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19641111_senate_25_s27.xml
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19641111_senate_25_s27.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>1964-11-11</date>
<parliament.no>25</parliament.no>
<session.no>1</session.no>
<period.no>2</period.no>
<chamber>SENATE</chamber>
<page.no>1593</page.no>
<proof>0</proof>
</session.header>
<chamber.xscript>
<business.start>
<day.start>1964-11-11</day.start>
<para>The <inline font-weight="bold">DEPUTY PRESIDENT (Senator McKellar)</inline> took the chair at 11.35 a.m., and read prayers. </para>
</business.start>
<debate>
<debateinfo>
<title>QUESTION</title>
<page.no>1593</page.no>
<type>Questions</type>
</debateinfo>
<subdebate.1>
<subdebateinfo>
<title>SENATE VACANCY</title>
<page.no>1593</page.no>
</subdebateinfo>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>1593</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>- I address a question to the Leader of the Government in the Senate. Has the Governor-General notified the existence of a casual vacancy in the Senate to the Governor of Western Australia? If so, what advice has been received from the Governor by the GovernorGeneral or the President of the Senate regarding action being taken to fill the vacancy? Will the Minister inform the Senate as to the position before the Parliament rises? </para>
</talk.start>
</speech>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>1593</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>JZY</name.id>
<electorate>WESTERN AUSTRALIA</electorate>
<party>LP</party>
<role>Minister for Defence</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 not in a position to answer the question. I shall confer with my colleague, the Minister for the Interior, to see what the situation is and what information can be made available before the Senate rises. </para>
</talk.start>
</speech>
</subdebate.1>
</debate>
<debate>
<debateinfo>
<title>QUESTION</title>
<page.no>1593</page.no>
<type>Questions</type>
</debateinfo>
<subdebate.1>
<subdebateinfo>
<title>TELEPHONE SERVICES</title>
<page.no>1593</page.no>
</subdebateinfo>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>1593</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>K3O</name.id>
<electorate>SOUTH AUSTRALIA</electorate>
<party />
<role />
<in.gov>0</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">BUTTFIELD, Nancy</name>
<name role="display">Senator BUTTFIELD</name>
</talker>
<para>- My question is addressed to the Minister representing the Postmaster-General. For some time I have been making representations to the PostmasterGeneral to see whether it is possible to provide a trunk line radio telephone link to such isolated places as Andamooka and Coober Pedy in South Australia. Can the Minister indicate whether satisfactory arrangements can be made for these two towns? </para>
</talk.start>
</speech>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>1593</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>JZQ</name.id>
<electorate>NEW SOUTH WALES</electorate>
<party>LP</party>
<role>Minister for Customs and Excise</role>
<in.gov>1</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">ANDERSON, Kenneth</name>
<name role="display">Senator ANDERSON</name>
</talker>
<para>- Several days ago, when <inline font-weight="bold">Senator Buttfield</inline> raised this matter, I promised to obtain some information for her. I have been informed by the PostmasterGeneral that firm engineering plans have been developed for the installation of radio telephone links connecting Andamooka and Cooper Pedy with the Australian communications network. The need for adequate telephone facilities at both these centres is recognised. It is necessary to fix transmitting and receiving sites and to provide the necessary buildings and special radio equipment. It is hoped to commence the work on both projects either late in the 1956-66 financial year or early in the following financial year. </para>
</talk.start>
</speech>
</subdebate.1>
</debate>
<debate>
<debateinfo>
<title>QUESTION</title>
<page.no>1593</page.no>
<type>Questions</type>
</debateinfo>
<subdebate.1>
<subdebateinfo>
<title>H.M.A.S. "MELBOURNE</title>
<page.no>1593</page.no>
</subdebateinfo>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>1593</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>KPK</name.id>
<electorate>VICTORIA</electorate>
<party />
<role />
<in.gov>0</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">KENNELLY, Patrick</name>
<name role="display">Senator KENNELLY</name>
</talker>
<para>- In view of his earlier experience as Minister for the Navy, can the Minister for Works give me any idea how long it will take to spend £10 million on the " Melbourne " and to have the vessel back in commission? </para>
</talk.start>
</speech>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>1593</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>KH5</name.id>
<electorate>VICTORIA</electorate>
<party>LP</party>
<role>Minister for Works</role>
<in.gov>1</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">GORTON, John</name>
<name role="display">Senator GORTON</name>
</talker>
<para>- No detail of this work will be carried out by the Department of Works. Therefore I am not in a position to answer the question. </para>
</talk.start>
</speech>
</subdebate.1>
</debate>
<debate>
<debateinfo>
<title>QUESTION</title>
<page.no>1593</page.no>
<type>Questions</type>
</debateinfo>
<subdebate.1>
