/
19670516_senate_26_s34.xml
3418 lines (3418 loc) · 373 KB
/
19670516_senate_26_s34.xml
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208
209
210
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221
222
223
224
225
226
227
228
229
230
231
232
233
234
235
236
237
238
239
240
241
242
243
244
245
246
247
248
249
250
251
252
253
254
255
256
257
258
259
260
261
262
263
264
265
266
267
268
269
270
271
272
273
274
275
276
277
278
279
280
281
282
283
284
285
286
287
288
289
290
291
292
293
294
295
296
297
298
299
300
301
302
303
304
305
306
307
308
309
310
311
312
313
314
315
316
317
318
319
320
321
322
323
324
325
326
327
328
329
330
331
332
333
334
335
336
337
338
339
340
341
342
343
344
345
346
347
348
349
350
351
352
353
354
355
356
357
358
359
360
361
362
363
364
365
366
367
368
369
370
371
372
373
374
375
376
377
378
379
380
381
382
383
384
385
386
387
388
389
390
391
392
393
394
395
396
397
398
399
400
401
402
403
404
405
406
407
408
409
410
411
412
413
414
415
416
417
418
419
420
421
422
423
424
425
426
427
428
429
430
431
432
433
434
435
436
437
438
439
440
441
442
443
444
445
446
447
448
449
450
451
452
453
454
455
456
457
458
459
460
461
462
463
464
465
466
467
468
469
470
471
472
473
474
475
476
477
478
479
480
481
482
483
484
485
486
487
488
489
490
491
492
493
494
495
496
497
498
499
500
501
502
503
504
505
506
507
508
509
510
511
512
513
514
515
516
517
518
519
520
521
522
523
524
525
526
527
528
529
530
531
532
533
534
535
536
537
538
539
540
541
542
543
544
545
546
547
548
549
550
551
552
553
554
555
556
557
558
559
560
561
562
563
564
565
566
567
568
569
570
571
572
573
574
575
576
577
578
579
580
581
582
583
584
585
586
587
588
589
590
591
592
593
594
595
596
597
598
599
600
601
602
603
604
605
606
607
608
609
610
611
612
613
614
615
616
617
618
619
620
621
622
623
624
625
626
627
628
629
630
631
632
633
634
635
636
637
638
639
640
641
642
643
644
645
646
647
648
649
650
651
652
653
654
655
656
657
658
659
660
661
662
663
664
665
666
667
668
669
670
671
672
673
674
675
676
677
678
679
680
681
682
683
684
685
686
687
688
689
690
691
692
693
694
695
696
697
698
699
700
701
702
703
704
705
706
707
708
709
710
711
712
713
714
715
716
717
718
719
720
721
722
723
724
725
726
727
728
729
730
731
732
733
734
735
736
737
738
739
740
741
742
743
744
745
746
747
748
749
750
751
752
753
754
755
756
757
758
759
760
761
762
763
764
765
766
767
768
769
770
771
772
773
774
775
776
777
778
779
780
781
782
783
784
785
786
787
788
789
790
791
792
793
794
795
796
797
798
799
800
801
802
803
804
805
806
807
808
809
810
811
812
813
814
815
816
817
818
819
820
821
822
823
824
825
826
827
828
829
830
831
832
833
834
835
836
837
838
839
840
841
842
843
844
845
846
847
848
849
850
851
852
853
854
855
856
857
858
859
860
861
862
863
864
865
866
867
868
869
870
871
872
873
874
875
876
877
878
879
880
881
882
883
884
885
886
887
888
889
890
891
892
893
894
895
896
897
898
899
900
901
902
903
904
905
906
907
908
909
910
911
912
913
914
915
916
917
918
919
920
921
922
923
924
925
926
927
928
929
930
931
932
933
934
935
936
937
938
939
940
941
942
943
944
945
946
947
948
949
950
951
952
953
954
955
956
957
958
959
960
961
962
963
964
965
966
967
968
969
970
971
972
973
974
975
976
977
978
979
980
981
982
983
984
985
986
987
988
989
990
991
992
993
994
995
996
997
998
999
1000
<?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>1967-05-16</date>
<parliament.no>26</parliament.no>
<session.no>1</session.no>
<period.no>1</period.no>
<chamber>SENATE</chamber>
<page.no>1549</page.no>
<proof>0</proof>
</session.header>
<chamber.xscript>
<business.start>
<day.start>1967-05-16</day.start>
<para>Iiic <inline font-weight="bold">PRESIDENT (Senator the Hon. Sir Alister McMuIlin)</inline> took the chair at 3 p.m., and read prayers. </para>
</business.start>
<debate>
<debateinfo>
<title>QUESTION</title>
<page.no>1549</page.no>
<type>Questions</type>
</debateinfo>
<subdebate.1>
<subdebateinfo>
<title>SYDNEY (KINGSFORD-SMITH) AIRPORT</title>
<page.no>1549</page.no>
</subdebateinfo>
<para>Sena'.or MCCLELLAND- Is the Minister representing the Minister for Works aware that the citizens of Sydney, Australia's largest and most populous capital city, are irate over the continual delays that are taking place in the provision of a satisfactory and suitable airport comparable with the city's international status? What action, if any, does the Government intend to take to ensure that the bureaucratic bungling that seems to have been evidenced by the failure of the Government to keep the Mascot airport in the running for retention of its original title as Australia's international air terminal is done away with? Will the Minister see that all steps are taken to overtake the lag that the Minister for Works now admits is taking place in the development of the Mascot airport, so that Sydney can rightfully retain at all times its reputation us the main commercial city and principal international air terminal of Australia? </para>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>1549</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>- The Minister for Civil Aviation has said repeatedly - and I, as his representative in this chamber, have repeated this - that the Sydney (KingsfordSmith) Airport is and will continue to be the main international airport of Australia. I cannot add anything to that statement. The part of the question relating to the work proceeding there is clearly a matter for the Minister for Works. I will draw to his attention the substance of the question, excluding the comment that the honourable senator made. </para>
</talk.start>
</speech>
</subdebate.1>
</debate>
<debate>
<debateinfo>
<title>QUESTION</title>
<page.no>1549</page.no>
<type>Questions</type>
</debateinfo>
<subdebate.1>
<subdebateinfo>
<title>INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS</title>
<page.no>1549</page.no>
</subdebateinfo>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>1549</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>KBW</name.id>
<electorate>TASMANIA</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>- I direct a question to the Minister representing the Minister for External Affairs. I refer to a matter that is rather more important than the Sydney airport or the Melbourne airport - the statement issued by U Thant, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, carrying overtones of warning of a phase of a third world war. I ask the Minister whether he will request the Minister for External Affairs to make a brief statement in the Parliament before it rises, for the information of the Parliament and consideration by the people, on his assessment of the risks referred to in the statement made by U Thant. </para>
</talk.start>
</speech>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>1549</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>KH5</name.id>
<electorate>VICTORIA</electorate>
<party>LP</party>
<role />
