House of Representatives
10 March 1971

27th Parliament · 2nd Session

  1. House of Representatives
  2. 27th Parliament
  3. 1971

Mr SPEAKER (Hon. Sir William Aston) took 1 chair at 2.30 p.m.

Mr Cope - lt is a good day for a prayer.

Mr SPEAKER-Order! 1 suggest that the honourable member observe the usual courtesies of the House when the Speaker is on his feet and I would thank him not to interrupt before prayers on any other day.

Mr Speaker read prayers.

page 759

LEADERSHIP OF THE LIBERAL PARTY OF AUSTRALIA

Mr GORTON:
Prime Minister · Higgins · LP

– Mr Speaker, as honourable members will probably know, there has been a change in the leadership of the Parliamentary Liberal Party since the House met yesterday. In the light of this change I shall be in touch with His Excellency the Governor-General to tender my resignation as Prime Minister and to offer him certain advice as to whom he should give the commission to form a new government. In the meantime in these circumstances I suggest that the House should adjourn until next Monday.

page 759

SPECIAL ADJOURNMENT

Motion (by Mr Garton) proposed:

That the House, at its rising, adjourn until Monday, 15th March 1971, at 2.30 p.m.

Mr WHITLAM:
Leader of the Opposition · Werriwa

– The Australian Labor Party supports the motion. It is clear that there must be a proper procedure for installing a new Prime Minister and Ministry. All I need say at this time is that the permutations of personalities do not end the difficulties of the last few days. These are matters not just for any party but for the Parliament and for the people, whose opinions upon them should promptly be sought.

Mr STEWART:
Lang

- Mr Speaker, last night-

Motion (by Mr Snedden) proposed:

That the question be now put.

Mr Charles Jones:

– You are gagging the Parliament.

Mr SPEAKER:

-Order! If the honourable member for Newcastle continues to interject I will deal with him. The question is that the question be now put. Those of that opinion say ‘Aye’.

Government supporters - Aye.

Mr SPEAKER:

– Those to the contrary say ‘No’.

Opposition members - No.

Mr SPEAKER:

– Is a division required?

Opposition members - Yes.

Mr Whitlam:

– What is the motion?

Mr SPEAKER:

-The motion is that the question be now put. Do you want a division?

Mr Whitlam:

– Yes, on the gag, but we will support the motion.

Question put:

That the question be now put.

The House divided. (Mr Speaker - Hon. Sir William Aston)

AYES: 62

NOES: 58

Majority . . . . 4

AYES

NOES

Question so resolved in the affirmative.

Original question resolved in the affirmative.

page 760

ADJOURNMENT

The Parliament

Motion (by Mr Snedden) proposedThat the House do now adjourn.

Mr BRYANT:
Wills

)- Mr Speaker-

Mr Calwell:

– We must listen to his grey eminence.

Mr BRYANT:

– My colleague, the right honourable member for Melbourne, has a long and distinguished record which could well be the envy of anybody in this House and he has never been reticent when he has thought that he had to say something on behalf of the parliamentary institution. Today we have seen a most incredible exhibition of what might be called parliamentary musical chairs, with this institution being used for the in-fighting of the Liberal Party. I believe, and I say this emphatically, that it is a disgrace that at this hour, with no Minister for Defence, with the whole place in disarray and with the country needing guidance of any sort, we should close down for 3 parliamentary sitting days.

Question resolved in the affirmative.

House adjourned at 2-.41 p.m. until Monday, 15 March at 2.30 p.m.

page 761

ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS UPON NOTICE

The following answers to questions upon notice were circulated:

Papua and New Guinea: Asian Development Bank (Question No. 2348)

Mr WHITLAM:
WERRIWA, NEW SOUTH WALES · ALP

asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs, upon notice:

  1. When did Papua and New Guinea become an Associate Member of the Economic Commission for Asia and the Far East (Hansard. 9 April 1970, page 1019).
  2. When was application made on behalf of the Territory for membership of the Asian Development Bank.
  3. When will the Bank make a decision on the application.
Mr McMahon:
Minister for Foreign Affairs · LOWE, NEW SOUTH WALES · LP

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

  1. 16 July 1970.
  2. On 28 January 1971 the Treasurer, as

Australia’s Governor of the Asian. Development Bank, forwarded a formal application for membership to the President of the Bank on behalf of Papua and New Guinea.