<subdebateinfo>
<title>CAIRNS AIRPORT</title>
<page.no>1593</page.no>
</subdebateinfo>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>1593</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>KBL</name.id>
<electorate>QUEENSLAND</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>- Is the Minister for Civil Aviation aware that there is a shortage of hangar space at Cairns aerodrome for light aircraft? Is he aware that many light aircraft have to 'be parked an the open through lack of shelter? Will he examine the situation with a view to providing the rapidly developing airport of Cairns with additional hangar space to house the important general aviation sector of the industry? </para>
</talk.start>
</speech>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>1593</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>KOW</name.id>
<electorate>TASMANIA</electorate>
<party>LP</party>
<role>Minister for Civil Aviation</role>
<in.gov>1</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">HENTY, Norman</name>
<name role="display">Senator HENTY</name>
</talker>
<para>- I am aware of the position at the rapidly growing airport at Cairns and of the lack of shelter provided for the increasing traffic of light aircraft in that area. I have recently approved of the transfer of a hangar to Cairns airport. The total cost of the transfer and re-erection of the hangar and the provision of gravel space, lighting and power will be approximately £18,000. I understand that the Department is prepared to push forward with this work as soon as possible. </para>
</talk.start>
</speech>
</subdebate.1>
</debate>
<debate>
<debateinfo>
<title>QUESTION</title>
<page.no>1593</page.no>
<type>Questions</type>
</debateinfo>
<subdebate.1>
<subdebateinfo>
<title>SHIPPING</title>
<page.no>1593</page.no>
</subdebateinfo>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>1593</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>K6W</name.id>
<electorate>TASMANIA</electorate>
<party />
<role />
<in.gov>0</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">COLE, George</name>
<name role="display">Senator COLE</name>
</talker>
<para>- I direct my question <inline font-style="italic">to</inline> the Minister representing the Minister for Shipping and Transport and in doing so I direct his attention to an advertisement by Tasbureau Holiday Tours. What factors are responsible for the following difference in charges set out in the advertisement: Twelve days Sydney/Sydney from £52 including travel on " Princess of Tasmania "; fourteen days Sydney/ Sydney from £82 including travel on the " Empress of Australia "? Could this difference in charges have an adverse effect on bookings to sail from Sydney on the " Empress of Australia "? The purpose of my question is to ensure that the many thousands of people to whom these holiday tours will appeal will know why the base rate for the fourteen days tour should be £30 dearer than the twelve days tour. </para>
</talk.start>
</speech>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>1594</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 not in possession of any knowledge that might be of assistance to the honorable senator. I shall refer his question to the Minister for Shipping and Transport, <inline font-weight="bold">Mr. Freeth,</inline> and request that the honorable senator be given an answer before the Senate rises. </para>
</talk.start>
</speech>
</subdebate.1>
</debate>
<debate>
<debateinfo>
<title>QUESTION</title>
<page.no>1594</page.no>
<type>Questions</type>
</debateinfo>
<subdebate.1>
<subdebateinfo>
<title>EDUCATION</title>
<page.no>1594</page.no>
</subdebateinfo>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>1594</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>JQQ</name.id>
<electorate>VICTORIA</electorate>
<party />
<role />
<in.gov>0</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">CORMACK, Magnus</name>
<name role="display">Senator CORMACK</name>
</talker>
<para>- By way of preface to my question to the Minister in Charge of Commonwealth Activities in Education and Research, I make the observation that 1 and many of my Senatorial colleagues are anxious to find out what progress has been made to provide schools with science facilities. I would be grateful to the Minister if he would inform me, in general terms, of the state of these grants. </para>
</talk.start>
</speech>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>1594</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>KH5</name.id>
<electorate />
<party>LP</party>
<role />
<in.gov>1</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">GORTON, John</name>
<name role="display">Senator GORTON</name>
</talker>
<para>- At this time I can answer the honorable senator only in general terms. Speaking in round figures, of approximately £1.3 million which is to be expended on private schools throughout Australia, the State committees have recommended for assistance this financial year a total of 190 schools. Of those schools 188 have already received offers from the Commonwealth Government and 166 of them have replied accepting the offers. The reremaining 22 schools have not yet had time to reply. Of the finance available, about £385,000 is already in the hands of schools. </para>
</talk.start>
</speech>
</subdebate.1>
</debate>
<debate>
<debateinfo>
<title>QUESTION</title>
<page.no>1594</page.no>
<type>Questions</type>
</debateinfo>
<subdebate.1>
<subdebateinfo>
<title>THE PARLIAMENT</title>