<in.gov>0</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">GORTON, John</name>
<name role="display">Senator GORTON</name>
</talker>
<para>- I will convey the honourable senator's suggestion to the Minister for External Affairs. </para>
</talk.start>
</speech>
</subdebate.1>
</debate>
<debate>
<debateinfo>
<title>QUESTION</title>
<page.no>1549</page.no>
<type>Questions</type>
</debateinfo>
<subdebate.1>
<subdebateinfo>
<title>PAPUA AND NEW GUINEA</title>
<page.no>1549</page.no>
</subdebateinfo>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>1549</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>K1T</name.id>
<electorate>QUEENSLAND</electorate>
<party />
<role />
<in.gov>0</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">BENN, Archibald</name>
<name role="display">Senator BENN</name>
</talker>
<para>- Will the Minister representing the Minister for Territories cause me to be issued with a copy of the decision of the arbitrator who decided a claim for increased wages and salaries in Papua and New Guinea last week? </para>
</talk.start>
</speech>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>1549</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>KH5</name.id>
<electorate>VICTORIA</electorate>
<party>LP</party>
<role />
<in.gov>0</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">GORTON, John</name>
<name role="display">Senator GORTON</name>
</talker>
<para>- I wil 1 ask the Minister for Territories to issue such a copy to the honourable senator if such copies are available for issue. </para>
</talk.start>
</speech>
</subdebate.1>
</debate>
<debate>
<debateinfo>
<title>QUESTION</title>
<page.no>1549</page.no>
<type>Questions</type>
</debateinfo>
<subdebate.1>
<subdebateinfo>
<title>SCHOOL CURRICULA</title>
<page.no>1549</page.no>
</subdebateinfo>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>1549</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>JTT</name.id>
<electorate>SOUTH AUSTRALIA</electorate>
<party />
<role />
<in.gov>0</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">DAVIDSON, Gordon</name>
<name role="display">Senator DAVIDSON</name>
</talker>
<para>- I ask the Minister for Education and Science whether he read the reported statement by <inline font-weight="bold">Dr G.</inline> lt. Meyer in Hobart warning Australian school authorities not to import potentially dangerous curricula - as he described them - from the United States. Would the Minister agree that millions of dollars have been spent on these courses? If so, and in view of the Commonwealth's involvement in Australian education, would the Minister initiate inquiries to ascertain if the facts stated by <inline font-weight="bold">Dr Meyer</inline> are correct and, further, will he confer with State education authorities on the matter? </para>
</talk.start>
</speech>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>1549</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>KH5</name.id>
<electorate>VICTORIA</electorate>
<party>LP</party>
<role />
<in.gov>0</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">GORTON, John</name>
<name role="display">Senator GORTON</name>
</talker>
<para>- 1 saw the statement issued by the professor but took it to be a warning against importing particular curricula without prior critical evaluation of them. He referred to curricula from the United States, but no doubt would apply the same criteria to those from the United Kingdom or any other source. In other words, these curricula should be evaluated by the education authorities in this country before they are brought into the Australian schools. <inline font-weight="bold">Dr Meyer</inline> mentioned millions of dollars being spent but, again from the context, I took him to mean that millions of dollars had been spent in the United States of America. I would have no knowledge whether that is true or not, but it is the function of the Department of Education in each State to decide on the curricula it will introduce. All I can say is that I believe that the State education authorities would evaluate critically any material before it was introduced into their schools. </para>
</talk.start>
</speech>
</subdebate.1>
</debate>
<debate>
<debateinfo>
<title>QUESTION</title>
<page.no>1550</page.no>
<type>Questions</type>
</debateinfo>
<subdebate.1>
<subdebateinfo>
<title>ADELAIDE AIRPORT</title>
<page.no>1550</page.no>
</subdebateinfo>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>1550</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>K1Y</name.id>
<electorate>SOUTH AUSTRALIA</electorate>
<party />
<role />
<in.gov>0</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">BISHOP, Reginald</name>
<name role="display">Senator BISHOP</name>
</talker>
<para>- I ask the Minister representing the Minister for Civil Aviation whether to his knowledge the South Australian Premier made a request to the Minister for Civil Aviation that the proposed extensions to the Adelaide airport should be commenced as soon as possible. Is the Minister aware that congestion at the terminal building continues to increase during peak hours and that the recently completed extended parking areas will attract more visitors to the terminal? Will the Minister advise the Senate when the work might be commenced? I ask the Minister also why tenders are being called for a private concession to operate the new airport parking areas rather than appointing departmental staff to do the work. </para>
</talk.start>
</speech>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>1550</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 honourable senator asked about six questions, which I believe need to be referred to the Minister for Civil Aviation in order that the answers will be completely accurate. However, in relation to the first question, my answer would be: not within my knowledge. At the same time, in the context in which the questions have been asked, I believe the whole matter should be referred to the Minister for Civil Aviation. </para>
</talk.start>
</speech>
</subdebate.1>
</debate>
<debate>
<debateinfo>
<title>QUESTION</title>
<page.no>1550</page.no>
<type>Questions</type>
</debateinfo>
<subdebate.1>
<subdebateinfo>
<title>CIVIL AVIATION</title>
<page.no>1550</page.no>
</subdebateinfo>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>1550</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>- I ask the Minister representing the Minister for Civil Aviation a question without notice. In view of the announcement that feeder services will operate in country areas, will the Minister assure the Senate that full safety regulations will be enforced and all Department of Civil Aviation standards will be fully complied with in connection with these new air services? </para>
</talk.start>
