18th Parliament · 1st Session
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The Senate met at 2 p.m. pursuant to the proclamation of His Royal Highness the Governor-General.
The President (Senator the Hon. Gordon Brown) took the chair.
The Clerk read the proclamation.
The Deputy appointed by His Royal Highness the Governor-General for the opening of the Parliament - the Right Honorable Sir John Greig Latham, P.C., G.C.M.G., M.A., LL.M., K.C., Chief Justice of the High Court of Australia - having been announced by the Usher of the Black Rod, entered the chamber and tookhis seat on the dais.
The Deputy (the Right Honorable Sir John Greig Latham), through the Clerk, directed the Usher to request the attendance of the members of the House of Representatives, who being come,
The DEPUTY said-
Members of the Senate and Members of the House of Representatives:
His Royal Highness the GovernorGeneral, not thinking fit to he present in person at this time, has been pleased to cause letters patent to issue under the Great Seal of the Commonwealth, con stituting me his deputy to do in his name all that is necessary to be performed in declaring this Parliament open, as will more fully appear from the letters patent which will now be read.
The letters patent having been read by the Clerk,
The DEPUTY said-
Members of the Senate and Members of the House of Representatives:
I have it in command from the GovernorGeneral to let you know that, as soon as the members of the House of Representatives shall have been sworn, the causes of His Royal Highness calling this Parliament will be declared by him in person at this place, and it being necessary that a Speaker of the House of Representatives shall be first chosen, you, members of the House of Representatives, will retire to the place where you are to sit, and there proceed to the choice of some proper person to be your Speaker; and thereafter you will present the person whom you shall so choose to His Royal Highness at such time and place as he shall appoint. I will attend in the House of Representatives for the purpose of administering the oath or affirmation of allegiance to honorable members of that House.
The Deputy and members of the House of Representatives having retired,
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FirstSessionoftheEighteenthParliament.
The House of Representatives in the Seventeenth Parliament was by proclamation dissolved, as from the 16th August, 1946, and honorable senators were on that date discharged from attendance. The Eighteenth Parliament was convened for the despatch of business on the 6th November, 1946, and the First Session commenced on that day.
page 5
The Senate met at 2 p.m. pursuant to the proclamation of His Royal Highness the Governor-General.
The President (Senator the Hon. Gordon Brown) took the chair.
The Clerk read the proclamation.
The Deputy appointed by His Royal Highness the Governor-General for the opening of the Parliament - the Right Honorable Sir John Greig Latham, P.C., G.C.M.G., M.A., LL.M., K.C., Chief Justice of the High Court of Australia - having been announced by the Usher of the Black Rod, entered the chamber and tookhis seat on the dais.
The Deputy (the Right Honorable Sir John Greig Latham), through the Clerk, directed the Usher to request the attendance of the members of the House of Representatives, who being come,
The DEPUTY said-
Members of the Senate and Members of the House of Representatives:
His Royal Highness the GovernorGeneral, not thinking fit to he present in person at this time, has been pleased to cause letters patent to issue under the Great Seal of the Commonwealth, con stituting me his deputy to do in his name all that is necessary to be performed in declaring this Parliament open, as will more fully appear from the letters patent which will now be read.
The letters patent having been read by the Clerk,
The DEPUTY said-
Members of the Senate and Members of the House of Representatives:
I have it in command from the GovernorGeneral to let you know that, as soon as the members of the House of Representatives shall have been sworn, the causes of His Royal Highness calling this Parliament will be declared by him in person at this place, and it being necessary that a Speaker of the House of Representatives shall be first chosen, you, members of the House of Representatives, will retire to the place where you are to sit, and there proceed to the choice of some proper person to be your Speaker; and thereafter you will present the person whom you shall so choose to His Royal Highness at such time and place as he shall appoint. I will attend in the House of Representatives for the purpose of administering the oath or affirmation of allegiance to honorable members of that House.
The Deputy and members of the House of Representatives having retired, (First Period.)
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The House of Representatives in the Seventeenth Parliament was by proclamation dissolved, as from the 16th August, 1946, and honorable senators were on that date discharged from attendance. The Eighteenth Parliament was convened for the despatch of business on the 6th November, 1946, and the First Session commenced on that day.
page 5
The Senate met at 2 p.m. pursuant to the proclamation of His Royal Highness the Governor-General.