<page.no>1594</page.no>
</subdebateinfo>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>1594</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>K6P</name.id>
<electorate>QUEENSLAND</electorate>
<party />
<role />
<in.gov>0</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">BROWN, Gordon</name>
<name role="display">Senator BROWN</name>
</talker>
<para>- I desire to ask a few questions of the Leader of the Government in the Senate. Is the Parliamentary Library fully staffed? Is there not a shortage of trained personnel to perform research duties? How does the Library compare with other similar libraries as far as research work is concerned? Would not the availability of essential information provided by research officers improve the value of debates and assist senators and members to lift debates from the " Codlin's Your Friend, Not Short " level to a higher plane, more in keeping with the needs of the times? </para>
</talk.start>
</speech>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>1594</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 can comment only on the last question asked by the honorable senator. I shall refer his questions relating to the staffing of the Library to the President of the Senate, under whose jurisdiction, I understand, the Library comes. As to the honorable senator's last question, I think that the provision of better libraries makes for better debates, provided, of course, that those taking part in tha debates avail themselves of the information that is obtainable from the libraries. In that connection, whilst not denying the proposition that a better library should make for better debates, I also suggest with due humility that better debates might ensue if the existing facilities were better used by members. </para>
</talk.start>
</speech>
</subdebate.1>
</debate>
<debate>
<debateinfo>
<title>QUESTION</title>
<page.no>1594</page.no>
<type>Questions</type>
</debateinfo>
<subdebate.1>
<subdebateinfo>
<title>PARLIAMENTARY RETIRING ALLOWANCES FUND</title>
<page.no>1594</page.no>
</subdebateinfo>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>1594</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>KSN</name.id>
<electorate>TASMANIA</electorate>
<party />
<role />
<in.gov>0</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">MARRIOTT, John</name>
<name role="display">Senator MARRIOTT</name>
</talker>
<para>- My question is directed to the Minister representing the Treasurer. Can the Minister inform the Senate how much money, if any, has been provided by the Commonwealth Treasury towards the Commonwealth Parliamentary Retiring Allowances Fund since its inception, which I believe was in 1947? What was the credit balance in the fund as at 30th June 1964? </para>
</talk.start>
</speech>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>1594</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>KOW</name.id>
<electorate />
<party>LP</party>
<role />
<in.gov>1</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">HENTY, Norman</name>
<name role="display">Senator HENTY</name>
</talker>
<para>- The total of the Commonwealth's contribution to the fund has been £419,792. The total credit in the fund at the moment is £560,138 6s. 7d. The Commonwealth contribution is intact and there is a credit balance of approximately £140,000 purely from the members' contribution of £5 a week. Under the new system members' contributions have been increased to £7 14s. lOd. a week, but under the system which operated from 1947, whereby members paid £5 a week, the Commonwealth's contribution is intact and there is a credit of more than £140,000 from members' contributions. </para>
</talk.start>
</speech>
</subdebate.1>
</debate>
<debate>
<debateinfo>
<title>QUESTION</title>
<page.no>1594</page.no>
<type>Questions</type>
</debateinfo>
<subdebate.1>
<subdebateinfo>
<title>AUSTRALIAN EMBASSY BUILDINGS</title>
<page.no>1594</page.no>
</subdebateinfo>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>1594</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>KOU</name.id>
<electorate>VICTORIA</electorate>
<party />
<role />
<in.gov>0</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">HENDRICKSON, Albion</name>
<name role="display">Senator HENDRICKSON</name>
</talker>
<para>- I direct a question to the Acting Minister for External Affairs. Is the Minister able to give any additional particulars relating to the reported construction of a new Australian embassy building in Washington? Is the building to be used for the residence of the Ambassador or is it to be used for administrative purposes? Are similar buildings in contemplation in respect of Australian missions in other parts of the world? If so, what are the details? Will Australian building materials be used almost exclusively in all of the contemplated buildings? Will Australian architects be engaged exclusively? If so, who will select the architects? In regard to the Washington project, how many architects were considered in addition to the successful firm? What special qualifications did the successful firm possess? </para>
</talk.start>
</speech>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>1595</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>KH5</name.id>
<electorate />
<party>LP</party>
<role />
<in.gov>1</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">GORTON, John</name>
<name role="display">Senator GORTON</name>
</talker>
