Senate
11 November 1975

29th Parliament · 1st Session

  1. Senate
  2. 29th Parliament
  3. 1975

The PRESIDENT (Senator the Hon. Justin O’Byrne) took the chair at 12 noon, and read prayers.

page 1869

PETITIONS

Loan and Appropriation Bills

Senator MELZER:
VICTORIA

– I present the following petition from 3 1 citizens of Australia:

To the honourable the President and Members of the Senate in Parliament assembled: The humble Petition of the undersigned citizens of Australia respectfully showeth:

That we arc fearful that any further delay by the Senate of the Loan Bill and Appropriation Bills will bring Australia into a constitutional, economic and social crisis, leaving indelible scars on our democratic institutions.

Your Petitioners most humbly pray that the Senate,”in Parliament assembled, should proceed forthwith to allow passage of these Bills so that the government, legitimately formed by a majority of the members of the people’s House (the House of Representatives) may proceed with its administration without further disruption.

And your petitioners as in duty bound will ever pray.

Petition received and read.

Loan and Appropriation Bills

Senator BROWN:
VICTORIA · ALP

– I present the following petition from 24 citizens of Australia:

To the honourable the President and Members of the Senate in Parliament assembled: The humble Petition of the undersigned citizens of Australia respectfully showeth:

That we are fearful that any further delay by the Senate of the Loan Bill and Appropriation Bills will bring Australia into a constitutional, economic and social crisis, leaving indelible scars on our democratic institutions.

Your Petitioners most humbly pray that the Senate, in Parliament assembled, should proceed forthwith to allow passage of these Bills so that the government, legitimately formed by a majority of the members of the people’s House (the Houseof Representatives) may proceed with its administration without further disruption.

And your petitioners as in duty bound will ever pray.

Petition received and read.

The Clerk:

– Petitions have been lodged for presentation as follows:

Loan and Appropriation Bills

To the honourable the President and Senators in Parliament assembled. The humble Petition of undersigned citizens of Australia respectfully showeth:

That the stability of our parliamentary system is dependent on the strict observance of constitutional convention with regard to the passage of supply in the Senate. Your Petitioners therefore humbly pray that the Senate immediately pass the 1 975-76 Budget Appropriation Bills. And your petitioners as in duty bound will ever pray. by Senator James McClelland.

Petition received.

Loan and Appropriation Bills

To the honourable the President and Members of the Senate in Parliament assembled: The Humble Petition of the undersigned citizens of Australia respectfully showeth:

That the Senate’s delay of the Loan Bill and Appropriation Bills will bring Australia into a constitutional, economic and social crisis, leaving indelible scars on our democratic institutions.

That the Senate should proceed forthwith to allow passage of these Bills so that the government, legitimately formed by a majority of the members of the people’s House (the House of Representatives) may proceed with its administration without further disruption.

And your petitioners as in duty bound will ever pray. by Senator Drury.

Petition received.

Loan and Appropriation Bills

To the honourable the President and Members of the Senate in Parliament assembled: The Humble Petition of the undersigned citizens of Australia respectfully showeth:

That we are fearful that any further delay by the Senate of the Loan Bill and Appropriation Bills will bring Australia into a constitutional, economic and social crisis, leaving indelible scars on our democratic institutions.

Your Petitioners most humbly pray that the Senate, in Parliament assembled, should proceed forthwith to allow passage of these Bills so that the government, legitimately formed by a majority of the members of the people’s House (the House of Representatives) may proceed with its administration without further disruption.

And your petitioners as in duty bound will ever pray. by Senator Mulvihill and Senator McAuliffe.

Petitions received.

Australian Government Insurance Corporation

To the honourable the President and Senators in Parliament assembled. The humble Petition of undersigned citizens of Australia respectfully showeth:

That the establishment of an Australian Government Insurance Office will:

  1. . Nationalise the Insurance Industry.
  2. Create hundreds of public service jobs and cause serious unemployment in the private insurance industry throughout Australia.
  3. Add to the Taxpayers burden.

Your Petitioners therefore humbly pray that the Senate rejects completely the Australian Government Insurance Office Bill 1975.

And your petitioners as in duty bound will ever pray. by Senator Cotton.

Petition received.