The President (Senator the Hon. Gordon Brown) took the chair.
The Clerk read the proclamation.
The Deputy appointed by His Royal Highness the Governor-General for the opening of the Parliament - the Right Honorable Sir John Greig Latham, P.C., G.C.M.G., M.A., LL.M., K.C., Chief Justice of the High Court of Australia - having been announced by the Usher of the Black Rod, entered the chamber and tookhis seat on the dais.
The Deputy (the Right Honorable Sir John Greig Latham), through the Clerk, directed the Usher to request the attendance of the members of the House of Representatives, who being come,
The DEPUTY said-
Members of the Senate and Members of the House of Representatives:
His Royal Highness the GovernorGeneral, not thinking fit to he present in person at this time, has been pleased to cause letters patent to issue under the Great Seal of the Commonwealth, con stituting me his deputy to do in his name all that is necessary to be performed in declaring this Parliament open, as will more fully appear from the letters patent which will now be read.
The letters patent having been read by the Clerk,
The DEPUTY said-
Members of the Senate and Members of the House of Representatives:
I have it in command from the GovernorGeneral to let you know that, as soon as the members of the House of Representatives shall have been sworn, the causes of His Royal Highness calling this Parliament will be declared by him in person at this place, and it being necessary that a Speaker of the House of Representatives shall be first chosen, you, members of the House of Representatives, will retire to the place where you are to sit, and there proceed to the choice of some proper person to be your Speaker; and thereafter you will present the person whom you shall so choose to His Royal Highness at such time and place as he shall appoint. I will attend in the House of Representatives for the purpose of administering the oath or affirmation of allegiance to honorable members of that House.
The Deputy and members of the House of Representatives having retired,
FirstSessionoftheEighteenthParliament. (First Period.)
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The House of Representatives in the Seventeenth Parliament was by proclamation dissolved, as from the 16th August, 1946, and honorable senators were on that date discharged from attendance. The Eighteenth Parliament was convened for the despatch of business on the 6th November, 1946, and the First Session commenced on that day.
page 5
The Senate met at 2 p.m. pursuant to the proclamation of His Royal Highness the Governor-General.
The President (Senator the Hon. Gordon Brown) took the chair.
The Clerk read the proclamation.
The Deputy appointed by His Royal Highness the Governor-General for the opening of the Parliament - the Right Honorable Sir John Greig Latham, P.C., G.C.M.G., M.A., LL.M., K.C., Chief Justice of the High Court of Australia - having been announced by the Usher of the Black Rod, entered the chamber and tookhis seat on the dais.
The Deputy (the Right Honorable Sir John Greig Latham), through the Clerk, directed the Usher to request the attendance of the members of the House of Representatives, who being come,
The DEPUTY said-
Members of the Senate and Members of the House of Representatives:
His Royal Highness the GovernorGeneral, not thinking fit to he present in person at this time, has been pleased to cause letters patent to issue under the Great Seal of the Commonwealth, con stituting me his deputy to do in his name all that is necessary to be performed in declaring this Parliament open, as will more fully appear from the letters patent which will now be read.
The letters patent having been read by the Clerk,
The DEPUTY said-
Members of the Senate and Members of the House of Representatives:
I have it in command from the GovernorGeneral to let you know that, as soon as the members of the House of Representatives shall have been sworn, the causes of His Royal Highness calling this Parliament will be declared by him in person at this place, and it being necessary that a Speaker of the House of Representatives shall be first chosen, you, members of the House of Representatives, will retire to the place where you are to sit, and there proceed to the choice of some proper person to be your Speaker; and thereafter you will present the person whom you shall so choose to His Royal Highness at such time and place as he shall appoint. I will attend in the House of Representatives for the purpose of administering the oath or affirmation of allegiance to honorable members of that House.
The Deputy and members of the House of Representatives having retired,
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FirstSessionoftheEighteenthParliament. (First Period.)