  1. A draft resolution to the effect that Papua and New Guinea be admitted to membership of the Bank on the terms and conditions already agreed was considered by the Board of Directors of the Bank on IS February 1971 and Governors of the Bank have been asked to vote on this resolution by 12 March 1971.

Non-European Students (Question No. 2615)

Mr Daly:
GRAYNDLER, NEW SOUTH WALES

asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs, upon notice:

  1. How many non-European students, other than private students, are in Australia at this date.
  2. What are (a) their nationalities and (b) the details of courses being studied.
Mr McMahon:
LP

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

The numbers of non-European students other than private students who were in Australia as at the 31st January, are set out in the tables below. About half these students are attending Australian academic institutions. The rest are either undertaking special training programmes arranged for them or are attending one of the International Training Courses conducted by my Department.

Homes Savings Grant Scheme (Question No. 2448)

Mr Whitlam:

asked the Minister. representing the Minister for Housing, upon notice:

Has the Department of Housing yet made any checks of. interest rates charged on second mortgage loans obtained by applicants under the Home Savings Grant Scheme.

Dr Forbes:
Minister for Health · BARKER, SOUTH AUSTRALIA · LP

– The Minister for Housing has provided the following answer to the honourable member’s question:

No. Because information about the terms on which an applicant obtains finance to acquire his home is not needed to determine his eligibility under the Homes Savings Grant Act’ it is not sought by the Department, nor is it usually supplied.

Housing: Interest Rates (Question No. 2730)

Mr Uren:
REID, NEW SOUTH WALES

askedthe Minister representing the Minister for Housing, upon notice:

  1. Is the Minister able to say whether the Stale Housing Ministers met in Melbourne in November 1970;
  2. It so, did they unanimously request the Commonwealth Government to reduce interest rates from 6 per cent to 4 per cent;
  3. Has the Commonwealth Government examined this request; if so, with what result.
Dr Forbes:
LP

– The Minister for Housing has provided the following answer to the honourable members question:

  1. Yes;
  2. The conclusions reached at the meeting, which were subsequently conveyed to me, included the State Ministers’ view of what would be an appropriate interest rate on advances under the Commonwealth-State Housing Agreement;
  3. That view is being considered in the context in which it was conveyed to me. namely the terms of any further offer of Commonwealth housing assistance to the Slates after authority to make advances under the present CommonwealthState Housing Agreement ends later this year.

Boards and Committees (Question No. 539)

Mr Daly:

asked the Prime Minister, upon notice:

  1. What is the number of existing Boards and Committees which have been established -

    1. under parliamentary authority, and
    2. by the Government.

  2. What are the (a) names, (b) salaries and (c) terms of office of the Members of these Boards and Committees.

Mr Gorton:
LP

– The following information has been provided by the relevant Departments as at 19 March 1970: (1)(a) 176; (b) 124.

Note (1) The term ‘standard daily silting fees’ refers to the maximum daily rates approved for payment to part-time members of Boards and Committees (but see also Note 2).

The current standard daily sitting fees are:

Short term Boards - Chairman $45; Members $40.

Continuing Boards - Chairman $40; Members $35.

For meetings of less than 3 hours duration - Chairman $25; Members $20.

Note (2) No fees are paid to any public servants, Service officers or Members of Parliament who are members of the Boards and Committees listed.

Note (3) This schedule does not contain details of-

  1. Boards and Committees established under the Ordinances of the Australian Capital Territory, theNorthern Territory or the Territory of Papua and New Guinea;
  2. Boards and Committees established by the Papua and New Guinea Administration;
  3. Joint Commonwealth/State Boards and Committees;
  4. Sub-committees and advisory committees that the various Boards and Committees listed may have established by their own authority; and

  5. Interdepartmental and intradepartmental Boards and Committees of which all the members are Commonwealth public servants and/or members of the armed forces.

    1. (a), (b) and (c)

Bulk Mail (Question No. 2593)

Mr Berinson:
PERTH, WESTERN AUSTRALIA

asked the PostmasterGeneral, upon notice:

  1. ls if a fact that discounts for pre-sorted bulk mail do not apply on Thursday and Friday of each week, in the week prior to Easter, and during the J weeks before Christmas.
  2. Is it a fact that these are the busiest periods and the periods during which the Post Office would be most assisted by pre-sorting.
  3. If so, will be review the regulations with a view to allowing discounts for pre-sorted bulk mail at all times.
Sir Alan Hulme:
Postmaster-General · PETRIE, QUEENSLAND · LP

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

  1. Yes.
  2. One of the aims of the reduced rales is to attract business at times most suited to the Post Office and give a more even spread of traffic by decreasing the peak loads at the times mentioned by the honourable member.
  3. These conditions are regularly reviewed and were recently confirmed in principle as being the most suitable to the Post Office. However, some limited extensions are under trial but no firm conclusions can be drawn from these at present.