</speech>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>1550</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 can give a categorical yes to that question. The condition under which any feeder service would be permitted would be that it will be under the direct and absolute control of the Department of Civil Aviation. I give a complete assurance that there will be no suggestion at any stage of any weakening of the very rigid safety requirements imposed by the Department. </para>
</talk.start>
</speech>
</subdebate.1>
</debate>
<debate>
<debateinfo>
<title>QUESTION</title>
<page.no>1550</page.no>
<type>Questions</type>
</debateinfo>
<subdebate.1>
<subdebateinfo>
<title>DEFENCE FORCES RETIREMENT BENEFITS FUND</title>
<page.no>1550</page.no>
</subdebateinfo>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>1550</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>KAS</name.id>
<electorate>VICTORIA</electorate>
<party />
<role />
<in.gov>0</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">WEBSTER, James</name>
<name role="display">Senator WEBSTER</name>
</talker>
<para>- My question refers to possible amendment of the Defence Forces Retirement Benefits Fund Act, and I address it to the Leader of the Government in the Senate. Is the Minister aware that in May 1965 the present Minister for Health, who was then Minister for the Army, stated that Bills amending the Defence Forces Retirement Benefits Fund Act would be introduced in the Budget session of that year? The Minister will recall that on 6th April this year I again asked a question regarding this matter, and that he indicated that a statement was to be made soon to Cabinet. Is any proposed amendment to the Defence Forces Retirement Benefits Fund Act expected prior to the completion of this session of Parliament? </para>
</talk.start>
<interjection>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>1550</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>KOW</name.id>
<electorate />
<party />
<role />
<in.gov>0</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">HENTY, Norman</name>
<name role="display">Senator Henty</name>
</talker>
<para>- <inline font-weight="bold">Senator Gorton</inline> will answer the question. </para>
</talk.start>
</interjection>
</speech>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>1550</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>KH5</name.id>
<electorate>VICTORIA</electorate>
<party>LP</party>
<role />
<in.gov>0</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">GORTON, John</name>
<name role="display">Senator GORTON</name>
</talker>
<para>- I believe that question should be submitted to the Minister for Defence, whom I represent in this chamber. All I can do is to ask the Minister for Defence what the present situation is and to let the honourable senator know the stage that has been reached in the matter. </para>
</talk.start>
</speech>
</subdebate.1>
</debate>
<debate>
<debateinfo>
<title>QUESTION</title>
<page.no>1550</page.no>
<type>Questions</type>
</debateinfo>
<subdebate.1>
<subdebateinfo>
<title>AIRPORTS AT SYDNEY AND MELBOURNE</title>
<page.no>1550</page.no>
</subdebateinfo>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>1550</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>- My question is directed to the Leader of the Government. Does he recall that on an occasion when he met a deputation of New South Wales Labor senators when he was Minister for Civil Aviation he undertook on behalf of the Government that the airports at Mascot and Tullamarine would be finished simultaneously to the very day? Will he endeavor on behalf of the Government to have presented for the information of the Senate a full statement about the delays at Mascot and their causes and about what is being done to ensure that his undertaking is carried out? </para>
</talk.start>
</speech>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>1551</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 remember the deputation well, but what the Leader of the Opposition has said is not quite correct. The Department of Civil Aviation is not the constructing authority. The Department of Works is the constructing authority and the Department of Civil Aviation is the client Department. At the time when the representations were made to me my knowledge of the plans then projected for the airports at both Mascot and Tullamarine suggested that the finishing times of the works at both would have been very close. 1 can give the honourable senator no further information. However. I may add that the Department of Civil Aviation was at that time criticised and has since been criticised in the Press a number of times because (he now runway extending into Botany Bay was taken to a total length of 9.100 feet, giving an operative length of 8.5(H) feel. I read in the Press a comment, which. 1 think, was attributed to a State Minister and which was to the effect that this represented a complete waste of money as the dredge that had been engaged was taken overseas when the runway was finished. lt was suggested at the lime that the runway should have been taken to an operative length of 10.000 feet. The clear answer always given to this proposal was: 'When wc know what length of runway is required the job will be done.' It now appears that when jumbo jets come into service a runway with an operative length of 12,000 ket or 13.000 feet will be needed. I am not associated with the Department of Civil Aviation now and I do not know whether this is correct. I say only that what I have read makes it appear that a runway of Ibis length could be needed. If we had already constructed the runway to an operative length of 10,000 feet, as we were so strongly pressed to do earlier, and the dredge engaged on the job had then departed, we would perhaps have to bring it back so that the runway could be extended to 13.000 feet. Another comment made earlier when the runway was constructed to an operative length of 8,500 feet was that the rock face on the end of it would be wasted: this would apply if it had been extended to 10,000 feet. As well as the dredge having to be brought back, another rock face would have to be built at 12,000 or 13,000 feet. This would apply to the extension of the runway to any required length. </para>
</talk.start>
<para>No one yet knows what the ultimate requirements at Mascot will be. I say to <inline font-weight="bold">Senator McClelland</inline> who is trying to interject that [ am dealing with the question of the runway at the moment. 1 have here a note of the point raised by the honourable senator. No-one knows yet - no-one can teH us - what length of runway these aircraft will require at Sydney. The matter to which the honourable senator refers will be dealt with when the length of the runway is known. The Leader of the Opposition reminds me that 1 did not remark on the statement by the Minister for Civil Aviation. If there is a statement by the Minister who is charged with all the responsibilities to which I have been blithely referring, I am sure that he will be prepared to make it available to the Senate. </para>
</speech>
</subdebate.1>
</debate>
<debate>
<debateinfo>