The House of Representatives in the Seventeenth Parliament was by proclamation dissolved, as from the 16th August, 1946, and honorable senators were on that date discharged from attendance. The Eighteenth Parliament was convened for the despatch of business on the 6th November, 1946, and the First Session commenced on that day.
page 5
The Senate met at 2 p.m. pursuant to the proclamation of His Royal Highness the Governor-General.
The President (Senator the Hon. Gordon Brown) took the chair.
The Clerk read the proclamation.
The Deputy appointed by His Royal Highness the Governor-General for the opening of the Parliament - the Right Honorable Sir John Greig Latham, P.C., G.C.M.G., M.A., LL.M., K.C., Chief Justice of the High Court of Australia - having been announced by the Usher of the Black Rod, entered the chamber and tookhis seat on the dais.
The Deputy (the Right Honorable Sir John Greig Latham), through the Clerk, directed the Usher to request the attendance of the members of the House of Representatives, who being come,
The DEPUTY said-
Members of the Senate and Members of the House of Representatives:
His Royal Highness the GovernorGeneral, not thinking fit to he present in person at this time, has been pleased to cause letters patent to issue under the Great Seal of the Commonwealth, con stituting me his deputy to do in his name all that is necessary to be performed in declaring this Parliament open, as will more fully appear from the letters patent which will now be read.
The letters patent having been read by the Clerk,
The DEPUTY said-
Members of the Senate and Members of the House of Representatives:
I have it in command from the GovernorGeneral to let you know that, as soon as the members of the House of Representatives shall have been sworn, the causes of His Royal Highness calling this Parliament will be declared by him in person at this place, and it being necessary that a Speaker of the House of Representatives shall be first chosen, you, members of the House of Representatives, will retire to the place where you are to sit, and there proceed to the choice of some proper person to be your Speaker; and thereafter you will present the person whom you shall so choose to His Royal Highness at such time and place as he shall appoint. I will attend in the House of Representatives for the purpose of administering the oath or affirmation of allegiance to honorable members of that House.
The Deputy and members of the House of Representatives having retired,
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FirstSessionoftheEighteenthParliament. (First Period.)
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– I have to inform the Senate that I have received, through His Royal Highness the GovernorGeneral, from the Governor of South Australia and the Lieutenant-Governor of Victoria, respectively, certificates of the choice, at the election held on the 28th September, 1946, of certain senators to fill casual vacancies.
Certificates of election of Frederick Hubert Beerworth, South Australia, and John Joseph Devlin, Victoria laid on the table by the Clerk.
Senators Beerworth and Devlin made and subscribed the oath of allegiance.
Sitting suspended from 2.37 to 3.12 p.m.
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GOVERNOR-GENERAL entered the chamber, and, being seated, with the President on his right hand, commanded that a message be sent to the House of Representatives intimating that His Royal Highness desired the attendance of honorable members in the Senate chamber, who, being come with their Speaker,
HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS was pleased to deliver the following speech : -
Members of the Senate and Members of the House of Representatives :
You have been called together to deliberate upon matters of importance to the well-being of the Commonwealth. 1.When last Iaddressed you, I expressed the hope that my period of office would see the termination of hostilities in Europe and in the Pacific.
Because of the impending departure of the King to the Union of South Africa, His Majesty and His Advisers have deemed it expedient that I should return before the end of January next to assume duties of State in London. Accordingly I. am planning to leave Australia early in the New Year. To have remained in Australia for a. longer period would have given both the Duchess and myself great pleasure.
In approximately two years, we have visited many parts of this great Commonwealth and have met many thousands of people in all walks of life.
I say good-bye with gratitude for the kindness and courtesy which has been extended to the Duchess and myself and our two sons.
May happiness and prosperity be your lot in the years which lie ahead.
Department, the Munitions Department, the Department of Aircraft Production and the Department of Post-war Reconstruction (Secondary Industries Division) .
His Royal Highness the GovernorGeneral and members of the House of Representatives having retired,
The President (Senator the Hon. Gordon Brown) took the chair, and read prayers.
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Assent to the following bills reported: -
Overseas Telecommunications Bill 1946. Wheat Industry Stabilization Bill 1946.. Wheat Export Charge Bill 1046. Invalid and Old-age Pensions Bill 1946. Widows’ Pensions Bill 1946. ) Nationality Bill (No. 2) 1940. . ;
Aliens Deportations Bill 1946. ‘ ‘
Commonwealth Conciliation and Arbitration
Bill (No. 2) 1946.