Papua and New Guinea: Investments by Superannuation Funds (Question Nil. 2410)

Mr Whitlam:

asked the Minister for External Territories, upon notice:

Has either the Superannuation Fund or the Contract Officers’ Retirement Benefits Fund in the Territory of Papua and New Guinea yet invested in Territory industries or housing (Hansard, 3rd June 1970, page 2905).

Mr Barnes:
Minister for External Territories · MCPHERSON, QUEENSLAND · CP

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

Neither Fund has invested in Territory industries nor directly m housing. Both Funds invest in public Loans of the Territory which are used to finance public works and services including housing.

Interdepartmental Committees (Question No. 2144)

Mr Whitlam:

asked the Prime Minister, upon notice:

Will .he state the date of the establishment of those interdepartmental committees which have been established since he became Prime Minister (Hansard, 12th June 1970, page 3674 and 20th October 1970, page 2528.) or failing that, those which have been established in 1969-70.

Mr Gorton:
LP

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

I do not believe that the provision of these details would serve any useful purpose; to supply such information would place an unreasonable workload on the Public Service.

Commonwealth Insurance Act (Question No. 2758)

Mr Whitlam:

asked the Treasurer, upon notice:

On what dates have Treasury officials conferred with State officials concerning a new Commonwealth Insurance Act.

Mr Bury:
Treasurer · WENTWORTH, NEW SOUTH WALES · LP

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

Meetings were held in Canberra on 9th October, 3rd and 18tb December 1970.

Australian Finance Conference (Question No. 2698)

Mr Whitlam:

asked the Treasurer, upon notice:

What has been the (a) date and (b) outcome of consultations between the Reserve Bank and the Australian Finance Conference since his predecessor’s answer on 26th August 1969.

Mr Bury:
LP

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

The Reserve Bank has provided the following information:

41h March 1970. 6th October 1970. 18th February 1971.

A useful exchange of information and views on economic and financial conditions and prospects.

Australian Economy (Question No. 2627)

Mr Clyde Cameron:
HINDMARSH, SOUTH AUSTRALIA · ALP

asked the Treasurer, upon notice:

  1. ls it a fact that between (a) full employment, (b) price stability and (c) wage fixation a community may choose any two, but cannot have all three.
  2. If so, has the Government achieved any two of these three objectives; if so, which one has it sacrificed.
Mr Bury:
LP

– The answer to the honour* able member’s question is as follows:

  1. and (2) The Government aims at a number of economic objectives, including full employment and price stability. (‘Wage fixation’ is not an economic objective in itself, though an excessive rate of increase in wage rates is a major factor currently jeopardising price stability.) It is not a mat- ter of achieving some of these objectives at the I expense of others but, rather, of so balancing eco- Inomic policies that all are achieved to the greatest extent possible. In general, the Government’s economic policies have been successful over the years in achieving full employment and strong growth combined with a reasonable degree of price stability.

Government Printing Office (Question No. 2561)

Mr McIVOR:
GELLIBRAND, VICTORIA · ALP

asked the Treasurer, upon notice:

  1. Is it a fact that a Commonwealth Government Printing Office will be established In Melbourne in premises recently purchased for this purpose.
  2. Is it also a fact that similar offices will be set up in all capital cities, in Australia.
  3. If so, what is the reason for’ this additional costly undertaking.
Mr Bury:
LP

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

  1. No, but arrangements are being made for the Technical Publications Unit of the PostmasterGeneral’s Department in Melbourne to be transferred to the control of the Commonwealth Government Printer, whose organisation now forms part of the Australian Government Publishing Service. It is expected that the Unit will be able to accept a limited amount of printing work from departments other than the Postmaster-General’s Department in Melbourne. As the lease of the premises now occupied by the Unit expires this year alternative accommodation had to be found.
  2. A Branch of the Government Printing Office has operated in Darwin since 1965. Commonwealth printing requirements are reviewed from time to time but no decision has been taken that the Government Printer should operate a printing unit in any State other than Victoria.
  3. See (1) above.

