member for St. Kilda referred to the problems of poverty and its relation to population growth. In this regard I believe it is our national responsibility to exploit every conceivable means to ensure that the production of our primary industries is accelerated so that we may give some measure of relief to the hungry hordes in our near north. Australia is a young and numerically small nation, but it has been our fate to occupy one of the great land masses of the world. The fact that we have such a low population density of 3.4 persons per square mile, with 65 per cent. of our 10,500,000 people in the capital cities, makes the vast and potentially high productive areas of this continent the envy of the people of many of the rapidly developing and over-crowded nations who are our near neighbours.

224 Governor's Speech : [ASSEMBLY.] .Add,ress-in-Reply.

Hungry people are desperate people, and it was to be expected, having read the Governor's Speech, that the Government would provide some incentive for the people of this State to meet the tremendous challenge of raising the efficiency of our primary industries to a point where the volume and costs of production could bring our produce within the economic reach of these people. It is difficult for me, in any circumstances, to see any indications in the recently presented Budget that would represent an incentive. Rather, the increases in estimated receipts from probate duty and land tax can be regarded as deterrents, because experience has shown that they fall most heavily on the primary producing sector of our society.

The fact that Victoria is the smallest State in area and has the highest population density of any Australian State should indicate that, with progressive and efficient Government, Victoria should enjoy a lower per capita tax than any other Australian State. This, however, has proved to be not the case and, unlike the honorable member for St. Kilda, I fail to see any merit in the Government's achievement in transposing Victoria from the lowest taxed State to the highest taxed State during the nine years from 1954-55 to 1964. Such a state of affairs reflects no credit on any Government.

This brings me to the next important point, namely, the problem of public opinion. Here again, the honorable member for St. Kilda brought forward a very vital point with which I think every member of this House, irrespective of party, will agree, namely, that we need well informed public opinion on political activities. How can we hope to enjoy the effect of having a well informed public opinion when we have a completely biased means of mass communication? It is obvious, when we look at the metropolitan press, that all metropolitan newspapers are particularly sympathetic towards, or

Mr. Phelan.

are under the political control of the Government. It is difficult for us to see any point where unbiased political opinion is disseminated. That was evidenced as recently as last week, when the Deputy Leader of the Opposition directed the attention of this House to the critical and vital problems which exist at the University of Melbourne. Yet, that information received hardly any recognition in the metropolitan newspapers. I believe that is a dangerous situation for democracy.

I cannot share the hopes of the honorable member for St. Kilda who asserts that democracy will survive in Victoria. I submit valid reasons in support of my argument. First, history has proved that no self governing people will endure an unreasonable level of taxation. Secondly, the suppression of political truth to the people of any nation has ultimately led to revolution. I make that observation, not as a radical but as a very liberal member of the Country Party. On the question of publicity, it is not the prerogative of the Government to direct the press in the manner in which it will disseminate what it considers to be news. Nevertheless, we are faced with a very serious situation.

Turning to the question of teaching politics in schools, this would be a sound procedure if it could be done without bias and prejudice. But, can anyone in this State imagine how that could be done? Ninety per cent. of the adult population in country districts would be confused over the Country Party's name being tagged on at the end of the Liberal Party's name. They would not know which party was being referred to. So far as city folk are concerned, I should think it would be fair to say that 95 per cent. of the city people would be confused over this issue. How could a teacher get children to appreciate the finer points of the conflict between the two titles and at the same time preserve the dignity and prestige of Parliament? I maintain that it would be an impossibility.


Looking to the future, I was most interested to note that a proposal has been put forward for the establishment of a statutory committee to advise the Government on the development of country towns. I hope that this will permit some positive contribution, because there has been a complete lack of it in the past. I trust that, during the life of this 43rd Parliament, positive steps will be taken to ensure the balanced growth of this State. It should be recognized that ample opportunity exists for implementing many of the recommendations of the Distribution of Population Committee. That body made many sound recommendations which could assist materially in ensuring the stability of country towns. However, I think the Government has proved itself to be either uninterested or incapable of implementing those recommendations.

This great nation of ours is basically a primary producing nation and will remain so for many generations to come. Whether we recognize it or not is another matter, but 83 per cent. of our export earnings come from primary production. Accordingly, the primary producer has been charged with the responsible duty of keeping Australia's balance of payments buoyant in order that secondary industry can develop and thrive to provide employment for our growing population. If we are short in our balance of payments, we also have the problem of purchasing raw materials for the manufacture and purchase of machine tools to develop secondary industries, which are necessary in order not only to provide employment but also to cater for the expanding home consumer market.

This imposes on our primary industries the necessity to produce efficiently and economically, and in an ever-expanding volume. However, our primary industries are experiencing problems which have recently been aggravated by increased freight rates; that aspect will have to

Session 1964.-10

be investigated. The development of our primary and secondary industries in unison requires the balanced development of this State and the nation. Balanced growth, of course, implies that neither the country nor the city should be developed at the expense of the other, and I trust that, as a Parliament, we shall ever be mindful that bigness does not necessarily mean growth. There is no real relationship between the two. I was very interested to note that the Premier considered that the balanced growth and development of our country is tied up with Parliamentary representation. In this regard, I take the liberty of quoting from volume 241 of Hansard, at page 343. This is what the Premier-he then was in Opposition-said when the "two-forone " redistribution Bill was under discussion-

! believe that if there were two seats in the city to every one in the country the country people would be done a very serious injustice. By " country people " I mean not only the primary producers, but all other persons who dwell outside the metropolitan area.

With 44 seats in the metropolitan area, the city people will be able to have " a bigger and brighter Melbourne," as we have termed it in the past.

I have heard a great deal of "bally-hoo" regarding the position of our Country Party friends in the Opposition corner. We have heard all this business about minority government. We have been told that the country people have had over-representation. The fact is that Victoria, as a State, is far better developed than any other State of the Commonwealth, and that is because of adequate country representation in this Parliament.

I commend the Premier, who has obviously a very soft spot for the country, which I did not know about. I trust that he and other members of his Government will take heed of the situation when considering the redistribution Bill which has been foreshadowed for introduction into this House.

There are many subjects which could be developed in the course of this Address-in-Reply debate. We are very much concerned about the

226 Adjournment. [COUNCIL.] Personal Explanation.

financial allocation to the Country Roads Board and about problems associated with housing-with that matter I am particularly familiar. However, each of those subjects could be made the basis of a separate discussion. I shall content myself by expressing the hope that, during the life of this Parliament, the Country Party, which is vested with the great responsibility of promoting the policies of the rural people -this, of course, includes pot only the primary producers but those engaged in the professions, in commerce and in the many avenues of industry which is already operating under difficult conditions in many country areas-will be worthy of the assignment to watch those interests and that, by co-operation and diligent attention to our responsibilities, we may be in a position to bring Victoria to a state of balance which is so urgently needed in these days of unprecedented development.

I pray that Almighty God will direct the deliberations of this Parliament in such a manner as to subjugate party politics to the pressing needs of Victoria, thus earning the respect and approbation of the citizens of this State and the nation.

May God grant me the health, wisdom, and courage to discharge eff ectively my personal responsibilities with credit to my own party and the constituents of the electorate of Kara Kara.

On the motion of Mr. WILTON (Broadmeadows), the debate was adjourned until next day.

ADJOURNMENT. Mr. RYLAH (Chief Secretary).

! move-That the House, at its rising, adjourn until

to-morrow at half-past Three o'clock.



ill.egialntin.e C!!nuuril. Wednesday, September 16, 1964.

The PRESIDENT (Sir Gordon McArthur) took the chair at 4.27 p.m., and read the prayer.

PERSONAL EXPLANATION. PAIR FOR MEMBER.

The Hon. J. W. GALBALLY (Melbourne North Province) .-I desire. to make a personal explanation. Last night in this House opportunity wa.s taken by the Government to reprimand me and the Labour Party for a refusal to grant a pair to Mr. Snider. It was said-and I accept it-that Mr. Snider was impelled by his religious duties to absent himself from the House Jast night. It is quite true that Mr. Snider made an approach to the Labour Party and asked for a pair, which, after consideration, was refused.

It is also true to say-the Minister of Housing did not mention this, although he must have known of itthat an approach on behalf of Mr. Snider was also made to the Country Party, and there was a similar refusal to grant a pair. But the object of the attack was myself and the Labour Party. This matter was raised in your absence, Mr. President, by t~e Minister of Housing, who was m charge of the House during the debate on the adjournment motion on which we were then engaged, and I sought a ruling. I said that it was not part of the business of this House, or indeed of any Parliament, to entertain a debate. or criticism on the refusal or otherwise to grant pairs.

I have been at some pains to ascertain what is the practice, and I find that it is exactly as I stated last night. At pages 434 to 435 of the 16th edition of May's Parliamentary Practice, it is stated-

A practice, similar in effect to that of voting by proxy, has for many years been resorted to in both Houses. A system

Personal (16 SEPTEMBER, 1964.] Explanation. 227

known by the name of cc pairs," enables a member to absent himself, and to agree with another member that he also shall be absent at the same time. By this mutual agreement, a vote is neutralized on each side of a question, and the relative numbers in the division are precisely the same as if both members were present. The division of the House into distinct political parties facilitates this arrangement, and members pair with each other, not only upon particular questions, or for one sitting of the House, but for several weeks or even months at a time. There can be no parliamentary recognition of this practice, although it has never been expressly condemned; and it is therefore conducted privately by individual members, or arranged by the Whips of the respective parties.

I have some further authorities on this question of pairs. An extract from page 127 of a Parliamentary dictionary (b..braham and Hawtrey), reads- - -

This is a custom of long standing, though not recognized by the rules of the House.

The following passage appears at page 1751 of the House of Commons Debates for the year 1953-54: -

Mr. Speaker: I am sure the whole House will sympathize with the honorable member in the dilemma in which he was placed, but I must make it quite plain that agreements to pair are private agreements between honorable members and are in no sense matters in which either I or the House can intervene.

The question arose also in the Victorian Parliament, and I quote from volume 187 of Hansard, session 1931, where at pages 4785 to 4786 the following passage appears: -

The Speaker (Sir Alexander Peacock).Order! The question of pairs is not one that comes under the notice of the House. It is a matter for arrangement between honorable members themselves, for their own personal convenience, and it is left to the responsibility of the party Whips to enter the names of honorable members pairing in the Pairs Book. The House, as I have just said, does not recognize a pair in connexion with a division. The Minister of Housing stated last night that there was a solemn duty on the Labour Party to provide a pair for Mr. Snider, and he even quoted from the Charter of the United Nations stating, somewhat forcefully, that we were denying to Mr. Snider the exercise of his religious

beliefs or religious freedom. I do not recall the exact words used by the Minister, but I think the House will agree that I have given a fair summary of what he said.

Now, let me deal with the position of Mr. Snider as our party saw it. Mr. Snider found himself in the situation of having a conflict between his religious duty and his public duty. He is a member of Parliament, for which he is paid a stipend. His religious beliefs enjoined him to be absent Jast night. I offer no criticism of his decision. That was a matter for him entirely, in the same way as a man who practises some other religion may find himself in a difficult situation. But it is wrong to suggest that it is the duty of the Opposition to grant a pair to a member who may be impelled by his religious beliefs to absent himself from the House. So far as I have been able to discover in my researches, it is a novel proposition.

The matter did not rest there. The garrulous Premier, who is fond of saying nothing in Parliament but leads a life of issuing press statements, took me to task. He said that I had reached a new low. The honorable gentleman is somewhat bankrupt in his vocabulary. However, I forgive the Premier because he is under certain pressures at present. He is a worried man, as everyone can see. He is not attending to his duties, either, and I think some of his colleagues in this House misrepresented the position to him. Mr. Chandler, the distinguished Leader of this House, is unfortunately ill, and in his absence some of the younger men did not have the necessary judgment and wisdom to hold their hand on this matter, and I sympathize with them, too. I think that we, as a Parliament, ought to take a proper stand so far as pairs are concerned.

It was thought by some of my colleagues that I ought to refer to some of the shabby things that were done to distinguished members of this House not many years ago. I have

228 Personal [COUNCIL.] Explanation.

in mind the honorable Mr. Slater who was brought in here night after night when he was dying. Not only would the Leader of the House at that time· not grant him a pair but also put the business which we considered vital to the end of the Notice Paper each night. I do not want to talk about these things.

The Country Party has had similar experiences. It all goes to show that the question of pairing is a matter of private negotiation, and it ends there. Once it is brought into the Parliamentary arena, all kinds of difficulties arise. For cheap political purposes the suggestion was made, particularly against me, that I was trying to interfere with Mr. Snider, who practises the Jewish faith. That was the sting that was involved, and we are all aware of it.

The Hon. SAMUEL MERRIFIELD.---The Government told him that he should not come.

The Hon. L. H. s. THOMPSON.Nothing of the sort.

The Hon. J. W. GALBALLY.-1 do not want to say anything about that. I hope that what I have said appeals to the more responsible elements in the Liberal Party, because I feel that, on reflection, they will agree with every word I have said.

The Hon. c. s. GAWITH.-! do. The Hon. J. W. GALBALLY.-1 am

glad to have Mr. Gawith's encouragement. We have enough to do without discussing the problem whether political parties should consider whether a man's religious beliefs should keep him away from the House on a vital motion. I should have thought that once a person accepted public office the burdens of that office should come before everything else, but in saying that I do not intend to reflect upon Mr. Snider in any way. I have made no reflection on the honorable member to-night. He made a decision, and that is his affair.

The Hon. A. J. HUNT.-When did Mr. Snider first approach you, and what did you tell him then?

The Hon. J. W. GALBALLY.-Mr. Snider approached me some weeks ago, and I informed him that, if we did not have any business of vital importance on the night in question, I would facilitate his not being present. The adjournment motion which we thought was of vital importance, was debated last night, and I informed the Minister of Housing by telephone that I did not think we would be able to give Mr. Snider a pair or that there was some difficulty about it. Before the House met yesterday afternoon, I spoke to Mr. Snider in similar terms, and I informed him of the reason.

I did not know until late yesterday that the Minister of Agriculture was paired with a member of the Country Party, although I am glad that a pair was arranged for the Minister, for whom we all have the greatest respect and admiration. I was not approached by the Minister, although there may have been a good reason for that. It used to be the custom between Sir Arthur Warner and myself to mention and agree on such matters. In saying that, I am not offering any criticism. However, when we were considering a pair for Mr. Snider, no member of the Liberal Party informed me that the Minister of Agriculture had been paired.

The Hon. A. K. BRADBURY.-! think the Minister of Agriculture made a personal approach.

The Hon. A. R. MANSELL-I arranged a pair for the Minister of Agriculture; it was entirely a personal matter.

The Hon. J. W. GALBALLY.-1 will not say any more about that.

The Hon. L. H. S. THOMPSON (Minister of Housing) .-I do not think we need prolong this discussion. I stated my views and those of the Government last night, and Mr. Galbally has stated the views of the Labour Party this afternoon. Although we do not apologize for making a protest last night, we believe it was desirable to make it in the House. Mr. Galbally has always expressed

Land (Special Grant) Bill. [16 SEPTEMBER, 1964.] Public Works Committee. 229

the view that it is desirable that statements should be made in Parliament. For that reason I made those remarks last night.

The Hon. J. w. GALBALLY.-You do not withdraw them?

The Hon. L. H. S. THOMPSON.No.

LAND (SPECIAL GRANT) BILL. This Bill was received from the

Assembly. The PRESIDENT (Sir Gordon

McArthur).-! have examined this Bill, and am of opinion that it is a private Bill.

The Hon. R. W. MACK (Minister of Health) .-In another place, this Bill was ruled to be a private Bill, but was treated as a public Bill, and I propose that the same procedure be followed in this House. Therefore, I move-

That this Bill be dealt with as a public Bill.


On the motion of the Hon. R. W. MACK (Minister of Health) , the Bill was brought in and read a first time.


This Bill was received from the Assembly and, on the motion of the Hon. R. W. MACK (Minister of Health), was read a first time.

STATE INSURANCE FUNDS BILL.

This Bill was received from the Assembly and, on the motion of the Hon. L. H. S. THOMPSON (Minister of Housing) , was read a first time.


This Bill was received from the Assembly and, on the motion of the Hon. R. J. HAMER (Minister for Local Government), was read a first time.

ADMINISTRATION AND PROBATE (SMALL ESTATES) BILL.

The Hon. R. J. HAMER (Minister for Local Government), by leave, moved for leave to bring in a Bill to amend Part II. of the Administration and Probate Act 1958.



CHILDREN'S COURT (AMENDMENT) BILL.

The Hon. R. J. HAMER (Minister for Local Government), by leave, moved for leave to bring in a Bill to amend the Children's Court Act 1958.

The motion was agreed to. The Bill was brought in and read a

first time.

LEA VE OF ABSENCE. The Hon. L. H. S. THOMPSON


That leave of absence be granted to the Honorable Gilbert Lawrence Chandler for one month on account of ill health.


PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE. APPOINTMENT OF MR. CAMPBELL. The Hon. L. H. S. THOMPSON


That the Honorable W. M. Campbell be appointed a member of the Public Works Committee in the place of the Honorable W. P. Mair, deceased.


LOCAL AUTHORITIES SUPERANNUATION

(AMENDMENT) BILL. The Hon. R. J. HAMER (Minister

for Local Government) moved for leave to bring in a Bill to amend the Local Authorities Superannuation Act 1958.

The motion was agreed to. The Bill was brought in and read a

first time.

230 Social Welfare [COUNCIL.] (Trainees) Bill.

JUSTICES (COMPLAINTS AND SUMMONSES) BILL.

The Hon. L. H. S. THOMPSON (Minister of Housing) moved for leave to bring in a Bill to amend the Justices Act 1958 with respect to informations and complaints and the service of certain summonses by post, and for other purposes. -



SOCIAL WELFARE (TRAINEES) BILL.

The Hon. L. H. S. THOMPSON : (Minister of Housing) .-1 move-


This Bill has three main objectives. The first is to limit the period of cumulative sentences to be served by a trainee in a youth training centre. Under the recently enacted Social Welfare Act, youth training centres were established for the training of off enders between the ages of fourteen and seventeen years, and as a result of the raising of the school leaving age such offenders will now be between fifteen and seventeen years.

The Children's Court Act provides that where a child of or over fourteen years is convicted in the same proceedings of a number of separate offences, the maximum period of detention in a youth training centre to which he can be sentenced is three years. However, where a youth is convicted in different courts and in different proceedings of a number of offences, no absolute maximum is fixed, and on occasions youthful offenders have been sentenced to training periods of up to seven years.

This is considered to be an unduly · long period; in fact, our social welfare experts contend that if they have not helped an off ender in three years they will never help him. Apart from that factor, it is a long time for a person to have to wait before being placed on trial again in the outside comm unity. A sentence of that duration

defeats the whole purpose of the training system, and it is proposed that in the future cumulative sentences shall not exceed three years.

The second objective of the Bill is to empower the Parole Board to require any trainee not suitable for detention in a youth training centre to serve his sentence in a gaol. There is provision under the existing Act to enable somebody who is proving to be an undesirable influence in a youth training centre to be transferred to a gaol. Such a person must be in detention at the time or on parole. On occasions when a person has absconded it may be decided that in view of his past behaviour it is desirable to transfer him from the youth training centre to gaol, but technically -because he is neither in detention nor on parole-this is not possible. All that this amendment does is to overcome that minor defect and maintain the principle of the existing system. Of course, this occurs very seldom; I believe it has occurred only in one or two instances, but as a result the Parole Board has been embarrassed.

The third objective of the Bill is to enable the suspension of the sentence of a young person to detention in. a youth training centre pending his completion of a period in gaol for another offence or when he is at large on bail and awaiting the decision on an appeal. To take a practical example, a person may be sentenced to a year's detention in a youth training centre. He absconds, commits another offence, and may be waiting to be tried for that offence or on bail for a period of three months. Under the existing law, that period will come off the period he has to spend in the youth training centre.

The Hon. A. K. BRADBURY.-If he absconded while serving a sentence, would he be allowed out on bail when subsequently apprehended?

The Hon. L. H. S. THOMPSON.I should imagine that would be unusual, but apparently there have

Local Authorities Superannuation [16 SEPTEMBER~ 1964.] (Amendment) Bill. 23l:.

been cases of this happening. Of course, it depends on the seriousness of the offence, but I should think that in those circumstances magistrates would be reluctant to grant bail. The more usual case would be where somebody was sentenced to gaol following his absconding from a youth training centre. Under the existing law the sentence would be concurrent rather than cumulative. In other words, the term served in gaol would come off the period of training in the youth centre.

The Parole Board considers it is desirable that such a person should spend at least a reasonable time in a youth training centre and that the period of detention should not be reduced by reason of the fact that he is obliged to spend a period in a gaol, or outside, waiting for a trial. This is the opposite of the first objective, which is to limit the period which a person can spend in a youth training centre to three years. At the other end of the scale, it is considered desirable not to limit to too short a period the time an off ender may spend in a youth training centre.

These are recommendations of the Parole Board which have been accepted by the Government. They do not basically change the original principles of the Social Welfare Act and the functioning of youth training centres, but merely facilitate and improve their operation. I commend the Bill to the House.

On the motion of the Hon. ARCHIBALD TODD (Melbourne West Province), the debate was adjourned until Tuesday, September 22.

LOCAL AUTHORITIES SUPERANNUATION

(AMENDMENT) BILL. The Hon. R. J. HAMER (Minister

for Local Government).-! move-That this Bill be now read a second time.

This Bill gives effect to two recommendations made by the Local Authorities Superannuation Board,

the first of which is contained in· clause 2. This Board was set up to . provide superannuation benefits for employees of municipal councils and of certain specified authorities. The power to specify those authorities is contained in paragraph (b) of subsection (2) of section 3 of the principal Act; it gives the Governor in Council power to declare by proclamation any body constituted under any Act for any public or local government purpose to be an authority for the purposes of the Local Authorities Superannuation Act.

For some time, the Board has been accepting various groups or joint committees of councils as authorities, although they are not specified in the Act. As they are not constituted under any Act, they cannot properly be recognized. For instance municipalities have gathered t~gether into groups for infant welfare purposes. There are eight such groups, and there are four for library services, and nineteen for health administration, while there are single groups for abattoirs, quarries and pipeworks.

Those groups have been recognized as authorities for the purpose of this Act, but there is doubt whether they can be legally so recognized, and the purpose of the amendment contained in clause 2 is to enable the Governor in Council to declare those groups to be authorities for the purposes of the Act and so to afford their employees superannuation benefits. The actual wording is that the Governor in Council will be empowered to declare " any body constituted for a joint purpose by two or more authorities." It is a simple amendment, and I am sure the House will find it acceptable.

The second proposal, which is contained in clause 3 of the Bill deals with the power of the Board, 'on the death of a person entitled to a superannuation benefit not exceeding £600, to pay the amount due to the person or persons appearing to the Board to b~ entitled t~~reto according to law without reqwrmg production of probate or letters of administration.

232 Administration and Probate [COUNCIL.] (Small Estates) Bill.

This is a parallel to the power of the State Savings Bank to pay up to £600 in similar circumstances, and it is found in section 19 of the principal Act.