Income Tax Bill 1946.
Social Services Contribution Assessment Bill 1940.
Social Services Contribution Bill 1946. Atomic Energy (Control of Materials) Bill 1946.
Parliamentary Papers Bill 1940. Meat Export Control Bill 1946. Meat Industry Control Bill 1946. Patents Bill 1940. Australian Broadcasting Bill 1946. Coal Industry Bill 1946. Tradesmen’s Bights Regulation Bill 1940. Commonwealth Electoral Bill 1946. Bankruptcy Bill 1946. Tuberculosis Bill 1940. Immigration (Guardianship of Children) Bill 1940.
Forestry and Timber Bureau Bill 1946. Customs Tariff Validation Bill 1946. Excise Tariff Validation Bill J 946. Australian Soldiers’ Repatriation Bill 1946. Railway Standardization Agreement Bill 1946.
Raw Cotton Bounty Bill 1946. Wool Industry Fund Bill 1946. Supply Bill (No. 2) 1946-47. Supplementary Appropriation Bill 1944-45. Supplementary Appropriation ( Works and Buildings) Bill 1944-45.
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– by leave - I desire to inform the Senate that the following will be the members of the Government to be known as the
Attorney-General and Minister for External Affairs - The Right Honorable H. V. Evatt, LL.D., D.Litt., K.O.
Vice-President of the Executive CouncilThe Honorable W. J. Scully.
Minister for Supply and Shipping - Senator the Honorable W. P. Ashley.
Minister for Defence, Minister for PostWar Reconstruction, and Minister in charge of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research - The Honorable J. J. Dedman.
Postmaster-General - Senator the Honorable D. Cameron.
Minister for the Interior - The Honorable H. V. Johnson.
Minister for Health and Minister for Social Services - Senator the Honorable N. E. McKenna.
Minister for Commerce and AgricultureThe Honorable R, T. Pollard. -Minister for Works and Housing - The Honorable N. Lemmon.
Minister for Munitions - -Senator the Honorable J. I. Armstrong.
Minister for the Army - The Honorable C. Chambers.
Minister for Trade and Customs- - Senator the Honorable B. Courtice.
Minister for the Navy - The Honorable W. J. F. Riordan.
Senate Ministers will represent House of Representatives Ministers in this chamber as follows: - Senator Ashley will represent the Prime Minister and Treasurer, the Minister for Labour and National Service and the Minister for Defence; Senator Cameron will represent the Minister for Air and Minister for Civil Aviation and the Minister for Repatriation; Senator McKenna will represent the Attorneygeneral and Minister for External Affairs, the Minister for Post-war Reconstruction and Minister in charge of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, and the Minister for the Navy; Senator Armstrong will represent the Minister for Transport and Minister for External Territories, the Minister for Immigration and Minister for Information, and the Minister for Works and Housing; and .Senator Courtice will represent the Minister for the Interior, the Minister for Commerce and Agriculture and the Minister for the Army.
House of Representatives Ministers will represent Senate Ministers in that chamber as follows: - Mr. Holloway will represent the Minister for Health and Minister for Social Services; Mr. Dedman will represent the Minister for Supply and Shipping and the Minister for Munitions ; Mr. Calwell will represent the Postmaster-General ; and Mr.. Pollard will represent the Minister for Trade and Customs.
In addition to the duties associated with their portfolios it has been arranged that Senator McKenna will assist Dr. Evatt in administering the office of AttorneyGeneral, and Mr. Lemmon will assist the Treasurer in that office.
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– I have received the following letter from Senator Courtice :- 1 hereby resign my office as Chairman of Committees of the Senate.
Motion (by Senator Ashley) agreed to -
That the Senate do now proceed to elect a Chairman of Committees.
– I move -
That Senator T. M. Nicholls be appointed Chairman of Committees.
– 1 second the motion.
– I submit myself to the will of the Senate.
– There being no other nominations, I declare Senator Nicholls elected.