<para>- The building in Washington referred to by the honorable senator is not to be used as the Ambassador's residence. It is to be used as a chancery for administrative purposes and as offices for people associated with the Department of External Affairs, and also the military attaches, trade attaches and other people who are engaged in that type of work in Washington. I imagine that it would be highly unlikely that Australian building materials would be shipped across to America for the purpose of constructing this embassy because I should think that the cost would be entirely prohibitive. The firm of architects which has been engaged for the construction of the building is the Australian firm of Bates, Smart and McCutcheon. It was selected from a panel of architectural firms by the Minister for External Affairs and his advisers from the Department of Works. The types of matters which were taken into consideration were the ability of the firms in terms of the number of employees, the capacity of the firms to carry out projects of this size, and comparable buildings which had previously been built by them. The firm I have mentioned was selected. I do not know of any other chanceries in contemplation in other parts of the world at the moment, other than those which appear to be either in comtemplation or under construction as shown in the estimates for the Department of External Affairs. </para>
</talk.start>
</speech>
</subdebate.1>
</debate>
<debate>
<debateinfo>
<title>QUESTION</title>
<page.no>1595</page.no>
<type>Questions</type>
</debateinfo>
<subdebate.1>
<subdebateinfo>
<title>MALAYSIA</title>
<page.no>1595</page.no>
</subdebateinfo>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>1595</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>KRG</name.id>
<electorate>TASMANIA</electorate>
<party />
<role />
<in.gov>0</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">LILLICO, Alexander</name>
<name role="display">Senator LILLICO</name>
</talker>
<para>- My question is directed to the Acting Minister for External Affairs. Has he any information further to that published in the Press as to the progress and speed of recent Indonesian paratroop landings in Malaysia? </para>
</talk.start>
</speech>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>1595</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>KH5</name.id>
<electorate />
<party>LP</party>
<role />
<in.gov>1</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">GORTON, John</name>
<name role="display">Senator GORTON</name>
</talker>
<para>- No, I have not. </para>
</talk.start>
</speech>
</subdebate.1>
</debate>
<debate>
<debateinfo>
<title>QUESTION</title>
<page.no>1595</page.no>
<type>Questions</type>
</debateinfo>
<subdebate.1>
<subdebateinfo>
<title>COMMONWEALTH SUPERANNUATION FUND</title>
<page.no>1595</page.no>
</subdebateinfo>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>1595</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>JXX</name.id>
<electorate>SOUTH AUSTRALIA</electorate>
<party />
<role />
<in.gov>0</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">DRURY, Arnold</name>
<name role="display">Senator DRURY</name>
</talker>
<para>- My question is directed to the Minister representing the Treasurer. Is it a fact thatlast year the Commonwealth Superannuation Fund was in credit to the extent of £.102 million of subscribers' contributions and that the fund is increasing each year? Is it also a fact that the South Australian superannuation fund, with one-tenth the number of those contributing to the Commonwealth fund, has, for a number of years, paid 20s. for each pension unit, and that several other States have increased the value of their units to 20s., whereas the Commonwealth pension unit has remained at the value of 17s. 6d. for the past ten years? In view of the buoyant position of the Fund, the ever increasing cost of living and the fact that superannuated public servants do not receive the concessions that are available to other pensioners and are obliged to pay income tax, will the Treasurer consider increasing the value of the Commonwealth Superannuation unit to at least 20s.? Finally, will the Treasurer make a statement before the end of the sessional period on the Government's intention in relation to affording relief to superannuated public servants? </para>
</talk.start>
</speech>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>1595</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>KOW</name.id>
<electorate />
<party>LP</party>
<role />
<in.gov>1</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">HENTY, Norman</name>
<name role="display">Senator HENTY</name>
</talker>
<para>- I am sorry thatI have not the facts and figures necessary to answer the question the honorable senator has put to me. If he puts the question on the notice paper I shall bring it to the notice of the Treasurer as quickly as I can and see whether he can give the honorable senator an answer before the end of the sessional period. 1 think that is the best procedure to follow. </para>
</talk.start>
</speech>
</subdebate.1>
</debate>
<debate>
<debateinfo>
<title>QUESTION</title>
<page.no>1595</page.no>
<type>Questions</type>
</debateinfo>
<subdebate.1>
<subdebateinfo>
<title>ESSAYS OF PRINCE OF WALES</title>
<page.no>1595</page.no>
</subdebateinfo>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>1595</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>K3O</name.id>
<electorate />
<party />
<role />
<in.gov>0</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">BUTTFIELD, Nancy</name>