Originally there were two classes of employees, those who were over 55 years of age when they joined the superannuation scheme, and those who were under 55. Those under 55 were generally provided for by endowment insurance policies with approved insurance companies. Under the amending Act of 1960, these employees are now able to enter into contracts direct with the Board. At present, the provisions of section 19 are not wide enough to allow the Board to pay out the sum of £600 to the dependants of an employee who dies in service. The proposal is to add a provision similar to section 19 at the end of Division 3 of Part I., which deals with contracts with the Board, and so to bring these employees into line with the others.

It is intended to widen the benefits of this legislation and make them consistent throughout the Act for the people for whom it is designed. I am sure the House will find the measure desirable. I commend the Bill to the House.

On the motion of the Hon. J. M. WALTON (Melbourne North Province), the debate was adjourned until Tuesday, September 22.

ADMINISTRATION AND PROBATE (SMALL ESTATES) BILL.

The Hon. R. J. HAMER (Minister for Local Government) .-1 move-


This Bill deals with the small estates section of the Administration and Probate Act. The section in question, which has a long history, has remained relatively undisturbed for many years. As honorable members probably know, in the case of small estates, which I shall mention shortly, a simplified procedure is provided enabling the family or other beneficiaries to get probate at very low

cost without having to employ solicitors or to go through any other machinery. Under this provision, which dates back to about 1889, beneficiaries in an estate of less than £500 could apply for this form of assistance. If they live within 20 miles of Melbourne, they may seek the aid of the Registrar of Probates in Melbourne, but if they live beyond that limit, they are entitled to seek the aid of the Registrar of the County Court whose office is nearest or within 10 miles of the deceased person's fixed place of abode at the time of his death.

The limit of £500, which was fixed in 1889, was altered only once in 1926, when it was raised to £1,200 in cases where the only beneficiaries were the spouse, children or mother of the deceased. There were then two levels, namely, £500 for the more generalized type of beneficiary, and a higher limit of £1,200 in the case of beneficiaries who were members of the deceased person's family.

Between the 1st January and the 31st December, 1963, there were before the court 785 small estate applications, of which about 70 per cent. were made by widows, widowers or children. These related to the higher level of cases, whilst the remaining 30 per cent. came from beneficiaries who were not of the close family relationship. The Bill proposes to raise the generalized limit of £500 to £1,250, and the higher limit for the close relatives from £1,200 to £2,500. It is expected that this will result in an increase of something over 50 per cent. in small estate applications. Having regard to the changes in values of money in recent years, I am sure the House will agree that this is a highly desirable change and, if a cheaper process can be provided for beneficiaries of small estates to get probate or administration, or to have an estate administered, it will be a good move. This is the first amendment which is proposed by the Bill.

The second amendment is intended to benefit particular estates where a testator dies in the country. It has

Administration and Probate [16 SEPTEMBER, 1964.] (Small Estates) Bill. 2~,3

been found to be something of a burden to beneficiaries in such cases to have to go to the Registrar of the County Court nearest the deceased person's last place of abode. In many cases, the beneficiaries will reside a considerable distance away from the court and this means a hardship and additional expense for them. The Bill will enable beneficiaries to go to the clerks of Petty Sessions and deputy clerks of Petty Sessions, who are much more readily accessible in country districts than are the Registrars of the County Court. The proposal will make it much easier for beneficiaries to have estates administered.

The Bill contains certain other amendments which are consequential to the two main changes which I have explained, but as they are self-evident, I shall not explain them in detail, other than to say that there are in the existing Act certain references to Part V. of the Act, which was repealed by the Probate Duty Act 1962. These references will be repealed from the legislation by clause 8 of this Bill.

Finally, clause 9 proposes to raise the fees chargeable for the aid given by the Registrar of Probates or a clerk of Petty Sessions. The higher fees will still be low and they are nothing like the real cost of administering this legislation. In the case of estates not exceeding £200, the fees in the future will be 5s. for every £50 and, where the estate exceeds £200, the fee will be £1, plus 10s. for every £50 above £200. As I indicated, the fees will still be very small, but in view of the fact that they are being increased, I have directed the attention of the House to the position. I think this Bill will bring about a most desirable reform in connexion with small estates, and I commend it to the House.

The Hon. ARCHIBALD TODD (Melbourne West Province) .-1 move-

That the debate be now adjourned.

I suggest that the debate: be adjourned until the next day of meeting. However, I should like an assurance from the Minister for Local Government in connexion with this Bill and other legal Bills which are being handled to-day, that if we are not ready to resume the debate on the next day of meeting, a further adjournment will be granted.

The Hon. R. J. HAMER.-Certainly.

The motion for the adjournment of the debate was agreed to, and the debate was adjourned until the next day of meeting.

JUSTICES (COMPLAINTS AND SUMMONSES) BILL.

The Hon. L. H. S. THOMPSON (Minister of Housing) .-I move-


This Bill is designed to make three alterations to the Justices Act, two of the alterations being of a minor nature, and the other of some consequence. The first aim could be described as one of decentralization of default summonses. I am informed that the practice has grown up over the years for a number of solicitors to make default summonses in debt cases returnable at the most convenient court to their place of business which, apparently, is usually in Melbourne. This has had the effect of hundreds of debt cases being heard in the City Court in Melbourne when it would have been more logical to have dealt with those cases in country areas, or in the localities where the offence in question had been committed or the debt had been incurred. As the summonses are made out at the present time, however, it is not possible for the clerk of courts to determine where the debt was incurred and many cases, which could possibly be diverted to a county court, thereby " slip through ".

The Bill will make it obligatory in the future for the name of the place where a matter arose to be alleged in the summons. For example, if a

· Justices (Complaints [COUNCIL.] and Summonses) Bill.

',debt case arose in Mildura or Corryong, and the default summons was made out returnable to the City Court in Melbourne, the resident of Mildura or Corryong, as the case may

:be, might be reluctant to travel to Melbourne to def end it. Sometimes

· the costs in cas·es of this type have crept up to more than £20. Apart from the fact that it is fairer to the individual who may be involved in these cases, it seems logical that the work of the City Court in this respect ·could reasonably and rightly be decentralized throughout a number of ·Courts in country areas. That is the objective of clause 2, which amends section 21 of the Justices Act.

Clause 3 relates to an entirely different matter. Since the introduction of the Motor Boating Act in .1961, and more particularly since the establishment of the Police Motor Boating Squad early this year, there have been quite a number of offences against the Motor Boating Act and regulations. In fact, from January to June of this year, proceedings were authorized against 632 offenders. At present, summonses for breaches ·of this Act must be delivered per. sonally or served by police, and this constitutes a considerable waste of :time so far as the police personnel are concerned.

We feel that the number of sum--monses to be served justifies an extension of the provisions of section .25 of the Justices Act to enable them , to be served by registered post, as is the case with summonses for breaches of the Motor Car Act. Clause 3 is designed to achieve that .objective.

Claus·e 4 is consequential upon .clause 2. Clause 5 is one of a technical nature. Some two years ago, the number of indictable offences

·that could be heard summarily was ·extended and, at the time, opportunity was taken to include in Division 4 of the Justices Act a number of those offences which have ·previously been listed in sections 75 ·and 77 of the Crimes Act. However,


inadvertently, a reference to thest:! sections of the Crimes Act was allowed to remain in section 141 of the Justices Act. This has become unnecessary as the result of the amendments made at that time. The amendment is made retrospective from the 18th December, 1962, in order to protect any rights of appeal under that section. It is probably true to say that any rights of appeal involved would be protected by section 7 of the Acts Interpretation Act, the main purport of which is to ensure that the intention of the Legislature is observed, and that an Act shall not be amended other than in the intended way. It is an additional safeguard. I commend the Bllll to the House.

On the motion of the Hon. J. M. WALTON (Melbourne North Province), the debate was adjourned until the next day of meeting.

LAND (SPECIAL GRAN1r) BILL. The Hon. R. W. MACK (Minister

of Health) .-I move-That this Bill be now read a second time.

Until 1957 there was an organization known as the Melbourne District Nursing Society and After Care Hospital. In that year this body was split into two parts, and became registered under the Hospital and Charities Commission as the Melbourne District Nursing Service, and the After Care Hospital.

On the closure of the parent institution the assets were distributed by the Attorney-General pursuant to the provisions of section 31 of the Hospitals and Charities Act, and among other things it was directed that the freehold property at 39-45 Victoriaparade, Collingwood, owned by the institution, be surrendered to the Crown and be granted in fee simple to the After Care Hospital without consideration. The original institution also occupied 452 St. Kilda-road, which had been acquired in 1951 for its purposes and surrendered to the Crown. The distribution provided

Okil,dren's Court [16 SEPTEMBER, 1964.] (Amendment) Bill. 235

for an unrestricted grant of this latter area to the Melbourne District Nursing Service.

These grants could not be issued without the authority of legislation, and in 1959 the Land (Special Grants) Act No. 6594 was passed and provided, inter alia, for the issue of unrestricted grants of the property in Victoria-parade to the After Care Hospital and of that property in St. Kildaroad to the Melbourne District Nursing Service. At that time the Hospital and Charities Commission had acquired or was in course of acquiring properties at numbers 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15 and 17 Cambridge-street, Collingwood, as an extension to the hospital site in Victoria-parade, but the dealings had not reached a stage where all the land being acquired could be granted to the After Care Hospital, although that was the ultimate intention. Of the seven freehold titles involved, six have been transferred to the Crown and the transfer of the seventh has been lodged in the Office of Titles.

The purpose of the present Bill is to provide for the issue of an unrestricted Crown grant to the After Care Hospital of the land acquired for the extension to the hospital. The Bill is short and simple and the two clauses require no further explanation. I commend the Bill to the House.

On the motion of the Hon. SAMUEL MERRIFIELD (Doutta Galla Province) , the debate was adjourned until the next day of meeting.

CHILDREN'S COURT (AMENDMENT) BILL.

The Hon. R. J. HAMER (Minister for Local Government) .-I move-


This Bill proposes four amendments to the Children's Court Act, all of which can be said to spring from the Social Welfare Act 1960, which in many ways was the most enlightened

step forward ever taken in social welfare in Victoria. In particular the Act provided a much more enlightened and, I hope, much more humane and successful way of dealing with young children who had been left, abandoned or neglected by their parents, and, in the particular cas·es now before us, those children who were in trouble and came before the courts.

The four proposed changes are small in character, but they reflect a different attitude to children, which has been found in the Social Welfare Act administration in the years since the legislation came into operation. Clause 2 proposes to remove certain redundant words from the interpretation of " child " in section 3 of the Children's Court Act 1958. There is reference in the present definition to a release from committal. Those words are redundant because of the · changes made under the Social Welfare Act, and they should be deleted.

Clause 3 reflects a different way of dealing with children by making a division at the age of fifteen years. Under the Social Welfare Act, fifteen years of age is regarded as the dividing line for certain purposes, and that is reflected in this clause, which proposes that children under fifteen years of age who have not been admitted to bail while awaiting trial, are to be kept separate from children who are over the age of fifteen years. It is also proposed that, if a child is under the age of fifteen years, he be kept in a reception centre, but that if he is over that age he shall be held in a remand centre. This is a substantial improvement.

The third change relates to section 26 of the Children's Court Act 1958. It is simply correcting an omission. Section 26 enables children who have been detained in one of the centres specified in the Act to be brought to trial on the order of a magistrate or proper officer of the court. Section 26 sets out the centres-for instance, it refers to a reception centre or a remand centre, but does not refer to a youth training centre. This is an

236 State Insurance [COUNCIL.]: Funds Bill.

omission. As there are many children in youth training centres, it is necessary that the omission be corrected, and this is proposed by clause 4.

". Finally, paragraph (g) of subsection ( 1) of section 28 of the Children's Court Act 1958, which in ~ertain cases permitted a child to be sentenced to imprisonment, was repealed by the Social Welfare Act 1960. The references to such imprisonment in sub-section (6) of section 28 have therefore become redundant, and will be removed by clause 5.

As honorable members are aware, a child cannot be imprisoned by the Children's Court for any offence. That was a considerable step forward. If we cast our minds back even I 00 years, we may be surprised to recall the number of cases in which children could be imprisoned, and in some cases executed. This Bill in a small way reflects the advancement of our social conscience, and I am sure it will be welcomed by the House. I commend the Bill to the House.

On the motion of the Hon. ARCHIBALD TODD (Melbourne West Province) , the debate was adjourned until the next day of meeting.

STATE INSURANCE FUNDS BILL. . The Hon. L. H. S. THOMPSON ·(Minister of Housing) .- I move-

That this Bill be now read a second time. ~

The object of this Bill is to enable the interest received from investments of the reserve fund of the State Motor Car Insurance Office and the State Accident Insurance Office to be credited to the State Motor Car Insurance Fund and the State Accident Insurance Fund, respectively.

Honorable members will recall that approximately a year ago greater scope was provided for the investment of the profits of these two undertakings. The idea was to place these offices on a basis closer

to that obtaining in private enterprise operating in the same fielld. The ·House will recall that authority was given to the Treasurer to invest the profits of these two undertakings and for the interest derived therefrom to be diverted back to the reserve fund into which these profits had. initially been placed.

On its face this arrangement appeared to be very satisfactory, but it has been found that the obligation to return the interest payments coming from the investment of these funds into the reserve fund is a hindrance to the operation of both the State Motor Car Insurance Office and the State Accident Insurance Office. In this way a profit could be reduced or what otherwise would have been a profit could be converted into a loss, or a loss could be increased.

The State Insurance Offices have requested that the interest earnings should be permitted to be taken into account in profit and loss assessments of their organizations year by year. In order to do this it is necessary to amend section 68 of the Workers Compensation Act 1958 and section 75 of the Motor Car Act 1958.

I think the object of the Bill is quite clear. All it means is that we shall continue the practice which we started a year ago of allowing the Treasurer to invest the profits of these undertakings more widely, and we shall take one further step whereby, instead of compelling the interest on investments to be returned to a reserve fund which cannot be touched by these undertakings, we shall allow this interest to be used to increase the earnings yea:r by year of the State Insurance Oflices. In this way the Government feels that these two undertakings, which have proved to be effective and efficient, will be placed on a more equitable basis in comparison with similar organizations in the field of private enterprise. For this reason I commend the Bill to the House.


On the motion of the Hon. J. M. TRIPOVICH (Doutta Galla Province), the debate was adjourned until the next day of meeting.


The debate (adjourned from July 14) on the motion of the Hon. F. J. Granter (Bendigo Province) for the adoption of an Address-in-Reply to the Governor's Speech was resumed.

The Hon. H. A. HEWSON (Gippsland Province) .-Mr. President, in speaking to the motion for the adoption of an Address-in-Reply to the Speech of His Excellency the Governor, Sir Rohan Delacombe, I wish to say that I endorse the expressions of loyalty to Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II., and, like the previous speakers, am extremely grateful for the honour and privilege afforded to me.

On behalf of the Country Party and my constituents in Gippsland, who have chosen me as their representative for the duration of this Parliament, I wish to make a few observations and to contribute something worth while as a responsible member of this Chamber. In making observations possibly I shall be critical of certain policies and acts of administration by the Government or Departments under its jurisdiction. I feel that at all times we must be constructive in our thinking and our actions.

As a new member of this Council, I want to be helpful and tolerant to ideas put forward and to assist in the development of this State of Victoria. As far as development of the State is concerned, up to this stage it appears that no real attempt has been made to put into operation a workable policy of decentralization. I am not saying that in a derogatory manner; in my opinion it is a fact that no real attempt has been made.

As an example, I wish to quote the position in New South Wales, where the Government provides 60 per cent.

of the capital required for the setting up of a rural industry. I instance the woollen mills situated at Warilla in respect of which the State Government provided 60 per cent. of the capital and the shire council 30 per cent. at less than the bank rate of interest over a period of 20 years. In my view, that is action which will help to bring about decentralization of industry.

There always appears to be a priority for the development of the metropolitan area. In contradiction to what I have been discussing, I am concerned with the present policy of decentralizing the headquarters of Government Departments by putting them here and there all over the metropolitan area. This is making it increasingly difficult for the people and honorable members-particularly for country members who have the most business to do with these Departments. With the State Rivers and Water Supply Commission, the Milk Board, the Country Roads Board, the Forests Commission and other Departments situated in different directions, it is becoming harder for country members to find sufficient time to introduce deputations and to make personal representations on behalf of their electors. This is one criticism I offer, and as a constructive suggestion I urge that some consideration be given to discontinuing this policy.

As a representative of one of the largest provinces in this State, which responsibility I share with my colleague, Mr. May, it is possible that I could be accused of being parochial because of its potential for development. I make no apology for that because I believe that a sound policy of development could be applied to the whole of this State. Of course, Gippsland has a great potential and its development would soon reflect to the advantage of the finances of the Government.

Gippsland's resources are many and varied. Its rivers and mountains provide scenic beauty for tourists, and its bayside and seaside

238 GovernO'T' s Speech : [COUNCIL.] Address-in-Reply.

beauty spots also provide a great potential for the tourist industry, an industry which cannot be ignored. Tourist traffic to Australia is growing at an unprecedented rate, and it is estimated that 160,000 visitors will come to Australia this year and spend approximately 65,000,000 dollars. Gippsland, with its varied tourist attractions, has much to offer these tourists, so any assistance given by the Government would be worth while.

Fertile production land, large rivers, and vast resources of coal for power and lighting should stimulate rural primary and secondary industries. Over the past few years, no industries of any consequence have been developed in the Latrobe Valley area, and there seems to be no justification for this position to continue. When I say " no industries " I mean oo industries apart from the natural development of the brown coal resources and allied projects. It is necessary that we should do some positive forward thinking to remedy chis situation by combining all three of the factors I mentioned.

No rural area has more to offer or more potential than Gippsland, and the present policy of prohibiting controlled logging in the watershed areas or water catchrnent areas is a shocking economic waste. I refer to this because of the proposal to divert water from the Thomson river. In this area there is a huge quantity of timber which is the regrowth following the big bush fires. This stand of timber will possibly be ready in about fifteen years for milling. What a pity it would be for the sawmillers to be deprived of an opportunity to use this very important timber and not be assured of a continuance of the milling of timber in order to keep this industry stable.

Each year Victoria is spending £10,000,000 on the importation of timber. This is an indication that, if we are working our timber areas to a planned annual amount of about £28,000,000 and employing about

The Hon. H. A. Hewson.

14,000 men, controlled logging is a must. The Forests Commission has proved a vigorous organization resulting in the development of forest resources by its application of modern methods. These methods are designed to encourage both fast and efficient growth and an expan~ sion of the timber industry. As I said earlier, to develop and exploit the full advantages of water, timber, and so on, the Government must alter its policy with regard to logging in water catchment areas.

Supervised logging in all countries of the world where timber resources are limited has proved to be a success under a reafforestation system. A programme for the continuance of the Forests Commission's policy to open up roads through forest areas allows a twofold or multiple utilization of our natural resources, and its co-operation in the watershed areas for controlled logging will einsure a proper reafforestation procedure. Encouragement by the Government for the development of soft wood or pine plantations on private property or by the Government in inaccessible country is a matter that needs attention and speeding up.

My party believes that there is an important issue presented to rural people and a deterrent to State development by the suggestion that the Thomson river water should be diverted to Melbourne. Certainly water should be conserved, but priority should be given to its utilization in a most economical and efficient manner by using it in developing industries in the Latrobe Valley area. No encouragement has been offered to industries to go there. Industries could be so encouraged by making a depreciable capital investment. Any likely person or company should be encouraged by the Government making tax concessions on a capital depreciation basis.

As a member of this Chamber, I agree with the raising of the status of the Education Department. I refer to the appointment of an


Assistant Minister of Education, which was one of our top priority needs. I hope that this brings about better co-operation and co-ordination between the Education Department, the Public Works Department and school committees. Great overspending in this field has been rumoured, and members of the public should be assured that this is receiving attention.

Having had a great interest in hospitals as a member of the board of management of the West Gippsland Base Hospital, I am somewhat concerned at the proposed increase in fees. I believe this has been brought about by a withholding or reduction of maintenance allocations to hospitals in an attempt to convince them that the increase is necessary. We have been embarrassed at my hospital because this year we showed a profit, and we cannot convince our contributors that the £1 a day rise in fees is necessary.

I believe that the time has come when Parliament should give consideration to the subsidizing of social worker groups. I do not mean social welfare, but social worker groups. Dr. Lindell, when addressing a meeting recently, predicted that this workers' service was going to be of great importance because of its ability to get to the private lives and homes of patients. This service, together with that of health centres, will play a big part in keeping people out of hospitals, because it has been predicted fairly accurately that about 50 per cent. of illnesses are brought about by social activities and problems.

A social worker group formed by two shires and the base hospital operates in the Warragul area, and is financed by contributions in equal proportions. I put this suggestion forward because, if one looks to the future, one feels that this type of service could save Governments a great deal of capital cost in the form of hospital buildings.

Mr. President, I thank honorable members for the very tolerant attitude they have adopted in the short time I have been addressing the House, and I thank you, Sir, and offer my assistance at all times in any matters that are placed before the Chair.

The Hon. G. J. NICOL (Monash Province) .-I associate myself with the expressions of loyalty already offered to Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II., and offer my congratulations to Mr. Hewson on his maiden speech in this Chamber. I am sure that all members have been favourably impressed with the lucidity and brevity of his remarks and the number of constructive suggestions he has made. I am sure we all look forward to hearing a good deal more from him in future debates.

In his Speech, His Excellency ref erred to the high level of prosperity prevailing in this State, and went on to say that our immediate future offers an exciting challenge. In the ultimate this challenge must be met by the people, but it is for the Government and this Parliament to provide the incentives. There are indications that the Government has accepted the challenge to provide incentives for the continued expansion of this State, and I consider it is to be congratulated on the measures which it has foreshadowed to enable it to carry on the services and provide the incentives necessary to maintain our prosperity.

Amongst the measures the Government has foreshadowed is a proposal to reintroduce State income tax. I commend this to the House and to the people of Victoria. I think all members of the House, particularly were they in Government, would agree that additional sources of revenue for the State are essential in view of the very tight, almost miserly, hold on the purse strings which is being exercised by the Federal Government. The proposed move by the Victorian Government may very well lead to a complete

240 Governor's Speech : [COUNCIL.] . Address-in-Reply.

re-thinking on the financial relationships at present existing between the Commonwealth and the States.

It has been suggested that the actual rate of income tax to be established as a Victorian State tax may level out at somewhere around Id. in the £1. I should hope that in considering the rate of tax to be imposed the Government might perhaps give some thought to increasing the rate that has been suggested. In putting that forward, I am not proposing that of necessity the people of Victoria should be taxed more heavily, but it is my belief that if, by increasing the rate of personal income tax, the Government is enabled to remove some other forms of taxation which I believe are obnoxious to the great majority of people, the Government might, perhaps, be doing even greater service to the State.

The Hon. P. v. FELTHAM.-That would be even better still if it proposed to put a tax on companies instead of a tax on personal incomes.