– I thank the Senate for the honour that it has bestowed upon me in electing me Chairman of Committees. I assure the Senate that I will discharge the responsibilities of that office to the best of my ability at all times. I am sure that, with the wholehearted co-operation of all honorable senators, I shall be able to carry out my duties in a manner that at least will not reflect any discredit upon the high traditions associated with the office of Chairman of Committees. I am confident that such co-operation will be forthcoming and that, with the assistance of honorable senators, I shall be able to perform my duties in the best interests of the people of Australia whom we represent.
Senator ASHLEY (New South WalesMinister for Supply and Shipping). - I offer my congratulations to Senator Nicholls on his appointment to the high office df Chairman of Committees in the Senate. I am confident that he will carry out the important duties of ‘his new office in the manner that has characterized the work of previous occupants of the position and will display the same impartiality as his predecessors.
– I join with the Minister for Supply and Shipping (Senator Ashley) in extending congratulations to Senator Nicholls. I also congratulate the Minister on his reappointment as Leader of the Government in the Senate, and the Minister for Health and Social Services (Senator McKenna) upon his appointment as Deputy Leader. I also congratulate the two newly appointed Ministers - Senators Armstrong and Courtice - on their promotion and sympathize with our friend, Senator Fraser, on his’ demotion.
– On behalf of the Australian Country party in the Senate, I congratulate Senator Nicholls. I am sure that he will carry out the duties of Chairman of Committees in a manner that will do credit to himself and expedite the work of this chamber. I also congratulate the Minister for Supply and Shipping (Senator Ashley) on his reappointment as Leader of the Government in the Senate, and extend congratulations to those Ministers who have been re-appointed to office and to the two newly appointed Ministers, Senator Armstrong and Senator Courtice, who, I hope, will carry on the duties of their new positions with success.
Senator ASHLEY (New South WalesMinister for Supply and Shipping). - I appreciate the congratulations extended to me by the Leader of the Opposition (Senator McLeay) and the Leader of the Australian Country party (Senator Cooper). I also express appreciation of the co-operation given by members of the Opposition to the previous Government in conducting the business of the Senate. We do not expect that there will be much trouble after next July, and I take this opportunity to thank those members of the Opposition who will not be here after the 30th June next for their assistance in the past.
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– I have to inform the Senate that I have received a copy of the Opening Speech delivered by His Royal Highness the Governor-General to both Houses of the Parliament.
That consideration of the Speech be an order of the day for the next day of sitting.
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Motion (by Senator Ashley) agreed to-
That the Senate, at its rising, adjourn to to-morrow, at 3 p.m.
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The following papers were presented : -
Air Force Act - Regulations - Statutory Rules 1946, No. 145.
Air Navigation Act - Regulations - Statutory Rules 1946, No. 142.
Arbitration (Public Service) Act - Determinations by the Arbitrator, &c. -
No. 24 of 1946 - Amalgamated Engineering Union.
No. 25 of 1946 - Hospital Employees’ Federation of Australasia.
No. 26 of 1946 - Commonwealth Public Service Clerical Association.
Nos. 27 and 28 of 1946- Hospital Employees’ Federation of Australasia.
No. 29 of 1946 - Commonwealth Temporary Clerks’ Association, and Federated Clerks’ Union of Australia ; and Federated Ironworkers’ Association of Australia.
Nos. 30 and 31 of 1946 - Australian Journalists’ Association.
Beer Excise Act - Regulations - Statutory Rules 1946, No. 137.
Census and Statistics Act - Regulations - Statutory Rules 1946, No. 146.
Commonwealth Bank Act - Balance-sheets of the Commonwealth Bank and Commonwealth Savings Bank, as at 30th June, 1946; together with Auditor-General’s reports thereon.
Commonwealth Public Service Act - Appointments - Department -
Civil Aviation - A. Hepburn.
Commerce and Agriculture - F. F. Anderson.
External Affairs - B. C. Ballard, A. J. Eastman, J. A. Forsythe.