Australian Government Insurance Corporation

To the Honourable the President and Members of the Senate in Parliament assembled: The humble Petition of the undersigned citizens of Australia respectfully showeth:

  1. 1 ) That Parliament should reject the Bill currently before it to establish an Australian Government Insurance Office.
  2. That while there is a need to establish in Australia a Natural Disaster Fund to provide compensation for property damage and other losses resulting from disasters such as earthquakes, floods and cyclones, such a Fund can be established, as in other countries, using the medium of the existing private enterprise insurance offices.
  3. That a plan for such a Fund was submitted to the Treasury in October 1974.
  4. That no reasons for the establishment of an Australian Government Insurance Office (other than the desire to provide non-commercial disaster insurance and Australian Government competition with private enterprise) have been given by the Government.
  5. That there is already intense competition between the existing 45 life assurance offices and between over 260 general insurance companies now operating in Australia, and that further competition from a Government Office would only be harmful.

  6. That the insurance industry is already faced with:

    1. the effects of inflation,
    2. increased taxation on life assurance offices,
    3. the effects of recent natural disasters,
    4. other legislative measures already in train or in prospect by the Government, e.g. the National Compensation Bill, National Superannuation Plan.
  7. That as taxpayers your petitioners are greatly concerned at the huge costs (far more than the $2 million initial capital and loan funds which it is proposed will be allocated ) of establishing an Australian Government Insurance Office.

Your petitioners therefore humbly pray that the House will reject the Bill.

And your petitioners as in duty bound will ever pray. by Senator Cotton.

Petition received.

page 1870

BUDGET BILLS

Notice of Motion

Senator WRIEDT:
Leader of the Government in the Senate · Tasmania · ALP

– I give notice that at the next sitting I shall move:

That this Senate deplores the impropriety of the Opposition in persistently and callously taking advantage of the death of Senator Milliner to defer consideration of the Budget bills. The Senate notes that, if Senator Milliner had been replaced by the Queensland Parliament with another Labor Party Senator, a principle unanimously commended to the parliaments of all States by the Senate on 13 February 1975, on a motion moved by the Leader of the Opposition in this chamber, and as convention demanded, the Opposition could not have carried amendments delaying the passage of the Budget Bills. The Senate is therefore of the opinion that the high standards of parliamentary conduct demand that the Opposition reconsider its position, stop taking unfair advantage of Senator Milliner’s untimely death, and take the honourable course of arranging for one of its members to abstain from voting on Budget Bills.

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QUESTION

QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

page 1870

QUESTION

VISIT BY RUSSIAN OFFICIALS

Senator GREENWOOD:
VICTORIA

– Will the Minister for Foreign Affairs state the purpose for which 2

Russian nationals, Mr Vladimir Kouzin and Mr Alexandrov Kulakov, are about to come to Australia? Are these persons not identified agents of the KGB referred to in the documented work by John Barron entitled KGB? Are they not, in the words of the author, identified positively by two or more responsible sources as having engaged in clandestine activities against foreign countries and known to be either regular staff officers of the KGB or co-opted agents? Is not Vladimir Kouzin identified as an active KGB agent in New York and Mr Alexandrov Kulakov as a KGB agent in both Great Britain and Denmark? Did not one of these 2 agents operate under the cover of an international organisation? Why, in the light of the record, are these persons persona grata in Australia? Does not this Government accept that the surreptitious activities of the KGB are a threat to Australian security and that the KGB has been proven to be the Soviet Union’s effective means of committing espionage abroad, subverting public officials, plotting sabotage and assassinations and promoting strikes, demonstrations, riots and other subversive activities? Why has his Department, knowing of the publicised association of these people in the KGB, chosen not to announce their visit but simply to confirm it after it became known?

The PRESIDENT:

– Order!I think that the question should be placed on the notice paper.

Senator GREENWOOD:

-Mr President, I have not finished the question.

The PRESIDENT:

– It should be reframed.

Senator GREENWOOD:

– I ask: What undisclosed connections with the KGB has the Australian Government developed which enable these 2 persons to be allowed into Australia?