Salaries and Wages (Question No. 2495)

Mr Clyde Cameron:
HINDMARSH, SOUTH AUSTRALIA · ALP

asked the Treasurer, upon notice:

What total amount was paid in wages . and salaries throughout the Commonwealth in each of the last 5 years for which figures are available.

Mr Bury:
LP

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

Estimates of Wages, Salaries and Supplements are published by the Statistician regularly in Quarterly estimates of National Income and Expenditure. Excluding the supplements component the last published estimates are:

Revised estimates are currently being prepared and will be published shortly.

Local Government Debts (Question No. 2320)

Mr Whitlam:

asked the Treasurer, upon notice:

  1. Did he write to the Australian Council of Local Government Associations on 11th September 1970 that the question of local government financing is the responsibility of the State governments and that direct consultations between representatives of the Commonwealth and local governments would be neither proper nor fruitful.
  2. Has any State to his knowledge arranged to share with its semi-government and local government authorities the benefits it will receive under the States Grants (Capital Assistance) Act and States Grants (Debt Charges Assistance) Act.
Mr Bury:
LP

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

  1. Yes.
  2. As pointed out in the same letter of 11th September 1970, these are matters for State governments to determine. It would therefore be inappropriate for me to comment on specific revenue sharing arrangements entered into by the States with their own local and semi-government authorities.

Taxation (Question No. 2046)

Mr Reynolds:
BARTON, NEW SOUTH WALES

asked the Treasurer, upon notice:

  1. Will the Government consider granting to widow and invalid pensioners the same kind of taxation concession which applies to aged pensioners under the age allowance provision of the Income Tax Assessment Act.
  2. What would be the cost to revenue of such a concession for each pensioner category.
Mr Bury:
LP

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

  1. The basic purpose of the age allowance provisions is to ensure that no tax is payable by persons otherwise qualified by age for age pension who are in receipt of relatively modest incomes. The Government has, in fact, examined on several occasions the introduction of the kind of concession proposed by the honourable member but has not so far seen its way clear to propose amendment of the law along such lines.
  2. No statistics are available of persons in receipt of widow and invalid pensions who are subject to income tax. It is not possible therefore to provide precise estimates of the costs to income tax revenue of applying to widow and invalid pensioners concessions similar to those that apply to aged persons under the age allowance provisions of the Income Tax Act.

However, on the basis of estimated numbers of widow and invalid pensioners with means as assessed in excess of the’ ‘ minimum taxable income, it is considered that the cost to revenue of applying concessions similar to the age provisions to persons in receipt of widow and invalid pensions would not be likely to exceed $lm.

I should add that if such a concession were to be granted on the same basis as the age allowance, it would apply not only to persons in receipt of pensions but also to persons qualified by widowhood or invalidity but not in receipt of social welfare pensions on this account.

Preservation of Buildings (Question No. 1892)

Mr James:
HUNTER, NEW SOUTH WALES

asked the Treasurer, upon notice:

What financial assistance has been given by the Commonwealth within the Commonwealth and the Territories for the preservation of buildings or the like for historical purposes or for tourism.

Mr Bury:
LP

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

The Commonwealth is a substantial owner of buildings of historic and aesthetic interest for which there is still a functional requirement. It is not practicable to separate from the total expenditure on such buildings the cost of their preservation per se. As well, the Commonwealth has also spent some $108,000 up to 30th June 1970 for the restoration of buildings for historical purposes and for tourism at Norfolk Island, and in the past 5 financial years, about $69,000 for the preservation of historic buildings in the Northern Territory.

While recognising its responsibility for the preservation of Commonwealth-owned buildings of historic interest, the Commonwealth Government, as a matter of policy, has not provided financial assistance towards the preservation of other buildings of historic or aesthetic importance. The Commonwealth, however, makes a general grant of $5,000 per year towards, the administrative costs of the Australian Council of National Trusts which is the central body in this field. In addition, the Commonwealth has recognised the value of the work being done by the National Trusts in each State in this direction, by granting them the benefit of concessions under the income tax and estate duty laws.

Vietnam: Mine Casualties (Question No. 2455)

Mr Whitlam:

asked the Minister for the Army, upon notice:

How many Australian soldiers have been killed or injured by Australian mines replanted by their adversaries in Phuoc Tuy province.