<title>QUESTION</title>
<page.no>1551</page.no>
<type>Questions</type>
</debateinfo>
<subdebate.1>
<subdebateinfo>
<title>INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS</title>
<page.no>1551</page.no>
</subdebateinfo>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>1551</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>CJO</name.id>
<electorate>WESTERN AUSTRALIA</electorate>
<party />
<role />
<in.gov>0</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">WHEELDON, John</name>
<name role="display">Senator WHEELDON</name>
</talker>
<para>- I wish to address a question to the Minister representing the Minister for External Affairs. It refers to the question by <inline font-weight="bold">Senator Wright</inline> in which he asked the Minister to invite his colleague to consider making a statement on the fears expressed by U Thant as to the possibility of a third world war. If the Minister makes such a statement, will he consider making a statement also on the fears expressed in the past few days by Pope Paul on the imminent danger of the third world war? </para>
</talk.start>
</speech>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>1551</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>KH5</name.id>
<electorate>VICTORIA</electorate>
<party>LP</party>
<role />
<in.gov>0</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">GORTON, John</name>
<name role="display">Senator GORTON</name>
</talker>
<para>- I am sure that if the Minister for External Affairs, having had brought to his notice a suggestion that he might make a statement, makes a statement, he will cover all the mailers that he considers appropriate to be covered at that time. </para>
</talk.start>
</speech>
</subdebate.1>
</debate>
<debate>
<debateinfo>
<title>QUESTION</title>
<page.no>1551</page.no>
<type>Questions</type>
</debateinfo>
<subdebate.1>
<subdebateinfo>
<title>TAXATION</title>
<page.no>1551</page.no>
</subdebateinfo>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>1551</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>JZB</name.id>
<electorate>NEW SOUTH WALES</electorate>
<party />
<role />
<in.gov>0</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">FITZGERALD, Joseph</name>
<name role="display">Senator FITZGERALD</name>
</talker>
<para>- 1 ask the </para>
</talk.start>
<para class="block">Minister representing the Treasurer whether he is aware that trainee nurses cannot claim income tax rebates for money spent on the purchase of text books, but that fully trained nursing sisters can do so. Will the Minister take this matter up with the Treasurer with a view to having this obvious anomaly rectified in the forthcoming Budget or by instructions to the Taxation Branch? </para>
</speech>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>1552</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>- 1 take it that the honourable member is saying that the cost of text books purchased by trainee nurses is not an allowable deduction for taxation purposes whereas the cost of text books purchased by nursing sisters is an allowable deduction. I will pose this question to the Treasurer to see whether I can obtain an answer for the honourable senator. </para>
</talk.start>
</speech>
</subdebate.1>
</debate>
<debate>
<debateinfo>
<title>QUESTION</title>
<page.no>1552</page.no>
<type>Questions</type>
</debateinfo>
<subdebate.1>
<subdebateinfo>
<title>REFERENDUM</title>
<page.no>1552</page.no>
</subdebateinfo>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>1552</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>KSS</name.id>
<electorate>SOUTH AUSTRALIA</electorate>
<party />
<role />
<in.gov>0</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">MATTNER, Edward</name>
<name role="display">Senator MATTNER</name>
</talker>
<para>- I ask the Leader of the Government in the Senate whether he has seen in nearly all newspapers this morning a statement attributed to the Prime Minister when speaking in support of the referendum. Dealing with the No case the Prime Minister said: </para>
</talk.start>
<quote>
<para>The case they put to you is the basest suggestion that your National Parliament has conspired in some way to undermine the Senate and they add the sneering imputation that the members elected by you are lazy and inefficient. </para>
</quote>
<para class="block">If the Leader of the Government in the Senate has read the No case, I ask him whether he can find any imputation to that effect in it. </para>
</speech>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>1552</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 have read the No case and I have seen a reference by those who are advocating it to the effect that no more members of Parliament are wanted but that belter members are required. Similar slurs have been made on members of Parliament. I have read also some comments made that various persons are only part-time members of Parliament. Speaking for myself, I deprecate that part of the No case which is an appeal merely to the prejudice of the people when it says: 'You do not want more politicians'. This, I think, is an appeal to pure prejudice and I regret that it has been brought into the matter. If the honourable senator wants any more information from the Prime Minister, I will send him a copy of the statement that the right honourable gentleman has made on the Yes case. Perhaps if the honourable senator read it he would be interested and learn some facts regarding the Yes case. I suggest that he study the Yes case because I believe that it is in the interests of Australia that the electors vote Yes in the referendum. </para>
</talk.start>
</speech>
</subdebate.1>
</debate>
<debate>
<debateinfo>
<title>QUESTION</title>
<page.no>1552</page.no>
<type>Questions</type>
</debateinfo>
<subdebate.1>
<subdebateinfo>
<title>RAILWAYS</title>
<page.no>1552</page.no>
</subdebateinfo>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>1552</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>K7Y</name.id>
<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>- I ask a question of the Minister representing the Minister for </para>
</talk.start>
<para class="block">Shipping and Transport. In connection with the standard gauge railway between Western Australia and the eastern States, is the decision final and irrevocable to have the western terminal at Midland Junction, 11 miles from Perth? Has consideration been given to having die terminal situated nearer to Perth or, perhaps better still, at Fremantle which would be much more convenient for overseas passengers disembarking at, and embarking from, that excellent port? </para>
</speech>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>1552</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>- Quite clearly I am not competent to give final decisions for the Minister for Shipping and Transport. I do know, of course, that the matter of the terminal has been under current examination. In fact we have had questions in this place in relation to it over the last few weeks. I will attempt to obtain a reply from the Minister and will communicate same to the honourable senator. </para>
