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19560229_senate_22_s7.xml
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19560229_senate_22_s7.xml
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<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<hansard xsi:noNamespaceSchemaLocation="../../hansard.xsd" version="2.1" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance">
<session.header>
<date>1956-02-29</date>
<parliament.no>22</parliament.no>
<session.no>1</session.no>
<period.no>1</period.no>
<chamber>SENATE</chamber>
<page.no>159</page.no>
<proof>0</proof>
</session.header>
<chamber.xscript>
<business.start>
<day.start>1956-02-29</day.start>
<para>The <inline font-weight="bold">President (Senator the Hon. A. M. McMullin)</inline> took the chair at 3 p.m., and read prayers. </para>
</business.start>
<debate>
<debateinfo>
<title>QUESTION</title>
<page.no>159</page.no>
<type>Questions</type>
</debateinfo>
<subdebate.1>
<subdebateinfo>
<title>SENATOR G. R. COLE</title>
<page.no>159</page.no>
</subdebateinfo>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>159</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>KTN</name.id>
<electorate>TASMANIA</electorate>
<party />
<role />
<in.gov>0</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">MCKENNA, Nicholas</name>
<name role="display">Senator McKENNA</name>
</talker>
<para>- Does the Leader of the Government in the Senate recall justifying to the Senate, in October last, the extension of special facilities to <inline font-weight="bold">Senator Cole</inline> on the ground^ that, although he was the sole representative in the Senate of a political party, he represented in the Senate a political party, which, with seven members in the House of Representatives, was recognized by the Parliament as a political party? Is it not a fact that the said political party now has no representative in the House of Representatives? Further, is it not a fact that <inline font-weight="bold">Senator Cole</inline> is now the sole representative of that political party in the Parliament? Can the Minister say what facilities, if any, not available to honorable senators without party office of any kind, are now extended, or are proposed to be extended, to <inline font-weight="bold">Senator Cole?</inline> Tn particular, will he state what facilities are extended, or are proposed to be extended, to <inline font-weight="bold">Senator Cole,</inline> in the matters of staff, office accommodation, for himself and for his staff, car travel for himself and for his staff, and air travel for himself and for his staff? Will he also tell the Senate the annual salary cost of each member of <inline font-weight="bold">Senator Cole's</inline> staff.- If any such special facilities are granted, will he say on what ground, or grounds, they are justified by the Government in favour of the sole representative of a political party in the Parliament? </para>
</talk.start>
</speech>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>159</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>JZI</name.id>
<electorate>QUEENSLAND</electorate>
<party>LP</party>
<role>Minister for the Navy</role>
<in.gov>1</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">O'SULLIVAN, Neil</name>
<name role="display">Senator O'SULLIVAN</name>
</talker>
<para>- I am sure that the Leader of the Opposition would not expect me to give an impromptu answer to a series of seven questions, although I can quite understand the reasons why those questions have been Submitted to me. <inline font-weight="bold">Senator Cole</inline> is a person for whom I have a great regard. He served his country well in peace and in war. But his politics are quite opposed to mine. Therefore, I expect no help or support from him, and he can expect no help or support from me. I believe he is capable of looking after himself. 1 can quite understand the bitterness with which he is regarded by his former colleagues. I shall examine the questions submitted by the Leader of tho Opposition and give him a considered answer in due course. </para>
</talk.start>
</speech>
</subdebate.1>
</debate>
<debate>
<debateinfo>
<title>QUESTION</title>
<page.no>159</page.no>
<type>Questions</type>
</debateinfo>
<subdebate.1>
<subdebateinfo>
<title>BANKRUPTCY LEGISLATION</title>
<page.no>159</page.no>
</subdebateinfo>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>159</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>KQQ</name.id>
<electorate>SOUTH AUSTRALIA</electorate>
<party />
<role />
<in.gov>0</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">LAUGHT, Keith</name>
<name role="display">Senator LAUGHT</name>
</talker>
<para>- Can the AttorneyGeneral inform the Senate when he expects to introduce the legislation relating to bankruptcy that was foreshadowed in the Speech of His Excellency the Governor-General at the opening of the Parliament? Bearing in mind the practice adopted a year or so ago in connexion with the Patents Act, when legislation was introduced some months ahead of its anticipated final passing, will the Minister so arrange the timetable for the passage of this legislation through the Senate as to give honorable senators adequate time for its consideration? </para>
</talk.start>
</speech>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>159</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>K6Z</name.id>
<electorate>VICTORIA</electorate>
<party>LP</party>
<role>Attorney-General</role>
<in.gov>1</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">SPICER, John</name>
<name role="display">Senator SPICER</name>
</talker>
<para>- I fear that, during the last sittings of the Parliament, one day I innocently misled the Senate by saying that a committee had, at that time, been appointed to consider amendments of the Bankruptcy Act. The fact was that the committee had not, at that time, been appointed. It was in process of formation, and that process is now almost complete. "We expect that a committee to review the whole of the Bankruptcy Act shortly will enter upon its task. </para>
</talk.start>
<interjection>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>159</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>KBW</name.id>
<electorate>TASMANIA</electorate>
<party>LP; IND from June 1978</party>
<role />
<in.gov>0</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">WRIGHT, Reginald</name>
<name role="display">Senator WRIGHT</name>
</talker>
<para>- What will be the nature of the committee? </para>
</talk.start>
</interjection>
<continue>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>159</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>K6Z</name.id>
<electorate />
<party />
<role />
<in.gov>0</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">SPICER, John</name>
<name role="display">Senator SPICER</name>
</talker>
<para>- The chairman of the committee will be the Chief Judge of the Bankruptcy Court, and it will include persons who have been nominated by the Law Council of Australia and other bodies interested particularly in bankruptcy matters. It will make a complete review of the operation of bankruptcy law, and as a result, I expect that a new consolidated act ultimately will be presented to the Parliament. <inline font-weight="bold">Senator Laught</inline> can rest assured that ample facilities will be given to both Houses of the Parliament to consider that measure fully. I shall be in charge of it in this chamber,, and I shall deal with it. in precisely the same way as I deal with. Patents; Acts.',. Trade Marks Acts- andi matters- of that kind, which sometimes, come before: the: Senates </para>
</talk.start>
</continue>
</speech>
</subdebate.1>
</debate>
<debate>
<debateinfo>
<title>QUESTION</title>
<page.no>160</page.no>
<type>Questions</type>
</debateinfo>
<subdebate.1>
<subdebateinfo>
<title>WHALING</title>
<page.no>160</page.no>
</subdebateinfo>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>160</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>K7Y</name.id>
<electorate>WESTERN AUSTRALIA</electorate>
<party />
<role />
<in.gov>0</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">TANGNEY, Dorothy</name>
<name role="display">Senator TANGNEY</name>
</talker>
<para>- In view of the statement of the Minister representing the Minister for' Trade that the assets, of. the. Whaling Commission in. Western Australia are to be sold shortly; can the Minister inform the Senate whether" steps have been taken, to protect the interests of the present' employees of the commission, such as by arranging to absorb them. in. other branches of the Commonwealth Public Service, so as to ensure that their continuity of government employment shall not be interfered' with? </para>
</talk.start>