Mr Peacock:
Minister Assisting the Prime Minister · KOOYONG, VICTORIA · LP

– The answer to the hon ourable member’s question is as follows:

The mines used by the Australian Force in Vietnam are mainly of the United States M16 type. Any M16 mines used by the enemy in Phuoc Tuy Province could have been obtained from a number of sources as this mine ls the only one commonly used by all forces, including local

Vietnamese security forces throughout Vietnam. In addition, the Vietcong has its own supply of mines from outside Communist sources and from local manufacture. It is not possible to assess the type and origin of every mine or booby-trap detonated during operations and therefore the number of M16 mines used by the enemy, and the source of their supply, is unknown.

Australian Council for the Arts (Question No. 1356)

Mr Hayden:
OXLEY, QUEENSLAND

asked the Prime Minister, upon notice:

  1. What is the guiding policy of the Australian Council for the Arts in regard to the distribution of Government funds.
  2. What bodies within the Council are directly responsible for the allocation of funds.
  3. Will he furnish a list of organisations which and individuals who have applied for subsidies and the amount of the subsidies approved since the establishment of the Council.
Mr Gorton:
LP

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

  1. It is the main concern of the Australian Council for the Arts as a Federal body to establish and develop high national standards which will benefit activity in the performing arts throughout Australia, and stimulate interest abroad in Australia’s achievements in this field.
  2. .The Council’s funds are allocated on the recommendation of the Council to the Prime Minister. The Council is assisted in this by its various expert advisory committees.
  3. Applications to the Council should, I think, be regarded as confidential, and although the names of organisations and individuals have been supplied in the past, irrespective of whether or not they . were successful, I do not consider it appropriate to continue te do so. However, I am prepared to supply the numbers of applications received and details in respect of those for whom assistance was approved. There were 285 applications for assistance from the Council in 1968-69 and 413 in 1969-70.

The Council has provided the following information concerning organisations and individuals who have received support and the amount of the subsidy in each case.

In respect of the Special Projects Fund only the total allocation has been given: details of the grants made from the Special Projects Fund have been furnished separately in answer to Question No. 1237.

Open University (Question No. 2426)

Mr Whitlam:

asked the Minister for Education and Science, upon notice:

  1. Can he yet make a statement on the establishment of an open university such as now operates in Britain (Hansard, 20th May 1970, page 2489).
  2. On what occasions and with what results have consultations about such a development been held with the Australian Universities Commission and the radio and television stations.
Mr N H Bowen:
PARRAMATTA, NEW SOUTH WALES · LP

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

  1. The Open University recently established in the United Kingdom is principally designed, as I understand it, to provide adult persons in fulltime employment or working in the home opportunities for university studies whether or not they have the formal academic qualifications for entering a university.

In this country such people are served by the external studies available at a number of universities, though students are normally expected in Australia to have the formal academic qualifications for embarking on university work. 1 am aware that some States are well provided in that respect, others are not. It is the policy of the Commonwealth to encourage tertiary institutions to make available external studies and the Commonwealth has demonstrated its interest in the matter by adopting in 1969 a recommendation made by the Australian Universities Commission that the grant to a university in respect of each external student enrolled should be doubled.

It remains to be seen whether the lack of formal academic qualifications will prove to be a severe handicap to people enrolled in the British Open University, but failure to progress adequately is, I understand, to be a bar to continuation of studies.

I shall watch the progress of the Open University with interest, particularly to gauge whether such a service can be successful.

  1. I have not consulted the radio and television stations. 1 am in continual consultation with the Australian Universities Commission on matters related to university education.

Australian Council for the Arts (Question No. 1237)

Mr Daly:

asked the Prime Minister, upon notice:

  1. What is the nature and purpose of the Special Projects Fund administered by the Australian Council for the Arts.
  2. ls the administration of the Fund left te the discretion of the Council or is it given specific guidelines on how the money is to be dispersed.
  3. What are the requirements which the Council looks for when assessing requests for assistance from the Fund.
  4. When was the Fund established, and what amounts have been allocated to it each year since its establishment.
  5. How many applications for assistance from the Fund have been received to date.
  6. What are the names of these applicants.
  7. How many of these applications were (a) approved and (b) rejected.
  8. What is the name of each applicant who has received a grant from the Fund and what was (a) the amount of the grant and (b) the project for which the grant was made in each case.
  9. What are (a) the names and qualifications of the members of the Austraiian Council for the Arts and (b) the salaries and allowances and expenses paid to each member.
Mr Gorton:
LP