The Hon. G. J. NICOL.-That may well be so. I am not going to deny the possible validity of that thought. I personally do not like taxes which impinge directly on industry so that inevitably they are incorporated in the cost structure of the production or distribution of goods. Every time a tax is imposed on industry, it inevitably tends to result in an increase in the prices of goods to compensate for the burden. I believe that if income tax, whether personal or company or both, is imposed and some of the direct impositions of industry can be lifted, there may well be a tendency for prices to at least stabilize if not come down. If by such action the Government could achieve some degree of stabilization or reduction in prices, then the proposal to reintroduce State income tax will be more than worth while for the people of Victoria.

The Hon. M. A. CLARKE (Northern Province) .-In speaking on the Address-in-Reply debate for the first time, I wish to join with other mem-

hers in expressing my loyalty to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. I also wish to pay a tribute to Her representative in this State, His Excellency the Governor and Lady Delacombe, for the assiduous and hard working way in which they are attending to their duties, and in particular for the manner in which they are visiting the country centres of this State. I refer particularly to visits they have made during recent weeks to Echuca and Wedderburn, where I have been able to observe the keenness and energy that they put into this particular type of work and how interested they are in meeting the local people and discussing their problems.

I am very pleased to see you back in the chair, Mr. President, in what I hope, is good health and what, I also hope, will continue to be good health. But I do regret that Mr. Chandler, the Leader of the House, is absent and is in ill health. You, Sir, and Mr. Chandler are the only two members of this House who were members at the same time as my father was a member of this Chamber. It may be of interest to members to know that Mr. Chandler was successful in a contest with my father in 1937 when there was a re-distribution of electorates. I have pride in informing the House that members of my family have now served in the Legislative Council for a period of llO years. My great grandfather, my grandfather, my father and two uncles collectively served 110 years in the Legislative Council and the age of the House is 108 years from the date of responsible Government. So my family is just ahead of the House.

It is with much pride that, in association with my colleague, Mr. Feltham, I represent in this Chamber the Northern Province of the State. It is indeed a great compliment to be elected with a very substantial majority at one's first attempt to enter Parliament. I have every intention of representing that province to the best of my ability and to contribute in a constructive way to the


debates in this House. I am particularly happy to be here as a member of the Country Party, because, as a member of an independent party, l feel free to off er criticism to both the Liberal Party and the Labour Party. I feel that an independent party is a very valuable asset to this Legislative Council of Victoria.

I now wish to refer to some problems that exist not only in my own electorate and not only in the Victorian countryside, but also throughout the State of Victoria. I refer particularly to the lack of houses for rental purposes. I know it is the very laudable ambition of the Minister of Housing that as many people as possible should own their own house, but there are quite a number of people for whom this is difficult, if not impossible. I refer particularly to such persons as school teachers, bank officials, railway employees, and post office employees who, during the course of their careers, are required to transfer from one place to another,) more particularly when they take promotion.

If a school teacher is posted for three or four years only to a particular town or district it is not feasible for him or her to purchase a house in the area. So I think it is essential that houses for rental should be made available for people who are in a way transients in the course of. their careers. I think this lack of houses for rental is quite a vital factor limiting the development of Victoria as a whole.

I think the Minister would agree that, when houses for rental have been built, occupants have arrived pretty smartly to occupy them. I not only refer to houses but believe also that the construction of blocks of flats would be desirable in country towns. I should like the Minister to consider this proposition.

I tum now to the question of education, of which I had some brief experience as a teacher. The Government is doing its best in many

respects by providing extra classrooms and more teachers to improve the situation, but there is a great lack of progress in country technical schools in northern Victoria. I refer particularly to the fact that the Echuca Technical School is accommodated to a large extent in old and outmoded buildings. I hope to develop that theme at greater length on another occasion. The Shepparton Technical School, although it is fairly new, has 200 more pupils than it was designed to hold. There is no technical school at Kerang, from which town pupils have to travel a considerable distance to Swan Hill or Echuca. I urge the Government to give special attention to technical education in the country because it is so desirable. I refer only briefly to that question now and shall return to it at a later date.

One important subject which I think should be aired at this stage relates to apprenticeship supervisors who come under the jurisdiction of the Minister of Labour and Industry. For the whole of Victoria outside the metropolitan area there are four apprenticeship supervisors. It will be appreciated that each supervisor covers a large territory. The supervisor who is situated in Gippsland has been provided with a Government car. I understand that last year he travelled 21,000 miles in that car and that financially the move was a success. However, the supervisors at Bendigo, Ballarat and Geelong have no Government cars available to them, and I think their car allowance cuts out at something like 2,500 miles for the year. After that, they must travel by public transport.

The supervisor at Bendigo has to travel to Melbourne by train and then up to Benalla in order to visit apprentices in that town. When the apprenticeship supervisor takes the comparatively simple trip from Bendigo to Echuca, he gets out of the train and is then on his own two feet because that is the end of public transport. I understand that, if he


travels by taxi in Echuca, he either has to pay out of his own pocket or has difficulty in recouping his expenses. It is particularly difficult for an apprenticeship supervisor to move around a country town because he has to go from one place of employment to another and then may have to visit parents of apprentices, and so forth. Therefore, he has a fair amount of travelling at the end of his journey. I urge the Government to provide cars for the apprenticeship supervisors who are stationed in Bendigo, Ballarat and Geelong. I believe this would double the number of visits they make to the apprenticeships which they have to supervise, this being an important job in our educational and industrial system.

In regard to water supply, I do not think the question of irrigation is as fully understood by all members of this Parliament as we in the north of the State would like. There are two divisions of the seasons. There is, as it were, the wet season and there is the dry season, and I ref er to the water that falls from the heavens. In the winter, particularly, drainage is required because the farms are wet, and in the summer irrigation is necessary because the farms are dry. When irrigation was first brought to northern Victoria, the main consideration was to get the water onto the land when it was dry in summer. Unfortunately, the State Rivers and Water Supply Commission failed to provide adequately for drainage, with the result that the water tables in some irrigation areas have risen very steeply and the situation is becoming even more dangerous because salting is occurring.

At Kerang, great damage has been done to pastures and to land by salting. The salt is pushed up by the water table to the surface of the land, and the pasture and the herbage are then killed. The position at Kerang has been bad for some time, and a similar situation is developing at Kyabram. Perhaps it is even more dangerous at Kyabram because valuable crops, orchards and land which

The Hon. M. A. Clarke.

have had a large capital investment put into them, are being affected. This might be termed high-priced land-not that the land at Kerang is poor by any means, but the damage caused by salting may be greater at Kyabram than elsewhere.

Recently a research station was opened at Kyabram, and one is also operating at Kerang. These stations are supported, to a large extent, by the local communities, although the Government has from time to time been reasonably generous in its support. I urge the Government to treat this as a matter of great importance, because in this land water tables continue to rise, and, if the salting progresses to affect many hundreds of acres, a great deal of damage will be done. Therefore, it is most important that the State Rivers and Water Supply Commission should give a high priority to drainage. I have discussed the matter with Mr. East, the chairman of the State Rivers and Water Supply Commission, who has informed me that it is a question purely and simply of money. That being the case, I urge the Government to provide sufficient money so that the land may be drained and the damage being done by high water tables and saltation lessened.

In conclusion, I wish to refer to the final report of the Distribution of Population Committee. In my opinion, this report contains a pattern on which Victoria can be developed in a balanced manner. I am happy that the Minister of State Development is so readily available in this House. I believe it is a compliment to this House that the additional portfolio was given to a member of this Chamber. I have no doubt that we will make full use of his services. I ask the honorable gentleman to keep the report of the Distribution of Population Committee by his bedside so that he may from time to time tick off the items which have been completed. I thank honorable members for their indulgence, and hope that for many years to come I shall

Adjournment. [ 16 SEPTEMBER, 1964.] Pay-roll Taz. 24:3

be associated in a friendly fashion with you, Mr. President, and with the other members.

On the motion of the Hon. I. A. SWINBURNE (North-Eastern Province), the debate was adjourned until the next day of meeting.



That the Council, at its rising, adjourn until Tuesday next.


The House adjourned at 6.27 p.m. until Tuesday, September 22.

1Jlrgialatinr J\r1.armbly. Wednesday, September 16, 1964.


STAMP DUTY. COLLECTIONS ON MARKETABLE

SECURITIES. Mr. TURNBULL (Brunswick West)

asked the Treasurer-What amount of stamp duty was collected

in respect of duty on marketable securities jn each of the last five financial years, and what is the estimated revenue from stamp duty on marketable securities for the year 1964-65?

Mr. BOLTE (Premier and Treasurer) .-In asking the honorable member to repeat this question, I should like to explain that the use of adhesive stamps makes the framing of an answer difficult. The answer that I had prepared might be a little confusing, so I shall confer with the honorable member with a view to ascertaining exactly the information he seeks.

STATE FINANCES. INTEREST AND SINKING FUND

CHARGES ON DEFICITS. Mr. CLAREY (Melbourne) asked

the Treasurer-1. What annual contribution was paid by

the State during the last financial year for interest and sinking fund charges in respect of the total revenue fund deficits of the years 1956-57 to 1958-59 inclusive?

2. What amount was paid during the same period in respect of revenue deficits of previous years?

Mr. BOLTE (Premier and Treasurer) .-The answers are-

1. £879,265. 2. £945,469.

PAY-ROLL TAX. PAYMENT BY GOVERNMENT

AUTHORITIES. Mr. CLAREY (Melbourne) asked

the Treasurer-What total amounts were paid in respect

of pay-roll tax last financial year by-(a) Government Departments; and (b) semigovernmental and statutory authorities?

Mr. BOLTE (Premier and Treasurer) .-The answers are-

( a) £2,515,239. (b) £1,536,973.

LAKE TYERS ABORIGINAL STATION.

POPULATION: HOUSING. Mr. HOLDING (Richmond) asked

the Chief Secretary-1. What is the present population of Lake

Tyers Aboriginal Station, giving age and sex groups and the number of family units?

2. How many houses have been removed from Lake Tyers Aboriginal Station in the last eighteen months?

3. How many houses are now on the station, and how many of these are-( a) occupied by aborigines; (b) occupied by staff; and (c) vacant?

4. How many aboriginal families have left Lake Tyers to be rehoused elsewhere by the Aborigines Welfare Board, giving the names of such families and the locations at which they have been rehoused?

5. Whether any of the families referred to in question 4 have returned to Lake Tyers; if so, how many families?

244 State School Committees [ASSEMBLY.] and Councils Association.

Mr. RYLAH (Chief Secretary).The answers are-

1. Population of Lake Tyers-Males 15 years and over 13 Females 15 years and over 17

Males 6 to 14 years Females 6 to 14 years Males under 5 years .. Females under 5 years

Number of family units-thirteen.

2. Two.

30

13 15 5 7

70

3. Total Occupied Vacant Aborigines

cottages 21 14 7 Staff

quarters 5 4 1

4. Five families-Harrison (Ararat). Edwards (Sta well) . Mobourne (Horsham). Pepper (Morwell). Fenton (Bairnsdale).

5. Yes-one family.

SHEEP OWNERS PROTECTION (AMENDMENT) ACT.

PROCLAMATION.

Mr. B. J. EVANS (Gippsland East) asked the Chief Secretary-

Whether the Sheep Owners Protection (Amendment) Act 1964 has been proclaimed; if so-(a) when; (b) how many stock carriers applied for approval as licensed sheep carriers; and ( c) how many licences were-(i) granted; and (ii) not granted?


The Sheep Owners Protection (Amendment) Act 1964 has not yet been proclaimed.

Draft regulations have been prepared and forms of application, licence books and drivers' log-books, which are necessary for the operation of the Act, are being printed.

It is expected that the Act will be proclaimed before the end of the year.

The proclamation of the previous Act was rushed, and considerable dissatisfaction resulted. On this occasion, the Gov·ernment is determined to have the legislation proclaimed only when everything is ready, and I am sure that it will work smoothly.

STATE SCHOOL COMMITTEES AND COUNCILS ASSOCIATION.

SUBSIDY: AFFILIATION FEES: PROPOSED AMALGAMATION WITH SECONDARY SCHOOLS ADVISORY COUNCILS ASSOCIATION.

Mr. MOSS (Leader of the Country Party) asked the Minister of Education-

1. Whether any application has been made by the State School Committees and Councils Association of Victoria for an increase in the £750 annual subsidy granted this organization to meet a deficit in funds of £1,795 for the year ended 30th June, 1964?

2. Whether he is aware of a recent financial statement of the State School Committees and Councils Association of Victoria which indicated that affiliation fees for the year ending 30th June, 1964, dropped from the previous year's figures of £5,865 to £2,156 and whether he will confirm that the financial membership of this Association was 1,211 for the year ending 30th June, 1964, an increase of 6 on the previous year?

3. Whether he will obtain a copy of the draft constitution, at present in circulation, of the council to be formed from the amalgamation of the State School Committees and Councils Association of Victoria and the Victorian Secondary Schools Advisory Councils Association with a view to considering the adequacy of the provision therein for the proper administration of one organization recognized by the Government to control State school committees and advisory councils before the present subsidies are re-allocated to the new organization?

4. Whether the proposed new council, which plans to omit the term " State " from its title, will include, under the draft constitution mentioned, organizations in non-State as well as State schools?

5. Whether he will ensure that, before any official recognition is given by the Government or his Department to the proposed council, provision will be made for the democratic election of all officers by the annual conference of delegates of all financial affiliated organizations?


1. No. 2. I am aware of the statement referred

to and believe that the membership has increased as stated. I am advised that differing accounting methods adopted by different accountants have produced the apparent discrepancy which will be fully explained at the annual conference next week.

Lakes [16 SEPTEMBER, 1964.] Entrance. 245

3. I have a copy of the constitution referred to. If any application is made for financial or other Government recognition of the proposed new organization, all relevant matters will be fully considered before such recognition is granted.

4. On my own reading of the draft constitution, I should have thought that the clauses setting out the objects of the association, and the definitions of expressions used, make it reasonably clear that only organizations concerned with State schools would be comprised. If the matter appears to become relevant appropriate advice will be taken.

5. I refer to my answer to question 3.

LAKES ENTRANCE. REGISTRATION OF FISHING BOATS: BAR

PROBLEM: EXPENDITURE.

Mr. B. J. EVANS (Gippsland South) asked the Minister of Public Works-

1. How many registered fishing boats operated out of the port of Lakes Entrance during the last ten years?

2. How many wrecks occurred in the vicinity of Lakes Entrance during that period, giving the number of fatalities?

3. What work was undertaken during that period to maintain a navigable depth of water over the bar at the entrance, and at what cost?

4. Whether scale model investigations were undertaken in relation to the bar problem at Lakes Entrance; if so-(a) what stage has been reached; (b) what amount has been expended to date; and (c) what is the estimated total expenditure and date bf completion of the model study?


1. The numbers of fishing vessels registered at Lakes Entrance during the last ten years were as follows:-

Vessels Fishing Year. within Sea-going Total. Gippsland Vessels.

Lakes.

1955 .. .. 31 26 57 1956 .. .. 35 26 61 1957 .. .. 37 28 65 1958 .. .. Not available . . 71 1959 .. .. 39 34 73 1960 .. .. 29 36 65 1961 .. .. 31 35 66 1962 .. .. 40 31 71 1963 .. .. 47 36 83 1964 (to date) 41 37 78

2. There are no records of the vessels lost on the fishing grounds in the vicinity of Lakes Entrance during the last ten years.

There have been a number of instances during this period of fishing vessels touching bottom whilst crossing the Lakes Entrance bar, but the only record of a vessel having been wrecked crossing the bar during this period occurred in September, 1961.

Two persons were lost on the bar in April, 1955, when an 18-ft. bondwood pleasure craft attempted to put to sea after ignoring warning signals. There is no record of any other fatalities during the period.

3. (a) One ton of explosives was detonated on the bar in 1963 for experimental purposes, but did not have any significant effect in improving depths. The cost of this work was approximately £400.

(b) In 1963 a new training wall was constructed inside the entrance in Reeves channel for the purpose of scouring a large sand bank which had accumulated there. This work was intended primarily to increase the depth of the navigation channel in that area, but it was considered that by improving the hydraulic characteristics of the channel inside the entrance, some improvement in the bar depths outside the entrance might be achieved.

Since the construction of this work, bar depths generally have been greater and depths up to 10 feet have been recorded this year, but periodic variations still occur according to the prevailing weather conditions. The cost of the training wall was £22,000.

4. Yes. A small scale model investigation of the bar problem is currently in progress.

(a) The model is nearing completion of the " proving " stage.

(b) £2,200. (c) The estimated cost of the present in

vestigation is £2, 700, and it is expected to be completed in December, 1964.

Experience to date from this investigation indicates that a larger scale model is desirable, and it is proposed to undertake a further study when the Department's marine model testing laboratory, presently under construction, is completed.

I have recently seen the investigations which are being carried out on the model at the State Rivers and Water Supply Commission's laboratory at Werribee, and I think the work which is being done there will prove of considerable benefit to those who are interested in Lakes Entrance as a port, either within or without the lakes. If the honorable member for Gippsland South or any other interested parties are interested in visiting the laboratory, I shall be delighted to make the appropriate arrangements.

246 Railway Department. [ASSEMBLY.] Grain Elevators Board.

RAILWAY DEPARTMENT. APPOINTMENT OF PRIMARY PRODUCER

AS RAILWAYS COMMISSIONER.

Mr. TREWIN (Benalla) asked the Minister of Transport-

Whether, in view of the dependence of primary producers on the Victorian railways and the large contribution made to railway revenue by this section of the community, the Government will consider appointing a primary producer as a Commissioner for Railways when a vacancy occurs?


The next vacancy for a Commissioner for Railways will occur on 31st December, 1965. At this time, the Government of the day will no doubt appoint the person it considers most capable of contributing to the successful administration of the railways system.

MELBOURNE-MILDURA FREIGHT TRAFFIC.

Mr. WHITING (Mildura) asked the Minister of Transport-

Whether rail freight traffic between Melbourne and Mildura and vice-versa has shown an increase or a decline since 1st October, 1963?

Mr. MEAGHER (Minister of Transport) .-The information desired is not readily available at this stage, but, together with similar data in respect of all other stations, is in course of preparation, and will be supplied as soon as it is available.

MELBOURNE AND METROPOLITAN TRAMWAYS BOARD.

ONE-MAN Bus OPERATIONS: IMPLEMENTATION OF REGULATION.

Mr. SCHINTLER (Yarraville) asked the Minister of Transport-

Whether the Melbourne and Metropolitan Tramways Board received a written request from the tramways union that regulation 16 ( d) be strictly observed by one-man operators, and closely policed by the Board's officers; if so-( a) whether officers of the Board are complying with the request; and (b) whether any of the Board's officers have reported employees for breaches of this regulation during the past twelve months and, in that event, how many were reported and what penalties (if any) were imposed?

Mr. MEAGHER (Minister of Transport) .-Before replying to the honorable member's question, I point out that regulation 16 (d), to which he refers, reads-

On a one-man operated car or bus, the operator must not, under any circumstances, collect fares whilst the car or bus is in motion.

In this context" car" means tramcar. The answer to the question is-

Yes, on 7th May, 1964. (a) The Board's officers are required to

take action on breaches of the rules they observe, especially serious breaches, whilst exercising discretion on less serious. Naturally, however, their observations can cover only a fraction of the Board's total operations. Moreover, the likelihood of drivers taking fares in motion is much reduced by the Board's practice of employing street ticket sellers at major loading points.

(b) No.

GRAIN ELEVATORS BOARD. INTEREST AND SINKING FUND:

CAPITAL WORKS.

Mr. TREWIN (Benalla) asked the Minister of Lands, for the Minister of Agriculture-

!. What amount of money is in the sinking fund of the Grain Elevators Board, and what interest this fund is earning?

2. Whether it has been the Board's practice to use this fund for capital works?

Mr. BALFOUR (Minister of Lands). -The Acting Minister of Agriculture has supplied the following answers:-

1. The Grain Elevators Board has the following sinking fund and reserve funds and the amounts standing to the credit of these funds as at 31st October, 1963, are detailed below-

Fund.

Debentures and Inscribed Stock Sinking Fund

Depreciation Reserve Fund Renewals Reserve Fund Superannuation Fund General Reserve Fund Insurance Reserve Fund

Balance at 31.10.63.

£

210,501 1,449,710

221,686 128,796 907,759 82,152

These funds are invested in authorized trustee securities and earn interest at the rate ruling at the time of each investment.

2. Under sub-section (2) of section 46 and section 50 of the Grain Elevators Act 1958 (No. 6266) the Board has power to invest moneys from the Debentures and

.Milk Industry. [16 SEPTEMBER, 1964.] Ohowilla Dam. 247

Inscribed Stock Sinking Fund, Depreciation Reserve Fund, Renewals Reserve Fund, General Reserve Fund and Insurance Reserve Fund in its own securities issued under this Act, and the Board has utilized some of the funds available from the foregoing sinking fund and reserve funds in this manner.

RECONSTITUTION OF BOARD.

Mr. TREWIN (Benalla) asked the Minister of Lands, for the Minister of Agriculture-

Whether the Government is aware of the desire of Victorian wheat growers to have the Grain Elevators Board reconstituted; if so, what action is contemplated?

Mr. BALFOUR (Minister of Lands). -The Acting Minister of Agriculture has supplied the following answer:-

The Government has received representations regarding the reconstitution of the Grain Elevators Board, and these are under consideration.

MILK INDUSTRY. PRICE INCREASE.

Sir HERBERT HYLAND (Gippsland South) asked the Minister of Lands, for· the Minister of Agriculture-

1. What total increase in the price of milk has been approved in the last ten years?

2. How much of this increase has gone to-(a) the dairy farmer; and (b) the milk retailer?

Mr. BALFOUR (Minister of Lands). -The following answers have been furnished by the Acting Minister of Agriculture: -

1. lOd. per gallon retail. 2. (a) 3.92d. per gallon.

(b) 4.57d. per gallon.

SOIL CONSERVATION AUTHORITY.

DEPAR1MENTAL FILE RELATING TO " MOUNT BOLTON ", LEARMONTH.

Mr. MOSS (Leader of the Country Party) asked the Minister for Conservation-

If he will lay on the table of the Library all files held by the Soil Conservation Authority in relation to the property known as Mount Bolton, Learmonth, owned by Mr. A. C. Pearce?

Mr. BALFOUR (Minif-'ter for Conservation) .-The file has been laid on the table of the Library.

CHOWILLA DAM. SUPPLY LEVELS.

Mr. WHITING (Mildura) asked the Minister of Water Supply-

Whether any information has yet been received from the South Australian Government regarding top supply levels of the proposed Chowilla dam; if not, when it is anticipated that such levels will be intimated so that landholders in the area may make suitable arrangements for future planning?

Mr. DARCY (Minister of Water Supply) .-The answer is-

The full supply level of the proposed Chowilla reservoir has been decided, and information obtained by the State Rivers and Water Supply Commission from the Engineering and Water Supply Department, South Australia, is that field surveys to define this level in Victoria have been almost completed and are being plotted. The Commission therefore anticipates that the plans of this survey will be available fairly soon. In the meantime, a preliminary plan made available by the Engineering and Water Supply Department is available for inspection.