Senator WILLESEE:
Minister for Foreign Affairs · WESTERN AUSTRALIA · ALP

– These people are mentioned in Mr Barron’s book, and I think most people know that. Mr Kulakov, head of the Department of Foreign Relations of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics Academy of Sciences, and Mr V. A. Kouzin, deputy chief of the Foreign Relations Department of the U.S.S.R. State Committee for Science and Technology, were to have arrived in Australia this morning, 1 1 November, to represent the U.S.S.R. at a review commission under the Australia-U.S.S.R. Agreement on Scientific and Technical Cooperation. It is well known that the U.S.S.R. employs a significant number of intelligence officers in its various official institutions, particularly those with responsibility for foreign contacts. However much we may deplore this practice, this Government, like all governments which have entered into the normal range of relations with the U.S.S.R., accepts that it is inescapably bound to work from time to time with Soviet officials with intelligence backgrounds.

Messrs Kulakov and Kouzin hold appointments within USSR Academy of Sciences and State Committee for Science and Technology which are directly relevant to the work of the Review Commission to consider co-operation under the Australia-USSR Science and Technology Agreement. The applications by Messrs Kulakov and Kouzin for visas to visit Australia were naturally considered against the background of what the Government knew of their KGB connections. It was decided to accept their nomination by the Soviet authorities on the basis of their present positions in the Soviet scientific bureaucracy, in which capacity they have paid a number of visits to other Western countries in recent times. Mr Kulakov I understand, has been to the United States, France and Austria since the beginning of 1974. I imagine his duties for the USSR Academy of Sciences have also taken him to other countries, but I do not have comprehensive information about his movements. Mr Kouzin, of course, was in Australia last year for the initialling of the science agreement between Australia and the USSR. I understand he also visited Canada recently. Their visit of one week’s duration was to have been taken up with negotiations and meetings with senior Australian officials. We have just received a message from our Embassy in Moscow that the USSR authorities have informed the Embassy that the delegation to the meeting will not now be coming because of, and I quote from the telegram, ‘the situation in Canberra ‘.

page 1871

QUESTION

STAFF OF DEPUTY LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION

Senator MULVIHILL:
NEW SOUTH WALES

– My question is directed to the Minister for Police and Customs. By way of preface I refer to my question of last week implicating 2 members of the star! of the Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party, Mr Lynch, in reprehensible conduct, to wit, improper use of government cars. Can the Minister give me a pledge that he is maintaining close liaison with Senator Willesee, the Minister responsible for passport control, to ensure that at least one of them, Mr Buckley, does not seek to emulate the Barton family?

Senator CAVANAGH:
Minister for Police and Customs · SOUTH AUSTRALIA · ALP

– One of the reasons why we wanted an Australian police force was that there is no one doing sufficient work into white collar and corporate crime. We have not reached that stage yet. I shall co-operate as much as possible with other Ministers to ensure that undesirable personnel do not leave the country if they are in breach of Australian law but remain here to face the accusations about their crimes.

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QUESTION

GOVERNMENT USE OF BANK FUNDS

Senator DRAKE-BROCKMAN:
WESTERN AUSTRALIA

-My question is directed to the Leader of the Government in the Senate. In view of the Prime Minister’s repeated assertions that the Government, without a Budget, would be able to carry on legally, constitutionally and. with Parliament’s approval, why has the Government delayed announcing details of the emergency plans? What difficulties has the Government encountered?

Senator WRIEDT:
ALP

– It must be obvious to anyone that the program which the Government has announced in broad outline is of necessity complex because it involved the great bulk of the Australian banking system with all its complexities. I can only restate what I have said in previous answers to questions, that is, that the Government is committed to act constitutionally and legally and to seek the necessary parliamentary approval for whatever may be involved in the scheme that it has in mind. As to any alleged delay in the announcement of details, I do not think that that for one moment suggests any insuperable obstacles are being encountered. It is important that before any such scheme is implemented the banks are quite clear on the details of such a scheme, and I am quite sure that the banks themselves would want to be. I anticipate that the arrangements will be the subject of an announcement in the very near future.

page 1871

QUESTION

SCHOOL CADETS

Senator DRURY:
SOUTH AUSTRALIA

– My question is directed to the Minister representing the Minister for Defence. Is he aware of a report in the Australian of Thursday, 6 November 1975, which contains an allegation by the New South Wales Minister for Culture, Sport and Recreation that Sir Arthur Tange, the Permanent Head of the Department of Defence, had misled the Government by recommending that school cadets be disbanded? Is there any substance in the allegation? What was the basis of the Government’s decision to disband the Cadet Corps?