</talk.start>
</speech>
</subdebate.1>
</debate>
<debate>
<debateinfo>
<title>QUESTION</title>
<page.no>1552</page.no>
<type>Questions</type>
</debateinfo>
<subdebate.1>
<subdebateinfo>
<title>NATIONAL SERVICE TRAINING</title>
<page.no>1552</page.no>
</subdebateinfo>
<para>(Question No. 30) </para>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>1552</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>CJO</name.id>
<electorate />
<party />
<role />
<in.gov>0</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">WHEELDON, John</name>
<name role="display">Senator WHEELDON</name>
</talker>
<para>asked the Minister representing the Minister for the Army, upon notice: </para>
</talk.start>
<quote>
<para>Were some national service trainees, who had been on leave in Western Australia prior to their being posted to Vietnam and who left Perth by train to return to their camp at Enoggera, Queensland, on 13th or 14th January last, provided with sleeper accommodation as far as Kalgoorlie but from there on had to sit up all the way to Queensland? If so, will the Minister take steps to prevent a repetition of this treatment of these young conscripts? </para>
</quote>
</speech>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>1552</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>KTL</name.id>
<electorate>NEW SOUTH WALES</electorate>
<party>CP</party>
<role>Minister for Repatriation</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>- The Minister for the Army has provided the following answer to the honourable senator's question: </para>
</talk.start>
<quote>
<para>National servicemen are entitled to the same class of travel provided for other members of the Regular Army according to rank and, for that matter, for similar ranks of other armed Services. This entitles members up to the rank of staff sergeant to second class rail travel. The type of accommodation provided for second class travel by the various railway systems is a matter for the railway authorities concerned. </para>
<para>Sleeping berths are provided by the railways for all passengers travelling from Perth to Kalgoorlie at no extra cost. From Kalgoorlie to Port Pirie, however, second class accommodation consists of a combination of sleeping berths or reclining seats also at no extra cost, which are allotted to passengers according to availability and individual choice. From Port Pirie onwards to Brisbane sleepping berths are not available to second class passengers. </para>
<para>In the case in question, rail bookings were made by the Army for nine national servicemen to travel from Perth to Brisbane on 13th-14th January 1967. All these soldiers were returning to their units after recreation leave and not following preembarkation leave, as suggested. As the members travelled at a time when rail bookings were particularly heavy because of the post Christmas/New Year holiday traffic, only three sleeping berths were available from Kalgoorlie to Port Pirie. </para>
</quote>
</speech>
</subdebate.1>
</debate>
<debate>
<debateinfo>
<title>QUESTION</title>
<page.no>1553</page.no>
<type>Questions</type>
</debateinfo>
<subdebate.1>
<subdebateinfo>
<title>HOUSING</title>
<page.no>1553</page.no>
</subdebateinfo>
<para class="block">(Question No. 147) </para>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>1553</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>asked the Minister for Housing, upon notice: </para>
</talk.start>
<list type="decimal-dotted">
<item label="1.">
<para>How many applications have been made and approved in each of the Slates under the housing loans insurance legislation? </para>
</item>
<item label="2.">
<para>What are the total sums of money involved in these applications? </para>
</item>
<item label="3.">
<para>Has a study been made as to why, if such is the case, the number of applications made in South Australia is below the Australian average per thousand of population? </para>
</item>
</list>
<interjection>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>1553</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>K28</name.id>
<electorate />
<party />
<role />
<in.gov>0</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">RANKIN, Annabelle</name>
<name role="display">Senator Dame ANNABELLE RANKIN</name>
</talker>
<para>- The Housing Loans Insurance Corporation has supplied the following answers: 1 and 2. Loans insured at 21st April 1967: </para>
</talk.start>
</interjection>
<para class="block">
<graphic href="034232196705162_4_0.jpg" />
</para>
<list type="decimal-dotted">
<item label="3.">
<para>The volume of business written by the Corporation in South Australia is not markedly different, on a per capita basis, from the Corporation's experience in most other States. The differences that do exist between States are due largely to the varying stages of development reached by the building society movement. (Question No. 149) </para>
</item>
</list>
<para>
<inline font-weight="bold">Senator CAVANAGH</inline>(through <inline font-weight="bold">Senator</inline></para>
<para>Poke) asked the Minister for Housing, upon notice: </para>
<list type="decimal-dotted">
<item label="1.">
<para>How many loans mortgaged with the Housing Loans Insurance Corporation are for the purchase of homes built prior to World War II? </para>
</item>
<item label="2.">
<para>How many of these loans are for pre-war homes in country areas? </para>
</item>
<item label="3.">
<para>How many of these loans are for terraced cottages in Balmain, New South Wales? </para>
</item>
</list>
<interjection>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>1553</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>K28</name.id>
<electorate />
<party />
<role />
<in.gov>0</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">RANKIN, Annabelle</name>
<name role="display">Senator Dame ANNABELLE RANKIN</name>
</talker>
<para>- The Housing Loans Insurance Corporation has supplied the following answers: </para>
</talk.start>
</interjection>
<list type="decimal-dotted">
<item label="1.">
<para>Latest statistics available are those at 30th June 1966 which showed that, of the 442 loans insured to that date for the purchase of a previously-occupied house, 119 - or 27% - were for houses built prior to World War II. 2 and 3. These statistics have notbeen compiled but some loans of each type have been insured. </para>
</item>
</list>
</speech>
</subdebate.1>
</debate>
<debate>
<debateinfo>
<title>QUESTION</title>
<page.no>1553</page.no>
<type>Questions</type>
</debateinfo>
<subdebate.1>
<subdebateinfo>
<title>IMMIGRATION</title>
<page.no>1553</page.no>
</subdebateinfo>
<para>(Question No. 170) </para>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>1553</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>KVK</name.id>