The Commission has also been informed that the question of the appropriate levels for land acquisition is under consideration by the Engineering and Water Supply Department, but no decision has yet been reached on this matter.

I am not in a position to say when this further information will be available, but wil1 have inquiries made with a view to advising the honorable member for Mildura as soon as practicable.

COLVIPANIES ACT 1961. STANHILL DEVELOPMENT FINANCE

LIMITED AND OTHER COMPANIES.


That there be laid before this House a copy of the interim report of the inspector appointed pursuant to the provisions of the Companies Act 1961 to investigate the affairs of Stanhill Development Finance Limited and other companies.

The motion was agreed to. Mr. RYLAH (Chief Secretary)

presented a report in compliance with the foregoing order.

It was ordered that the report be laid on the table and be printed.

ROADS. Mr. PORTER (Minister of Public

Works), in compliance with an Order of the House (dated September 15), presented a return in relatfon to road construction and finance.

248 Education [ASSEMBLY.] Department.

EDUCATION DEPARTMENT. SPENSLEY-STREET STATE SCHOOL No.

3146, CLIFTON HILL.

Mr. LOVEGROVE (Fitzroy).-! wish to move the adjournment of the House for the purpose of discussing a definite matter of urgent public importance, namely, the failure of the Government to protect the health and welfare of children in certain State schools, in particular, school No. 3146, Spensley-street, Clifton Hill.

Approval of the proposed discussion was indicated by the required number of members rising in their places, as specified in the Standing Order.

Mr. LOVEGROVE (Fitzroy).-Although the honorable member for Brighton is the Assistant Minister of Education and has been given the task of investigating complaints of the nature which I now describe, I make it clear at the outset that I do not in any way regard him as being responsible for the conditions that exist in the Spensley-street State School, Clifton Hill, or the other schools which now come under his care. I have already complimented him on the attempts he has made to rectify some of the comp1aints that have arisen relating to this school. Therefore, it is my view that he should not be at the table to answer me, but that his place should be taken by the Minister of Education.

Mr. BLOOMFIELD.-1 shall play my part in the debate.

Mr. LOVEGROVE.-1 hope the honorable gentleman does so. It is stated in the Sun News-Pictorial to-day that when the Assistant Minister of Education made an inspection of the Spensley-street State School to investigate my complaint, the roof was in a dangerous condition. It is reported-

It was unfortunate that he-the Assistant Minister-had not been told, before his inspection, of playground and sanitation faults covered by Dr. Heslop's report.

I assume that the Assistant Minister of Education did make this statement. If so, it is obvious that all the facts were not in his possession.

I received a copy of the report of the Collingwood City Council's medical officer this morning in a letter from the town clerk dated yesterday. I have not yet had the opportunity of bringing this report to the notice of Parliament. Certainly, neither the medical officer nor the Collingwood City Council has a responsibility to this Government. That is the job of the Education Department, which also has a duty to look after the children attending school. The Assistant Minister of Education has been completely misled because, to my knowledge, the Education Department has officially known about these matters for the past three and a half years. During that period, there has been maladministration in certain sections of the Education Department, and a deliberate refusal by the Public Works Department to meet the requirements of the Education Department. There is an apparent apathy or neglect on the part of the Ministry which permits these Departments to " get away " with these actions, and this has resulted in one of the most telling exposures of neglect and cynicism. Indeed, it indicates a criminal refusal by the Government to accept Ministerial responsibility.

Mr. BORTHWICK.-lt took a newspaper article to wake you up. What was done about it?

Mr. LOVEGROVE.-1 am glad the honorable member for Scoresby has asked that question, because I shall tell the House what was done.

Mr. WILKEs.-Has the Education Department yet answered all the correspondence?

Mr. LOVEGROVE.-No. As reported at page 3141 of Hansard of 24th April, 1963, I gave a recital of the breakdown of the Education Department and the Public Works Department regarding the George-street


State School, Fitzroy. I said, inter alia-

lf this Government does not wish to accept the responsibility for some of the things which are occurring in Fitzroy, its departmental officers must assume that responsibility. The conduct of these officers of the Public Service represents not only a scandalous neglect of their duty, but it could also be a contributing factor to many of the unsatisfactory things concerning the Fitzroy district which have been featured in the press and on television.

For years there has been a running fight between the Education Department and the Public Works Department over the George-street school. This has been characterized by a deliberate refusal by officers of both Departments to recognize the conditions under which the children are being taught in that school. Because of the imminence of an election, wfthin the past few months these officers have been compelled to do something about it.

Concerning an interjection by the honorable member for Scoresby, on the 10th March of this year I highlighted the lack of action by the Education Department and the Public Works Department, and I mentioned the undertakings that were given by them. I said that in regard to the two schools concerned, not enough was being done. Twenty letters passed between myself, the school committee and the Minister relating to the Spensley-street State Schoolnine of them with the Minister. I reported this to Parliament on the 18th September, 1962.

Mr. WILKEs.-Did he answer them?

Mr. LOVEGROVE.-He did in due course, and I shall tell honorable members how long it took him to do so. On 1st March, 1961, the school committee wrote to the Education Department, and, amongst other things, it said-

Several members of our committee carried out an inspection of the premises at 193 Spensely-street and at the caretaker's cottage at 191A Spensely-street; also of the shelter pavilion, the old swimming pool, the wood shed and outhouses. All of these

buildings are below standard and we urge that an immediate inspection of all of them be carried out by your building department. We would suggest that one or oilier of the houses be removed and the other made into a satisfactory residence for the caretaker of the school.

After a long delay, of course, that was done. Over a period of three and a half years the school committee officially repeatedly directed the attention of the Education Department to the conditions at the school. The conditions at the school are listed in the medical report which has been directed to the attention of this House.


I do not see anything to joke about in these matters. If this State of affairs existed in the electorate of Mornington, the honorable member representing that constituency would take strong action. It took from 6th December, 1961, until 24th July, 1963, for the two Departments to remove a pipe protruding from the site of an old residence in the school grounds, to rectify an unsealed sewer which was a potential source of infection, and to clean up broken glass. All this was repeatedly reported to the Minister. The first letter was directed to the Minister on the 6th December, 1961, and it stated, inter alia-

The fence and rubble has not yet been removed from the house site and the school committee has requested me to bring this matter before you in the hope that you may be able to expedite clearance of the site. I am advised that in its present condition it is dangerous.

Further letters were written by the Minister on the 12th December, 1961, and 4th January, 1962, and the Public Works Department was contacted. On 17th February, 1962, the school committee again wrote in these terms-

The sewer is still unsealed, the water connected and much broken glass lying about in the long grass.

I again wrote to the Minister on the 22nd February, and he replied on the 28th February.


On 13th March, the Minister stated that he would see that the matter received attention. He replied, inter alia-

In view of the school committee's advice that rubble and broken glass are still lying about in the grass the Public Works Department is being asked to make a further inspection and arrange for any necessary work to be put in hand. A separate contract has recently been let to J. Penman to cut and seal water and sewerage services. It is expected that this work will be put in hand without delay.

Further correspondence took place. The Minister of Education was temporarily absent, and Mr. Thompson acted in his stead. By May of that year, the work still had not been carried out, and this state of affairs existed until the end of 1962. In a letter dated 17th July, 1962, the Acting Minister of Education, Mr. Thompson, stated-

The Public Works Department is therefore being asked to furnish an urgent report and an estimate of the cost of putting the area in a usable condition. When the report comes to hand, consideration will be given to authorizing any necessary work.

There is undeniable evidence of my statements in the files of the Education Department-I hope the files have not been lost. I recall one occasion when a file between the Education Department and the Public Works Department was lost for seven months. It appears to me that some people in the Education Department-if not at Ministerial level-were concerned to see that the job was not done, and I charge them with it.

Mr. BLOOMFIELD.-You do not mean that.

Mr. LOVEGROVE.-The Education Department is a disgrace. The Assistant Minister of Education has nothing to do with the argument.

Mr. DUNSTAN.-ls this not parochial?

Mr. LOVEGROVE.-Fancy the honorable member for Mornington accusing anyone else of being parochial!

Mr. DUNSTAN.-! am not accusing you, I am asking: Is it not parochial?

Mr. LOVEGROVE.-Fancy asking me whether I am speaking on a parochial subject; I am concerned with the health of the children, whether they are in Mornington or Fitzroy.

Mr. DUNSTAN.-You are wasting the time of the House.


The DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr. Rafferty).-Order! It is impossible for me to hear what the Deputy Leader of the Opposition is saying, and I ask honorable members to cease interjecting.

Mr. LOVEGROVE.-The Minister of Education knows that repeated requests have been made to him to improve the conditions in the school. Some of the conditions mentioned in the press to-day were brought to both his and my attention on the 13th March, 1963. I quote the following extract from a letter I received from the school committee on the 13th June, 1963: -

Also when films are shown to the children they are seated in a corridor of the school with the majority of children on mats on a concrete floor. This is not a very satisfactory arrangement, particularly in winter. The children who are on seats are sitting under the coat racks, which is not very pleasant. We feel the school needs the visual education room to accommodate the children for films and to be used as a library and craft room. We have approached Dr. Robinson, who supports our idea and has intimated attempts are being made for alternate accommodation. But we feel matters could go on at this level for a considerable time. Is there any way in which you can expedite matters?

The only way in which a local member can expedite matters is to bring them to the attention of the Minister concerned. I wrote to the Minister of Education on the 18th June on this matter, and I received a reply to the effect that he was inquiring into it and would write to me soon. I received this reply from the honorable gentleman qn the 24th July, 1963-

The provision of suitable accommodation for the Visual Education Branch is at present under investigation and every effort is being made to arrive at an early decision.


I know that the Minister has a lot of troubles, but I ask: If a medical officer, a doctor, makes a report that, as a result of the neglect of this Government, children are in danger of contracting hepatitis, is that a parochial matter or is it a matter of public interest? When it can be shown that the Public Works Department has made repeated visits to this school, apparently at the request of the Education Department, without anything being done, surely it is evidence that there exists at either the Ministerial level or the departmental level between the Education Department and the Public Works Department, maladministration and a responsibility for the state of affairs described by the medical officer of the Collingwood council, which was published in the press to-day.

The Assistant Minister of Education came into this picture without knowing any of the background, without knowing that the Department's attention had been directed some years ago to the swimming pool, to the rubble, to the dirty, dilapidated conditions and the need for renovations both inside and outside, the dangerous condition of the roof, the wet and damp, and all the rest of it. Without knowing all that, the honorable gentleman made a press statement in good faith, and in those circumstances I accept it, but I point out to him again that it is not the responsibility of the Opposition, or myself, or the Collingwood council, or the parents to see that the conditions in a school are habitable, decent and healthy. It is the responsibility of the Government and the Minister of Education.

This is what happened when the argument concerning the roof came up. I received a letter from the school committee, a copy of which I sent to the Minister of Education on the 24th February, 1964. It referred to internal renovations and rain damage at the school, and stated-

During wet days recently the rain has penetrated through into the upper story of the school, one room of which is still occupied by the visual education. The visual education men who are in school expressed grave concern for the films and said they have no protection against rain damage in the room and it could cause £10,000 damage if films were spoiled.

The committee then went on to talk about rain falling on children. On the 24th February of this year, the Minister of Education wrote to me and said-

1 acknowledge your representations on behalf of the Spensley-street, Clifton Hill School Committee (Honorary Secretary, Mrs. N. B. Burke), regarding various matters connected with the school.

I am having inquiries made into these matters and will write to you as soon as information is available to me.

Nothing happened between February and June. Then I wrote to the Minister on the 4th June in these terms-

Further to your letter of the 28th February re Spensley-street, Clifton Hill school, I would be grateful if you could advise me as to any further progress made following your inquiries.

Then the Minister sent the following letter to me. Of course, this is the answer to the statement made to the newspapers by the Assistant Minister of Education. It was dated the 5th June this year, and reads-

! refer again to your representations on behalf of the Spensley-street, Clifton Hill, School Committee (Secretary-Mrs. N. B. Burke), regarding matters connected with the school.

The replacement of the roof and internal and external renovations to the school building have been approved, and are with the Public Works Department for the preparation of contract plans and specifications. In the first paragraph of the Minister's letter resides the evidence that, not only did the Minister know about it but also both the Departments knew everything about the school. It had been examined. The letter went on to say-

Because of the greater urgency of the roof replacement this work will be carried out independently of the other works.

In the view of the Department, the greater urgency did not apply to the protection of children from a dirty,


infectious disease being communicated to them. The greater urgency related to the repair of the roof. The letter proceeds-

The Public Works Department expects on present indications that specifications for the new roof will be ready for advertisement in about September.

In the meantime if the existing roof should require urgent attention at any time, the matter should be reported to this Department, when arrangements will be made with the Public Works Department for temporary works to be carried out.

It is suggested in the Ministerial letter that temporary work is to be carried out on a leaky slate roof 80 years old. It says little for the Minister's gullibility or the audacity of the technical officers in his Department when a statement of that description appears in a letter to an honorable member. The letter proceeds-

I regret that because of the volume of maintenance work awaiting attention in the Public Works Department I am unable to indicate at this stage when specifications for the other renovation works will be prepared.

But this morning when the matter appeared in the press the Public Works Department inspector for the district went out there. The only thing this Government fears because of its conscience is a revelation of its sins and misdeeds. The Minister concludes-

The transfer of the visual education officers from the Spensley-street school is still under investigation and every effort is being made to secure alternative accommodation.

After I received that letter on the 5th June, nothing happened except this: After the election the Minister, very wisely in my opinion, got rid of this dirty, nasty, undesirable kind of responsibility. I do not blame him for doing so. All the services of the Education Department are too much for one man to carry. These things were conferred on our friend, the honorable member for Brighton, who was made Assistant Minister of Education. So far as I am concerned, as I have stated in the House, the honorable gentleman did a good job

Mr. Lovegrove.

in response to the first letter that I wrote him. On the 12th August, after I, like other honorable members, had received a letter stating that the Minister had given the Assistant Minister these responsibilities, I wrote to the Assistant Minister as follows:-

Re Spensley-street State School No. 3146, Clifton Hill.

Would you please refer to my correspondence with the Minister regarding the roof of the above school as per my letters of the 24th February and 4th June, and the Minister's replies of 28th February and 5th June this year.

The roof of this building requires immediate repair or replacement, and it would appear from the Minister's letter of the 5th June that immediate repair offers the best solution. Rain is entering two schoolrooms occupied by pupils, and the room occupied by the Visual Education Branch.

Some slates on the roof are loose and resting on guttering in positions where wind could displace them and pupils could be injured. At present the rain is falling on pupils during their studies, and I would be grateful if you could give this matter some immediate attention. The Assistant Minister went out to the school and inspected it. The honorable gentleman will inform honorable members that he telephoned me. If my memory serves me correctly, the Assistant Minister was shocked and he informed the Public Works Department about it. Is that right?

Mr. ROSSITER.-Yes. Mr. LOVEGROVE.-Although the

honorable gentleman informed the Public Works Department that two huge slates were precariously balanced on a gutter within a few feet of the entrance to the school-it is a steep roof-which any gust of wind could have brought down, seriously injuring or killing a child, nothing happened. It was not until a second approach was made to the Minister and the Department was again told to send someone to the school that a couple of men were sent with a ladder to remove the danger. I want to say this to the Government with some deliberation: It has been in office so long now that the Departments take no notice of its recommendations.

Education (16 SEPTEMBER, 1964.] Department. 253

The Education Department is one damnable example of the Government's ignorance of what is going on, and the Public Works Department is even worse. It is seldom that I make any references to departmental officers, because they cannot defend themselves here-their Ministers have to defend them in this House-but I say with deliberation that, so far as I am concerned, if the slates had not been removed I would have persisted with the advice that I gave the parents there to take their children out of the school. Eventually the slates were pulled down, but only because the Assistant Minister of Education stood up to the Public Works Department. Eventually, on the 17th August, the honorable gentleman sent me the following letter:-

With reference to your letter of 12th August, I visited the school at ten o'clock on the morning of 17th August; I agree with you that conditions are detrimental to the welfare of the children and have taken immediate steps with Mr. Dunn, the Senior District Architect for the area, to effect repairs. Since then I have been informed, not by the Assistant Minister, but for some reason or other by the Minister--

Mr. HoLLAND.-lt is because you are the Deputy Leader of the Opposition.

Mr. LOVEGROVE.-In his letter of the 17th August, the Assistant Minister addressed me as Deputy Leader and the Minister honoured me in the same way on the 8th September, when he sent me the following circular: -

l am pleased to inform you that the Public Works Department has advised that tenders for the under-mentioned works are about to be invited, closing on 29th September, 1964.

School.-S.S. No. 3146, Spensley-street, Clifton Hill.

Work.-New terra cotta tile roof.

I suggest, with the greatest respect to the Assistant Minister, who is at the table, that whereas he may shoulder some responsibility for this matter as from the date of his appointment, he shoulders no responsibility for the long history of neglect

of this school by the Government and its Departments. Further, he shoulders no responsibility for the lack of proper toilet facilities, lack of proper ablution units, bad roofing, its general dilapidation, disrepair and continual neglect. On the contrary, the Minister of Education has to shoulder that responsibility, and under him the Education Department and the Public Works Department.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr. Rafferty).-Order! The honorable member's time has expired.

On the motion of Mr. STONEHAM (Leader of the Opposition), the Standing Orders were suspended to enable the honorable member for Fitzroy to continue his speech for fifteen minutes.

Mr. LOVEGROVE (Fitzroy).-1 thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, and honorable members for the courtesy. In the case of the George-street, Fitzroy, school, with which the Minister of Education is familiar, there have been different difficulties from those which have attended the case history of the Spensley-street school, because the Spensley-street school has a reasonably small enrolment. From memory, it is between 300 and 350 pupils. But the George-street school is populated by more than 600 multiracial children, mainly European. The enrolment varies from 620 to 680 as the children come and go as they do in areas such as Fitzroy. In the case of the George-street school, there has been a history of apathy, neglect and refusal on the part of the Public Works Department to take action mainly, I assume, because it is situated in a Labour constituency. What else can be its motivation? Inspectors go there, look at the school and do nothing about it. I am not speaking without a considerable amount of evidence, which has been placed before Parliament from time to time over the past few years.

The George-street school is sited on about one and a quarter acres of land, which contains the buildings and the recreation space. The children are exposed to traffic hazards in


the two streets which form two of the boundaries of the school. As these children in the main come from Europe, they have not the advantage of learning the language of the country in their own homes, because very few of the parents of these pupils are able to speak English fluently. Most cannot speak it at all. Without any of the natural advantages of Australian children, they have been taught in deplorably dirty, dilapidated and inadequate conditions without proper heating. They also have had to put up with the danger hazard of dirty, broken windows from which the glass is about to fall into the school grounds. In addition to acquiring knowledge of the English language and reaching the other ordinary educational standards which we hope will enable their genera ti on to emerge to a higher life with better moral standards than ours, they have had to put up with all sorts of other disabilities.

I say with deliberation that the Public Works Department officers who inspect this school, the departmental heads who lose files and other Education Department officials who are never done telling us about the need for education and the fact that the Department is under-financed must accept responsibility. When opening new schools, the officials make flowery speeches about what the Minister and the Department are doing, but at the same time these deplorable conditions are allowed to continue in suburbs such as the one I represent. Officers of the Department are, in my opinion, just as guilty as is the Ministry. This Government is forever moralizing about the way in which some of these children grow up. In the case of the George-street school, let me repeat what has not yet been done.

Mr. PHELAN .-If it were situated in Kara Kara these defects would have been remedied last year.

Mr. LOVEGROVE.-I am told that a great number of works which had not been expected were done in Ben-

digo last year. I warn the· Government that if the things I complain of are not remedied the children will not be attending their schools. We will give them another way of finding a solution. After repeated representations about the George-street school, very little has been done. In connexion with this school, I refer honorable members to page 3152 of Hansard of 10th March, 1964. In reply to the honorable member for Scoresby, I refer, in the case of the Spensley-street school, to Hansard, page 187, of 18th September, 1962.

The last letter in connexion with George-street is dated 18th March, 1964, but there had been many other letters. They go back a long way. Heating has only just been installed in the George-street school. It has an inadequate staff room, no library room, no craft room, no film room, little playing room, no spare room for medicals and the like, and no infant hall. In addition, many rooms are too small. The list of complaints is quite recent. The most up-to-date report is dated 18th March, 1964, and is from the then Minister of Public Works, Mr. Petty, In this he dealt with six proposals. They were site works, drinking and washing facilities, heating, removal of toilets, renovation and painting, and an additional site area. Heating has been installed, and renovations and painting, such as it is, have been mostly carried out. No additional site area has yet been provided. Toilets have not yet been removed, and the drinking and washing facilities have not yet been attended to, in regard to which the Minister of Public Works stated on the 18th March-

Tenders were invited, closing 11th February, 1964, for the provision of additional washing and drinking facilities. A tender has been accepted and a con tract has been prepared but not yet signed by the contractor. It is understood that the contractor is withdrawing because of a pricing error in his tender. The question of letting the contract to another tenderer is being pursued. It does not matter how desperate the plight of the school is, or how dangerous the risk of infection is, if it


is situated in a Labour area, the Government looks around for the cheapest, most irresponsible and most unethical type of contractor it can find. We can prove this. The person who puts in the lowest tender gets the job. If any honorable member cares to visit Carlton, he will find that two of the principals of the former Maiella company, which failed with thousands of pounds of its creditors funds and which featured in more than one debate in this Parliament in regard to the Spencerstreet station project, have received work from the Housing Commission. Their names are spread in huge letters across a notice board outside the project to which I refer.

Mr. WILTSHIRE.-That is only one.

Mr. LOVEGROVE.-How many others does the honorable member want us to supply? Although in March of this year the Minister of Public Works said that tenders for the provision of drinking and washing facilities had been invited in February, they still have not been provided by September because of the rotten contracting system that disfigures the Public Works Department even after the experience it gained subsequent to the credit squeeze.

The conditions at the Spensleystreet school were reported on by the medical officer of the Collingwood City Council, and I compliment him on what he has done. I also compliment the press for printing his report. I do not propose to read the medical officer's report, which I received only this morning. As I said before, the Assistant Minister of Education is not responsible for this situation. However, for three and a half years or more this Government, the Education Department and the Public Works Department have known all about conditions at Spensley-street but were too cynical, too apathetic, too neglectful and too indifferent to their responsibilities to the children in our schools to take action to improve them. Indifference, cynicism, neglect and apathy is evident right down

the ranks in the Public Works Department. Officers of that Department apparently consider that they can do as they like, particularly if the complaint comes from an area represented by a member of the Opposition. They have the protection of this Government in those circumstances and of this invisible army of scabs which props the Government up. Consequently, they please themselves about what they do. If any Opposition member dares criticize them in this House, he is marked down. I do not want to say anything more about this position. I invite, not the Assistant Minister of Education, but the Minister of Education to answer the case.