</speech>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>160</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>K7A</name.id>
<electorate>NEW SOUTH WALES</electorate>
<party>LP</party>
<role>Minister for National Development</role>
<in.gov>1</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">SPOONER, William</name>
<name role="display">Senator SPOONER</name>
</talker>
<para>-I think that the- honorable senator has referred to a position, that can arise onLy when and if the. whaling, station in Western Australia is sold. I should think that if it were sold, the purchaser undoubtedly would require the services of a very substantial number1 of the employees, if not all of them, becauseit is an undertaking in which a good deal of experience is required. Therefore, 1 think that it is rather- anticipating eventst'o raise' questions such as that' at this stage. </para>
</talk.start>
</speech>
</subdebate.1>
</debate>
<debate>
<debateinfo>
<title>QUESTION</title>
<page.no>160</page.no>
<type>Questions</type>
</debateinfo>
<subdebate.1>
<subdebateinfo>
<title>WESTERN" AUSTRALIAN SHIPPING SERVICES</title>
<page.no>160</page.no>
</subdebateinfo>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>160</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>K2S</name.id>
<electorate>WESTERN AUSTRALIA</electorate>
<party />
<role />
<in.gov>0</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">ROBERTSON, Agnes</name>
<name role="display">Senator ROBERTSON</name>
</talker>
<para>- Is the Minister for Shipping and Transport aware that the Western Shipping Company of Western Australia has announced that if will cease operations in its trading: between Fremantle and north-western ports- because' of the enormous cost, of stevedoring,, and also because of trouble on the wharfs? If the Minister is aware of this situation can he say whether any endeavour will be made by the Australian Government to» encourage the retention, of the ship <inline font-style="italic">Comara.,</inline> owned by the Western Shipping Company, oh this run in orderto' help the people in the far- north by transporting! the provisions they require?' </para>
</talk.start>
</speech>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>160</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>JZY</name.id>
<electorate>WESTERN AUSTRALIA</electorate>
<party>LP</party>
<role>Minister for Shipping and Transport</role>
<in.gov>1</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">PALTRIDGE, Shane</name>
<name role="display">Senator PALTRIDGE</name>
</talker>
<para>- I have not, as yet, seen anything which indicated1 that the <inline font-style="italic">Comara</inline> would be taken out of commission, for the reasons stated by the honorable senator. As she has drawn my attention to that possibility, and as I appreciate the importance of shipping, to the north-west of Western Australia I shall cause immediate inquiries to be made in order to ascertain the facts and the steps which may be necessary, or which are possible, to keep the ship in commission. </para>
</talk.start>
</speech>
</subdebate.1>
</debate>
<debate>
<debateinfo>
<title>QUESTION</title>
<page.no>160</page.no>
<type>Questions</type>
</debateinfo>
<subdebate.1>
<subdebateinfo>
<title>PETROL TAX</title>
<page.no>160</page.no>
</subdebateinfo>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>160</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>JQN</name.id>
<electorate>WESTERN AUSTRALIA</electorate>
<party />
<role />
<in.gov>0</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">COOKE, Joseph</name>
<name role="display">Senator COOKE</name>
</talker>
<para>- Can. the Minister tor Shipping, and Transport say whether it is a fact, that he was chairman of' a meeting of the- Australian. Transport Advisory Council, which was held in Hobart last week? Is it also a fact that after bemoaning the high, cost- of transpout, and the- desperate, position of. motorists in this country, and after spending a considerable- period of time discussing, matters connected with transport, tho meeting concluded with the following resolution : - </para>
</talk.start>
<para>That the Commonwealth consider an additional taxi upon petrol and diesel fuel used for road transport : such tax to be.- wholly divided between the States, solely for the new construction of roads.. The division of the collections to' be subject to the approval of thi; States. </para>
<para class="block">Does the- Minister consider- this resolution to be a proper one, and does he give full cognisance to the fact, that the distribution of petrol tax is made according to a- formula based on area and' population.? Is it proposed to depart from that formula? Is the Minister also aware that the Opposition, for many years, has pressed" for the whole of petrol tax collec-tions to be. applied' to the construction of better roads and the improvement of motoring and motor transport? </para>
</speech>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>160</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>JZY</name.id>
<electorate />
<party>LP</party>
<role />
<in.gov>1</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">PALTRIDGE, Shane</name>
<name role="display">Senator PALTRIDGE</name>
</talker>
<para>- Tes; . if is a fact' that" I was chairman' of' the recent' meeting- of the Australian TransportAdvisory Council held at Hobart. It is also a; fact thai I myself and other- representatives at that conference did: refer to the cost of transport, <inline font-style="italic">has</inline> Australia and its effect' on: our economy. It is further a fact that the resolution mentioned bv the honorable senator was carried by the conference. I particularly direct' the honorable- senator's attention to the fact, that that conference was attended by the </para>
</talk.start>
<para class="block">Transport Ministers of all the States, representing all shades of political, opinion, and that they supported that resolution. The resolution does not. in any way affect the method of distribution of the proceeds of the petrol tax. It has nothing to do with that matter at all. I am aware, that all the proceeds of <inline font-style="italic">thapetrol</inline> tax are not returned to the States for use on road maintenance and construction, and I remind the honorable senator that that has been the practice ever since there has been a tax on petrol. I am sure that he will be interested to know that when the party to which he owes allegiance was. in office, it returned to the States, for expenditure on roads, 45 per cent of the- money collected, by way of petrol tax. This Government returns 73. per cent. </para>
</speech>
</subdebate.1>
</debate>
<debate>
<debateinfo>
<title>QUESTION</title>
<page.no>161</page.no>
<type>Questions</type>
</debateinfo>
<subdebate.1>
<subdebateinfo>
<title>SHIPBUILDING</title>
<page.no>161</page.no>
</subdebateinfo>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>161</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>KQQ</name.id>
<electorate />
<party />
<role />
<in.gov>0</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">LAUGHT, Keith</name>
<name role="display">Senator LAUGHT</name>
</talker>
<para>- Will the Minister for Shipping and Transport inform, me- whether there are any technical or engineering difficulties associated1 with the construction of a ship for Antarctic exploration in Australian shipyards generally,, or at Whyalla- in. South Australia in particular? </para>
</talk.start>
</speech>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>161</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>JZY</name.id>
<electorate />
<party>LP</party>
<role />
<in.gov>1</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">PALTRIDGE, Shane</name>
<name role="display">Senator PALTRIDGE</name>
</talker>
<para>- I shall be pleased to make inquiries, in. respect of the matter mentioned by the honorable senates, from the: technical officers of the Australian Shipbuilding Board. I shall ascertain whether there, is any particular difficulty- which cannot be overcome in building, such a ship in an Australian shipyard, and inform the honorable senator of the result of my inquiry. </para>
</talk.start>
</speech>
</subdebate.1>
</debate>
<debate>
<debateinfo>
<title>QUESTION</title>
<page.no>161</page.no>
<type>Questions</type>
</debateinfo>
<subdebate.1>
<subdebateinfo>
<title>FISHING</title>
<page.no>161</page.no>
</subdebateinfo>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>161</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>K3R</name.id>
<electorate>QUEENSLAND</electorate>
<party>ALP; QLP from 1957; DLP from 1968</party>
<role />
<in.gov>0</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">BYRNE, Condon</name>
<name role="display">Senator BYRNE</name>
</talker>