Senator BISHOP:
Postmaster-General · SOUTH AUSTRALIA · ALP

– I have seen the report. It has been drawn to my notice by Senator Drury. I note that the report refers to Sir Arthur Tange as the former head of the Department of Defence. Everybody knows that he is the present head. It seems clear to me from what has been reported, if the reported statement is true, that Mr

Barraclough either is not informed or is purposely putting out false information. Mr Morrison, in a statement to the Parliament on 26 August, pointed out that the recommendation to the Government to abolish school cadets had come from the Defence Force Development Committee which represents the most authoritative source of advice on defence matters to the Minister. The Minister said that the Committee had formally advised him that abolition of the school cadets would have no adverse effects on capabilities but would release Service manpower for other purposes. This view was endorsed by Major-General Pearson, who recently retired as Chief of Army Personnel, at a seminar in Brisbane on 1 September. He said it should not be the responsibility of the Services to maintain cadets and drain defence expenditure. It is the view of the Chief of the General Staff and the Military Board that the $ 1 1 m-plus allocated to cadet training can be more effectively used for the defence of Australia in other fields. In relation to allegations that Sir Arthur Tange had misled the Government, I repeat that the advice to the Minister from the Defence Force Development Committee was unanimous and included the views of all its members, namely, the chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee, Admiral Sir Victor Smith, the 3 Chiefs of Staff- Vice Admiral Stevenson, Lietenant-General Hassett and Air Marshal Rowland- and the secretary of the Department of the Defence, Sir Arthur Tange.

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QUESTION

TIMOR

Senator DAVIDSON:
SOUTH AUSTRALIA

-I ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware of an appeal for $250,000 for Timor humanitarian relief which has just been launched by eight voluntary aid agencies. Does the Minister agree that there is a serious need in Timor for food, medical supplies, crop seeds and other necessary supplies? Will the Minister commend this action of non-government agencies and make available any facilities which are open to him and which are necessary in order for this urgent and humanitarian assistance to reach these people?

Senator WILLESEE:
ALP

-I had a talk with these people on, I think, Thursday. They told me that they were making this appeal for $250,000. The needs are immediate in some ways. Unfortunately the position may become worse, particularly in the new year. One of the problems in Timor on the humanitarian side is that the planting of crops has not taken place and that people have consumed some of what would be the seed for crops. 1 certainly commend the appeal. I add my voice to an appeal to the Australian people to be associated with these people in raising money for humanitarian purposes.

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QUESTION

NATIONAL AVIATION MUSEUM

Senator MCAULIFFE:
QUEENSLAND

– My question is addressed to the Special Minister of State. I refer to the report of the Committee of Inquiry on Museums and National Collections on which served a valued and former great trade union leader in Queensland, Mr Frank Waters. The report was tabled last week and, among other things, recommended a national aviation museum being established in a growth centre such as AlburyWodonga. Will the Minister assure the Senate that before any decision is taken on this matter the Government will give every consideration to other centres and take into account the claims of Queensland for such a museum, preferably at Brisbane?

Senator Douglas McClelland:
Special Minister of State · NEW SOUTH WALES · ALP

– It is true that last week I tabled the report of the Committee of Inquiry on Museums and National Collections established by the Government to inquire into and to make recommendations to the Government on the subject of museums and national collections. It is true that in that report it was recommended by the Committee that a museum of history of aviation in Australia be established at Albury-Wodonga. I tell the honourable senator that, from the large number of letters which have been received by me and by my Department on this subject since the report was made, it is obvious that there is great public interest in the matter. The Government will give consideration to all aspects of the report. As I have said, it has already attracted considerable publicity. I am well aware of claims by Queensland for a national aviation museum. Queensland has a proud record in the history of aviation in Australia. I have arranged for my Department to convene an interdepartmental committee to study the contents of the report before I submit recommendations to Cabinet. I am sure that the interdepartmental committee which has been established will take note of the points made by the honourable senator.