Mr. ROSSITER (Assistant Minister of Education).-Despite the kindly and gratuitous invitation by the Deputy Leader of the Opposition not to speak, it is my responsibility to reply on behalf of the Government on one aspect of this rather footling adjournment motion. That aspect is contained in the wording of the motion submitted by the Deputy Leader of the Opposition, that he wished to move the adjournment of the House-for the purpose of discussing a definite matter of urgent public importance, namely, the failure of the Government to protect the health and welfare of children in certain State schools, in particular, school No. 3146, Spensley-street, Clifton Hill. I agree with the honorable member that when I went to the school on the morning of 17th August last, I did not know of the other questions which he had raised and which were noted on the file. I was concerned with the letter he had written to me directing the attention of the Department to the state of the roofing. I visited the school to inspect the roof and to see what conditions were like in the schoolrooms where it was claimed by the honorable member that rain came in on the school children. There was quite a clear indication of penetration of water during rain storms because of the dilapidated condition of the roof.

Mr. BORTHWICK.-He did not raise these other matters with you?

256 Education I ASSEMBLY.] Department.

Mr. ROSSITER-These other matters were not mentioned at that stage by the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. I visited the Spensleystreet school, saw that the roof required repair and that the overhanging slates were a danger to the children. I realized that these matters must be rectified and went to considerable trouble to ensure that the Public Works Department was instructed to remedy the situation.

Mr. LOVEGROVE.-That is true.

Mr. ROSSITER-We are not arguing these facts. We are arguing the fact that the Opposition has moved the adjournment of the House on a matter which was given great prominence recently in the press. The Opposition is in fact being given a lead by the press in its opposition to this Government. It is being led by the nose by a section of the press which is determined to discredit the Government.

Mr. HoLLAND.-After nine years of honeymoon!

Mr. ROSSITER-A rather historic event occurred last night when, in his maiden speech in this House, a member of the Country Party pleaded with the press not to support the Government. Apparently, the honorable member has not been reading the newspapers recently, although it is evident that members of the Opposition have been doing so, because whenever the press has mentioned schools in Brunswick or the Spensleystreet school the Opposition has blindly taken those statements as gospel.

No doubt the Minister of Education will later quote chapter and verse on the medical officer's report in the Australian Medical Journal. However, I wish to refer with particular emphasis and intensity to what I regard as completely unethical journalism in the publication of certain photographs in the centre pages of to-day's Sun News-Pictorial. Yesterday afternoon, a photographer visited the Spensley-street school. I do not know how he heard about the situation.

Mr. LOVEGROVE.-He did not get the information from me.

Mr. ROSSITER-It is significant that the visit followed a meeting of the Collingwood council on Monday night at which the municipal health officer's report was presented. The internal evidence of the photographs published in to-day's Sun NewsPictorial indicates that at least one photograph was taken at 4.25 p.m. when the school had been closed for almost an hour and the children had dispersed. One photograph shows two boys kneeling before a fire-place and a clock on the mantelpiece indicates that the time was 4.25. I am the last person to attempt to tell the press how to conduct its affairs. I believe in a completely unfettered press and in a liberal inspired and governed democracy. However, this type of reporting is deliberately designed to misinform the public on matters on which it should be kept well informed. It is the Government's responsibility, and also the responsibility of the Opposition, to ensure that the public is well informed, but it is not the prerogative of a responsible organ of the press to so design photographs that the truth does not appear. In addition, it is not the Opposition's responsibility to follow that sort of misguided reporting and advance the claims which have been made to-day in opposition to the Government.

I visited the Spensley-street school again this afternoon, and undoubtedly there are things to be done. The same situation applies in almost 90 per cent. of the schools that I have seen in the inner metropolitan area.

Mr. LOVEGROVE.-That is true; they have all been neglected, and particularly in areas represented by members of the Labour Party.

Mr. ROSSITER-I deplore the vehemence and extravagance of the language used by the Deputy Leader of the Opposition, although I admire his sincerity in this matter. I also deplore the fact that the honorable member has made charges against the

[ 16 SEPTEMBER, 1964.] Department. 257

Government in relation to the " deliberate refusal of the Public Works Department to implement Education Department proposals," "a deliberate refusal to do something about Georgestreet State School " and that " someone in the Department was concerned to see that the job was not done." This kind of action discredits the Opposition in this House because it is inflammatory and entirely without substance.

The funds provided by the Government for maintenance works in the last financial year have resulted, because of priorities, in some essential works not being carried out, but they will be done. In answering the charges voiced by the Deputy Leader of the Opposition in regard to the Spensley-street State School, I point out that an Assistant Minister of Education has been appointed. I do not wish to discuss this matter from a personal angle, and I wish to be clinical in my arguments. The Government has seen the need for assistance to be afforded to the Minister of Education because of the almost intolerable burden which has been placed on him by the graphic and dramatic increase in the development of education in this State.

I now wish to refer to the division of responsibilities to which the Deputy Leader of the Opposition referred. The Minister of Education, in inducting me to be the Assistant Minister of Education and introducing me to my duty, has been sincere, kindly and helpful, and so completely devoted to his duties that my responsibility in the initial stages has been made easy.

Mr. LOVEGROVE.-You are doing all the dirty work. Why should he not be nice to you?

Mr. ROSSITER-Such a remark reveals that the Opposition is bankrupt of ideas and consists of an immoral group of political nincompoops. Naturally, an Assistant Minister in any Department would be set to scraping the bottom of the barrel, but

Session 1964.-11

he should enjoy learning from the ground up, particularly in the field of education.

Mr. LOVEGROVE.-Why be a punching bag for the Minister?

Mr. ROSSITER.-! would prefer to be the punching bag for the Minister of Education than for any other Minister in the British Commonwealth. In the division of responsibilities, I have been entrusted with primary schools, which include George-street State School, Spensleystreet State School, and Eastern-road State School in South Melbourne, where a wall is almost falling down.

Mr. LOVEGROVE.-That is in an electorate represented by a member of the Labour Party.

Mr. ROSSITER-There is much work to be done in relation to primary schools, and I propose to do it. I intend to visit as many schools as possible so that any kind of corrupt charge that the Government is interested only in schools in electorates represented by members of the Liberal Party will be " nailed." I invite any member of the Opposition or of ·cthe unfortunate "corner party," which is neither betwixt nor between, to name a day when he is available and I will spend it in his electorate. I do not wish to enter a discussion of charge and countercharge. This Government, after nine years of devoted and sincere attention to the educational problems of Victoria, is embarking upon another three years of a clearly defined programme for the development of education. The primary schools division will not suffer in the wider plans envisaged by the Government. If I had a magic wand, I would bulldoze and eliminate the buildings at schools such as Spensley-street, Eastern-road and George-street, and construct new buildings.

The SPEAKER (Sir William McDonald).-Order! The Minister's time has expired.

Mr. LOVEGROVE (Fitzroy).-Does the Assistant Minister require more time? I shall be pleased to move for an extension of time.


The SPEAKER-The honorable member has not requested an extension of time.

Mr. LOVEGROVE.-But I enjoy hearing him, and I am prepared to move that his time be extended.

The SPEAKER-Order! No extension of time has been requested.

Mr. FENNESSY (Brunswick East). -In moving the motion before the Chair, the Deputy Leader of the Opposition stated that the failure of the Government to protect the health and welfare of children in certain State schools, in particular, school No. 3146, Spensley-street, Clifton Hill, was a matter of urgent public importance. This school is situated in the electorate represented by the Deputy Leader of the Opposition who, I believe, advanced a sound case with regard to that particular school and other schools in his electorate. It could be said that he was speaking generally of all schools in the inner metropolitan area. Members of the Liberal Party know nothing about these matters because they do not represent the inner tl'letropolitan areas. Their constituents live on the south side of the river and in the expanding eastern suburbs. It is understandable that students attending schools which are situated in districts represented by Government party members enjoy facilities of a much higher standard than those which exist in schools in the inner metropolitan area.

Mr. WILCOX.-That is not so.

Mr. FENNESSY.-We, as Opposition members, are entitled to submit in this House a case for the inner metropolitan schools, because we honestly believe that, over the past ten years, maintenance work on those schools has not been carried out to the extent that it should have been.

The Assistant Minister of Education, in his reply, chided the Deputy Leader of the Opposition with taking too much notice of a press report. He said that the discussion

this evening was more or less based on reports which were published in the Sun NewsPictorial this morning and in the Herald last night. Those reports certainly referred to the school in which the Deputy Leader of the Opposition is particularly interested. Nevertheless, it is rather surprising to hear the Assistant Minister of Education accuse the Opposition of following the press and also claiming that as we, on this occasion, have the press on our side, we are only too happy to attack the Government. The press has never been on our side, and it never will be. The Assistant Minister of Education knows that only too well. The Bolte Government has had the press on its side for the past nine or ten years, and that position will probably continue. The honorable gentleman specifically stated that the press had made statements in relation to Brunswick schools. It did so a few weeks ago, and I shall have something to say about that and the reason why the press published the facts that it did with respect to schools in the Brunswick district.

The Assistant Minister of Education also chided the Deputy Leader of the Opposition for saying that the dirty work of the Education Department had been handed over to the honorable gentleman. I do not think there could be any denial of that, although, perhaps, the term " dirty work " might not be the most appropriate one to choose. Let us say that the more difficult work was handed over to the Assistant Minister. If there is any difficult work, it is that work which the inner metropolitan schools are seeking to have done to correct deficiencies that are apparent. The Opposition is yet to see the results that can be obtained by the Assistant Minister. I do not doubt his enthusiasm and his dedication to the Minister of Education. If those qualities can help him, perhaps we can hope that, following the debate this evening, some measure of justice will be derived by the older schools in the inner metropolis.


The publicity given to the Brunswick schools in the press some few weeks ago was based on a report produced by Dr. Leonard J. Hartman, M.B., B.S. (Melbourne) , medical officer of health for the City of Brunswick, in relation to sanitary facilities at schools in the Brunswick municipality. That report finally found its way into the journal of the Australian Medical Association, and not until the report was published in that journal did the daily press seize upon it. Admittedly, the newspapers gave the report wide publicity, because it highlighted the deficiencies with regard to health matters in Brunswick schools. I know that my colleague, the honorable member for Brunswick West, has something to say in relation to the schools within his district, and I intend to refer only to those schools within my electorate of Brunswick East which come within the ambit of the report.

Dr. Hartman's report, which is not of great length, is something which all honorable members would be well advised to read, because I am certain that those members who represent electorates in the older parts of the metropolis would realize, upon reading that report, that what applies in Brunswick probably applies equally in their own electorates. Dr. Hartman did, in fact, base his report on all schools within the Brunswick district. By the term " all schools " I mean State schools and registered Catholic schools. I do not intend to deal with Catholic schools, because that would not be permitted; they are subject only to the jurisdiction of the Department of Health, whereas State schools are subject to the jurisdiction of the Education Department, with which we are concerned.

As recently as to-day, I spoke to the Health Officer who assured me that the Catholic schools had, in fact, acted upon the recommendations that had been made, and that quite a number of deficiencies which existed in those schools with respect to drinking and toilet facilities had been corrected. However, this has

not been the case with respect to certain State schools in the area. I have before me a copy of correspon~ dence which was forwarded to the Education Department in May of this year and which has not, as yet, been answered.

The preamble to Dr. Hartman's report states-

The City of Brunswick is an industrial suburb adjacent to the City of Melbourne. It has an area of 4.2 square miles, a population of 53,200 and contains fifteen schools. Of these schools six are State primary schools, three are State secondary schools of different types, and the remaining six are private schools.

The municipality is an old one, having celebrated its centenary of settlement in 1939 and its centenary of local government in 1957. The schools also are old-eight are between 35 and 55 years of age, four are more than 75 years of age. One only is less than 24 years of age-this is a new school a few months old. In all, the schools accommodate approximately 7,000 pupils.

We are not without children in the municipality of Brunswick, despite the fact that it has been claimed in some quarters that in the inner metropolis there are mainly adults and elderly people. The report proceeds-

Complaints against the sanitary conditions of one school were lodged by the parents' organization, and conditions found were so bad that it was decided to inspect all schools in the district. Authority to do this is in " General Code of Duties for Municipal Medical Officers of Health " (1928).

This inspection was carried out by the medical officer and the health officers of the Brunswick City Council, and Dr. Hartman's report is based on the inspection which was made about the month of November, 1963. I must be fair, and make that observation. By the same token, corres- . pondence which I shall shortly read and which was addressed to the Education Department in May, 1964, reveals that, since the inspections were made and since the recommendations were submitted to the Department, nothing has been done in three schools. Dr. Hartman's report continues-

Investigation, however. revealed that the situation was much worse than these figures convey. To assess the situation

1~60 . Education [ASSEMBLY.] Department.

.adequately it was felt that a list of mi!1i. ·mum requirements must be set up ~h~ch would be consistent with modem bmldmg techniques knowledge of public health and .the affluen'ce of society; though not neces.sarily consistent with the minimum requirements of the law:-

TOILETS: It is considered that the minimum requirements for a closet are-

1. Smooth clean washable walls and floor.

2. Floor draining to sewer. 3. Clean pedestal type pan. 4. Incomplete circular plastic hinged

set (i.e. separated on front). 5. Low level cistern. 6. Supply of toilet paper. 7. Supply of brush and container. 8. Hand wash basin and paper towel-

ling immediately adjacent.

I do not think anyone would quarrel with what Dr. Hartman considers should be the minimum standard of toilet facilities in any school. After all, that is the minimum standard of refinement which we have in our own homes. Surely what is good enough for us in our own homes is good enough as a minimum standard for any school.

The SPEAKER (Sir William McDonald).-Order! The honorable member's time has expired.

On the motion of Mr. WILKES (Northcote), the Standing Orders were suspended to enable the honorable member for Brunswick East to continue his speech for fifteen minutes.

Mr. FENNESSY (Brunswick East). -I thank the House for its indulgence. Dr. Hartman, in his report, went on to say-

Many of the older schools had rough uneven walls and needed painting. In four schools the floor drainage ran across the school yard or into a right-of-way.

One would hardly believe that, in a modern society, such a state of affairs could exist.

In at least two schools daily clean~g was not carried out, and clouds of fhes arose from the toilets as they were approached. Of 241 toilets inspected, 34 had fixed wooden seats, 46 had hinged wooden seats that were cracked or broken. Only 59 had plastic seats in a satisfactory condition and five of these were in toilets used only by staff.

They certainly looked after themselves.

Fixed wooden seats lead to a concretion of urinary deposits in the upper and anterior portion of the pan. This is impossible to clean and has an offensive smell in hot weather. Cracked wooden seats cannot be cleaned satisfactorily. Of the 241 toilets only 37 had low-level cisterns and 20 of these were in the new school.

That would be the St. Ambrose school, which has recently been built.

Thirty-seven cisterns needed an adjustment to work satisfactorily, and 90 cisterns had chains too short for any child to manipulate. Fifteen cisterns had no chains.

I have seen these schools, and from time to time have made representations to the Minister concerning them. The point is that the oldfashioned cistern with chain attached is still standard equipment in these schools, and only recently, following the article that was published in the daily press after Dr. Hartman's report had appeared in the journal of the Australian Medical Association, was an inspection made of certain schools and a suggestion advanced that repairs should be made to v.arious cisterns.

The head master of State School No. 1213 in Albert-street, East Brunswick, has suggested to me that only press-button flush cisterns which children can easily operate should be installed. In many instances, the chain is missing and children cannot reach the lever. In some boys' urinals water seldom flushes down and conditions become extremely unpleasant, particularly during hot weather. I was told only to-day by the health officer that on many occasions when he went to the school he found that cistern chains were broken and toilets were used perhaps six times before being flushed.

Conditions such as these should not be tolerated anywhere. They should not be allowed to continue in schools in the inner metropolitan area. Backbench members of the Liberal Party would not tolerate them for one moment, and I consider that the Opposition is justified in bringing to the attention of the House a matter

Education [16 SEPTEMBER, 1964.] Department. 261•

which could impair the health of the children in the community. Cases of infectious hepatitis have occurred in Brunswick recently. I am not saying -and the medical officer does not suggest at this stage-that the cause has been the insanitary conditions at the schools.

Mr. WILTSHIRE.-Nobody is certain of the cause.

Mr. FENNESSY.-Exactly. However, it could be a contributing factor, and every possible cause of an epidemic should be removed. The Opposition is fully justified in bringing to the attention of the Minister of Education these intolerable conditions at the Brunswick schools. The old cisterns still there should be replaced by push-button cisterns, and urinals of the type installed in new schools should be put in.

The Assistant Minister of Education has said-I give him full marks for this-that if he had his way he would put a bulldozer over all the old schools.

Mr. BLOOMFIELD.-Aladdin's magic lamp would be required.

Mr. FENNESSY.-The Assistant Minister of Education was honest enough to make that statement.

Mr. BLOOMFIELD.-! would do the same if it were possible.

Mr. FENNESSY.-Would the Minister put a bulldozer through all the old toilet blocks-not through the school buildings at this stage-and provide modern toilet facilities for children attending schools in the inner metropolitan area?

For the purpose of the record I wish to quote three letters submitted by Dr. Hartman to the secretary of the Education Department. The first, dated 26th May, 1964, states-

A further inspection of the Central Brunswick State School, No. 1213, Albert-street, Brunswick, shows the following still requiring attention:-

1. Girls' toilet block most unsatisfactory. We were unable to make nine cisterns function. One toilet has a fixed

wooden seat, and two toilet seats are split. At the time of our visit, 3 J?.m.,. several had been used many times. and were not able to be flushed. Attention to this matter is most urgent.

2. Boys' toilet block: Two seats split. Four cisterns not flushing, with the result a similar condition as existed in the girls' toilet block.

3. Sewer opened to clear blockage in school yard some weeks ago and still unsealed.

Hand-washing facilities have been provided at both toilets, the water service has been renewed and all drinking taps function satisfactorily. This is a great improvement, but hand-drying facilities are required.

On 29th May, Dr. Hartman wrote. stating-

A further inspection of the South Brunswick State School on 27th May, 1964, shows no improvement in conditions reported to you on 1st November, 1963. The recommendations then were as follows:-

1. All toilets to have pedestal pans and low-level cisterns.

2. Repair drinking taps and provide extra taps.

3. Renew cisterns and flushing systems over urinals.

4. Provide sink in staff room at inf ants' school.

5. Wash-hand basins and paper towels in each toilet block.

In addition it was noted that, in the boys' urinals, the slabs were displaced and joints perished. These need resetting and rejointing and floors regraded with raised area for boys to stand on.

Mr. WHEELER-Was Dr. Hartman at one time a councillor?

Mr. FENNESSY.-He was-a very good councillor, too. Also on 29th May, Dr. Hartman wrote to the Department as follows: -

A further inspection of the East Brunswick State School, No. 3179, Stewart-street, Brunswick on 27th May, 1964, revealed conditions similar to those existing on our previous inspection on 4th December, 1963, when the recommendations were as follows:-

1. All cisterns to be replaced with lowlevel type.

2. Wash-hand basins and paper towels to be provided.

3. Urinal slabs to be reset and resealed. 4. Drainage from toilet blocks to be

directed into Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works sewer.


At present the drainage goes into the school yard. That is a disgraceful state of affairs, and the Opposition is well justified in bringing this matter to the attention of the House. In his report, Dr. Hartman went on to say-

One wonders if conditions are similar in other municipalities, and, if so, whether the Education Department and other proprietors can morally deny the thousands of pounds it will need to bring equipment up to reasonable standards. Part VIII. of the Schools Regulations 1943 provide offences and penalties for proprietors who break the regulations, but Part I. excludes State schools. This means that the municipality has no legal power to make the Education Department obey the law.

The reference to proprietors is to the owners of registered schools; in other words, Catholic schools. The registered schools have to obey the law; in this case, the Education Department is not required to do so. In his final summing up, Dr. Hartman stated-

Six months have passed since the conclusion of the survey, and a second survey is in progress. Of the fourteen schools which needed attention, considerable improvements have been made in seven, minor improvements, but more planned in three, and no improvements in four. One of the schools in the last group is one of the worst we have seen and as it is a State primary school we have no authority to enforce improvements.

As the Minister of Education is aware, that refers to Brunswick South State School in Brunswickroad. . On the other hand, in the first group it is now commonplace to see low-level ciiterns, plastic toilet seats and handwashing taps adjacent to the toilets.

The need to replace old and antiquated equipment must be re-emphasized. In some of the old cisterns, repairs made in the last six months have again broken down.

The Deputy Leader of the Opposition voiced complaints regarding schools in his electorate. I have more or less concentrated on the lack of toilet and hand-washing facilities in Brunswick schools. I sympathize with the Assistant Minister of Education. He has been given quite a sizeable job, but I would be grateful if he would keep to his philosophy that if he had his way he would bulldoze the old

Mr. Fennessy.

schools. When I referred to this point previously, the Assistant Minister was out of the Chamber. The Minister of Education, who is seated at the table, then suggested that the Assistant Minister was being a bit whimsicalthat what he was suggesting was a pipe dream, that it was impracticable, and that nothing could be done about the matter.

I would suggest that, as a start, the toilet blocks in the Brunswick school be bulldozed. The same might be done in Fitzroy and other inner metropolitan areas. All the chain cisterns should be replaced by lowlevel cisterns.

Mr. ROSSITER.-1 should like to start in the Brighton area.

Mr. FENNESSY.-Children ought to be able to flush the toilets after use and thus help prevent a possible hepatitis epidemic. The arguments put forward by Opposition members have been fully justified and the motion should be agreed to.

Mr. BLOOMFIELD (Minister of Education) .-While in a sense this is a parochial subject, the general subject-matter is, of course, of particular interest and importance. Those responsible for the conduct of schools have a great responsibility as regards the health of the children who attend them.

This is a subject which easily arouses public discussion and indignation. We in the Education Department and in the Government want nothing more than justice and fair and impartial dealing in this matter. I think the House will sympathize when I say that both the press and the Opposition have a responsibility to see that people are not needlessly alarmed by exaggerated stories and by pictorial journalism, such as the Assistant Minister of Education has described, which portrays in a convincing fashion a state of affairs other than that which actually exists. I shall deal in a moment with the honorable member for Brunswick East, who is interjecting, and he will


be extremely sorry that he has raised this matter. One would have expected from the honorable member's speech that he would be well informed on matters within his electorate. I think I can say with regard to both Opposition members who have spoken that while I have received many written communications from the Deputy Leader of the Opposition--

Mr. CHRISTIE.-You mean letters? Mr. BLOOMFIELD.-! shall sim

plify it further and say "notes," which is a one-syllable word. I think it is true that on no occasion has the Deputy Leader of the Opposition invited me personally by word of mouth to concern myself with the matters of which he has spoken to-day. When the honorable member last spoke on this subject! think it was in March of this yearhe went out of his way to exonerate me on any charge of indifference or even of incapacity. To-day, of course, with two full pages of the Sun NewsPictoria.l devoted to the matter, it appears that there is ample publicity for a protest of this type. Turning first to the honorable member for Brunswick East, the fact is that the Age devoted itself to Dr. Hartman's report, but omitted the passage-the addendum-which the honorable member was fair enough to read, and which states-

Six months have passed since the conclusion of the survey, and a second survey is in progress. Of the fourteen schools which needed attention-! do not know how many schools are in the electorate of the honorable member for Brunswick East, or how many are in the electorate of his colleague, the honorable member for Brunswick West, but there would not be many more than fourteenconsiderable improvements have been made in seven; minor improvements, but more are planned in three, and no improvements in four . . . in the first group it is now commonplace to see low-level cisterns, plastic toilet seats and hand-washing taps adjacent to the toilets. He brought himself up to date six months later, but the Age did not publish it. The honorable member

professed to-day to bring the matter completely up to date-I think, in fact, he referred to something which took place to-day. He endeavoured to indicate that he was presenting the picture as it now is. I invite honorable members to listen to what Dr. Hartman wrote to the Department on the 18th August. He said-

1 noticed from this morning's Age that you intended to call for a report on the allegations of unsanitary conditions in Brunswick schools. If you do so, you will find that with one or two exceptions the sanitary conditions of schools in Brunswick are remarkably good. This is due to extensive repairs which have been made in the past eight months and if you read my article in the Medical Journal of Australia you will see that I have acknowledged this state of affairs.