<para>- My question, isdirected te the Minister representing tin?Minister for Primary Industry. In view of the success- of the: Australian Government in developing in Western Australia a whaling industry that i&< making available: valuable- export' commodities from the processing of whales;, willi the- Government consider using- thi* proceeds of the sale of this industry to develop the: pelagic fishing industry ofl the: T'asmanian coast, where huge shoal* of pilchards- and other- exportable fish arc*known to exist? </para>
</talk.start>
</speech>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>161</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>JZY</name.id>
<electorate />
<party>LP</party>
<role />
<in.gov>1</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">PALTRIDGE, Shane</name>
<name role="display">Senator PALTRIDGE</name>
</talker>
<para>- The. honorable senator's question, could best, be asked after a decision has been made that: the- establishments- under the control o£ the Australian Whaling Commission will be sold, and after the proceeds of such a sale have been collected hy the Government. I notice that the Premier of Western Australia has. shown some interest in this industry, and I think that he for one might take exception to any suggestion that any of the proceeds from this- commission be diverted from- WesternAustralia to Tasmania. </para>
</talk.start>
</speech>
</subdebate.1>
</debate>
<debate>
<debateinfo>
<title>QUESTION</title>
<page.no>161</page.no>
<type>Questions</type>
</debateinfo>
<subdebate.1>
<subdebateinfo>
<title>PETROL TAX</title>
<page.no>161</page.no>
</subdebateinfo>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>161</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>KPI</name.id>
<electorate>QUEENSLAND</electorate>
<party />
<role />
<in.gov>0</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">KENDALL, Roy</name>
<name role="display">Senator KENDALL</name>
</talker>
<para>- Is the Minister for Shipping, and Transport aware that professional fishermen in Australia pay the same price for petrol and other fuel and oil as road users ? As this means tha t fishermen are at present paying a road tax, will the Minister discuss this matter with his colleagues, the Treasurer and tha- Minister for Primary Industry, wit a view to doing away with this anomaly ? </para>
</talk.start>
</speech>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>161</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>JZY</name.id>
<electorate />
<party>LP</party>
<role />
<in.gov>1</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">PALTRIDGE, Shane</name>
<name role="display">Senator PALTRIDGE</name>
</talker>
<para>- I am aware that the facts are as stated by the honorable senator. There is in the act provision that a certain proportion of thu petrol tax shall be distributed for use on jetties, approaches to jetties and the like,, for the purpose of returning to fishermen some of the proceeds which they pay by way of. petrol tax. </para>
</talk.start>
<interjection>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>161</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>KBL</name.id>
<electorate />
<party />
<role />
<in.gov>0</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">WOOD, Ian</name>
<name role="display">Senator Wood</name>
</talker>
<para>- Boat harbours itanother aspect. </para>
</talk.start>
</interjection>
<continue>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>161</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>JZY</name.id>
<electorate />
<party />
<role />
<in.gov>0</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">PALTRIDGE, Shane</name>
<name role="display">Senator PALTRIDGE</name>
</talker>
<para>- That is. so. I shall look, into the question asked by the honorable senator to see if there should be any adjustment of the amount- nowdiverted for the purpose.I have indicated. </para>
</talk.start>
</continue>
</speech>
</subdebate.1>
</debate>
<debate>
<debateinfo>
<title>MINISTERIAL ARRANGEMENTS</title>
<page.no>161</page.no>
<type>ministerial arrangements</type>
</debateinfo>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>161</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>JZI</name.id>
<electorate />
<party>LP</party>
<role />
<in.gov>1</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">O'SULLIVAN, Neil</name>
<name role="display">Senator O'SULLIVAN</name>
</talker>
<para>- (QueenslandMinister foi- the Navy). - <inline font-style="italic">by- leave</inline> - 1 wish to inform the Senate that His Excellency the Governor-General has bee;i pleased, to: accept the- resignations of the Right Honorable- <inline font-weight="bold">Sir Erie</inline> J.ohn Harrison, K.C.V.O*, M.P., and the Honorable William McM'ahon, M.P.. from the offices of Minister of State for the Army- and- Minister of State for Social Services, respectively, and has made the following appointments : - The Honorable </para>
</talk.start>
<para class="block">John Oscar Cramer, M.P., to be Minister of State for the Army, and the Honorable Hugh Stevenson Roberton, M.P., to be Minister of State for Social Services. </para>
</speech>
</debate>
<debate>
<debateinfo>
<title>PARLIAMENTARY PROCEEDINGS BROADCASTING COMMITTEE</title>
<page.no>162</page.no>
<type>miscellaneous</type>
</debateinfo>
<para class="block">Motion (by <inline font-weight="bold">Senator O'Sullivan)</inline> - <inline font-style="italic">by leave</inline> - agreed to - </para>
<quote>
<para>That, in accordance with the provisions of the Parliamentary Proceedings Broadcasting Act 194G, the following senators be appointed members of the Joint Committee on the Broadcasting of Parliamentary Proceedings: - The President of the Senate <inline font-weight="bold">(Senator McMullin)</inline> and Senators. Arnold and Marriott. </para>
</quote>
</debate>
<debate>
<debateinfo>
<title>QUESTION</title>
<page.no>162</page.no>
<type>Questions</type>
</debateinfo>
<subdebate.1>
<subdebateinfo>
<title>FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE</title>
<page.no>162</page.no>
</subdebateinfo>
<para>Debate resumed from the 28th February <inline font-style="italic">{vide</inline> page 125), on motion by <inline font-weight="bold">Senator SPICER</inline> - </para>
<quote>
<list type="decimal-dotted">
<item label="1.">
<para>That the Senate concurs in the resolutions transmitted to the Senate by Message Ko. 5 of the House of Representatives <inline font-style="italic">(vide</inline> page 123), relating' to the appointment of a Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs. </para>
</item>
<item label="2.">
<para>That Senators Gorton, Maher. Pearson mid Wordsworth be members of such joint committee. </para>
</item>
<item label="3.">
<para>That the foregoing resolutions be communicated to the House of Representatives by message. </para>
</item>
</list>
</quote>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>162</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>KTN</name.id>
<electorate>Tasmania</electorate>
<party />
<role>Leader of the Opposition</role>
<in.gov>0</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">MCKENNA, Nicholas</name>
<name role="display">Senator McKENNA</name>
</talker>
<para>. - The resolution now before the Senate is one that proposes to give concurrence to a message from the House of Representatives in relation to the appointment of a Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs. This is not the first occasion on which a resolution of this sort has been before the chamber. The appointment of such a committee was first mooted in 1949 by the Prime Minister <inline font-weight="bold">(Mr. Menzies),</inline> but it was not until almost three years later, in 1952, that a motion to give effect to that promise came before the Parliament. A resolution in similar terms was before the Senate after the Senate election of 1953, and once more after the election for the House of Representatives in 1954. </para>
</talk.start>
<para>The Opposition, on each of those three occasions, has put a viewpoint on behalf of the Australian Labour party. In 1952, it moved a number of amendments affecting the constitution of the proposed committee. Those amendments were not accepted and, for one reason or another, all of which have been elaborated by me in this Senate on three previous occasions, the Opposition declined to co-operate in appointing representatives to the committee. I say at once that, on perusing the proposals for the appointment of this committee, I have found that there is no change of substance affecting the objections of the Opposition, and accordingly there is no change in the attitude of the Opposition to the matter. </para>