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

  1. The Special Projects Fund was established to provide support for the whole range of activities in the performing arts - principally by fostering experimental and creative work, attracting new and young audiences to the performing arts, underwriting special projects and programmes and encouraging professional standards in the performing arts.
  2. The Special Projects Fund is administered by the Australian Council on the advice of its Special Projects Committee in accordance with the objectives outlined in (1).
  3. Requests are considered in relation to the objectives of the Fund as outlined in (1). Proposals must display evidence of adequate budgeting and forward planning for activities which are considered to be of special value.
  4. The Special Projects Fund was established in the 1968-69 financial year with an allocation of $168,500. $300,000 was provided in the Appropriation Act for special projects in 1969-70. Of this sum $216,500 was allocated for special projects, while the remaining amount of $83,500 was reallocated to regional theatre organisations. An amount of $250,000 has been allocated for 1970-71.
  5. A total of 403 applications had been received to the end of the 1969-70 financial year.
  6. Although in answer to ‘Senate Question No. 1251 of 19th August 1969 (Hansard, page 119 ff.) a list was furnished containing the names of all applicants for assistance from the Council for the Arts in 1968-69, I do not consider it appropriate or in the best interests of unsuccessful applicants to continue to supply information of this kind.
  7. A total of 235 applications were approved for the period and a total of 168 applications were rejected.
  8. (i) 1 am advised by the Council that details of the 1968-69 grants made are as follows:
  1. (a) The members’ of the Australian Council for the Arts are:

Dr H. C. Coombs, M.A., Ph.D, F.A.A. (Chairman)

Mrs J. D. Bradley, M.A.

Mr T. C. Bray, C.B.E.

Mr H R. Bonython, D.F.C., A.F.C.

Mr Peter Coleman, B.A., M.Sc., M.L.A.

Mrs V. J. Erwin, B.Sc, M.A.

Mr Peter Hall, B.A., B.Arch., F.R.A.I.A.

Mrs H. W. Houghton. B.A.

Mr Barry Jones, M.A., LL.B.

Professor K. C. Masterman, C.B.E., M.A., F.A.C.E.

  1. The Chairman of the Australian Council for the Arts receives a salary of $6,450 per annum and travelling allowance of $28 per day. Members receive a sitting fee of $35 per day, a travelling allowance of $21 per day and incidental expenses when appropriate in connection with their work for the Council.

Ministerial Conferences (Question No. 2302)

Mr Whitlam:

asked the Prime Minister, upon notice:

What conferences of Commonwealth and State Ministers and officials have taken place since those listed in his answer of 12th June 1970 (Hansard, page 3619).

Mr Gorton:
LP

– The answer tothe honourable member’s question is as follows:

I regret that it is considered too much of an administrative burden and one which would not serve any useful public purpose to continue the practice of supplying information of this kind.

Commonwealth Office of the Environment and National Advisory Council (Question No. 2695)

Mr Whitlam:

asked the Prime Minister, upon notice:

On what dates has (a) he written to each Premier and (b) each Premier written to him concerning the proposed Commonwealth Office of the Environment and National Advisory Council.

Mr Gorton:
LP

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

See my answer to Question No. 1870 (Hansard, page 473).

Railways: Sydney-Perth Service (Question No. 2702)

Mr Whitlam:

asked the Minister for

Shipping and Transport, upon notice:

  1. By what percentage has goods traffic increased on the participating railway systems since the completion of the standard gauge railway between Sydney and Perth.
  2. What decisions on the speed of the IndianPacific have been made at the meeting of the Transport Advisory Committee in July 1970 or subsequently (Hansard, 18th March 1970, page 609).
Mr Nixon:
Minister for Shipping and Transport · GIPPSLAND, VICTORIA · CP

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

  1. The inter system goods traffic conveyed throughout over the Trans-Australian Railway from the inception of Sydney-Perth direct services to 16th January 1971 compared with a similar period in 1969-70 shows an increase of 7.37 per cent in west bound traffic and an increase of 1.6 per cent in east bound traffic with an overall increase of 6.65 per cent.
  2. None.