However, if you wish to call for such a report, it would seem more useful at this stage to investigate conditions in other suburbs.

How can we rely on the statements of the honorable member for Brunswick East, who professes to tell the House of to-day's state of affairs, when Dr. Hartman wrote to the Department on the 18th August and, in fact, congratulated it on the very excellent work that had been done, and suggested that we would be wasting our time if we now examined the situation in schools in Brunswick? It is impossible to place any other construction on the letter which I have just read. Dr. Hartman wrote to the Education Department and to the Assistant Minister stating-

! notice that you intend to call for a report on this . . . Does the honorable member seriously believe that this related to the Catholic schools, concerning which Dr. Hartman did not write a word? It is unthinkable, I suggest.

Mr. FENNESSY.-What is the position concerning the three letters which I read? You have not mentioned them.

Mr. BLOOMFIELD.-To whom were those letters addressed?

Mr. FENNESSY.-The secretary of the Department.

Mr. BLOOMFIELD.-The honorable member for Brunswick East directs my attention to letters which


were written to the secretary of the Education Department and, apparently, he expects the telepathic system between the secretary and me to be so perfect that I can without my leaving the Chamber explain what has been done concerning the letters. I think it would be more profitable if, like the Assistant Minister, I dealt with the action taken by the Government to remedy a state of affairs which admittedly, has been unsatisfactory for many decades.

Mr. FENNESSY.-! hand to the Minister of Education the three letters to which I referred.

Mr. BLOOMFIELD.-The three letters in question are addressed to the secretary of the Education Department. I am afraid that at this stage I do not know what is the position concerning them.

Mr. LOVEGROVE.-You do not know?

Mr. BLOOMFIELD.-That is so. Earlier, the honorable member for Brunswick East gave the impression that the letters were written to me. There are some 400 officers in my Department dealing with administrative matters. Surely, the honorable member does not expect the Minister, or the Assistant Minister, to be conversant with all the correspondence which is handled in the Department and to deal with it in this House on the spur of the moment as if he knew all about it. Any person who has such an expectation is disclosing that he is completely unfamiliar with administration at any level. This has been one of the occasions when a searchlight has· been focused by the Deputy Leader of the Opposition on the delays which have taken place in coping with maintenance and similar matters at schools in his electorate.

Mr. FENNESSY.-Dr. Hartman did the same.

Mr. BLOOMFIELD.-Dr. Hartman wrote to the Department on 8th August and, in fact, congratulated the Department on what had been

done in the meantime. When he stated that the sanitary conditions at schools in Brunswick were remarkably good, he was congratulating the Department.

The question we must ask ourselves i.s, "What is the Government's record in relation to sanitation and health matters at schools?" First, I should like to direct attention to the fact that, when this Government first assumed office, there were about 1,000 unsewered schools in Victoria. If there are now any unsewered schools, they could be counted on the fingers of both hands.

Mr. LOVEGROVE.-The parents have paid for the sewerage facilities at most of the schools.

Mr. BLOOMFIELD.-If the parents paid for them, they were repaid.

Mr. LOVEGROVE.-You do not know that.

Mr. BLOOMFIELD.-Of course I do.

The SPEAKER (Sir William McDonald).-When the honorable member for Fitzroy was addressing the House, the Minister of Education did not interrupt him, but while the Minister of Education has been attempting to speak, the honorable member has repeatedly interrupted.

Mr. LOVEGROVE.-1 shall not interrupt him again, Mr. Speaker.

The SPEAKER.-! hope the honorable member for Fitzroy can assure me that the other members of his party will adopt the same attitude.

Mr. BLOOMFIELD.-Other honorable members will be aware that the Government has, of its own initiative, made available well over £1,000,000 with which to provide sewerage facilities at every school in the State. It is true that in the meantime under this Government, as under other Governments before it, the parents provided sewerage facilities, at certain schools. When this has happened during my Government's term of office, we have refunded the


money to be used for school purposes. Of course this was not previously attempted, or even considered.

Mr. TURNBULL.-Why are you so slow with maintenance work?

Mr. BLOOMFIELD.-! deny that the provision of sewerage facilities has been slow but, so far as maintenance is concerned, it is true that, for many years, it has been suggested that the Education Department should have its own works department. There have been complaints about the lack of liaison between the two Departments. It has been commonplace in this House during the life of this Governmentno doubt it applied under previous Governments-for members to complain about these matters when debating motions for the adjournment of the House, Supply and other measures. There is no doubt that there have been grounds for complaints of thi§ type.

The two Departments in question are enormous and have tremendous responsibilities, which are not only numerous, but also complicated. There are many opportunities for human errors to creep in, and certainly it is not claimed that things have been faultless, but at least my Government has taken certain action to improve the situation. It has appointed an Assistant Minister of Education who has a foot in both Departments, as it were, and this action is unprecedented. The honorable gentleman has access to· both Departments. In future, the Assistant Minister will be able to investigate those matters which have been committed by the Education Department to the Public Works Department for attention with a view to ascertaining what is happening concerning them. He will be able to say, "Some time ago, I directed that certain repairs should be carried out at the Princes Hill State School. Is Mr. Jones or Mr. Brown supposed to deal with this matter; what is being done about it? " Surely, this must be a step in the right direction.

The Deputy Leader of the Opposition has already congratulated the Assistant Minister. He has been reasonably kind to me, and it is fair that I should commend him. He has demonstrated the effectiveness of the system which the Government has introduced. No sooner does one of these problems arise than the Assistant Minister is on the spot, and if someone in the Public Works Department wants some accelerated momentum, he has the authority to supply it. So far as the honorable member for Brunswick East is concerned I think the House must agree that his case has been punctured by the upto-date statement of Dr. Hartman. So far as the Deputy Leader of the Opposition is concerned, he, at any rate, has received immediate attention.

It has been shown that the photographic reporting in the newspaper was of dubious candour. I am told that the photographer visited the school in question well after the school had closed, and children were brought in from the street, irrespective of whether they belonged to the school, and they were asked to pose in these appealing attitudes around the school so_-that everything would look " grim." Furthermore, the swimming pool which was shown in the photographs was not on the school premises. Owing to the machinery which this Government has set up, it appears that we can look forward to very much better conditions and a more effective administration of the Department in the future. So far as the Government being blameworthy is concerned, Dr. Hartman expresses satisfaction with what has been done.

Mr. FENNESSY.-! shall get him to write you another letter.

Mr. BLOOMFIELD.-! shall get him to reply to the honorable member for Brunswick East, who will then know what is going on in his electorate. When that occurs, it will be a red letter day in this House, and debates of this nature will really produce something. All the evidence


indicates that, so far as these aspects of education are concerned, Victoria is not going backwards or remaining stationary but that it is moving forward at a most satisfactory rate of progress under the present Government.

Mr. HOLDING (Richmond).-Nothing highlights more the smug and complacent attitude of this Government than the statements made, not merely by the delinquent Government back-benchers, but by the front-bench members of the Government to this motion moved by the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. Terms like " parochial" and " frivolous " have been bandied around. The Opposition has been told that the people of Victoria have been needlessly alarmed. The fact is that in the motion so ably moved by the Deputy Leader of the Opposition, there is a grave principle at stake-the State not merely undertakes to provide proper educational facilities for the children of Victoria, but by law it imposes penalties upon people who do not send their children to school. If a parent is delinquent in this regard, he may be pros·ecuted. I support that position, as do all other honorable members.

But if it is good enough for the State to say that citizens may be penalized if they do not send their children to school, there is a clear moral duty on the part of the State to see that the children receive the maximum educational facilities and that they are not being taught in a school that is a positive menace to health. That is the principle involved in this debate. Members on this, the Opposition, side of the Chamber deeply regret that the Government has become so smug and so complacent that the first time the Minister of Education hears about the state of affairs existing in some of these schools is when he reads about it in the newspapers. Honorable members have witnessed the pompous tirade directed at the Opposition because a newspaper photographer took photographs of the Spensely-street school.

Mr. SCANLAN.-The photographs were rigged.

Mr. HOLDING.-The simple question is: Are the facilities provided at this school adequate or otherwise? Is the Minister of Education prepared to have the children of Victoria educated in sub-standard schools? The issue is simple. From my point of view, it do·es not matter what the photographer from the Sun NewsPictorial did. The duty of the Minister is to this House, not to the newspaper photographer. I hoped to hear an assurance from the Minister that something would be done, but all that honorable members have heard was the assurance that the Minister loved his assistant and had confidence in the Assistant Minister, and that the Assistant Minister loved the Minister and had confidence in him. Opposition members are deeply touched by this affection, but we should like the Minister to include our constituents in that affection and lavish some of it on the children who, in industrial areas, have to attend schools and be educated in sub-standard conditions. It was suggested that the Deputy Leader of the Opposition and his colleagues on this side of the Chamber should feel a little ashamed of using the " adjournment motion " formula for a matter of this type. What are the facts? Opposition members are tired of the way in which children in the inner metropolitan area are being treated when they attend school.

What does the Minister of Education say about Dr. Hartman's letter? When Dr. Hartman, who is not attached to the Education Department and has no duty to the Department, makes a report indicating that the school facilities are sub-standard, and then six months later he reports that they are remarkably good, the Minister says that it is a matter for congratulation. It would appear, therefore, that the Minister expects to be told that the facilities are remarkably bad. Surely the children are entitled


to at least the minimum facilities. It should not be regarded by the Minister as a matter for congratulation when he is told that the facilities are remarkably good; it should be regarded as something which is part of the normal process.

Mr. LOVEGROVE.-The Assistant Minister of Education said that 90 per cent. of the facilities in the metropolitan area were not good.

Mr. HOLDING.-! shall come to that aspect, and when it is fully developed, the Minister of Education will not love his assistant so much. The Opposition wishes to make it clear that many of the children living in the inner industrial areas come from a home background where parents are in the lower income brackets, and at home they are often deprived of fully adequate cultural standards. In those circumstances, the Opposition believes it is the duty of the State to give these children not merely equal educational treatment with children from the more fortunate areas but treatment which is more than equal, and will provide facilities which will remove from within the general framework of our educational structure the inequality of opportunity that now exists. I had hoped, not for the smug and pompous attitude displayed by the Minister of Education, but for a declaration of principle that the Government is prepared to see that the children in the inner metropolitan area receive greater educational opportunities. The only way in which this can be achieved is to provide maximum educational facilities. The Opposition is not prepared to accept the assurance of the Minister that now he has his loving comrade in the person of the Assistant Minister everything bodes well for the future.

If the Education Department had been operating efficiently, the Minister should not have had to rely upon council officers, outside officers of health or even members of Parliament to tell him that school facilities were inadequate. His own Department

should have been functioning so effectively that he would have been informed that things are not as they should be at the Spensley-street school. His own departmental processes should have been operating to inform him of the true state of affairs, and it should not have been necessary for a medical officer of health to indicate that the buildings were substandard. That is what has occurred, and all honorable members should feel a sense of shame that this has occurred and that such sub-standard accommodation has presented a threat to health. I do not care whether one school is affected, or whether two schools or six schools are affected, it should not have been necessary for the honorable member for Brunswick East to read in this House a report from Dr. Hartman. It is not good enough for the Minister of Education to say that so many things occur in this cumbersome Department there is room for error. If the Minister had accepted the recommendations contained in the Ramsay report, such a state of affairs would not have existed. He was told of these things by an expert committee, but he has done nothing except to appoint an Assistant Minister of Education. We wish his assistant well, but he has a big job ahead; he estimates that in 90 per cent. of the schools in the metropolitan area, things are not well.

Mr. LOVEGROVE.-After nine years in which his Government has been in office.

Mr. HOLDING.-That is so.

Mr. Ross1TER.-Things are not well with some of the new schools.

Mr. LOVEGROVE.-Now it extends even to new schools.

Mr. HOLDING.-That is so.

Mr. LOVEGROVE.-He quoted 90 per cent. of the metropolitan schools, and now includes some of the new schools!

Mr. HOLDING.-Yes. I shall take note of that statement.


Mr. LOVEGROVE.-The Opposition expects to see it reported in Hansard that things are not well with 90 per cent. of the old schools and some of the new schools.

Mr. HOLDING.-lt is now on record. We hope the honorable gentleman does something about it, and if he does so, he will receive every assistance from members on this, the Opposition, side of the Chamber. All Opposition members are tired of the smug and pompous references made by the Minister of Education; we are tired of the attitude adopted by some of the delinquent back-bench members of the Government on matters of grave principle. Either they have not the capacity to see the principle involved in this debate or they are so recreant to their duty to Victoria that they are prepared to discredit the motion so ably moved by the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. All they have said is that he is parochial.

Mr. TURNBULL.-And frivolous.

Mr. HOLDING.-That is so. From the Opposition's point of view, this is one of the most important motions that has been debated in this Chamber in recent years. The Opposition wants the Government to adopt a policy not merely of equal treatment being given to children in the inner metropolitan areas, but, by virtue of the social problems existing in those areas, of better than equal treatment. I hope the Minister of Education will take to heart what has be~n said to-night, and it will then not be necessary in the future for the citizens of Victoria to be told by a daily newspaper that schools provided by the State are sub-standard.

The House divided on the motion for the adjournment of the House (Sir William McDonald in the chair)-

Ayes 18 Noes 42

Majority against the motion 24

AYES.

Mr. Clarey Mr. Crick Mr. Divers Mr. Fennessy Mr. Floyd Dr. Jenkins Mr. Lovegrove Mr. Mutton Mr. Ring Mr. Schintler

Mr. Stoneham Mr. Sutton Mr. Trezise Mr. Turnbull Mr. Wilkes Mr. Wilton.

Tellers: Mr. Holding Mr. Holland.

NOES.

Mr. Balfour Mr. Birrell Mr. Bloomfield Mr. Bolte Mr. Borthwick Mr. Christie Mr. Cochrane Mr. Darcy Mr. Dixon Mr. Dunstan Mr. Evans

(Ballaarat North) Mr. Evans

( Gippsland East) Mr. Holden Mr. Jona Mr. Loxton Mr. McCabe Mr. Macdonald

(Burwood) Mr. McDonald

Mr. Moss Mr. Phelan Mr. Porter Mr. Rafferty Mr. Reid

(Box Hill) Mr. Rossiter Mr. Rylah Mr. Scanlan Mr. Stephen Mr. Stirling Mr. Stokes Mr. Suggett Mr. Tanner Mr. Taylor Mr. Trethewey Mr. Wheeler Mr. Whiting Mr. Wilcox Mr. Wiltshire.

(Rodney) Mr. Manson Tellers: Mr. Meagher Mr. Hudson Mr. Mitchell Mr. Trewin.

The sitting was suspended at 6.39 p.m. until 8. 7 p.m.

LATROBE VALLEY (AMENDMENT) BILL.

Mr. DARCY· (Minister of Water Supply) .-I move-

That this Bill be now read a second time. The main purpose of this Bill is to amend certain provisions of the Latrobe Valley Act 1958 relating to control, by the Latrobe Valley Water and Sewerage Board, of the discharge of wastes into the Latrobe river and the prevention of pollution of that river.

It is proposed to extend the existing definition of " industrial and domestic waste" or "waste" to include any matter which by by-law the Board may declare to be " waste." Such by-law would, of course, require the approval of the Governor in Council. Legal opinion has shown this amendment to be necessary so as

. "atrobe Valley [16 SEPTEMBER, 1964.] (Amendment) Bill. 269

to remove the present legal difficulties of proving that any matter discharged to the river is in fact " waste " within the meaning of the existing definition.

It is also proposed to enable bylaws made by the Board to be applied to the whole of industry or to any particular industry or class of industry and also to enable the operation of any by-law to vary according to the flow in the river. Experience has shown that, in relation to the pollution of streams, it is impracticable to draft suitable by-laws of universal application under all conditions.

It is further proposed to enable the Board, wifh the approval of the Governor in Council in each case, to enter into an agreement with any other organization or industry as to the quality of wastes such an organization may discharge to the river. Any such agreement would have the same authority as a by-law and would carry a similar penalty for its breach. Modern overseas practice, particularly in the United Kingdom, is to fix effluent standards by specification or agreement-an arrangement which permits much more flexibility in application.

For example, in order to comply with the Board's existing pollution by-law, the paper mill at Maryvale pumps water out of the Latrobe river to dilute its effluent to the permissible standards before releasing the dilute effluent into the river. This operation involves the paper mill in entirely unnecessary expense as the amount of foreign matter being discharged to the river every 24 hours is unchanged. At some future date when further industrialization of the Latrobe Valley has occurred, this industry will probably be required to install private treatment processes to improve the quality of its effluent by means other than dilution. Until that time arrives, the position can be controlled effectively by agreement between the Board and the industry concerned.

Clarification of the Board's powers in connexion with the supply of water to consumers is also proposed. The Act makes specific provision for the Board to make charges for the disposal of wastes, but no clear authority is given regarding its powers to charge for water supplied, although such power is implied by those sections of the Act dealing with the disposal of moneys received for the supply of water. The amendment will make the Board's powers in this regard quite clear. I commend the Bill to the House.

On the motion of Mr. WILKES (Northcote), the debate was adjourned until Wednesday, Septem-ber 23. -


The debate (adjourned from September 9) on the motion of Mr. Balfour (Minister of Lands) for the second reading of this Bill was resumed.

Mr. CRICK (Grant).-The purpose of this small Bill is the extension of the borrowing powers of the Grain Elevators Board from £10,000,000 to £11,000,000, although only nine months ago a Bill was passed by Parliament extending its borrowing authority from £9,000,000 to £10,000,000.

The Minister has stated that the additional £1,000,000 is required because of the record wheat harvest in the 1963-64 season. Urgent extensions have had to be made to silos in certain areas, and sub-terminals have had to be constructed in two places.

The Grain Elevators Board has found it necessary to provide annex bins of 65,000-bushel capacity at four country locations, new elevators of 100,000-bushel capacity at eight centres, new elevators of 135,000-bushel capacity at no fewer than 31 locations, sub-terminals of 1,000,000-

270 Grain Elevators [ASSEMBLY.] (B<mowing) Bill.

bushel capacity at nine placesanother is in course of constructionadditions at the Geelong terminal to enable it to take 3,800,000 more bushels, and, last but not least, the Sunshine sub-terminal, now in course of erection, of 1,000,000-bushel capacity.

Most of the sub-terminals are to have a dual purpose. If there is sufficient wheat to fill the silos, they will be used for the storage of that grain, but if not they can be utilized partly for the intake of barley.

During last year's record harvest, farmers who took their wheat to the nearest railway station and found the silo full, were required to cart it for distances up to 50 miles to the nearest sub-terminal. Complaints on this account have been made by the Victorian Wheat and Woolgrowers' Association, which asks that when the local silos are filled, provision be made for the grain to be placed in railway trucks and railed to the nearest sub-terminal.

I do not think that is an unrealistic request. The farmer who harvests his grain and finds that the local silo is full should not be forced to travel up to 50 miles to a subterminal to discharge his yield. Consequently, I think there is a great deal of merit in the request of the Victorian Wheat and Woolgrowers' Association that facilities should be made available at local silos to transfer loads from private vehicles into railway trucks for conveyance to the nearest sub-terminal.

Mr. WHITING.-ls there provision at the sub-terminals for rail intake?

Mr. CRICK.-No, and that is the complaint that has been made. It is contended that there should be facilities for intake from both road and rail in order that when silos are full grain can be discharged into railway trucks to be taken to the nearest sub-terminal.

Because of the requirements of maltsters, who are the chief people interested in the receipt of the barley

produced, steps have recently been taken to construct at Sunshine a sub-terminal with a total capacity of 1,000,000 bushels. Although this will be primarily for receival of barley, it will have a dual purpose and will receive barley or wheat should the occasion arise. The proposal to construct a sub-terminal has caused a good deal of protest from the Sunshine City Council on the one hand and from ratepayers of the City of Sunshine on the other. The Grain Elevators Board, through its contractors, has brushed aside the Uniform Building Regulations applicable in the area. The height restriction in the Sunshine area is 132 feet, but huge concrete structures ranging up to 170 feet are to be erected. It has also been found that no land use permit was sought from the Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works, the planning authority. The reason for that is because the silos will be erected on railway property. Moreover the Grain Elevators Board contractors did not seek a building permit from the Sunshine City Council, and this failure is to be the subject of litigation in the near future.

Is it right that a Government instrumentality should brush aside uniform building regulations, the planning authority with whose plans other people must comply and permit requirements just for the sake of putting a mass of concrete in a position which will interefere with the rights of the ratepayers of the city? We say that it is morally wrong and wrong in principle. If other people in the community are expected to abide by the Uniform Building Regulations, planning requirements and council permits so also should the contractors for a Government authority. The Grain Elevators Board will not pay rates to the City of Sunshine although it will have constructed a massive concrete structure right in the centre of the city in an area which requires a rail line to feed it.

A major drainage problem is associated with the construction of this sub-terminal, and the ratepayers,

Grain Elevators (16 SEPTEMBER, 1964.] (Borrowing) Bill. 271

without any assistance from the Grain Elevators Board, will be required to meet the cost of this. The subterminal is sited on the boundaries of the J. R. Parsons Reserve, an area which has been developed over the years for the playing of football, cricket, tennis, croquet and other ball games. The council will be hard put to find finance to cope with this drainage problem, and no money will be recoverable by rating the Grain Elevators Board.

This objection of the council was taken up with Mr. Glowrey, the chairman of the Board, by correspondence between him and the building surveyor of the City of Sunshine. For the purposes of the record, I shall read this correspondence. It will show honorable members the kinds of disregard that these people have for the rights of others in our community. A letter written by Mr. Glowrey, the chairman and manager of the Grain Elevators Board and addressed to the building surveyor of the City of Sunshine reads-

! acknowledge your letter of the 14th ult.

This Board's legal advice is to the effect that neither the Uniform Building Regulations nor the Scaffolding Regulations have any application to the land at Sunshine on which the Board is having an elevator erected.

This Board has erected elevators at over 200 locations throughout the State and in all instances the Board has had the most effective co-operation possible from the municipal authorities concerned.