<para>I do not propose to traverse the whole of the proposals set out in the resolution contained in the message received from the House of Representatives, but I want to advert to two aspects of the matter. The main burden of the criticism of the Opposition is that the activities of the committee are altogether too circumscribed by, and in favour of, the Minister for External Affairs. That is the chief burden of our criticism and complaint. I point out, first of all, that the committee is appointed by the Parliament and, accordingly, one would expect it to be an instrument of the Parliament, but the truth is that the committee is not to report to the Parliament - the body that creates it and gives it power to function. </para>
<para>I realize that the committee is now to be free to study any aspect of international relations that might appeal to it, but it may not submit any report at all, even to the Minister, unless upon an aspect of international affairs that he has specifically committed to it for consideration. Therefore, the wide scope for study that is now to be afforded to the committee does not, without the express concurrence of the Minister, enable it in any way to widen its power to report, not to the Parliament, but to the Minister for External Affairs. I repeat that its report will not go to the Parliament, the body which is to set it up, but merely to the Minister for External Affairs. </para>
<para>It is true that, under the terms of the resolution we are considering, the committee is to have power to submit a report to the Minister and to inform the Parliament that it has submitted a report. If my reading of the terms of the resolution is correct - and I refer in particular to paragraph 4 <inline font-style="italic">(d)</inline> of the resolution submitted to us - the Foreign Affairs Committee may not even inform the Parliament of the subject-matter of the report that it has submitted to the Minister, because paragraph 4 (<2) requires that not only shall the committee sit <inline font-style="italic">in camera,</inline> but its proceedings shall be secret unless the Minister lifts that ukase. If the proceedings, including the subject-matter of the discussions, cannot be disclosed, and the committee reports to the Minister as is provided - and not to the Parliament - the Parliament strictly may not be informed even as to the subject-matter of the report. That divests the Parliament of even the semblance of control of this committee because, denied information about the subject of any report that may have gone forward by the committee, how could this Parliament even make an intelligent request of the Government or ask the Minister to table the report? Again, the Parliament will not be in a position to require the Minister for External Affairs to table the report; it will have no power to do so. </para>
<para>So I put this to the Senate for consideration : Why pretend that this is a Parliamentary committee, when the Parliament's power over it ends with the appointment of the committee? Why pretend that it is an instrument of the Parliament itself, when it is merely a ministerial toy, to be picked up and played with, or to be tossed aside at will. Accordingly, the first objection of the Opposition is that the committee proposed to be set up will not serve the Parliament. </para>
<para>My second point is, that it will not serve any party in the Parliament. We are asked to appoint representatives of our party to this committee. The point is, that those representatives would cease to.be representatives of the party from the moment they were appointed. They would be compelled to sit in secret, unless the Minister chose to arrange otherwise, and they would be obliged to keep secret the subject-matter of their discussions, the evidence, and any reports they made. They would be prohibited, except with the express sanction of the Minister, from even reporting to the people whom they purported to represent. It seems to me that they would be very poor representatives, indeed, who were not free to report to the people who had appointed them and whom, in terms of the resolution, they were supposed to represent. In fact, the members of any party, acting as representatives on the committee, would not be free even to convey the information that they had submitted a dissenting, or a minority report. So, in addition to not serving the Parliament, I put the second point, on behalf of the Opposition, that this committee will not serve any party in the Parliament. </para>
<para>I make a third point - that the requirement of secrecy could be exceedingly embarrassing to the members of the committee. It may well be that, in the wide sphere of international relations, a member of the committee could, from studying current affairs, glean from any source information identical with that which may have been conveyed to him in committee. What would be his position in the Parliament, or in the party room, if he announced that particular piece of information, and it had also been put before the Foreign Affairs Committee? He at least would be at once open to the suspicion that he had committed a breach of trust. </para>
<para>The same difficulty applies to the Leader of the Opposition, in the terms of this resolution. The Government proposes that if the Opposition does appoint representatives to the committee, then a copy of every report to the Minister shall be made available to the Leader of the Opposition for his confidential information. Supposing the Leader of the Opposition who, in this particular person and case, has a very wide knowledge and experience of international affairs - he has very wide contacts all over the world - it may well be that from sources quite apart from the report which he has been allowed to peruse on a confidential base, he may have certain information, but if he uses it he is instantly open to an attack for an alleged breach of faith - one which would be very difficult to rebut. </para>
<para>I concede at once that a committee of this type certainly has value from the point of view of general study and discussion of foreign affairs. There can be no question about that. It must improve tho minds which address themselves in concert to consideration of these matters; but the requirement of secrecy defeats an even more important purpose. More important than informing the minds of a selected number of members of this Parliament is the moulding and shaping and informing of public opinion in Australia on international affairs. This committee might we'll conduct 'the great bulk of its sittings in public It might attract the offering of opinions from outside ; but a'bove all, in addition to educating and informing itself, it might play a very real role in the Australian community by stimulating interest, inquiry and understanding among the .members of the public. In the final analysis, the foreign policy of this country will depend upon the viewpoint of the community at large, slow as that may be in developing, and inarticulate as it may be from time to time. But since that is the case, it is of vital importance to the future of Australia that it should be at least as fully informed as possible. This Senate committee, functioning after the style of the Foreign Relations Committee of the United States of America might well conduct the bulk of its sittings in public. </para>
<interjection>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>164</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>KSL</name.id>
<electorate />
<party />
<role />
<in.gov>0</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">MAHER, Edmund</name>
<name role="display">Senator Maher</name>
</talker>
<para>- Good Lord deliver us ! </para>
</talk.start>
</interjection>
<continue>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>164</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>KTN</name.id>
<electorate />
<party />
<role />
<in.gov>0</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">MCKENNA, Nicholas</name>
<name role="display">Senator McKENNA</name>
</talker>
<para>- To the honorable senator who so sonorously interjects, let me say that the Minister for External Affairs intimated that there were very few matters or secrets that have to be kept from a body of this type. The only secrets that have to he kept from it are those which are ,not Australia's own property, but are shared with other countries. I think I quote the right honorable Minister with exactitude in sense, at any rate, when I say that he intimated that there was no limit to the information that would be available in a most intimate way to any member of this committee. I assure <inline font-weight="bold">Senator Maher,</inline> who was shocked at my suggestion, that he has, first of all, the example of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee of the United States of America, which, I believe, has far more public than private sessions, and also the word of his own Minister that there is very little that needs to be kept secret. The honorable senator might add my thought, expressed to the Senate a few minutes ago, that the committee could, in that way, be of great educational value to the Australian community. The Minister himself indicated that even in a case where there was a secret which, in addition to !being the property of Australia was part of the property of other nations, that element o'f secrecy was very evanescent and remained for only a few days at t-he 'most. What is top secret to-day may we'll be public knowledge to-morrow. </para>