<electorate>NEW SOUTH WALES</electorate>
<party />
<role />
<in.gov>0</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">MULVIHILL, James</name>
<name role="display">Senator MULVIHILL</name>
</talker>
<para>asked the Minister representing the Minister for Immigration upon notice: </para>
</talk.start>
<list type="decimal-dotted">
<item label="1.">
<para>In view of the recent press announcement by a spokesman of Giovenco Bros (Overseas) Pty Ltd. a large building construction firm in Sydney, that the firm proposes to construct a private migrant hostel, does this proposed action indicate renewal of, or additional, migrant agreements with European countries? </para>
</item>
<item label="2.">
<para>Does the Minister contemplate visiting Europe during the forthcoming parliamentary adjournment to confer with European governments concerning future migrants? </para>
</item>
</list>
<interjection>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>1553</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>K28</name.id>
<electorate />
<party />
<role />
<in.gov>0</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">RANKIN, Annabelle</name>
<name role="display">Senator Dame ANNABELLE RANKIN</name>
</talker>
<para>- The Minister for Immigration has supplied the following answers: </para>
</talk.start>
</interjection>
<list type="decimal-dotted">
<item label="1.">
<para>There is no connection between the proposed construction of a private migrant hostel by a firm in Sydney and migration agreements with European countries. </para>
</item>
<item label="2.">
<para>Yes. </para>
</item>
</list>
</speech>
</subdebate.1>
</debate>
<debate>
<debateinfo>
<title>COMMONWEALTH WAR GRAVES COMMISSION</title>
<page.no>1553</page.no>
<type>miscellaneous</type>
</debateinfo>
<subdebate.1>
<subdebateinfo>
<title>Ministerial Statement</title>
<page.no>1553</page.no>
</subdebateinfo>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>1553</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>KOW</name.id>
<electorate>Tasmania</electorate>
<party>LP</party>
<role>Minister for Supply</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>- by leave - The statement I propose to make was made a short while ago in another place by the Prime Minister <inline font-weight="bold">(Mr Harold Holt).</inline> Honourable senators will understand that when I use the first person personal pronoun it refers to the Prime Minister. The statement is as follows: </para>
</talk.start>
<para>I wish to remind honourable members that 1967 marks the fiftieth anniversary of the establishment of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission which originally was known as the Imperial War Graves Commission. In a few days time, Australia will be represented by our High Commissioner in London at a special fiftieth anniversary meeting of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission presided over by </para>
<para class="block">His Royal Highness the Duke of Gloucester. In more than 23,700 burial places throughout the world are the graves of nearly one and three quarter million men and women of the former Imperial Forces who died in two World Wars. Of these, more than 100,000 were Australians. </para>
<para>All who have visited any of the war cemeteries must have been moved by their beauty and by the care with which they are tended. The efforts of many are involved, and to them I extend our thanks - to the architects, engineers, builders and horticulturalists who have created these places and to the researchers who so far as is humanly practicable, have made sure that each man and woman who died in the cause of freedom in either of the two World Wars has been honoured by name. I am sure it is a matter of pride to us all that our honoured dead are cared for in this way. The Commission itself is a Commonwealth body formed by the member countries of the Commonwealth to honour their dead of the two World Wars. Each war cemetery, each memorial, each individual grave is a tribute paid jointly by a united Commonwealth of Nations. We take pride in the fact that Australia is an active partner in this organisation. </para>
<para>Tn this year of the fiftieth anniversary of the establishment of the Commission, we place on record our very sincere appreciation of the work that has been carried out, and still continues. I have no doubt that this statement carries the support of all members of the House. I propose to send the President of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission a message in the following terms: </para>
<quote>
<para>On behalf of the Parliament and people of Australia 1 would like to express to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission our sincere appreciation for the manner in which it is carrying out the task of commemorating and honouring the dead of the two World Wars and to assure you of our continuing support and confidence in the future. On this Fiftieth Anniversary, the Commission can look buck with a true sense of pride at its achievements over the years. </para>
</quote>
</speech>
</subdebate.1>
</debate>
<debate>
<debateinfo>
<title>KENNEDY ROUND</title>
<page.no>1554</page.no>
<type>miscellaneous</type>
</debateinfo>
<subdebate.1>
<subdebateinfo>
<title>Ministerial Statement</title>
<page.no>1554</page.no>
</subdebateinfo>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>1554</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>KOW</name.id>
<electorate>Tasmania</electorate>
<party>LP</party>
<role>Minister for Supply</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>- by leave - The statement 1 propose to make is being made in another place by the Prime Minister <inline font-weight="bold">(Mr Harold</inline></para>
</talk.start>
<para class="block">Holt). Honourable senators will understand that when I use the first person personal pronoun it refers to the Prime Minister. The statement is a follows: ) can tell the House that I have just this morning been informed by <inline font-weight="bold">Mr McEwen</inline> from Geneva that the DirectorGeneral of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade has announced that agreement has been reached on the elements of a successful Kennedy Round. This is the outcome as at present seen of negotiations over some four years and. even on the limited information as yet available, can be said to represent a major success in reducing barriers to world trade. </para>
<para>As honourable members will know, this important series of negotiations was initialed by the late President John F. Kennedy with the objective of achieving a significant liberalisation of world trade covering all classes of products, both industrial and agricultural. It is in relation to agricultural products, of course, that Australia has been most concerned to achieve better trading conditions. </para>