<name role="display">Senator BUTTFIELD</name>
</talker>
<para>- Has the Minis ter for Customs and Excise seen a Press report that certain newspapers are about to publish photographic copies of essays written by the Prince of Wales? Is it a fact that those copies were obtained without the consent of the Prince of Wales? Does the Minister consider that it is grossly unethical, and certainly unpleasant and nauseating to the public, to have essays of any young person, let alone the Prince of Wales, published without his consent? Is there any way in which these photographic copies can be prevented from being brought into Australia? </para>
</talk.start>
</speech>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>1595</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>JZQ</name.id>
<electorate />
<party>LP</party>
<role />
<in.gov>1</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">ANDERSON, Kenneth</name>
<name role="display">Senator ANDERSON</name>
</talker>
<para>- The implications of the question are such that I think I should very properly ask the honorable senator to place it on notice. I do so not only because the question relates to Royalty, but also because it opens up a number of matters in relation to the Customs Act. For those reasons I would prefer to have the question put on notice. </para>
</talk.start>
</speech>
</subdebate.1>
</debate>
<debate>
<debateinfo>
<title>QUESTION</title>
<page.no>1596</page.no>
<type>Questions</type>
</debateinfo>
<subdebate.1>
<subdebateinfo>
<title>POSTAL DEPARTMENT</title>
<page.no>1596</page.no>
</subdebateinfo>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>1596</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>KOU</name.id>
<electorate />
<party />
<role />
<in.gov>0</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">HENDRICKSON, Albion</name>
<name role="display">Senator HENDRICKSON</name>
</talker>
<para>- Can the Minister representing the Postmaster-General give me some assurance that an answer to question No. 335 standing in my name on the notice paper will be made available before the end of this sessional period? </para>
</talk.start>
</speech>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>1596</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>JZQ</name.id>
<electorate />
<party>LP</party>
<role />
<in.gov>1</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">ANDERSON, Kenneth</name>
<name role="display">Senator ANDERSON</name>
</talker>
<para>-I will seek the information from the Postmaster-General. </para>
</talk.start>
</speech>
</subdebate.1>
</debate>
<debate>
<debateinfo>
<title>QUESTION</title>
<page.no>1596</page.no>
<type>Questions</type>
</debateinfo>
<subdebate.1>
<subdebateinfo>
<title>SURPLUS GOODS</title>
<page.no>1596</page.no>
</subdebateinfo>
<para class="block">(Question No. 259.) </para>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>1596</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>1L5</name.id>
<electorate>NEW SOUTH WALES</electorate>
<party />
<role />
<in.gov>0</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">MURPHY, Lionel</name>
<name role="display">Senator MURPHY</name>
</talker>
<para>asked the Minister representing the Minister for Trade and Industry, upon notice - </para>
</talk.start>
<list type="decimal-dotted">
<item label="1.">
<para>In what respect and to what extent is Australia's international trade affected by policies of other countries in regard to disposal of surplus commodities? </para>
</item>
<item label="2.">
<para>What other countries are mainly concerned? </para>
</item>
<item label="3.">
<para>What remedial action is open to Australia and what action has been taken? </para>
</item>
</list>
</speech>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>1596</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>KOW</name.id>
<electorate />
<party>LP</party>
<role />
<in.gov>1</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">HENTY, Norman</name>
<name role="display">Senator HENTY</name>
</talker>
<para>- The Minister for Trade and Industry has provided the following answers - 1 and 2. Surpluses, as the term is normally used, and the problems involved in their disposal, are most conveniently considered as arising from two separate kinds of circumstances. The first is the case where some part of Government held strategic stockpiles of raw materials is considered to be surplus to requirements. At one time or another, the Governments of most countries have been in such a situation with respect to particular commodities. The normal procedure is for surpluses of this kind to be fed into commercial marketing channels in a manner calculated to disrupt normal commercial transactions as little as possible. In most cases surplus disposal activities of this type are small in relation to the volume of international trade in the commodity concerned, and do not significantly affect Australia's trade. In some cases, however, the disposal of parcels of strategic stocks can tend to depress prices, or retard rises in market prices. As an exporter of metals and other raw materials which are often involved in these cases, Australia undoubtedly at times has been disadvantaged by these disposal measures, but it is not possible to estimate the extent of damage which has occurred. </para>
</talk.start>