</talk.start>
</continue>
<para>I invite honorable senators to appreciate that I have not suggested that a committee of this type should sit in public all the time. I recognize that there are matters that ought to be discussed <inline font-style="italic">in camera,</inline> but the power of the committee to sit in public should not be subject to the arbitrary discretion of the Minister for External Affairs, particularly in view of his statement which I have quoted We of *the Labour party recognize "the value of joint study. As an earnest of that, I inform the Senate that for years we have had our own foreign affairs committee. It was set up by the party at Canberra, and is engaged continuously in the -study of every aspect of foreign relations. The party, therefore, has the advantage of joint study and discussion, and the stimulation of mind by mind. I venture to say that the members of the committee derive as much benefit from that study as do the members of the Government parties who alone sit on the Foreign Affairs Committee. Our own party seeks information from time to time from those who are reputed to be experts in the subject of international relations. I have already indicated that we will not co-operate under the existing terms of the motion in appointing members to a committee, and I now make the point that, although it may be called a joint -committee of both Houses, ultimately it comes down to being entirely a Government party committee. </para>
</speech>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>164</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>K6Z</name.id>
<electorate />
<party>LP</party>
<role />
<in.gov>1</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">SPICER, John</name>
<name role="display">Senator SPICER</name>
</talker>
<para>- That is the Opposition's fault. </para>
</talk.start>
<continue>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>164</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>KTN</name.id>
<electorate />
<party />
<role />
<in.gov>0</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">MCKENNA, Nicholas</name>
<name role="display">Senator McKENNA</name>
</talker>
<para>- The AttorneyGeneral and I differ on that point. I have indicated that it is the fault of the Government which has circumscribed the committee in favour of the Minster for External Affairs. I have already addressed argument to the Senate on that point. The Attorney-General and I will have to differ upon the 'proposition as to whose fault it is. I say that if our objections were met we would be happy to co-operate. </para>
</talk.start>
</continue>
<para>I come back to the point that, since the Labour party will not co-operate on this committee - let us 'leave, for the present, .the question of whose fault it is - the committe will be a Government parties' committee, and accordingly we hold that it should not be a body that carries on its affairs at the expense of the country. Let it be a party committee the. same, as the Labour .party's committee is. Let its members carry on -their studies and arrange their own affairs at the expense of the ;party. The Opposition is not .prepared to participate in a committee of this kind, and we say that it should not, in effect, be regarded as a joint committee df both Houses. It should concentrate its efforts in the privacy of its own party sphere, as the Opposition committee does. </para>
<para>When introducing the proposal on behalf of the Government, the AttorneyGeneral said that he would be glad if Labour would co-operate on this committee. I .believe I am justified in expressing the view that I doubt the bona fides of that statement. Having said that, 1 realize that the Senate is entitled to ask for my reasons for that belief. I shall give my reasons. J say -with great sincerity that many of us on this side, indeed a majority of our party, were, as far back as 1953, very eager to co-operate on this committee. We pressed hard in our party -room to do so, with the result that the -party appointed a committee of leaders to interview the Minister for External Affairs. We sought, and were given, a conference with the Minister in November, 1953.. in <the course of which we raised our objections to the set up of the committee. The Minister heard us with great patience, and. gave us some reason to hope, because he indicated that he was inclined to agree with some of our propositions, using the phrase that Ite would have a look 'at certain of our proposals. As I have said, we left the conference with the hope that something was going to be done to meet the objections of She -Opposition. But the point I make mow is that, presently, the Government came to the Parliament with a motion in set terms, without any further reference :to, or discussion with, the leaders appointed 'by the Opposition. There was no communication to the </para>
<para class="block">Opposition, indicating the result of tha further consideration that the Minister undertook to give to certain matters. That <inline font-style="italic">is the</inline> first point that destroyed our belief in -the bona fides of the 'Government in desiring to have ''Opposition members on the committee. </para>
<para>The second reason for my doubt is shown in the circumstances in which this motion was introduced in the 'Parliament. There was no effort to consult the Labour party before it -was introduced. There was no proper discussion. The motion in almost identical terms, at least in regard to all the terms that mattered to the Labour party, was launched in the Senate without any consultation with, or reference >to, the Labour party at all. That .kind of conduct is notconsistent with a sincere desire to .have the Labour party's co-operation on such a committee. </para>
<interjection>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>165</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>KSL</name.id>
<electorate />
<party />
<role />
<in.gov>0</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">MAHER, Edmund</name>
<name role="display">Senator Maher</name>
</talker>
<para>- There were two or three discussions. </para>
</talk.start>
</interjection>
<continue>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>165</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>KTN</name.id>
<electorate />
<party />
<role />
<in.gov>0</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">MCKENNA, Nicholas</name>
<name role="display">Senator McKENNA</name>
</talker>
<para>- If the AttorneyGeneral will give reasonable consideration to the objections of the Opposition in relation to the shape of this committee, he will see how readily members on this side will co-operate. " </para>
</talk.start>
</continue>
<para>Another ground for my attack on the bona fides of the Government in this matter is the very speech made by the Attorney-General in this chamber. The normal practice when introducing a matter of this kind is for the Minister to read a prepared speech, and .then to give an opportunity for proper consideration of that speech. I make no complaint about the length of time allowed for consideration, but I point out that the Attorney-General, who begged for our co-operation, took the very unusual course in a matter of this kind of giving a perfunctory and extempore speech to the Senate an support of his motion. </para>
<interjection>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>165</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>KBW</name.id>
<electorate />
<party />
<role />
<in.gov>0</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">WRIGHT, Reginald</name>
<name role="display">Senator Wright</name>
</talker>
<para>- The more of such <inline font-style="italic">speeches</inline> we have from Ministers the better. </para>
</talk.start>
</interjection>
<continue>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>165</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>KTN</name.id>
<electorate />
<party />
<role />
<in.gov>0</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">MCKENNA, Nicholas</name>
<name role="display">Senator McKENNA</name>
</talker>