Railways: Melbourne-Albury-Junee (Question No. 2701)

Mr Whitlam:

asked the Minister for Shipping and Transport, upon notice:

  1. By what percentage has interstate goods traffic increased since the standard gauge railway between Melbourne and Wodonga was opened to traffic.
  2. Have any proposals been made for the duplication of that railway and also the railway between Albury and Junee since his predecessor’s answer on 15th April 1969 (Hansard, page 1131).
Mr Nixon:
CP

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

  1. The line was open to traffic on 3rd January 1962. Tonnage of goods carried has increased by 160 per cent over the period 1962-63 to 1969-70.
  2. No proposals have been made to the Commonwealth by either of the States in respect of these sections of railway.

Dry Docking Facilities: Interdepartmental Committee (Question No. 2603)

Mr Wallis:
GREY, SOUTH AUSTRALIA

asked the Minister for Ship ping and Transport, upon notice:

  1. Did an interdepartmental committee of his Department recently carry out a survey of dry docking facilities around the Australian coast.
  2. If so, did the committee make recommendations concerning the availability of these facilities.
  3. Was Whyalla considered to be a desirable site for the installation of these facilities in the future.
Mr Nixon:
CP

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

  1. My Department is represented on an interdepartmental committee which was set up to examine the adequacy of commercial dry docking facilities. A survey of docking facilities was carried out by my Department to assemble information for the committee.
  2. and (3) The committee has not yet completed its work.

Immigration: Whereabouts of H. E. Znaty (Question No. 2575)

Dr Klugman:
PROSPECT, NEW SOUTH WALES

asked the Minister for Immigration, upon notice:

Can he supply any information as to the present whereabouts of Henry Znaty who was deported to Morocco following a High Court judgment.

Mr Lynch:
Minister Assisting the Treasurer · FLINDERS, VICTORIA · LP

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

HenryE. Znaty entered Australia on 28th October 1970- as a visitor, holding a valid Moroccan passport showing him to be a Moroccan national. Subsequently it was learned that he was convicted in Switzerland in 1967 for fraud, sentenced to 12 months imprisonment and banished from Switzerland for 10 years; and that in 1969 he was convicted in France for swindling and sentenced to 9 months imprisonment and 5 years prohibition of residence. I ordered his deportation on 26th November. Action to prevent his deportation was taken by him in the Supreme Court of New South Wales and then before the Full Bench of the High Court; but without success. On 20th December 1970 he was placed on board an aircraft travelling to Rome with a ticket to Morocco. On arrival in Rome the authorities there supervised his. transfer to another aircraft travelling to Morocco.

I have no knowledge of his present whereabouts.

Immigration: Rhodesia (Question No. 2476)

Mr Whitlam:

asked the Minister for Immigration, upon notice:

  1. How many persons have (a) applied and (b) been approved for entry from Rhodesia as (i) visitors, and (ii) residents since the end of February 1970 (Hansard, 19th March 1970, page 721).
  2. How many in each category were’ included or travelled on Rhodesian passports (Hansard, 15th May 1970, page 2342).
Mr Lynch:
LP

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

  1. In the period 1st March 1970 to 31st December 1970 visitor applicants totalled 261 of whom 233 were approved. In the same period there were 142 applicants for residence of whom 134 were approved. - (2) Of the 253 approved for visits 31 travelled on Rhodesian passports and of the 134 persons approved for residence 93 travelled on Rhodesian passports.

Deportations (Question No. 2612)

Mr Daly:

asked the Minister for Immigration, upon notice:

  1. How many persons were deponed from Australia in each of the last 5 years?

  2. What was the:

    1. nationality of the person; and
    2. reason for the deportation in each case.
Mr Lynch:
LP

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

The following 5 tables give the information requested by the honourable member in relation to the number and nationality of persons deported from Australia in the years 1966 to 1970, and the reasons for the deportation in the categories:

  1. Deserting Seamen and other illegal entrants;
  2. Health and mental health;
  3. Persons who failed to comply wilh the con ditions of their entry;
  4. Criminal deportees.

Naturalisation (Question No. 2620)

Mr Daly:

asked the Minister for Immigration, upon notice:

How many non-European migrants have been granted naturalisation in each year since March 1966 and what is the total to date?

Mr Lynch:
LP

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

The number of non-European residents of Australia who were granted Australian citizenship by naturalisation in each financial year since March 1966 was as follows:

Between 1956 and 30 June 1970 a total of 8562 non-European residents of Australia had been granted citizenship by naturalisation.