<para>The second, and far more important, type of surplus disposal activity arises where domestic price support or other protective measures give rise to levels of production higher than can be marketed internally or exported on commercial terms without Government financial assistance of one type or another. Surpluses of this kind are moved by a wide variety of measures of which the more important are the use of export subsidies and programmes under which surplus agricultural products are made available on concessional terms to underdeveloped countries. In view of <inline font-weight="bold">Senator Murphy's</inline> separate question on subsidies, it is presumed he has in mind here the latter type of arrangement. </para>
<para>A number of countries make available as gifts modest volumes of agricultural commodities as part of economic aid programmes. Australia does so under the Colombo Plan, although in this case donations are not related to the existence of surpluses but are made in response to requests by recipient countries. However, the United States of America, whose agricultural policies generate surpluses of the kind described above, has instituted under its Public Law 480 a conscious programme of moving surplus commodities to underdeveloped countries. In the ten years to 30th June 1964, actual exports under Public Law 480 programmes total about 12.3 billion dollars at world market prices with substantial quantities still to be moved under existing commitments. The commodities mainly concerned are wheat, rice and cotton. During the ten year period exports of these commodities under Public Law 480 have approximated: wheat 3.5 billion bushels, equal to three average U.S. crops; rice 355 million bushels, equal to two average U.S. crops; cotton 5.3 billion lb., equal to two-thirds of an average U.S. crop. </para>
<para>It is, I believe, a fair statement of the position to say that the damage to the commercial trading interests of exporters of commodities covered in Public Law 480 programme has been reduced to a minimum as a result of the sensible and responsible attitude that has been adopted by the U.S. There has, nevertheless, been damage in the sense that the movement of agricultural commodities on non-commercial terms has undoubtedly been reflected in lower export earnings accruing to commercial exporters. It is not possible, however, to give an accurate quantitative assessment of the extent of any damage. </para>
<list type="decimal-dotted">
<item label="3.">
<para>Australia, together with the other countries concerned, has accepted that the disposal of surplus commodities be governed by the "F.A.O. Principles of Surplus Disposal". These principles provide, among other things, for surpluses to be disposed of in an orderly manner and so as not to interfere with normal patterns of production and international trade. It is also provided that wherever possible interested countries should consult on the possible effects of such transactions. Consultation arrangements have been established and Australia has used such consultations to ensure that her international trading interests have been protected to the fullest possible extent. </para>
</item>
</list>
</speech>
</subdebate.1>
</debate>
<debate>
<debateinfo>
<title>QUESTION</title>
<page.no>1596</page.no>
<type>Questions</type>
</debateinfo>
<subdebate.1>
<subdebateinfo>
<title>TRADE</title>
<page.no>1596</page.no>
</subdebateinfo>
<para>(Question No. 260.) </para>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>1596</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>1L5</name.id>
<electorate />
<party />
<role />
<in.gov>0</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">MURPHY, Lionel</name>
<name role="display">Senator MURPHY</name>
</talker>
<para>asked the Minister representing the Minister for Trade and Industry, upon notice - </para>
</talk.start>
<list type="decimal-dotted">
<item label="1.">
<para>In what respects and to what extent is Australia's international trade affected by commodity policies of other countries in regard to subsidies? </para>
</item>
<item label="2.">
<para>What other countries are mainly concerned? </para>
</item>
<item label="3.">
<para>What remedial action is open to Australia and what action has been taken? </para>
</item>
</list>
</speech>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>1597</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>KOW</name.id>
<electorate />
<party>LP</party>
<role />
<in.gov>1</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">HENTY, Norman</name>
<name role="display">Senator HENTY</name>
</talker>
<para>- The answer to the honorable senator's question is as follows - 1 and 2. As indicated in the reply to the earlier question asked by <inline font-weight="bold">Senator Murphy,</inline> a number of countries rely on subsidies to expand their exports. Indeed there are very few primary products entering world trade which are not subsidised to some extent by one exporter or another although the commodities mainly concerned are wheat, flour, and dairy products. The use of subsidies has an effect on the price at which trade takes place and Australia has undoubtedly been disadvantaged in this respect. In some cases particular contracts have been lost by Australia to other exporting countries because of the competitive edge given to those exporters through subsidies. It is not. possible to isolate the effects of subsidies from the variety of factors which affect international trade and therefore the exact extent of damage suffered by Australia cannot be stated exactly. </para>
</talk.start>
<list type="decimal-dotted">
<item label="3.">