<para>- That depends on the Minister and the subject matter of his speech. I merely make the .point <that ia Minister who really wants, and is striving for, the co-operation of the </para>
</talk.start>
</continue>
<para>Opposition in a matter of this kind would not introduce a resolution in such a casual - I shall not put it on a higher plane - or cavalier fashion. These are all little points when assessing the tons fides of the Government in this matter. </para>
<para>I come now to another point that weighs heavily with the Opposition. The Government indicates to the Parliament, and to the nation, that it will accept any nominee of the Labour party, from its leader down to the humblest member that the party cares to nominate. The person so nominated will share in whatever secrets there are, and will have the advantage of all the information in the most intimate way, as the Minister for External Affairs has said, regarding every phase of importance in the international sphere. The Government parties are prepared to accept any nominee of the Labour party; yet when on the hustings during the recent election campaign, the Government, its members and supporters slandered our leader and his supporters in what I have no hesitation in describing as the worst character assassination campaign Australia has ever witnessed. I ask how hypocritical can members of the Government be, when the truth is that they summoned calumny to their aid to win an election, and now they toss it aside and ask us to forget their public insults - insults which they never repeat in their personal relations with us in this chamber or outside. </para>
<interjection>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>166</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>KMN</name.id>
<electorate />
<party />
<role />
<in.gov>0</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">GRANT, Donald</name>
<name role="display">Senator Grant</name>
</talker>
<para>- They, do not themselves believe what they said. </para>
</talk.start>
</interjection>
<interjection>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>166</page.no>
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<name role="metadata">MAHER, Edmund</name>
<name role="display">Senator Maher</name>
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<para>- What bearing has this little digression on international relations? </para>
</talk.start>
</interjection>
<continue>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>166</page.no>
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<name role="metadata">MCKENNA, Nicholas</name>
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<para>- It is neither little nor a digression. It is a matter that, first, looms very largely; and, secondly, it is my fourth point in dealing with the proposition that I doubt the sincerity of the Government in seeking the co-operation of the Opposition in this matter. I am very sorry for the supporters of the Government when I think of the grave moral responsibility they incur in this matter. Quite frankly, I prefer to lose any number of elections, one after another, to facing that responsibility and the ultimate accounting. </para>
</talk.start>
</continue>
<interjection>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>166</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>JZI</name.id>
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<name role="metadata">O'SULLIVAN, Neil</name>
<name role="display">Senator O'sullivan</name>
</talker>
<para>- The honorable senator amazes me. </para>
</talk.start>
</interjection>
<continue>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>166</page.no>
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<name role="metadata">MCKENNA, Nicholas</name>
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<para>- It is obvious that those who embark on this type of calumny, slander and character assassination have no realization of the harm that they do, and of the moral responsibility that they incur in doing so. The interjection of the Leader of the Government <inline font-weight="bold">(Senator O'Sullivan)</inline> is only one indication of their total lack of understanding of that basic fact. </para>
</talk.start>
</continue>
<para>I say to the Senate that Labour will not co-operate in this matter, for two reasons. The first is because of the demerits of the Government's proposal, and the second is because of the grievous public slanders by the Government of the Australian Labour party before the nation. I wonder whether the supporters of the Government appreciate that, when they insult the Australian Labour party, they are insulting approximately one-half of the electors of Australia, who know that untruths are being spoken and who know also that what is being said is slander. We hear, from the supporters of the Government, statements to the effect that Labour's foreign policy is entirely in line with that of the Communist party. </para>
<interjection>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>166</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>JZI</name.id>
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<name role="metadata">O'SULLIVAN, Neil</name>
<name role="display">Senator O'Sullivan</name>
</talker>
<para>- And so it is. </para>
</talk.start>
</interjection>
<continue>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>166</page.no>
<time.stamp />
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<name role="metadata">MCKENNA, Nicholas</name>
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<para>- All I wish to say to the Senate is that I was challenged, on a previous occasion, I think by an honorable senator who has been interjecting to-day, to say what was the policy of the Australian Labour party on foreign affairs. I accepted the challenge very readily, and with pride, because, in fact, I had a hand in shaping the exact words and ideals of that foreign policy, at the Hobart conference. I affirm what I said then : That I approve every single word of it. As honorable senators may remember, on that occasion I took up the challenge and read to the Senate every word of the foreign policy adopted at the Hobart conference. I wonder how many people remember that honorable senators on the Government side of the chamber interjected freely throughout the earlier part of my speech. When I came to read the foreign policy - they had in mind the newspaper headlines - as I took each item, I turned to honorable senators opposite and asked, " What is wrong with that?", but although every honorable senator opposite was in his place, not one of them said a word. When faced with the facts, they had nothing to say. </para>
</talk.start>
</continue>
<interjection>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>167</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>JZI</name.id>
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<in.gov>0</in.gov>
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<name role="metadata">O'SULLIVAN, Neil</name>
<name role="display">Senator O'Sullivan</name>
</talker>
<para>- We were bound by the rules of debate. </para>
</talk.start>
</interjection>
<continue>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>167</page.no>
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<name role="metadata">MCKENNA, Nicholas</name>
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<para>- Honorable senators opposite are not shy about interjecting when I speak, and I do not mind their doing so. On the occasion to which I refer, I gave them an opportunity to say something, asking time after time, " What is wrong with that? ", but there was the silence of the grave. </para>
</talk.start>
</continue>
<para>The truth is that the foreign policy of the Australian Labour party is one that, in all of its progressive aspects, the Government not only is approving, but also, in fact, has been adopting since the federal conference of the Australian Labour party in Hobart in March of last year. Let us consider only two points. The Minister for External Affairs <inline font-weight="bold">(Mr. Casey)</inline> recently advocated a free exchange of visits between the Western democracies and the countries behind the iron curtain. That is the very proposition that Labour averred in March, 1955, and which was repudiated by this Government as being a part of the Communist line. Now, because they have had time to think and to weigh that proposal - their mental processes, apparently, are a bit slow, as they have demonstrated throughout the last six years in more fields than one - they have realized the virtue of that proposal. In addition, they have seen the United Kingdom step into that field. They also have seen New Zealand not only penetrating the iron curtain, but also doing a lot of trade with Russia and the iron curtain countries, until to-day, Russia is the second most important customer for New Zealand exports. The truth is, as the Government now is beginning to recognize, that if we are going to break down the barriers and to break through the iron curtain, we have to meet people; we have to understand their point of view, and they, for their part, have to learn about the views of the democracies. That is the only road to understanding. Accordingly, that is the only road to salvation. </para>