Papua and New Guinea: Naturalisation (Question No. 2417)

Mr Whitlam:

asked the Minister for

Immigration, upon notice:

How many persons of each nationality were granted Australian citizenship by naturalisation in the Territory of Papua and New Guinea in 1970?

Mr Lynch:
LP

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

The table hereunder shows the number of persons of each nationality granted Australian citizenship by naturalisation in the Territory of Papua and New Guinea in 1970.

Immigration: Second Assisted Passages (Question No. 2614)

Mr Daly:

asked the Minister for Immigration, upon notice:

How many persons in the United Kingdom have:

applied for and

been granted second assisted passages since the Inception of the scheme.

Mr Lynch:
LP

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

The second assisted passage scheme was introduced with effect from May 1968. Applications for assistance and approvals given have related to the following number of persons:

Naturalisation (Question No. 2617)

Mr Daly:

asked the Minister for Immigration, upon notice:

  1. How many migrants have been naturalised in each of the past five years.
  2. How many migrants eligible for citizenship have not applied for naturalisation to date.
  3. What are the numbers of each nationality who have not so applied.
Mr Lynch:
LP

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

  1. The number of persons granted Australian citizenship by naturalisation in each of the past five financial years was
  1. and (3) . It is estimated that .as at 30th June 1970 210,570 aliens, .over 16 years of age were residentiary qualified to apply . for Australian citizenship but. had not done so. The numbers in each nationality were:

The various measures followed to encourage eligible persons to apply for naturalisation were outlined in the answer given in Hansard on 1st October 1970 to Question No.’ 1617.

Education: Adult Migrants (Question No. 2475)

Mr WHITLAM:
WERRIWA, NEW SOUTH WALES · ALP

asked the Minister for Immigration, upon notice:

What has been the outcome of the consultations between his Department and the Department of Education and Science on Professor W. F. Connell’s proposals in his paper ‘Education for Adult Migrants’ (Hansard 5th May 1970, page 1646).

Mr Lynch:
LP

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

The consultations to which 1 referred in my reply to the earlier question by the Honourable Member (Hansard 5th May 1970, page 1646) related to 2 matters - first, vocational education and second, the question of allowances being paid to migrant students attending part-time accelerated courses (or, as Professor Connell referred to them, semi-intensive courses).

There has been an increase in the provision ot part-time accelerated courses, in line with the policy of providing facilities for more intensive forms of instruction as against the continuation programme spread over 18 months, and as one way of combating the high abandonment rate which was a feature of the continuation programme. Already part-time accelerated courses have been established in the Westbridge, East Hills and Cabramatta hostels, in the State Migrant Education Centres in Melbourne and Sydney, and at Wollongong and Geelong, catering in all for some 1,200 migrant students. We are planning to establish further courses shortly in Brisbane, Mount lsa, Newcastle, Adelaide and Perth.

The part-time accelerated courses provide for 4 hours instruction 5 days a week in the morning or afternoon (16 weeks duration) or for 2 hours in the evening 3 nights a week (20 weeks duration). The day-time courses which are particularly suited to migrant workers engaged on shift work provide in all a course of 320 hours (equivalent to the full-lime intensive course). The evening courses, which are used more by migrant women otherwise engaged during the day and by migrant workers who have completed a normal working day, provide instruction only for 120 hours as it has been found that interest in the evening courses tends to wane more quickly. Nevertheless migrants attending the evening courses can continue to enrol in more advanced courses and thus complete the full programme of instruction.

It has not been possible to consider paying allowances to migrants attending the part-lime accelerated courses. Unlike those attending the full-time intensive courses (who are paid an allowance to cover accommodation and living expenses, and as compensation for loss of earning capacity), migrants attending the part-time courses continue to be employed and, as a general rule, suffer no loss of income. The possibility of providing some form of allowance to the migrants attending the part-time accelerated courses will be kept in mind in the event of any review of the policy.

Consideration is proceeding into the matters referred to by Professor Connell in the section of his paper dealing with ‘Vocational Preparation’. These involve however areas of policy in addition to migrant education (for example, the results of the Tregillis Mission on overseas training and the work of the Committee on Overseas Professional Qualifications) and the studies involved must the refine be seen as essentially a long term project

Cite as: Australia, House of Representatives, Debates, 10 March 1971, viewed 22 October 2017, <http://historichansard.net/hofreps/1971/19710310_reps_27_hor71/>.

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