<para>After the difficult negotiations of the past few weeks in Geneva, it is gratifying that the major traders of the world have been able to reconcile their conflicting interests and to reach agreement on arrangements which offer benefits not only as between themselves but also to the less developed countries of the world. I understand that the net effect of the Kennedy Round could be a reduction in tariffs in the industrialised countries of the order of 30% covering trade to the value of some SUS40 billion. </para>
<para>It is not yet possible to provide members with full details of the overall settlement reached in Geneva. In fact, discussions on some items of importance to Australia are continuing. I can, however, say that with respect to one of our major export commodities - wheat - we have achieved more satisfactory arrangements than at various stages of negotiations seemed attainable. Agreement has been reached which will ensure that world wheat marketing will continue on an orderly basis and within the framework of internationally agreed rules of trading. </para>
<para>A new minimum price has been established some 20c per bushel above the minimum in the present International </para>
<para class="block">Wheat Agreement. This in itself is a worthwhile gain. It establishes a new floor for world wheat prices. At present we are, of course, selling our wheat above this level in world markets and we hope that wc shall continue to do so. But it is reassuring to know that if a situation of world surpluses were to emerge, we have the protection of a higher and firmer floor price than we have had up to the present. Furthermore, the price arrangements are such as to retain Australia's competitive position in world markets. </para>
<para>Another important element of the agreement on wheat is the acceptance by the developed countries including the European Economic Community, the United Kingdom and J'apan, that they should share equitably wilh the wheat exporting countries the burden of providing food aid. This is a principle which Australia has been pressing ever since the commencement of the Kennedy Round negotiations. The new arrangement will mean that the food producing countries of the world will no longer be looked to alone in providing this food aid. </para>
<para>At this stage. I am nol in a position to inform honourable members of the details of the negotiations on meat. Detailed discussions arc in fact still proceeding in Geneva but our delegation is confident thai valuable gains will bc achieved in our meal trading arrangements. Moreover, in the totality of the Kennedy Round there will be other benefits which will assist a number of other Australian industries. Details of these benefits will be made available when the negotiations have been concluded. </para>
<para>It is the nature of international negotiations in which conflicting interests must be reconciled and a balance of advantage struck, that governments cannot achieve all their negotiating objectives. Nevertheless, what has been achieved in the Kennedy Round represents a real move forward in the whole area of international trade, and one from which Australia can expect lo derive important trading benefits. </para>
</speech>
</subdebate.1>
</debate>
<debate>
<debateinfo>
<title>NEW BUSINESS AFTER 10.30 P.M</title>
<page.no>1555</page.no>
<type>miscellaneous</type>
</debateinfo>
<para>Motion (by <inline font-weight="bold">Senator Henty)</inline> agreed to: </para>
<quote>
<para>Tiwi standing order 68 be suspended up to and including Friday, 19 May 1967, to enable new business to be commenced after 10.30 p.m. </para>
</quote>
</debate>
<debate>
<debateinfo>
<title>ASSENT TO BILLS</title>
<page.no>1555</page.no>
<type>bill</type>
</debateinfo>
<para>Assent to the following Bills reported: </para>
<quote>
<para class="block">National Debt Sinking Fund Bill 1967. Diplomatic Privileges and Immunities Bill 1967. Customs Tariff Bill (No. 2) 1967. Excise Tariff Bill 1967. Income Tax Assessment Bill 1967. Pay-roll Tax Assessment Bill 1967. Sales Tax (Exemptions and Classifications) Bill 1967. </para>
<para>Sheltered Employment (Assistance) Bill 1967. </para>
</quote>
</debate>
<debate>
<debateinfo>
<title>TASMANIA GRANT (FIRE RELIEF) BILL 1967</title>
<page.no>1555</page.no>
<type>bill</type>
</debateinfo>
<subdebate.1>
<subdebateinfo>
<title>Second Reading</title>
<page.no>1555</page.no>
</subdebateinfo>
<para>Debate resumed from 11 May (vide page 1376), on motion by <inline font-weight="bold">Senator Henty:</inline></para>
<quote>
<para>That the Bill hu now read a second time. </para>
</quote>
<para>
<inline font-weight="bold">Senator DEVITT</inline>(Tasmania) [3.35J - The Tasmania Grant (Fire Relief) Bill which is now before the Senate has for its purpose the authorisation of the payment of the sum of $ 14.5m to assist the State of Tasmania in financing the cost of measures designed to alleviate the effect of the disastrous fires which occurred in Tasmania on 7th February of this year. I. do not think that it would be proper for me at this stage to attempt to recount to the Senate the details, chapter and verse, of that happening, because I believe that honourable senators have learned a great deal about the problem which arose out of that event. Suffice it for me to ay that on Tuesday, 7th February 1967 from the fires that came up quite suddenly there resulted loss of homes, loss of business premises, loss of schools, loss of farm stock, implements, sheds, equipment and even paslures, loss of apples and small fruit crops, loss of churches, cars, personal possessions, and treasured and irreplacable items of deep sentimental value - virtually, in fact, the loss of everything but hope so far as the people were concerned in an area of approximately 400 square miles in the State of Tasmania which was ravaged by the fires on that day. </para>
<para>As 1 have said, I do not want to deal with the intimate details of that occasion because I do not believe that it is necessary for me to do so in a debate of this kind. What I think I ought to do is to acknowledge the speed with which the Governments of Tasmania :\nd the Commonwealth came together in an endeavour to resolve many of the problems that resulted from that happening. I believe it would be proper for me at this stage to acknowledge, firstly, the tremendous work undertaken by the Premier of Tasmania and his Government, and the high level of assistance and cooperation that was given to the Government of Tasmania by the Federal Government. It will be recalled that immediately upon this happening the Prime Minister <inline font-weight="bold">(Mr Harold Holt)</inline> dispatched to Tasmania the Minister for Air <inline font-weight="bold">(Mr Howson)</inline> to look after the Commonwealth's interests in the matter and to liaise to the maximum extent possible with the Tasmanian Premier and his Government on measures designed to alleviate the distress and suffering that resulted from the fires. So it is proper for me to acknowledge that possibly the greatest occasion of co-operation of this kind in the history of governments in Australia arose from that event. </para>