<para>The ACTING <inline font-weight="bold">DEPUTY PRESIDENT (Senator Pearson)</inline> .-Order ! .1 think that this discussion should not develop into a general debate on foreign affairs. I have allowed the honorable senator considerable latitude, and I now ask him to connect his remarks with the motion before the Senate. </para>
<continue>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>167</page.no>
<time.stamp />
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<name role="metadata">MCKENNA, Nicholas</name>
<name role="display">Senator McKENNA</name>
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<para>- Yes, <inline font-weight="bold">Mr. Acting Deputy President,</inline> I shall do so. The motion before the Senate deals with a very important aspect of international relations. At the moment, I am putting my point of view and am stating the reasons why the Opposition declines to appoint representatives to the Foreign Affairs Committee. I am developing the theme that one of our reasons and objections is the fact that the Australian Labour party's foreign policy has been misrepresented and maligned by the Government. In the process of developing that theme, I have referred to the nature of our foreign policy. </para>
</talk.start>
</continue>
<para>The ACTING DEPUTY PRESIDENT. - Order! I cannot allow the honorable senator to develop that theme any further. </para>
<continue>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>167</page.no>
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<name role="metadata">MCKENNA, Nicholas</name>
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<para>- I accept that ruling, and I conclude with this comment. Every point that Labour advocated has been adopted by the Government. For instance, Labour advocated, in March, 1955, the admission of sixteen new nations to the United Nations, and the Government later helped to secure their admission. I have put forward the views of the Opposition in this matter. There are aspects of the proposals before the Senate that I do not want to traverse now; I have covered them adequately on similar occasions previously. The Labour party and the nonLabour parties accord mutual support to the Commonwealth of Nations. They believe in co-operation with the great United States of America and the maintenance and extension of that cooperation. That objective is in the foreign policies of both the major political parties in this Parliament, but the fundamental difference between those parties is that the Government parties prepare for the worst, whilst the Australian Labour party strives for the hest in the field of international relations. </para>
</talk.start>
</continue>
<para>
<inline font-weight="bold">Senator</inline>GOB/TOW (Victoria) [3.25J. - This debate started out to follow a wellworn path which it has. followed on. two or three previous occasions in the Senate, but to-day it digressed, towards tho end, into paths- which were somewhat new. In spite of. all the words and all the arguments used by the Leader of the Opposition <inline font-weight="bold">(Senator McKenna),</inline> it is as well, I.' think, to see exactly what the facts an.in this matter. The facts are that, in thu great field of : foreign policy, which we all recognize to be of prime importance to Australia, the Government is proposing the appointment of a joint committee of both the major parties, that committee to be given special facilities for the study of this subject, and the Opposition is refusing to take advantage of that offerand to appoint representatives to the committee. No amount of words, excuses or arguments can alter those facts, and that, I think, is to be greatly regretted, not only from the point of view of thu Senate, but also from the point' of view of the country. </para>
<para>Those being the facts, it is well to look' at some of the arguments which have been put forward, in justification of this refusal to participate, in a joint study of foreign) policy, by- the. members of the Opposition, in this chamber. It. seemed to me that the greater part of the. speech which the Leader of the Opposition devoted to. foreign policy consisted of the most: remarkable reasoning I have ever "heard- in. this- chamber. What it boiled down to was that the Government did not like the- foreign policy of the Opposition. Because the Government has expressed, its dislike of the- foreign policy of the Opposition, the Opposition has said, in effect, we shall refuse to join a, committee upon which, if we were men]bers; we- might be. able to. persuade some supporters of the Government, that our ideas were right." Simply because the Opposition believes, that the Government dislikes its policy, is that, a reason to refuse to co-operate with, the Government in joint study of international affairs? Tt could be that the. Opposition is- afraid <inline font-style="italic">that</inline> its- members; if given- special facilities indi if able to- participate- in special interviews on foreign affairs; might be weaned' away from the official line- which the. Opposition believes that they should follow. It seems to me that that is the only possible logical reason which can be advanced for the refusal of the. Opposition to participate in a special study of this kind. </para>
<para>Now let us consider the other excuses put forward by the Opposition for not joining the committee. It has been said that the committee does not serve the Parliament which appoints it. I suggest that this Parliament, through having such a committee with members of all parties upon it, could not be better served, because; the members of the committee hare access to information, and have contacts with individuals, that they would otherwise not have. The Foreign Affairs Committee has had before it such people as the members of the Joint- Armistice Commis-sion from Indo-China. They came direct from Indo-China where they had. been supervising the truce, and told us exactly what was going on in that part of the world. We have had statesmen from the United Kingdom who have been ableto speak much more- freely in a small room; among a small group of people under a pledge of secrecy, than they could possibly have done in a meeting like a party meeting. We have had before us representative statesmen from France, England and America as well as from various United Nations- bodies, and we have had the benefit of the experience of officers of the Department of External Affairs who have returned from postings throughout Asia and other parts of the* would'. </para>
<para>The committee has had all those people before it, speaking quite freely, and there is no other group within the Parliament before which they could have spoken so freely. That being so, the refusal to take advantage of the opportunity given to the Opposition to join with us can. only weaken this Parliament, and, can only do a dis-service to it by denying to it ;v further group of men who have hail special opportunities to listen to opinions, so freely given,. Indeed, it is the Opposition which is doing- a. dis-service to the Parliament by its refusal to allow it? members- to have the same opportunities to learn about foreign affairs' as have been given to other people. </para>
<para>The same argument that I have just advanced, with regard to the service of the Parliament, applies to the other excuse that has been put forward by the Leader' of the Opposition <inline font-weight="bold">(Senator. McKenna).</inline> He said that to have members of his. party on the Foreign Affairs Committeewould be of no- service to his party. It is almost impossible to imagine- an honorable senator saying that the dissemination of information of all kinds: to members of his: party would not be of service to it. That argument. -will not hold, water for a moment. </para>