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QUESTION

VISIT BY RUSSIAN OFFICIALS

Senator CARRICK:
NEW SOUTH WALES

– My question which is directed to the Minister for Foreign Affairs follows the reply which the Minister gave to Senator Greenwood’s question regarding the 2 KGB agents who have been scheduled to visit Australia. I refer in particular to the substance of the Minister’s statement to the effect that from time to time it was necessary to associate with intelligence agents. I ask: Does that association occur with intelligence agents other than those of Russia? Specifically, does the Government have overt contact from time to time with United States Central Intelligence Agency agents?

Senator WILLESEE:
ALP

– I am not quite sure what the honourable senator is geting at. I ask him to put the question on notice.

Opposition Senators- Oh!

Senator WILLESEE:
ALP

– If the honourable senator would make the question a little plainer I could answer it.

page 1873

QUESTION

REPATRIATION CLAIMS

Senator EVERETT:
TASMANIA

– I ask the Minister for Repatriation and Compensation: Is it a fact that the time taken by repatriation boards and war pensions entitlement appeal tribunals to determine claims and appeals for repatriation benefits has lengthened since the Government decided that these determining authorities should give reasons for their decisions? Can the Minister advise whether any steps are being taken to reduce the times now occupied?

Senator WHEELDON:
Minister for Repatriation and Compensation · WESTERN AUSTRALIA · ALP

– I think the short answer to the question is yes. Of course we did anticipate that if the various repatriation tribunals were going to be giving reasons for their decisions, of necessity that would take longer than if they were merely giving a decision without stating reasons. That was taken into account by the Government and by veterans organisations when they advocated to the Government that that principle ought to be introduced. It is a principle which is of advantage to applicants and to appellants. These tribunals are of a judicial nature and I think everyone would agree that it is only fair that those people who receive a decision from them should know the reasons for that decision. Both the repatriation boards and the appeal tribunals are now taking longer than they took previously, as we anticipated they would. Other factors apart from the giving of written decisions are causing certain delays, such as maintaining the availability of medical officers to give medical opinions. We are finding a certain reluctance as the years since the war roll by on the part of medical practitioners to agree to act as repatriation medical officers.

Inquiries a lso are taking longer because of the time that has elapsed since the wars. It is now much more difficult to establish whether a disability was war caused some 30 years after the war than it was a few years after the war. The situation is much more complex. However, I would agree that the major reason for the delay is probably the fact that reasons for the decisions are now being given. The Government is endeavouring to overcome, and I think it is succeeding, this problem by the appointment of additional boards in New South Wales and Victoria. In the other States, boards which formerly operated part time are now working much longer hours. Also some administrative steps have been taken which we hope will speed up the procedures. A firm of management consultants has inquired into the whole system of repatriation boards and tribunals and it has given us a report upon which we are acting. While acknowledging all of these matters, I repeat that it is important for the veterans that they know the reasons for decisions, particularly adverse decisions, and the Government intends to persevere with what we regard as a reform in the repatriation law which was long overdue and which is in the best interests of all those people who are entitled or who believe they are entitled to receive repatriation benefits.

page 1873

QUESTION

RELATIONS WITH NORTH KOREA

Senator SIM:
WESTERN AUSTRALIA

– Can the Minister for Foreign Affairs advise the Senate the present diplomatic position between Australia and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea following the expulsion of Australian diplomats? Has the Minister any further information concerning any unpaid debts left behind by the departed diplomats of the Democratic People ‘s Republic of Korea?

Senator WILLESEE:
ALP

-I gave Senator Sim an answer to the latter part of his question the other day to the effect that I did not have any information. I have received a letter from a gentleman in which he states that some money is owed to him by the North Korean Embassy in relation to a deal, and we are looking into that situation. I have had prepared an answer to the honourable senator’s question in relation to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, and although it is a little long I think perhaps it should be put on the record. The Australian Embassy at Pyongyang was withdrawn on Saturday, 8 November. I am pleased to report that the members of the Embassy staff are now safely in Peking, having met no hindrance in arranging their departure from Pyongyang. Honourable senators will recall that I informed them last week of the extraordinary circumstances of the withdrawal of the staff of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea Embassy from Canberra and that the Australian Government had rejected the sweeping, unsupported and untrue allegations which the Embassy had made in a Note circulated after its departure. The difficulties of the delivery of the

Australian Government’s Note, which the DPRK refused to accept, are set out in a Press release from my Department, dated 6 November. At the conclusion of my answer, I will seek leave to have that Press release incorporated in Hansard.