<para>The question of export subsidies and similar devices, employed by a number of European countries to assist the export of surplus agricultural products, particularly flour, has been the subject of intensive international consideration. Australia and other agricultural exporters have made persistent attempts to strengthen provisions of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade in regard to export subsidies on primary products. Despite some improvements which have been secured, the G.A.T.T. provisions remain unsatisfactory. Nevertheless, Australia some years ago brought the matter of French export subsidies on wheat and flour to the attention of G.A.T.T. and, as a result of the findings of the G.A.T.T. in this matter, France concluded a bilateral arrangement with Australia which limited French flour exports to Australia's traditional South East Asian markets. However, the main scope for action by Australia to secure protection against predatory export subsidies has been through bilateral negotiation. Trade agreements or understandings negotiated with the United Kingdom, Japan, Ceylon, the Federation of Malaya, and the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland all included provisions designed to afford Australian commercial exports to those markets reasonable protection against subsidised competition. </para>
</item>
</list>
<para>In the particular case of butter, 'where volume and the price of Australian exports sales were being seriously affected by dumping and heavy subsidies a solution was found through the negotiation of a special arrangement between the United Kingdom and the. major exporters of butter to the United Kingdom market. This arrangement has proved to be most valuable to Australia and has resulted in butter prices in the United Kingdom market reaching and remaining at remunerative levels. </para>
</speech>
</subdebate.1>
</debate>
<debate>
<debateinfo>
<title>QUESTION</title>
<page.no>1597</page.no>
<type>Questions</type>
</debateinfo>
<subdebate.1>
<subdebateinfo>
<title>MIGRANT HOSTELS</title>
<page.no>1597</page.no>
</subdebateinfo>
<para>(Question No. 284.) </para>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>1597</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>K2W</name.id>
<electorate>VICTORIA</electorate>
<party />
<role />
<in.gov>0</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">BREEN, Marie</name>
<name role="display">Senator BREEN</name>
</talker>
<para>asked the Minister representing the Minister for Labour and National Service, upon notice - </para>
</talk.start>
<quote>
<para>Are the migrant hostels, which are under the control of Commonwealth Hostels Ltd., subject to the health and building regulations of the Statein which the hostels are established? </para>
</quote>
</speech>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>1597</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>JZQ</name.id>
<electorate />
<party>LP</party>
<role />
<in.gov>1</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">ANDERSON, Kenneth</name>
<name role="display">Senator ANDERSON</name>
</talker>
<para>- The Minister for Labour and National Service has supplied the following answer - </para>
</talk.start>
<quote>
<para>Irrespective of the strict legal position as regards the Commonwealth hostels which are managed by Commonwealth Hostels Ltd., the company endeavours to have all hostels visited every six months, or more frequently if that appears necessary, by health inspectors of the appropriate local authority and ensures that prompt action is taken on any recommendations they make. The company, in relation to any improvements it makes or new structures it erects, has regard to the requirements of State building regulations. </para>
</quote>
</speech>
</subdebate.1>
</debate>
<debate>
<debateinfo>
<title>QUESTION</title>
<page.no>1597</page.no>
<type>Questions</type>
</debateinfo>
<subdebate.1>
<subdebateinfo>
<title>VISITORS' VISAS</title>
<page.no>1597</page.no>
</subdebateinfo>
<para class="block">(Question No. 298.) </para>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>1597</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>K6F</name.id>
<electorate>SOUTH AUSTRALIA</electorate>
<party />
<role />
<in.gov>0</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">CAVANAGH, James</name>
<name role="display">Senator CAVANAGH</name>
</talker>
<para>asked the Minister representing the Minister for Immigration, upon notice - </para>
</talk.start>
<list type="decimal-dotted">
<item label="1.">
<para>Is a group of 12 Russian tourists, including members of the Russian Communist Party, now in Australia? </para>
</item>
<item label="2.">
<para>Were these tourists granted visitors' visas? If so, why are members of the Russian Communist Party granted visas to tour Australia while an ex-member of the Communist Party of Germany is refused a visa to visit his children and grandchildren? </para>
</item>
<item label="3.">
<para>Is membership of the Communist Party of one country more desirable than membership of the same party in another country, or is tourism more desirable than family reunions? </para>
</item>
</list>
</speech>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>1597</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>JZQ</name.id>
<electorate />
<party>LP</party>
<role />
<in.gov>1</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">ANDERSON, Kenneth</name>
<name role="display">Senator ANDERSON</name>
</talker>