<para>As a result of the damage and destruction that took place on that day, measures were designed for the alleviation of distress. One of the first actions taken was that of the Premier of Tasmania in making an announcement to the effect that those people who had lost their homes would be rehoused. I think the knowledge that their homes at least would be replaced did a great deal towards relieving some of the distress and worry of the people affected. The Premier also indicated that further steps would be taken as time went on to assess the degree of damage overall so that by a co-operative effort of the State and Federal Governments as much of the damage would be met and as much replacement of buildings and things of that kind would be undertaken as was possible in the circumstances. The value of the damage has been estimated at a total of S35m. </para>
<interjection>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>1556</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>- What was that figure? </para>
</talk.start>
</interjection>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>1556</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>JUH</name.id>
<electorate>TASMANIA</electorate>
<party />
<role />
<in.gov>0</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">DEVITT, Donald</name>
<name role="display">Senator DEVITT</name>
</talker>
<para>- The total damage was estimated at $35m but I believe that it is completely impossible to estimate in money the extent of the damage as it will not be fully realised for a number of years. There was joint consultation between the Premier of Tasmania and <inline font-weight="bold">Mr Howson,</inline> and later between the Premier and the Prime Minister who immediately upon his return to Australia visited the fire areas. As a result of discussions the Commonwealth Government ultimately presented to the Parliament a Bill to authorise the expenditure of Si 4.5m, of which amount $6.8m is to be a grant and §7. 7m is to be a loan to Tasmania. Beyond that Commonwealth aid, the wonderful and spontaneous generosity of people throughout Australia - and in fact overseas - has raised an amount of $4m for the Tasmanian Governor's Fire Relief Fund. The Fund is being used lo provide furniture and household necessities and also to assist people who as a result of the fires have lost their income and have need to be sustained until their properties can be returned to production. </para>
</talk.start>
<para>The first problem was to undertake the reconstruction of about 1,400 homes which were destroyed in the fires. In addition a tremendous amount of damage was done in the rural communities, lt is therefore difficult to calculate the full extent of the damage. Since 7th February last the position has been very much aggravated by a sustained drought, mainly in the area affected by the fires. Since the loss of pastures, sheds and farm equipment of different types there has been no growth of pasture to enable the people in the rural community to carry on their normal farming activities. So they are in a bad way. </para>
<para>One of the side effects is that in the rural communities the homes of farm workers were destroyed on the properties and the only assistance available to primary producers there is through loans. Difficulties arise because the loans bear interest charges, notwithstanding the fact that it has been decided to defer commencement of repayments for five years. I suggest to the Senate that as these primary producers are now encumbered with financial obligations far in excess of what would normally have been the case, in many instances it is completely impossible for them to accept a further debt obligation, the repayment of which - at least in the foreseeable future - seems to be hopeless. Honourable senators should bear in mind that some of the areas ravaged by fires were covered by orchards. It has been estimated that it takes from five to seven years for new trees to produce fruit. I have given a small indication of the great problems which face the people in the rural areas. </para>
<para>I understand that over 2,100 applications for assistance have been presented to the Tasmanian Government authorities. Three or four days ago, approximately 200 applications for assistance had yet to be processed. </para>
<interjection>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>1557</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>KRG</name.id>
<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>- The honourable senator does not mean from farmers only, does he? </para>
</talk.start>
</interjection>
<continue>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>1557</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>JUH</name.id>
<electorate />
<party />
<role />
<in.gov>0</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">DEVITT, Donald</name>
<name role="display">Senator DEVITT</name>
</talker>
<para>- No. I understood from a news item two or three days ago that a total of 2,124 applications had been received and about 200 remained to be processed. Those applications would cover losses of homes, losses of business premises and also losses sustained by people in the rural community. Up to the present, 87% of the applications for new homes have been covered. The balance of 13% would include the homes to which I have referred - homes in which farm workers are normally housed in orcharding, grazing and other farming areas. </para>
</talk.start>
</continue>
<para>One of the problems that have arisen out of this matter is the measure of assistance that it is possible for the State Government to provide. At the present time it is set on the basis of the Commonwealth and State Housing Agreement and the arrangement that exists with the homes division of the Agricultural Bank in Tasmania, under which the maximum figure is $8,000. Homes valued at substantially more than that figure have been destroyed and the insurance cover on them has been equal only to the amount of mortgage on them. So, in fact, the amount of assistance that is forthcoming under the present arrangement will do no more than discharge the mortgage liability that now exists, and the people concerned will be left with absolutely nothing. I understand that, as a result of representations that were made in the course of the debate on this matter in the other place last week, and no doubt because of the keen observations that the Minister for Air made at the very time of this happening, sympathetic consideration may well be given to meeting the situation to which I have just referred, bearing in mind that the State is restricted to a payment of $8,000 in respect of each property and that in many instances there has been a complete loss of equity. I put it to the Senate as strongly as I can that additional assistance should be forthcoming in such cases. </para>