On 6 November, the Australian Charge d ‘Affaires, Mr John Watson, was called to the Foreign Ministry where the Director of Protocol handed over a DPRK Note in insulting terms. I describe it as a Note, though it lacks the customary forms and courtesies of diplomatic correspondence. This Note makes further allegations of an even more irresponsible nature, mainly directed against the Australian Embassy in Pyongyang. I will not dignify these allegations by rebutting each one of them in turn, but will say only that they are so transparently false that they do the Government of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea no credit and raise serious questions about its willingness or capacity to act in the normally accepted way. This Note was also circulated to all missions in Pyongyang, and it asks other countries to believe that in the space of 7 months a 3-man embassy undertook in a very highly controlled society a pattern of illegal activities which, to use the terminology of the DPRK, ‘deranged social order’. I again formally reject the charges which have been made against the Australian Government and its representatives.

The allegations of the DPRK are at variance with what has actually happened in recent months, lt will be recalled that I visited Pyongyang in June and at that time I had 4 hours of official discussions with the DPRK Foreign Minister, Ho Dam. I also had very many unofficial talks with him. The upshot of these discussions was that we agreed that there were differences between our 2 countries on a number of substantive issues, as well as similarities. The DPRK Foreign Minister said that it was natural that there should be ‘serious differences’ between us. These differences focused particularly on the status of the ROK- That is, the Republic of South Korea- as the Government of a state and on its right to membership of international organisations and to an equal place with the DPRK in the working out of any arrangements leading to a reduction of tension in the Korean peninsula and leading towards reunification.

The position of the Australian Government on this matter is firm. It has been expressed publicly, as in my address at this year’s United Nations General Assembly on 23 September, just as it has been expressed consistently in private conversations not only with the DPRK but also with the friends of the DPRK. It was, for instance, a point made by the Prime Minister in his discussions during his visit to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics in January of this year. This has been an approach which the Australian Government has followed consistently since it first established contacts with representatives of the DPRK. In the negotiations leading up to the agreement for the establishment of diplomatic relations, which it will be recalled took place over a period of 6 months during 1974, the Australian Government made it clear that in opening a mission in Pyongyang it did not accept that the opening of a mission required that the Australian Government should change its policies. We specifically indicated that in recognising the DPRK we did not intend to reduce our relations with the ROK. The Government of the DPRK accepted that in 1974. In the event, and for reasons best known to itself, it was unable to accept it in 1 975.

The Australian Government continues to believe that there must be dialogue with the 2 Koreas and between them. It regrets that the DPRK has made this more difficult by choosing to withdraw its staff from Canberra and by preventing the Australian Government from maintaining its representation in Pyongyang. We will remain ready to talk to the DPRK in other capitals and in international organisations. Relations between our 2 countries have not been severed. It is hardly necessary to say that the actions of the DPRK have not been conducive to the development of the spirit of conciliation or to making progress towards a peaceful and lasting settlement on the Korean peninsula. It is not consistent with the more outgoing foreign policy on which the DPRK seems to have embarked recently that it should be intolerant of differing views or that it should react to them in such an unreasonable and inflammatory way as it has done in its relations with Australia. I ask for leave to incorporate in Hansard the Press statement which was released by my Department in respect of this matter.

The PRESIDENT:

-Is leave granted? There being no objection, leave is granted. (The document read as follows)-

WITHDRAWAL OF AUSTRALIAN EMBASSY

The Department of Foreign Affairs provides the following information additional to the announcement by the Minister for Foreign Affairs today 6 November of the withdrawal of the Australian Embassy in Pyongyang.

The Embassy delivered the Australian Government’s note rejecting the DPRK’s objections to the Foreign Ministry of the DPRK at 1 7 1 5 hours local time on 3 November.

On S November the note was returned unopened.

The Australian Charge d ‘Affaires a.i. in Pyongyang delivered the note again at 0930 local lime on 6 November.