I should like your council to appreciate the fact that this Board did not ask to be appointed the authority to handle barley in bulk. This was a responsibility placed on this Board by the Government when it was confronted with the fact that the production of barley in Victoria had declined by many millions of bushels per annum and that Victoria was becoming more and more dependent upon the supplies of barley produced in other States. The Government was influenced in the decision to provide bulk handling facilities for barley growers because it was believed that costs associated with the production and marketing of barley would be appreciably reduced and would result in an uplift in the acreage being devoted to the production of barley.

As the major portion of the barley produced in Victoria is used by maltsters whose premises are located within the metropoli-

tan area, it was a necessity that a barley storage sub-terminal be positioned in a location which would serve barley producers on all railway lines throughout Victoria as well as those maltsters.

To permit of the economic handling of such barley it became necessary for this Board to find a location on a railway line within the metropolitan area where a train conveying 50 rail trucks loaded with barley could be so positioned during the hours it would take to unload same, that the general railway operations would be free of any interference by such discharge operation. That requirement, therefore, called for a location where 50 loaded trucks could be placed on one side of the discharge point at the elevator, as well as a siding capable of holding 50 rail trucks from which barley had been discharged. In short, it required a location where, in all 100 rail trucks could be positioned.

Investigations showed that the site now being used at Sunshine is the only one that has the necessary available rail siding capacity. The possibility of utilizing Melton was examined by this Board but back freight on the barley being railed in from the north and north-eastern districts made such an idea uneconomic.

The producers of barley are extensive users of farm machinery manufactured within your city's boundaries. It is, therefore, obvious that the weekly earnings of the men and women engaged in such secondary industries is bound up with the successful operation of the barley growers and others who will derive benefit from the erection in your area of this Board's facilities.

This Board would like its relationship with your council to be as cordial as those of all the other councils throughout the State and I should appreciate it if your council would agree to grant me an interview so that I can, if necessary, amplify the statement made herein. I refer again to the fact that this Board did not seek the authority to handle barley; that the Government last year amended the Grain Elevators Act to constitute the Board as the authority to handle barley in bulk and instructed the Board to arrange to give the service to the barley growers and the maltsters. The Board must, therefore, see that the system introduced to give such bulk - handling facilities will meet the Government's economic requirements.

Yours, H. GLOWREY.

The letter from the chairman shows that the Board could not care less about the effects that the installation of this sub-terminal will have, first, on the council of the City of Sunshine, and, secondly, on the ratepayers of that city. It has been found


by the ratepayers that the erection of this mass of concrete up tq a height of 170 feet has interfered with their television and radio reception. Some honorable members might contend that this is nothing to complain about, but I do not agree with that contention. Many of the ratepayers concerned own their own properties and have lived in the district for many years. They have sought to improve their social welfare by purchasing television sets and radio receivers, but now they will be inconvenienced as a result of the construction of this sub-terminal.

Only last year, Parliament gave authority for the extension of a loop railway line from the Tottenham marshalling yards to connect with the Brooklyn loop line. It was obvious to most people that with the extension of this railway line in operation-it will be in operation shortly-the obvious site for the subterminal such as now exists at Sunshine would have been at the south end of the connexion, between the loop line from the Tottenham marshalling yards and the point where it connected with the Sunshine to Newport loop line. This area is at present served by a number of heavy industries. The silo should not have been located where it now stands, but the Grain Elevators Board has thumbed its nose, as it were, at the local council. The contractors did not see fit to take out a building permit as required through the local council, and now the ratepayers of the c~ty will be inconvenienced because of the interference with their television and radio receivers. Furthermore, the Sunshine municipality will be required to meet the cost of a major drainage scheme to take off storm water drainage from the vicinity of the sub-terminal.

Mr. Moss.-Could a signal be placed on top of the silo?

Mr. CRICK.-1 am glad of the interjection because it reminds me of the fact that the sub-terminal in question is in direct line with the route

which is traversed by passenger planes flying between Essendon and Tasmania. Therefore, it will be necessary to provide adequate warning lights at the top of the silo so that aircraft approaching Essendon and also Laverton will be protected.

Mr. Moss.-I meant a booster signal for television so that the local residents would obtain a satisfactory picture.

Mr. BIRRELL.-Why not send the lot down to Geelong and be done with it?

Mr. CRICK.-! do not agree with that suggestion. Perhaps a subterminal on the Sunshine-Newport loop line was necessary so that the maltsters in Melbourne could obtain their supplies of barley from that source, and also in order that surplus barley to be shipped overseas could be handled from Williamstown. Unfortunately, the Grain Elevators Board would not co-operate in the matter; it did not seek the advice of the council of the City of Sunshine and its officers before deciding upon the site for the sub-terminal, or before commencing to dig the foundations. That is the position so far as Sunshine is concerned.

The Grain Elevators Board is now seeking authority to borrow an additional £1,000,000. The Minister has stated that, as a result of last year's record harvest, the sum of £120,222 of the £1,000,000 additional borrowing authority now being sought by the Board has already been committed. If the wishes of the Victorian Wheat and Woolgrowers' Association are met by the Grain Elevators Board and facilities are made available at country centres so that farmers may off-load from their vehicles into railway trucks when the local silo is full, a good job will be done with the additional £1,000,000. I have informed the House of a few complaints which have arisen in regard to the sub-terminal which is being erected at Sunshine; otherwise, the Opposition had no objection to the passage of this Bill.

Grain Elevators [16 SEPTEMBER, 1964.] (Borrowing) Bill. 273

Mr. TREWIN (Benalla).-The Grain Elevators Board has been in existence for 30 or more years and, since the end of the last war, it has been the receiving agent for the Australian Wheat Board. Even at the commencement of hostilities in 1939 the Board, which was just getting under way, was given certain instructions concerning the wheat taken in at sidings where bulk facilities were available.

The Grain Elevators Board has a special duty to perform, and the receiving officers at the rail sidings must have a knowledge of local conditions and the requirements necessary for the safe storage of wheat. As a result of certain restrictions placed by overseas buyers, particularly, on the quality of our wheat, the Australian Wheat Board regards it as imperative that the authorities in this and the other States should ensure that the wheat is received in good condition, free from off al and certain seeds which taint the grain, and that it contains a certain moisture content. The requirement in relation to moisture content is most important because of the damage which may result to all grains from the activities of the weevil. This vermin must be controlled so that it will not render wheat unfit for human consumption and even for milling of any sort. Much money is being spent in attempts to control the weevil, and I trust that the officers concerned in the Department of Agriculture, in conjunction with the Australian Wheat Board and the Grain Elevators . Board, will be able to assist the wheat industry so that as much protection as possible may be afforded .against this particular insect.

This Bill seeks to extend the borrow~ng powers ()f the Grain Elevators Board by £1,000,000. I was interested fa the . comments of the honorable member for Grant in relation to the sub-terminal which is to be erected 'at Sunshine. J was . unaware of. the :se:r:~ous c.o~I?_Ilcations to. ·which he

Session 1964.-12

ref erred, and I should like the Minister to state who was responsible for siting this building at Sunshine. I have been informed by the assistant manager of the Grain Elevators Board, Mr. Judd, that the sub-terminal at Sunshine will be used for the storage of barley from the southern areas of the State where quite a lot of barley is grown. A 1,000,000-bushel storage for barley is to be provided at Geelong where receival facilities by both rail and road will be available. I do not know whether the proposed storage at Sunshine will have road as well as rail receival facilities, but I believe botfi are necessary. Further storages are to be erected at Geelong to accommodate 2,800,000 bushels of wheat, but if necessary some of this storage can be used for barley.

As a result of the Grain Elevators Board being made the receiving agent, it has been found, through research into the barley industry and an examination of the needs of maltsters and other users of barley, that it is necessary to ensure that the classification of barley is carried out in an exacting manner. It is important that the several classifications of barley should be segregated. It is possible to do this in a 1,000,000-bushel terminal, but problems are encountered because only one receival pit is provided and consequently only one quality of barley can be tipped into this pit at any one time. In order to be able to receive more than one quality simultaneously, the design of this pit would need some alteration .

The Grain Elevators Board has extended other rece1vmg facilities throughout the State in the past two or three years, and ten 1,000,000-bushel storages have been erecteq .in the wheat-growing districts. . Reference has been m~de to the. . l.Q.ng haulage which some . growers must undertake in order ·to transport their :wheat to certain_ storages. I believe

. :if . the . wh_eat grower knows . th~t he


has somewhere to store his wheat he will agree to the added expense. I support the suggestion for the erection of 1,000,000-bushel storages. I believe it is necessary for storages of a larger type to be erected at certain rail junctions, especially in the Wimmera and Mallee where present storages have almost completed their useful life.

Over the past few years the Victorian wheat harvest has averaged 70,000,000 bushels. If nothing unforeseen happens, the present harvest is expected to equal that figure. This appears to be the general pattern of wheat production in Victoria; no doubt it has been brought about by the good seasons experienced in recent years, together with the ·efficiency of the producer in keeping his machinery and plant, and his ideas in line with modern trends in agriculture. Additional storages at terminals are necessary to cope with the marketing of wheat for overseas countries. Northern and southern hemisphere wheat seasons are six months apart. Most of our wheat sales are made immediately after harvest, and delivery must be made to the seaboard as soon as possible. The Wheat Board endeavours to arrange deliveries before May or June in order that wheat can be transported overseas before the next harvest in the northern hemisphere.

Our railway system is fully taxed to cope with each harvest, but I compliment the Railway Department for its efforts in recent years. No doubt the system does break down on occasions, but every endeavour is made to supply trucks for the wheat harvest and to ensure a quick delivery. However, the added factor of derailments has crept in to the railway working. As a wheat grower, I have for some years looked to the time when' the Victorian Railways could supply 200 or more 45 or 50-ton bogey type wheat trucks to transport wheat from the receival siding

' to the seaboard. Until that situation ·obtains, there will always be the problem of the carriage of wheat in

Mr. Trewin.

January and February because the demand for superphosphate in the country areas is great. Superphosphate is loaded into the railway trucks at Geelong or Melbourne and transported to the country areas in bulk, where the trucks are off-loaded and left in the same siding to be filled with bulk wheat. I should imagine that some health inspectors would not be happy with that procedure. The railway employees have an obligation to see that the trucks are quickly made available for wheat and that they are cleaned. The officers of the Grain Elevators Board are supposed to do a certain amount of this work, but I have found, from personal experience, that the receival officer at the silo has not always the time to do this work properly and that he calls upon the farmers to help to clean the trucks.

Any ·developing organization or instrumentality must have adequate funds. I note that there is a considerable sum available in the reserve fund of the Grain Elevators Board, and I wonder why this money could not be used for the construction of new storages. Although the Act allows the Grain Elevators Board to do certain things, it does not allow it to use the funds for this purpose. At the moment, it is difficult to assess what restrictions overseas buyers will place on the Australian Wheat Board. At the present time, the Grain Elevators Board employs a gang of men to fumigate areas to a certain distance around each receival silo to prevent the breeding and infestation of the weevil and to ensure that this pest, which is so dangerous to the wheat industry, does not spread.

My party considers that the Government should seriously examine the question of reorganizing the Grain Elevators Board. At present the Board consist of three members: The chairman, Mr. Harold Glowrey, who has done a marvellous job in building up the system-his term ends in a few months; a member represendng the growers, Mr. Evans from the Wimmera, who is


due to retire in a month or two; and the representative of the Railway Department, its Chief Traffic Manager, Mr. Rewell. The producers of wheat in this State, who must eventually own the system because of the charges made against the wheat delivered into the receival depots, should have greater representation on the Board. If the Board is reconstituted, I believe it should include three representatives of the growers, especially as barley is also being handled under the grain elevators system. In planning for the future, the Government should give serious consideration to the expansion and reorganization of the Grain Elevators Board.

On behalf of the Country Party, I support the Bill.

Mr. BIRRELL (Geelong).-1 feel that, as a representative of the Geelong area in this Parliament, I should make a few general remarks on this measure. I was thinlcing, as the honorable member for Grant was speaking on the problems of Sunshine, that after the next redistribution the honorable member could well represent the electorate of Sunshine. What a lovely thing it would be to go before the public as the honorable member for Sunshine. I cannot think of a gentleman better qualified to hold that position.

The reason for the Bill is bound up in the 1963 amendments to the principal Act which empowered the Grain Elevators Board to handle barley as well as wheat. As has been pointed out, part of the reason for the additional £1,000,000 borrowing power for the Board relates to the handling of barley. As has been mentioned, extensions to the system have been made at Geelong, the main seaboard terminal for wheat and barley exports from this State. The Board has also intimated that barley storages will be constructed at Geelong, designed to receive the grain from both rail and road. This is natural, because a solid barley growing area .~xi.sts around Geelong

and the growers do not use the railways, but bring their grain in by road.

· We have been informed correctly that an amount of £122,000 out of the £1,000,000 authorized by the Bill has already been spent, leaving only £878,000 to be appropriated following the passage of this legislation. I make this general comment: Only about a year ago a similar measure was before the House to increase the Board's borrowing power by a like amount. This seems to me to be perhaps a conservative outlook because moving around the St~te-1 speak not as one with a particular interest in the growing of wheat, but as an onlooker of the general picture-it appears to me that a great extension of storage capacity will be needed wherever wheat and barley are grown.

The week before last I spent some days in the wheat districts of several parts of the State, and I came out of those areas with the impression that a great extension of the grain elevator.s system will be needed throughout Victoria. I stayed for a couple of davs in the Swan Hill district where I have a couple of friends who are wheat growers. It appea.red to me that even in those area·s ther~ is still~ tremendous delay in tne harvesting of wheat because of the builq up of farm trucks at the storages. Wherever I have spoken to people, this seemed to be a fairly ·common complaint, although much has beep. done to increase the storage capacity ip recent years. I know that the Boarq averages various areas in order to decide where addition~! storages wjll be constructed, but it seems to me to be a conservatjve outlook to request additional borrowing power of £1,000,000 when .already about oneseventh of the amount nas been spent.

Another point that comes to my mind :on looking at this industry is the success ·Of different varieties of wheat such .as Insignia. Also, mu.ch .of the increase is due to modern farming methods. There


seems to be an upward swing not only in the acreages sown, but also in the yield per acre. While drought is talked about year after year, I am coming to believe that in much of our wheat-growing country drought may come and go without being a major crippling factor, because of the present farming methods. Mine are casual observations, not those of someone versed in this industry. As a detached observer-this is not a bad thing in regard to these things-it seems to me that perhaps we are making too much of the problems of drought. Perhaps I am being optimistic.

There is an increasing tendency to grow grain north of the River Murray. This may be only a temporary phase, because it is basically pastoral country, but an increasing quantity of grain is being received at storages north of the River Murray. I think some of the money authorized to be borrowed by the Bill will be used to increase the storage capacity in those areas which are outside this State.

Do not let us think in too conservative terms that this will be the be-all and the end-all of the requirements of the Grain Elevators Board. I think it would be fair to forecast that before this Parliament has finished it will have a request for additional borrowing power for the Board, because the storage capacities are barely adequate to meet the demands of the farmers.

Once again, there will be a large wheat crop this year. I realize that there are marketing problems, but these have been met in the past, and I believe grain growing is in for a very prosperous period. This Bill will assist the industry, and this is good for the State. I am glad that Geelong will share in this over-all prosperity because of its capacity to handle the grain available for export.

Mr. MOSS (Leader of the Country Party) .-The Country Party supports this measure. Every previous speaker has stated that this Bill makes provision for additional borrowing .for

the Grain Elevators Board, but I emphasize that, in the whole of the ramifications of that Board, not one penny has been found by anyone but the wheat growers of Victoria; they pay the running costs, the interest charges and the redemption of all loans that are provided. It is a selfsupporting and very commendable scheme.

The honorable members for Grant and Geelong told exaggerated stories of congestion in relation to the handling of wheat in Victoria. I invite any honorable member who believes our bulk-handling system is inefficient to visit the Riverina early in January, when most of Victoria's harvest has been transported. At places such as Ardlethan, Temora and Dubbo he will notice, perhaps, from 50 to 100 wheat trucks with tarpaulins over their loads and, if he visits the same places a fortnight later, he will see many of those trucks still there.

In this Parliament, sight should not be lost of the fact that Victoria enjoys the most efficient bulk-handling system in Australia. Moreover, it is· the most economical and, indeed, one of the finest in the world. We do not' have to send Mr. Glowrey overseas to learn anything about the bulk handling of wheat. On the contrary, many people come to Australia-and Victoria in particular-to observe our bulk-handling system in operation. I think the Parliament of Victoria, the Grain Elevators Board and the wheat growers of this State should take considerable pride in the fact that such an efficient system is in operation. There is a planned method of providing for requirements at the local silo. The procedure may get a little out of date from time to time, but it is continually being modernized.

A suggestion has been advanced that the requirements of bulk handling at the present time should be located at the local silo. This comes back to the question of economics and the fact that the wheat growers


must pay. I submit that the implementation of this proposal would destroy the economics of the Victorian system. The idea of having 1,000,000-bushel storages in strategic locations is to provide an economical method for the bulk handling of wheat, because it is readily understandable that these storages serve a wider area and provide a more stable storage system than could a large individual silo. After all, a good season, a poor season or a bumper season could be experienced. If the Grain Elevators Board is forced to adopt a system such as has been suggested, the wheat growers will have to foot the bill. This is not the Country Party's idea of what should be done. I am rather disappointed that the House has not heard from a wheat-grower member of the Liberal Party.

Mr. BIRRELL-I represent them.

Mr. MOSS.-A lot was heard about this matter during the recent election campaign, when the Premier went into the country and stated that members of the Country Party were businessmen and included only one wheat grower-Mr. Trewin, the honorable member for Benalla-whereas there were six wheat-grower members in the Liberal Party. I do not now what has happened to those members. I fail to see a wheat grower among the Government party members in this Chamber. I admit that the honorable member for Lowan could be a wheat grower, but I do not think he is. When the Premier visited Portland, he apparently thought he was far enough away from the influence of the Country Party to make a statement at a public meeting there to the effect that the only wheat-grower member of the Country Party was Mr. Trewin.

It is strange that I have consistently been receiving payment from the Austr~lian Wheat Board for many years past. I receive those payments not because of the colour of my hair, but because I produce wheat and hand it over to the Australian Wheat

Board. The Premier's claim that all members of the Country Party are businessmen is untrue, as is also his contention that the Country Party can boast only one wheat-grower member whereas the Liberal Party can boast six. Where are those six wheatgrower members to-night? I had expected some of the wheat-growing fraternity within the Liberal Party organization to say something to-night about this measure, but they do not seem to be worrying about it.

I direct attention to that fact because it is important to deal with these matters on the basis of local experience and knowledge. This was done to-night by the honorable member for Benalla, who made a telling speech. I regretted to hear the honorable member for Grant speak in the way he did about the Grain Elevators Board. In particular, he cast some reflection upon the activities of Mr. Glowrey, chairman of that Board. We, as wheat growers, have much to thank Mr. Glowrey for. He has rendered great service to the Grain Elevators Board and to the State of Victoria over a long period, and I desire to have placed on record the appreciation of his services by members of the Country Party and by wheat growers throughout Victoria. I feel that I am entitled to speak on behalf of the wheat growers because I was formerly an executive member of the wheat growers' association. In particular, we appreciate the great work of Mr. Glowrey in relation to bulk handling, and I am certain that he is still capable of rendering valuable service in that regard.

The honorable member for Geelong mentioned that not long ago Parliament was asked to approve an additional sum of £1,000,000 to provide facilities that had been enunciated by the Board. Actually, the Board asked for the sum of £2,000,000, but Cabinet " knocked " it back; it decided that the sum of £1,000,000 would suffice. Now the Board is seeking a further £1,000,000. I repeat what I said previously, that we are proud of our bulk-handling

278 Metropolitan Fire Brigades [ASSEMBLY.] (Long Service Leave) Bill.

system in Victoria, and the additional £1,000,000 sought by the Grain Elevators Board is given ready approval by all parties in this House.

Members of the Country Party feel proud of the fact that we have consistently supported bulk handling over the years. When the legislation providing for bulk handling was first introduced into Parliament, the Labour Party, as a whole, voted against it, as did a great many members of the Liberal Party. The Country Party was responsible for the introduction of that system into this State, and it had to do some " horse trading " which was foreign to its nature. The Country Party had to vote for a gas Bill in order to get certain members of the Liberal Party to support the bulk-handling legislation. Honorable members may check the veracity of my statement by referring to the record. Initially, the Country Party engineered and supported the introduction of bulk handling of wheat in the face of opposition from the Labour Party and half the members of the Liberal Party.



METROPOLITAN FIRE BRIGADES (LONG SERVICE LEA VE) BILL. The debate (adjourned from

September 9) on the motion of Mr. Wilcox (Minister of Immigration) for the second reading of this Bill was resumed.

Mr. TURNBULL (Brunswick West). -This is a Bill to amend section 81 of the Metropolitan Fire Brigades Act. In his second-reading speech, the Minister stated that its purpose was to bring the long service leave provisions operating in respect of officers and employees of the Metropolitan Fire Brigades Board into line with those applicable in the Public Service. For a long time, to qualify for long service leave in the Public Service an officer had to have twenty

years' service, and if he left that employment before the expiration of twenty years he forfeited his rights in this regard. That has been modified to some extent. Section 81 of the Metropolitan Fire Brigades Act states, inter alia-

( I) Every officer or employee of the Board who has had twenty years' service as an officer or employee of the Board shall be entitled to be granted by the Board six months' long service leave with pay in resp.ect of that period of twenty years' service and one and a half months' long service leave with pay in respect of each additional period of five completed years of service.

Paragraph (a) of clause 2 of the Bill provides that in sub-section (1) the words " fifteen years " are to be substituted for the words " twenty years " and the words " four and a half months " are to be substituted for the words "six months." Thus, officers and employees who have served for fifteen years shall become entitled to four and a half months' long service leave with pay. Subsection (2) of section 81 states-

Where-(a) the employment with the Board

of any officer or employee ceases on .account of-

(i) age; or (ii) ill health as to which he

produces to the Board satisfactory evidence that it is likely to be permanent and is not due to misconduct or to causes within his own control;

(b) an officer or employee of the Board dies; or

( c) the employment w:ith the Board of a fem ale officer ceases on account of or in anticipation of marriage-

that officer or employee shall be entitled, or (in the case of death) shall be deemed to have been .entitled, to be granted by ·the Board-

where the completed years of service are not less than five but are less than twenty, then in respect .of such completed years of servic~;

where the completed years of service are more than twenty, then (in ·addition to any entitlement under sub-section (1) of this section) in respect of such completed years .of service (not exceeding four) as ex-

Metropolitan Fire Brigades [16 SEPTEMBER, 1964.] (Long Service Leave) Bill. 279

ceed the next lower multiple of five-

long service leave with pay on the basis of one-twentieth of six months' leave for each such completed year. Paragraph (b) of clause 2 of the Bill provides that in sub-section (2) for the words " less than twenty " there shall be substituted the words " less than fifteen "; for the words " more than twenty" there shall be substituted the words "more than fifteen "; and for the words " onetwentieth of six months " there shall be substituted the words "one-fifteenth of four and a half months ". No increase in benefits is provided. The alterations simply mean that the benefits accrue earlier.