<para>The other points raised by the Opposition have all been put forward before, but let me- deal with one that has been laboured time after time by the Leader of the- Opposition when this matter has been before: the Senate. That is that tieForeign Affairs Committee sits <inline font-style="italic">in camera,</inline> and cannot of its own will make public reports on the matters that come before it. Surely the most elementary examination of. the matter will show that that is an absolute necessity for a. committee, of this kind, if it is to be supplied with information from the top: We have seen the world in a state- of. complete turmoil for the last two or three years, and that turmoil still continues. We have seen how one of the factors, that led- the Chinese, to enter- the Korean war' was their knowledge of the attitude towards such an act which, would, be adopted by the American and British Governments. Itwas obviously necessary for people, in the position of the Chinese at that time, to know the attitude of other governments concerned, and if we are to learn the attitudes of such governments - as a. com?mittee of this kind should in order, to function properly - it. is essential that, the Minister for External Affairs should, have complete charge in order to be able to ensure that such, information is not made public </para>
<para>It is quite true, as the Leader- of. the Opposition said, that: this necessity for secrecy may exist at one time- and that some months1 later secrecy may not be so necessary ;. but it would be impossible to. lay down in the terms off reference of a committee a time limit during; which, certain, things will- be. secret and after which they could; be- made: public. All such matters- should, be- left- in the hands of the Minister, who is responsible to the Government, and would be so left if Labour was in office with its own Minister in charge of. the Department of External Affairs; It is with the greatest regret that L see once again, the Opposition refusing to give the Parliament' the benefit of having some of its members informed on foreign affairs and of giving its members a chance of putting forward the views of the: Opposition to such a committee on the facts, figures and information which might, come before them. We are all the. poorer foi: the- attitude of the Opposition, but I suggest that the Opposition is poorer than we are* </para>
<para>It appears to me to be the height of impertinence for the Opposition to refuse the Government'^ offer to join a committee of' the- Parliament to study foreign affairs on. the grounds that it is sulky because the Government does not like its foreign policy: Although the offer is still- open, the Opposition has- refused to join the: committee and will not make a joint approach to the great problems dealt with, in the: committee, but prefers to say that the committee should be abolished because, it refuses to have anything to. do with- it. Tha* certainnly appears to me to be also impertinent. </para>
</speech>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>169</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>K6W</name.id>
<electorate>Tasmania</electorate>
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<role>Leader of the Anti-Communist Labour party</role>
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<name role="metadata">COLE, George</name>
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<para>[4.3 1 . - The party that, I represent in this Senate, which showed during the last- general election that it had the support of about 3.00,000 people in four States- of. the Commonwealth and will' rout.in.ue to grow and will spread to other <inline font-style="italic">?.';?.[<:.:,</inline> 3ia3 requested me to seek nomination as a. member of such an im.portant committee as" the Foreign Affairs Committee of this Parliament. One of the most'; important planks in my party'splatform, is- that Australia's defence is a. matter of first priority. That beingso,, we desire- to learn just what is takingplace in) the- international! sphere. </para>
</talk.start>
</speech>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>169</page.no>
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<name.id>KOU</name.id>
<electorate>VICTORIA</electorate>
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<name role="metadata">HENDRICKSON, Albion</name>
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</talker>
<para>- How many members will the honorable" senator's party have on the. committee ? </para>
</talk.start>
<continue>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>169</page.no>
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<para>- I am hoping that I shall be nominated because the other member of my, party who has been elected to- this chamber has" not yet taken, his plane here.. We believe that the- defence of this country has first priority. The arguments put forward a short time ago by <inline font-weight="bold">Senator McKenna</inline> are merely eyewash, because I am aware of Labour's position in this matter. When the establishment of a Foreign Affairs Committee was first mooted, <inline font-weight="bold">Senator McKenna</inline> and the right honorable member for Barton <inline font-weight="bold">(Dr. Evatt)</inline> were very willing to become members of it. It was because, shall we say, of political animosity that such a thing did not occur. The arguments brought forward by the Labour party have no basis because it is to the benefit of the whole Parliament that all members understand what is going on in the field of foreign affairs ; and the only way in which that can be done is, as <inline font-weight="bold">Senator Gorton</inline> has mentioned, by consultation with the people who know the facts. It has been said that members of the committee cannot report back to their party because they are bound to secrecy, but if an honorable senator is selected as a member of the committee and a certain subject comes up for discussion, surely to goodness if he is prepared to say " Yes " or " No " to a proposal, his party should have enough confidence in him, as he has inside information, to accept his stand without obliging him to give an explanation. </para>
</talk.start>
</continue>
<para>So, <inline font-weight="bold">Mr. President,</inline> I desire to be a member of the proposed committee. The Leader of the Opposition <inline font-weight="bold">(Senator McKenna)</inline> told us about how he stood up for the Labour party's policy. That policy was given to it by <inline font-weight="bold">Dr. Burton,</inline> and it was brought into being at the Hobart conference by a rump that did not have the people of Australia behind it. It is only because of what we might call a " double-cross " that that policy is in existence now. I hope that the Government will find some way in which I can be nominated to this committee, because I believe that it is worth while to the running both of this country and of this Parliament. </para>
</speech>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>170</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>KOW</name.id>
<electorate>Tasmania</electorate>
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<name role="metadata">HENTY, Norman</name>
<name role="display">Senator HENTY</name>
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<para>.- I feel confident that honorable senators on the Government side feel that <inline font-weight="bold">Senator Cole</inline> has brought a breath of fresh air into this debate. We are most disappointed, as <inline font-weight="bold">Senator Gorton</inline> has said, that the Opposition still refuses to join this committee, although that opportunity is still open. I am sure that the people of Australia feel that the Opposition has made a wrong decision in still refusing, after five years, to join senators on this side of the committee. The case put up by the Leader of the Opposition <inline font-weight="bold">(Senator McKenna)</inline> contained a great deal of repetition of what he has been saying for some years. However, on this occasion he used a new phrase which I thought was rather interesting. He referred to what he called the character assassination of the Leader of the Opposition in the House of Representatives during the last general election campaign. Can any honorable senator opposite deny the continual attempts that Labour party members have made at election after election for years past to assassinate the character of our present Prime Minister ? </para>
</talk.start>
<interjection>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>170</page.no>
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<name role="metadata">GORTON, John</name>
<name role="display">Senator Gorton</name>
</talker>
<para>- Lie after lie. </para>
</talk.start>
</interjection>
<continue>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>170</page.no>
<time.stamp />
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<name role="metadata">HENTY, Norman</name>
<name role="display">Senator HENTY</name>
</talker>
<para>- Lie after lie about the greatest Prime Minister Australia has had. </para>
</talk.start>
</continue>
<interjection>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>170</page.no>