At 1200 local time he was called to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs where the Protocol Director handed over a note in insulting terms demanding the withdrawal of the Embassy. He handed bac* the Australian note unopened.

page 1875

QUESTION

IRON AND STEEL

Senator GIETZELT:
NEW SOUTH WALES

– My question is directed to the Minister for Police and Customs. The Minister is aware that certain imports of iron and steel are subject to import licensing which will terminate on 3 1 December 1975. Could the Minister please advise the Senate whether there is any way in which importers can be assisted in the forward ordering of these products?

Senator CAVANAGH:
ALP

– It will be recalled that while there are import restrictions on iron and steel, at present those restrictions are subject to a review by the Industries Assistance Commission. It is expected that the report of the IAC will be received shortly. In view of the delay that will occur before we have advice on what will be done with the IAC report, we have advised importers that licences will be issued for the first 6 months of 1976 at a level not less than 50 per cent of the annual quota which applied to them in 1975. That approval does not seek to anticipate what the IAC may report, but it is the best that we can do to put importers on a firm footing and to allow them to arrange some importations next year. We will make a decision on the IAC report as soon as it is available.

page 1875

QUESTION

BAN ON INDONESIAN SHIPPING

Senator JESSOP:
SOUTH AUSTRALIA

– I direct a question to the Minister for Foreign Affairs. I refer to the maritime union ban on shipping to Indonesia. Can the Minister report to the Senate what the state of that situation is at present? Is it a fact that the Indonesian Government has retaliated by banning cargoes to be carried to Australia? Does the Minister agree that trade unions should interfere with foreign, affairs matters such as this? Will he deregister those unions which are involved in these affairs that do not concern them and which are obviously dictating foreign policy to the Government?

Senator WILLESEE:
ALP

-The deregistering of unions is one thing about which the Department of Foreign Affairs does not have to worry. The Indonesian vessel Garsa Dua is subject to an indefinite ban by the Firemen and Deckhands Union in Sydney. The ban is being reviewed on a day to day basis. In view of continuing uncertainty about the situation in Australian ports, the Indonesian Government has decided to defer the departure of a ship that had been scheduled to sail from Indonesia for Australia on 9 November.

At this point it would not be correct to describe Indonesia’s action as a suspension of all shipping services. The Government does not favour the imposition of bans on Indonesian ships which can only aggravate difficulties and unsettle normal commercial relations to the disadvantage of Australian as well as Indonesian shipping and commercial interests. The Government hopes that the actions against the Indonesian ships will be shortlived.

page 1875

QUESTION

LIFE ASSURANCE

Senator KEEFFE:
QUEENSLAND

-Has the Minister for Repatriation and Compensation seen newspaper reports today that a private insurance company has decided to make available for the first time in Australia life assurance to people who have been rejected under the conservative policies of other insurance companies? Is the Minister aware that it is the practice of most insurance companies to reject a large number of applications for life assurance by people, including those who are unable to write in the English language? What steps are being taken to eliminate this form of discrimination?

Senator WHEELDON:
ALP

– I have seen a report which appeared in today’s Australian and Sydney Daily Telegraph in which the Commercial Life Assurance Limited claims that it is the first company in Australia to issue non-standard life assurance policies to some 90 per cent of those people who have been wrongly assessed as sub-standard according to the criteria previously applied by all companies. I do not know whether the company’s claim to be the first company to do this is correct, but if it is I think that it calls into serious question the policies which have been followed by other life assurance companies in disqualifying such people from obtaining life assurance.

As far as the other forms of discrimination are concerned, I think that I have made a number of statements on policies which have been followed by various companies, including the Colonial Mutual Life Assurance Society Ltd, which require that a person should be able to speak and understand English without difficulty before he can obtain a life assurance policy. There have been other discriminatory practices. I think that the answer to the question as to why there may be some elimination of these discriminatory practices is that the private life assurance companies are afraid of the establishment of the Australian Government Insurance Corporation and are afraid of the competition that that would give. This is influencing the private insurance companies to abandon discriminatory policies which otherwise they would still follow.

page 1876

QUESTION

ACTIVITIES OF PUBLIC SERVANTS

Senator YOUNG:
SOUTH AUSTRALIA

-I ask the Leader of the Government in the Senate: Are reports correct that the Government is using large numbers of public servants and spending a great amount of money on operation ‘dirty tricks’, which is similar to that which was being conducted by President Nixon in the United States of America in an endeavour to obtain any issue the Government can use against any member of the Opposition? Were not the misleading statements and accusations against Mr Anthony and the Central Intelligence Agency one example of operation dirty tricks and the Government’s malicious endeavour to smear any member of the Opposition?