It is a pity in some ways that the Bill does not go a little further and grant to officers and employees of the Metropolitan Fire Brigades Board wages and conditions on the scale operative in the Public Service or in the Police Force. Firemen perform extremely valuable work for the community, and a considerable amount of money is spent in training them for their duties. However, it is possible for people to earn higher remuneration in private industry than in the employ of public authorities, and many firemen leave their employment because sufficient consideration in the way of wages and conditions is not given to them. To-day the strength of the Board is below that which is authorized. The terms of employment are fixed by a wages Board, but last time an improvement was gained, it was the subject of an unsuccessful appeal by the Board.

In my opinion, it would be beneficial if conditions of employment in the various public utilities were brought more into line with one another than they are at present. This matter is a most important industrial issue at present.

Mr. J. D. MACDONALD.-What rate of payment does the average fireman receive?

Mr. TURNBULL-About .£3 a week less than he ought to get. .It 'is a :serious matter that firemen do ·;not

receive fair remuneration for the work they perform. It must be remembered that one-third of the money comes from the ratepayers of the metropolitan area and two-thirds from the insurance companies. A Royal Commission appointed by this Government recommended that the contribution by the metropolitan councils should be reduced from onethird to one-seventh, but this has not been implemented, as is the case with many other recommendations of that Royal Commission. I grudgingly say that there is something to be said in favour of the Government for bringing long service leave for firemen into line with that for members of the Public Service, so we commend the Bill and hope that somebody somehow or other will give consideration to improving the other working conditions of firemen.



MILDURA (RATING ON UNIMPROVED VALUES) BILL. The debate (adjourned from

September 9) on the motion of Mr. Porter (Minister of Public Works) for the second reading of this Bill was resumed.

Mr. WILKES (Northcote).-This Bill was prepared at the request of the Mildura City Council to validate a poll held in 1956 to change the form of rating from net annual valuation to unimproved capital value, and it has certainly taken a long time to come into effect. However, I do not blame the Mildura City Council entirely because one needs to understand the circumstances surrounding the demand to hold a poll to appreciate some of the outmoded conditions involved in validating a change in a .rating system.

If a change in the form of municipal rating is desired, municipalities can be petitioned by · 10 per cent. of the ratepayers to hold :a poll for that

280 M ildura (Rating on [ASSEMBLY.] Unimproved Values) Bill.

purpose. With those signatures on the prescribed form, together with a deposit of £30, this minority of ratepayers can force a municipality into holding the necessary poll to ascertain whether a change should be made in the rating system. I am not suggesting that ratepayers should not have this discretion. On the contrary, I think it is important that they should. But I think it is wrong that only 10 per cent. of the ratepayers are required to force a municipality to conduct a poll. Of course, this is the procedure that was followed in Mildura and a poll was held. A majority of the ratepayers were in favour of a change, so a new system of rating was put into effect and a notice was published in the Sunraysia Daily, a daily paper circulating in the area, but it was not published in the Government Gazette. I do not suppose ten copies of the Government Gazette circulate in the Mildura electorate.

Mr. WHEELER.-Was not this an omission by the town clerk?

Mr. WILKES.-Of course it was an omission by some officer of the council. But it is of relatively little importance to publish such a notice in the Government Gazette when it is published in a daily newspaper circulating throughout the area. The notice in the Sunraysia Daily should have been sufficient to inform all interested persons, and I am at a loss to understand why the requirement to publish such notices in the Government Gazette still remains on the statute-book.

There are three factors which the Local Government Department should take into consideration when examining some of the outmoded requirements for the holding of these polls. One is the expense a municipality can be put to by a demand of only 10 per cent. of the ratepayers. In . the municipality of Northcote it costs £2,000 to conduct a poll to ascertain if the ratepayers require a change in the system of rating. Some 120 men must be employed on the day the poll

is held. By demand of the ratepayers, a poll of this nature will be held in Northcote at a later date.

Mr. WHEELER.-This is part of our democracy.

Mr. WILKES.-Nobody is denying that. What I am complaining about is the requirement that only 10 per cent. of the ratepayers can force a municipality into holding a poll. In many instances this minority of ratepayers is influenced by the Rating Reform Council, a body which has no direct association with the municipality. That could have been the case both in Northcote and in Mildura. If it suits this body to come into a municipality and insert advertisements in the local papers, it can have quite an influence.

I have with me a copy of an advertisement that appeared in a local paper in Northcote. Part of its wording was, "Northcote council rates on homes are too high." I think that type of advertising is questionable. The advertisement I refer to is not signed by the Rating Reform Council and there is nothing to say it is authorized by it.

Mr. WHEELER.-How do you know the Rating Reform Council put it in?

Mr. WILKES.-! happen to know that the meeting in Northcote in regard to this proposal was held under the auspices of that body. The views of the Rating Reform Council on assessments of rating in municipalities are not always accurate. This may well have been the case in Mildura.

Mr. WHEELER.-The people then decide.

Mr. WILKES.-That is so. I do not intend to enter into any argument concerning the relative merits of the net annual valuation and unimproved capital valuation rating systems. In some areas, the unimproved capital valuation system would be the most equitable form of rating, whereas in other areas, the net annual valuation rating system would · be. preferable.

Mildura (Rating on [16 SEPTEMBER, 1964.] Unimproved Values) Bill. 281

If there was a change to the unimproved capital value system in certain inner metropolitan areas, the greatest benefit would be derived by factory owners, hotelkeepers, flat owners, picture theatre proprietors and owners of large premises. In some cases, householders might benefit but, by and large, that would not be the position. However, that is not the point at issue in connexion with this measure.

In sympathizing with the Mildura council over this problem, I suggest that the percentage of ratepayers which is necessary before a poll may be demanded could possibly be increased from 10 per cent. to 20 per cent. I think this would be more equated to the population and more equitable in practice. Furthermore, I consider that the time which must elapse between the conduct of pollsthe Act provides for a period of three years-is completely unreal because a municipality could conduct its poll and, in three years' time, it could be put to the expense of conducting a similar poll. Surely, the Local Government Department could examine this aspect. I suggest that a period of five or six years should elapse before a second poll is taken. Under the existing system, by the time the new form of rating has been implemented, it is possible that in only two years a council could be forced to change the system again.

The Mildura City Council has had since 1956 to decide that its form of rating is the best and most equitable for the district but, of course, because the Act was not carried out, it is liable to have its valuations and rates contested. This Bill will validate the action that was taken and make it retrospective to 1956. The Opposition raises no objection to that course being followed. I suggest that the Minister of Public Works should bring to the notice of the Minister for Local Government my suggestion that the percentage which is required in order that a poll may be demanded could be increased from 10 per cent.

Session 1964.-13

to 20 per cent., and that the threeyear term which is prescribed before a further poll can be taken could possibly be extended. Even in areas where there is no compulsory voting, it requires only one-third of the ratepayers to vote to determine whether the rating system should be changed and, bearing in mind the other factors to which I have referred, the Opposition would be grateful if the Minister would bring these aspects to the notice of the Minister for Local Government and also the Local Government Department. They could then be examined with a view to ascertaining whether they were worth reviewing. I raise no objection to the Bill. In fact, I sympathize with the Mildura City Council, and trust that this measure will relieve the minds of councillors as to the validity of the poll which was held in 1956.

Mr. WHITING (Mildura).-This Bill is to validate what might be termed an oversight on the part of officers of the Mildura City Council. It is necessary that within 21 days of conducting a poll under section 328 of the Local Government Act, an appropriate notice shall be published in a local newspaper being distributed in the area, and also in the Government Gazette. In this case, all conditions with the exception of the notification in the Government Gazette were complied with. Of course, once 22 days had elapsed after the poll, it would not matter whether it was 22 days or 220 days, no action could be taken to rectify the oversight.

Possibly an explanation of conditions which were prevailing at the time that this oversight occurred might clear up any suggestion that there was a blatant lack of competency on the part of Mildura City Council officers. At the end of August, 1956, when the poll was taken, the River Murray was running the greatest flood in living memory and city council officers were involved in a considerable amount of flood· protection work. As one could imagine,

282 M ildura (Rating on [ASSEMBLY.] Unimproved Values) Bill.

the local municipal officers were at sixes and sevens, as it were, to carry on their normal duties and at the same time cope with the flood that was threatening the district. In fact, some of the officers were in daily touch with members of the Government regarding any type of assistance that might have been required. Furthermore, the city engineer was replaced at the time of the poll and, in the circumstances, it is not surprising that someone overlooked the publication of the appropriate notice in the Government Gazette.

There is no doubt that the ratepayers were in favour of the change in the system of rating because, of 6,777 electors on the roll, 4,619 were in favour of the proposed change and 1,277 voted against it. It can be seen that this Bill will validate something that was desired, as the poll showed in no uncertain manner, by the ratepayers in the City of Mildura. Of course, as is often the case, probably the confusion which existed at the time, and the subsequent delegation of authority, resulted in this oversight.

I should think from the remarks of the honorable member for Northcote that some type of revision of certain sections of the Act would prove of considerable assistance to municipalities in the future. Whether this section of the Act is applied on many occasions I am unable to say, but possibly it will be utilized on future occasions and some councils will be required to ensure that the various provisions are complied with. The publicity which the Mildura situation has received could make them more aware of the need for complying with certain provisions until some form of revision of the relevant section of the Act has been undertaken. On behalf of the Country Party, I hope this Bill will relieve the strain on some members of the Mildura council staff and, indeed, on the councillors themselves. The Country Party gives the measure its wholehearted support.

Mr. Whiting.



COUNTRY FIRE AUTHORITY (BORROWING POWERS) BILL. The debate (adjourned from Sep

tember 9) on the motion of Mr. Wilcox (Minister of Immigration) for the second reading of this Bill was resumed.

Mr. TURNBULL (Brunswick West). -This is a short Bill to amend section 82 of the Country Fire Authority Act 1958. I understand that a similar amendment was made in 1959 to the Metropolitan Fire Brigades Act to enable that body to obtain temporary accommodation by overdraft. We, as individuals, have that right if we can secure an overdraft, but statutory bodies, although they have the power to borrow, have not the power to borrow on overdraft.

It is proposed to insert the following sub-sections after sub-section ( 4) of section 82 of the principal Act: -

(5) For the temporary accommodation of the Authority it shall be lawful for the Authority to obtain advances from banks by overdraft of the current account upon the security of any assets or property of the Authority.

(6) The liability of the Authority in respect of any overdraft obtained pursuant to the provisions of the last preceding subsection shall not at any time exceed One hundred and fifty thousand pounds.

An overdraft of £150,000 would be a substantial one.

In his explanatory speech, the Minister stated that the purpose of the amendment was to enable the Country Fire Authority to obtain temporary finance so that it could construct new headquarters at Tooronga. Apparently, the existing accommodation in East Melbourne is insufficient. A certain amount of criticism has been voiced in relation to various governmental authorities which have established their headquarters farther out in the better class suburbs. The, Cpuntry._ Roads


Board is located at Kew, the State Rivers and Water Supply Commission at Armadale, and the Milk Board at Hawthorn. The reason for these moves may be that persons who visit the offices of these authorities may find parking space for their cars more readily than they could at !he old premises. As a result of action taken by this Government about 1 000 acres in the city area require r~-development, and I should imagine that consistent with the availability of ~nd easy access to parking space fo~ motor traffic, m~ny authorities could have obtained premises much nearer to the heart of the city. I have no doubt that many country members and their constituents find it necessary to visit the Country Roads Board or the Milk Board, and it would be much more convenient if the offices of these authorities were situated closer to the city.

Mr. B. J. EVANS.-How often do city members visit these bodies?

Mr. TURNBULL.-Quite often. Doubtless, the honorable member for Essendon has occasion to visit the Milk Board. It is possible that at some time in the future there may be an amalgamation of the Metropolita~ Fire Brigades Board and the Country Fire Authority. According to its charter, the Country Fire Authority has responsible and public-spirited objects. For example, section 30 of the Country Fire Authority Act states-

For the purposes of extinguishing or restricting the spread of any fire or of protecting life and property in case of fire the Chief Officer or the captain of any urban or rural brigade or any other officer of an urban or rural brigade or any group officer of a group of brigades appointed generally or specially for the purpose in respect of any urban district or (as the case may be) rural district or districts by the Authority shall perform the following duties and may exercise the following powers. . . . .

The section then sets out the duties and powers of the Authority in case of fire outside the metropolitan area~ Everyone is aware of the excellent work performed by the Metf'.opolitan Fire Brigades Board and also by the

Country Fire Authority. From time to time criticism has been directed at the Country Fire Authority, and particularly the question has been asked whether it would not have been better in the long run for accommodation to be obtained nearer to the City of Melbourne, possibly at South Melbourne. The Opposition has no objection to the Bill and we wish it a speedy passage.

Mr. TREWIN (Benalla).-The Country Party supports this Bill, but at the same time I should like to make some comments with regard to the location of the proposed building on land made available by the Railway Department in close proximity to the Tooronga railway station. In order that an early start can be made to erect the building and to enable the Country Fire Authority to obtain temporary financial accommodation, an amendment of the principal Act is necessary. Of course the bank concerned has not been named.

The Authority employs 35 people at head office. The reasons why the headquarters are to be moved to the outskirts of Melbourne are that parking is now a problem and that certain officers must be mobile and must have a reasonably quick exit from the metropolitan area to such outlying country districts as the Dandenong Ranges and the Mornington Peninsula where a high fire danger exists. I agree with the honorable member for Brunswick West that the location of the new headquarters at Tooronga is not convenient for people who come from the country. Government instrumentalities such as the Country Roads Board, the State Rivers and Water Supply Commission and the Soil Conservation Authority-authorities which consider country problems-have moved to outlying areas which are not convenient for country people.

Mr. RYLAH.-When the Government proposed to rehouse the Motor Registration Branch and the Transport Regulation Board close to the city, it was criticized right, left and centre.

284 Country Fire Authority [ASSEMBLY.] (Borrowing Powers) Bill.

Mr. TREWIN.-The Government was not criticized in that regard by the Country Party. I thought perhaps that when the new State offices are completed, room could be made available for the Country Fire Authority. An alteration to some regional boundaries has been con .. ~idered necessary to bring about an improvement in radio communication, roa~ communications and fire protection. Great benefit will be derived by my electorate from these alterations to the boundaries. I commend the Authority for its actions. Although I am critical of the transfer of the Authority's headquarters to an outer area, nevertheless I realize it is close to a railway station and no doubt honorable members can avail themselves of free travel when visiting the offices of the Country Fire Authority. The Country Party supports the Bill.

Mr. BORTHWICK (Scoresby).The honorable member for Benalla mentioned an important reason for transferring the offices of the Country Fire Authority to Tooronga when he stated that it would permit of rapid travel from headquarters to two of the most dangerous fire areas of the State, namely, the Mornington Peninsula and the Dandenong Ranges. The honorable member for Gippsland East is laughing at my remark, but I suggest that if he refers to the latest report of the Country Fire Authority, he will see that region No. 13 and region No. 8 are the two busiest areas in the State. It is important to those areas to have the Country Fire Authority headquarters situated in an area that will permit of a rapid means of transport to danger spots in times of forest fires. I have often seen one of the two command radio vans parked in Clarendon-street. It would be a greater advantage to have those vans parked at Tooronga. I envisage that, in the new building, the Authority for the first time will have a first-class operations unit. This is something which the Authority has lacked in the past, and I believe that with improved radio communication the

Authority will be able to better coordinate its efforts in a time of acute fire danger.

This co-ordination was illustrated earlier this year in the Dandenong Ranges, when an outbreak of fire occurred at Mount Evelyn. Within two hours of the outbreak being reported there was not only a helicopter in the district, but units were brought from Geelong and the Mornington Peninsula. If the same organization had existed in 1961, I am sure those tragic days would not have been half as bad as they were. At the time of the Mount Evelyn outbreak, ancillary services such as the Country Women's Association, the Red Cross and St. John Ambulance Brigade, co-ordinated perfectly. Within two hours of notification of the fire, 100 Air Force personnel were available. What could have been a major outbreak was brought under control in one afternoon.

I bring the following matter to the attention of the House after speaking to the Minister of Water Supply because it comes from Birregurra, his home town. I understand he knew that I would be receiving this letter. I believe it contains some points which are worthy of note. It is from Mr. J. E. Crossley, secretary of the Birregurra Rural Fire Brigade, who is also the radio officer. Mr. Crossley said-

1 would like to bring to your attention a matter which I believe to be of vital importance in fire fighting in the southern districts of Victoria.

Broadly speaking, the matter is one of reporting wind and weather changes from the South Australian border, through the western districts, to the DandenongsMomington Peninsula area.

During past fire seasons there has been a handful of men who have provided this service from Kaniva, Apsley, Penola, Mount Gambier, Casterton, and Nelson. These reports are relayed through my own station at Birregurra. (Radio Base VL 3 QW).

At present we are endeavouring to extend and improve this weather reporting system, in preparation for the approaching summer; but we have met with rather surprising opposition from officers of the Country Fire Authority.


As you probably know, there has been a recent change in the radio frequencies allotted to the rural fire brigades. This we believe to have been achieved by collusion between the Country Fire Authority and the Postmaster-General's Department. At present, we in Region 7, are licensed to operate ·on a frequency of 4,510 kilocycles, but this licence is to be taken from us on 30th September next.

This frequency, 4,510 kilocycles, is also used by the border network, who supply our weather information so you will see that our removal from this frequency will break an important link in reporting progressive wind and weather changes across the State.

It is not our desire to retain 4,510 kilocycles as a regional frequency, as we have been allotted a new frequency which appears to be satisfactory. But we do suggest that if two or three base stations in this region, plus a few selected stations in western Victoria, and in the Dandenongs, were permitted to use this frequency we could provide an essential weather service across the State.

I am sure there is no need to remind you that we, the volunteer radio operators, get nothing material out of this; we only desire to provide a service which will cost the Country Fire Authority (and the Government) nothing.

I should like the Minister of Transport, who is at the table, to bring this matter to the notice of the Assistant Chief Secretary. The Minister of Transport, who acted in that capacity himself in 1961, has continued to have a close association with the Country Fire Authority. I believe many of the alterations that have occurred in its organization are due to his interest in the Authority several years ago. I think the views expressed by Mr. Crossley are worthy of the appropriate Minister's attention. Honorable members who live in the country, know the important effect that the slightest change in wind strength can have on fire fighting. Therefore, the point made by these excellent people is an important one.

I do not think anything could. be more important from the point of view of the Government and the Country Fire Authority than to do everything possible to let these volunteers know how much their efforts are appreciated and how

Session 1964.-14

valuable they are to the State. Further, the Authority's professional officers should always approach these valuable suggestions with a completely open mind. I do not think suggestions advanced by these volunteers are ever submitted with the idea of disparaging the efforts of our professionals. These devoted people who give so much service, often at the risk of their own lives, have only one purpose, namely, to achieve more efficiency in the fire fighting services of the State. I hope the Assistant Chief Secretary will do all in his power to encourage these volunteer radio men, and to see that their wishes are carried out.

Mr. PHELAN (Kara Kara).-In supporting the previous speakers who spoke on the dispersal of the services of the Country Fire Authority, I should like to direct attention to a matter that has not yet been mentioned. An examination of the firefighting services of the State shows that there are four bodies concerned -the Metropolitan Fire Brigades Board, the Country Fire Authority, the Rural Fire Brigades Association, and the Melbourne Harbor Trust fire department.

Mr. R. S. L. McDONALD.-There is also the Forests Commission.

Mr. PHELAN.-! think the Commission works on the same basis as the Country Fire Authority.

Mr. BIRRELL.-So do the rural brigades.

Mr. PHELAN.-1 think it is high time the situation was consolidated from the points of view both of activities and of administration. I can say with some knowledge and authority that the Metropolitan Fire Brigades Board uses one thread on its couplings, the Country Fire Authority uses another, the country fire brigades use another, and the Melbourne Harbor Trust makes use of still another. There is no point at which co-ordination and standardization of fire-fighting equipment has occurred. In the case of Keilor, as a shire it was under the control of the Country

286 Country Fire Authority [ASSEMBLY.] (Borrowing Powers) Bill.

Fire Authority whose equipment was installed. Then Keilor was declared a city. When a grass fire broke out the metropolitan brigade was called but it was found that the fittings installed under the direction of the Country Fire Authority did not match its own. The people at Essendon said, "No, you will have to talk to North Melbourne." They did not have suitable couplings.

This is a very important matter. Instead of authorizing the borrowing of certain sums to further disperse and split this service, some action should be taken to consolidate these fire-fighting activities, and to bring about some standardization and coordination. It is farcical that there should be different types of threads on the couplings used in this field. Of course, it would be all right if there were a couple of plumbers handy when a fire occurred. I know that because I am in that business. I would say that adaptors are not readily available, as some honorable members suggest, and I speak from our own experience. Even if they were available, in a case of emergency this would create an added problem. Some thought should be given to this matter by the Government and instead of dispersing the services of the Authority these various aspects should be consolidated.

Mr. MITCHELL (Benambra).-Like other speakers on the Bill, to me this move seems inexplicable. In moving these various departments farther away from the centre of things it makes it more difficult for members to give the service we should be able to give to our electors. In the old days when the State Rivers and Water Supply Commission was in Exhibition-street, the Country Roads Board at the Exhibition Buildings, the Forests Commission just across the way, and the Country Fire Authority, nearby, one could deal with two or three of these bodies in a morning. Now, it takes one a morning to visit one of these instrumentalities. This measure provides for the expendi-ture of too much money on too

much unnecessary "stuff." Fires are fought not in a lovely centrally heated operations room in the city but right out in the country where the blaze takes place. Moreover, fires are fought not with bare hands but with equipment. I should prefer to see far more money spent on firefighting equipment than on another headquarters.

The honorable member for Scoresby made a very good point on the matter of communications. We, in our corner of the north-east, are very well served by our officers, particularly Mr. Graham Stork, the regional officer in Wodonga, and we are very glad to have Mr. Clarence Howe as the zone officer. But, these men cannot get the wireless sets repaired. From my corner of the State I have to go across to Springhurst, to Mr. Henry Pleming, to have our transmitters and receivers repaired. Noone in our locality can do it. At the height of fighting a fire, it is no good having to go a distance of 100 miles or so to have a set repaired.

Another point is that we need more sets. Unfortunately, though science has progressed enormously, no one can to this day determine what electricity really is or what wireless is. Both are still unknown quantities and behave unpredictably, particularly in our mountainous regions. It is quite common for two out of three sets to go out of commission when least expected and when they are most needed. We need more sets to head off that possibility. Moreover, particularly in our corner of the State, we need more sets for the purpose of relaying signals on a very dirty day. I might say, however, that we are now much better off on our new frequency of 38-48 kilocycles than we previously were, because we are now not so vulnerable as we were formerly to absorption of the D layer of the ionosphere. Nevertheless, we do need these sets to relay signals when it is difficult to hear on a fire day.

There is something in what the honorable member for Scoresby said in relation to the queer phenomenon

victoria...governor of the state of victoria for this purpose was the honorable sir arthur dean, a...

Documents