Interior - E. J. Adams, W. E. Anderton, H. T. Ashton, J. K. Ashton, R. Barnes, S. F. Benporath, A. T. Brunt, R. H. Clarke, M. A. Coote, J. L. Costello, A. W. Douglas, C. A. Glendinning, A. V. Gotley, B. C. Gray, R. G. Handley, F. T. Hannan, R. B. Hargreaves, D. Hart, J. H. Hobba,
Labour and National Service - J. R. Isherwood, B. O. Plummer, R. L. Want, R. F. Ward, B. A. L. White.
Post-war Reconstruction - B. W. Hartnell, C. S. Hewitt, N. F. Stuart.
Trade and Customs - L. J. Logue.
Treasury - W. K. Allard, T. H. Halsey.
Works and Housing - W. M. Herbert, B. A. J. Litchfield, J. B. Roderick, G. A. Soilleux, O. C. C. White.
Commonwealth Shipping Act - Australian Commonwealth Shipping Board - Cockatoo Island Dockyard - Balance-sheet and Liquidation Account, together with Auditor-General’s report thereon for year ended 28th February, 1946.
Customs Act -
Customs Proclamations - Nos. (657, 659, 661.
Regulations - Statutory Rules 1946, No. 138.
Defence Act - Regulations -Statutory Rules 1946, No. 150.
Income Tax Assessment Act - Regulations - Statutory Rules 1946. No.135.
Judiciary Act - Rule of Court, dated 10th October, 1946.
Lands Acquisition Act - Land acquired for -
Banking purposes - Melbourne, Victoria.
Commonwealth purposes -
Brisbane, Queensland.
Customs purposes -
Bald Hills, Queensland.
Bundaberg, Queensland.
Sarina, Queensland.
Defence purposes -
Ayr, Queensland.
Beelerup, Western Australia.
Bridgewater, Tasmania.
Clairville, New South Wales.
Deer Park, Victoria.
Dubbo New South Wales.
Geraldton, Western Australia.
Parafleld, South Australia.
Port Kembla (Mount Berkeley), New South Wales.
Prospect, New South Wales.
Toowoomba, Queensland.
Ultimo, New South Wales.
Wagga Wagga, New South Wales.
Postal purposes -
Adelaide, South Australia.
Albany, Western Australia.
Balwyn, Victoria.
Broadmeadows, Victoria.
Brunswick West, Victoria.
Cottesloe, Western Australia.
Eltham, Victoria.
Henty, New South Wales.
Kellerberrin, Western Australia.
Kilkenny, South Australia.
Kingston, South Australia.
Moonah, Tasmania.
MountHawthorn, Weatern Australia.
Oakleigh, Victoria.
Plympton, South Australia.
Preston, Victoria.
Rockdale, New South Wales.
South Yarra, Victoria.
Wagga Wagga, New South Wales.
Life Insurance Act - Regulations - Statutory Rules 1946, No. 136.
National Security Act -
National Security (Exchange Control) Regulations - Order - Sterling area.
National Security (General) Regulations - Orders -
Control of Rubber (Distribution of motor tyres and motor tubes) - Revocation.
Prohibited places - Revocation.
National Security (Maritime Industry)
Regulations - Order - No. 58.
National Security (Prices) Regulations - Orders- Nos. 2622-2737.
National Security (Rationing) Regulations Order-No. 131.
National Security (Shipping Coordination) Regulations - Orders - 1946, Nos. 23-42.
National Security (Supplementary) Regulations -
Order - Deferment of banking business.
Orders by State Premier - New South Wales (Nos. 64, 65.)
Regulations - Statutory Rules 1946, Nos. 132, 143, 148, 152, 156, 157.
Patents Act - Regulations - Statutory Rules 1946, No. 140.
Post and Telegraph Act - Regulations - Statutory Rules 1946, Nos. 131, 139.
Seat of Government (Administration) Act - Statement of Receipts and Expenditure for the Australian Capital Territory, for year 1945-46.
Social Services Contribution Assessment Act - Regulations - Statutory Rules 1946, No. 134.
Superannuation Act - Regulations - Statutory Rules 1946, No. 147.
Wool (Contributory Charge) Act - Regulations - Statutory Rules 1946, No. 133.
Senate adjourned at 3.55 p.m.
Cite as: Australia, Senate, Debates, 6 November 1946, viewed 22 October 2017, <http://historichansard.net/senate/1946/19461106_senate_18_189/>.