<para>- The Minister has supplied the following answers - 1, 2 and 3. A group of 12 Russians entered Australia on 18th September 1964, as tourist visitors for a stay which varied between two and three weeks. They were granted visas for this purpose after having complied with the normal visitor requirements. Provided the application for a visitor's visa is made in good faith, and a visit only is intended, the policy as a general rule is not to refuse a visa solely on the grounds of the applicant's political affiliation, past or present </para>
</talk.start>
</speech>
</subdebate.1>
</debate>
<debate>
<debateinfo>
<title>QUESTION</title>
<page.no>1597</page.no>
<type>Questions</type>
</debateinfo>
<subdebate.1>
<subdebateinfo>
<title>AGED PERSONS HOMES</title>
<page.no>1597</page.no>
</subdebateinfo>
<para class="block">(Question No. 311.) </para>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>1597</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>K6F</name.id>
<electorate />
<party />
<role />
<in.gov>0</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">CAVANAGH, James</name>
<name role="display">Senator CAVANAGH</name>
</talker>
<para>asked the Minister representing the Minister for Social Services, upon notice - </para>
</talk.start>
<list type="decimal-dotted">
<item label="1.">
<para>In respect of how many grants made under the Aged Persons Homes Act have undertakings been received that the homes will continue to be usd as homes for aged people in accordance with section 8 (3.) of the Act? </para>
</item>
<item label="2.">
<para>How many grants have been made without any such undertakings being received? </para>
</item>
</list>
</speech>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>1598</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>JZQ</name.id>
<electorate />
<party>LP</party>
<role />
<in.gov>1</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">ANDERSON, Kenneth</name>
<name role="display">Senator ANDERSON</name>
</talker>
<para>- The Minister for Social Services has replied as follows - </para>
</talk.start>
<list type="decimal-dotted">
<item label="1.">
<para>326. </para>
</item>
<item label="2.">
<para>747. It is not the practice to require undertakings or agreements of this nature in the case of religious organisations. </para>
</item>
</list>
</speech>
</subdebate.1>
</debate>
<debate>
<debateinfo>
<title>QUESTION</title>
<page.no>1598</page.no>
<type>Questions</type>
</debateinfo>
<subdebate.1>
<subdebateinfo>
<title>DECIMAL CURRENCY</title>
<page.no>1598</page.no>
</subdebateinfo>
<para class="block">(Question No. 313.) </para>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>1598</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>KTL</name.id>
<electorate>through Senator Dame Annabelle Rankin</electorate>
<party />
<role />
<in.gov>0</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">MCKELLAR, Gerald</name>
<name role="display">Senator McKELLAR</name>
</talker>
<para>asked the Minister representing the Treasurer, upon notice - </para>
</talk.start>
<list type="decimal-dotted">
<item label="1.">
<para>Are the modifications to existing machines proposed by the Decimal Currency Board engineers being viewed with misgivings by the companies responsible for conversion on the grounds that machines converted in the manner suggested are likely to develop faults which could not be rectified? </para>
</item>
<item label="2.">
<para>Is it a fact that the Decimal Currency Board has not yet given any official approval for the ordering of conversion parts and that this will almost certainly delay the changeover planned to be completed by February, 1966? </para>
</item>
<item label="3.">
<para>Is the time limit tentatively laid down by the Decimal Currency Board engineers for the conversion of each machine considered by the major companies to be so short as to be incapable of fulfilment by fully trained mechanics let alone by the partly trained mechanics who of necessity will be called upon to carry out this work? </para>
</item>
</list>
</speech>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>1598</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>KOW</name.id>
<electorate />
<party>LP</party>
<role />
<in.gov>1</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">HENTY, Norman</name>
<name role="display">Senator HENTY</name>
</talker>
<para>- The Treasurer has supplied the following answers - </para>
</talk.start>
<list type="decimal-dotted">
<item label="1.">
<para>The Board is concerned to see that the conversion methods proposed by the machine companies are both efficient and economical and that they result in the least practicable inconvenience to machine owners. To this end, the Board's engineers are closely examining conversion methods put forward by the companies and have discussed a number of improvements and modifications with the companies concerned. </para>
</item>
<item label="2.">
<para>The Board has already approved in detail the machine conversion plans of individual banks, each of which will need to be fully changed over to decimal operation by February 1966. Following detailed discussions with the Board, each bank has already placed orders with distributing companies for the necessary numbers of new decimal machines, and machines which can be operated in both sterling and decimals. Arrangements have also been completed for the prior conversion of all bank£.s.d. machines which will be required to operate in decimals from February 1966. </para>
</item>
</list>