Senator WRIEDT:
ALP

– If the alleged operation is called ‘dirty tricks’ I am quite sure that the Government would not have the public servants working for the Opposition. I am not aware of the accusations to which Senator Young refers. All I would say is that certainly the Government would be expecting the Public Service to act in its normal way and to discharge its normal duties which I am quite sure the great majority of public servants will continue to do. If I can obtain any further information on the question I shall do so for the honourable senator.

page 1876

QUESTION

UNITED STATES FELLOWSHIP SCHEME

Senator PRIMMER:
VICTORIA

– I ask the Special Minister of State: What is the purpose of the United States Bicentennial Fellowship Scheme, which has been advertised in the national Press by his Department? Who is eligible for the fellowships and what are the benefits? Also, what has been the public reaction to the Scheme?

Senator Douglas McClelland:
Special Minister of State · NEW SOUTH WALES · ALP

-The United States Bicentennial Fellowship Scheme is part of a series of activities planned by the Australian Government for 1976 in recognition of the bicentennial year of American independence. The objectives of the Scheme are to allow an exchange of knowledge and to provide an opportunity for cultural and social interchanges between the people of Australia and the people of the United States. Under the Scheme up to 15 Australians will visit the United States and it is proposed that 15 Americans will be invited to Australia next year. The intention is that Australian fellows should not only improve their understanding of America and its culture but should also impart a knowledge of Australia. Similarly, Americans visiting Australia will be expected to bring a willingness to share as well as a desire to learn about our country. The Scheme is non-academic and is open to Australian and American citizens who show potential in their chosen field of endeavour. The awards are tenable for periods of 6 to 10 weeks and benefits include return economy air fares, approved internal travel costs and certain daily allowances. The Scheme has attracted considerable attention already. Since the advertisements were inserted about 3 weeks ago I think there have been about 2500 applicants. But of course, as Senator Primmer would know, the whole Scheme naturally is subject to the passage by the Senate of the Appropriation Bills.

page 1876

QUESTION

PAYMENT OF SERVICEMEN

Senator BAUME:
NEW SOUTH WALES

– My question, which is directed to the Minister representing the Minister for Defence, follows on reports to me from servicemen that they have been warned that they might be sent on leave without pay within a month. I ask the Minister very simply: Was this information passed to servicemen after discussion with and with the specific approval of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, or is the action in fact contrary to views on the need for continuity of defence which have been expressed already by the Commander-in-Chief to senior members of the Government?

Senator BISHOP:
ALP

– I do not know why senators on the other side keep asking questions about the uncertainty of defence pay. The Opposition is creating the situation, not the Governmentit is in the Opposition’s lap. The Opposition can get rid of this uncertainty today if it wants to. In respect of the general position with which we are faced because of the Opposition’s move, all I can say is that certain decisions have been taken with a view to achieving administrative economy and to conserving financial resources. Other measures are under consideration and will be put into effect at the appropriate time. There is no possibility at all that any measure which may be taken will be illegal, as somebody mentioned previously.

Senator BAUME:

– I wish to ask a supplementary question. Was this information passed to servicemen after discussion with, and with the specific approval of, the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces, that is, the Governor-General?

Senator BISHOP:

-In respect of that part of the question, I am not aware of any such statement having been made. All I can do is find out whether such a statement was fed back. As the honourable senator knows, there is a great deal of speculation not only in the defence forces but also in every other department as to what might happen if the Opposition continues to do what it is doing, that is, obstruct the Government

page 1877

QUESTION

NON-PAYMENT OF ACCOUNTS

Senator McLAREN:
SOUTH AUSTRALIA

– I direct my question to the Minister for Repatriation and Compensation. Has he seen a report in today’s Australian that Senator Jessop accuses the Government of making false and misleading statements to the public regarding accounts that are unpaid by the Department of Repatriation and Compensation? Is the Minister aware of the reasons for the nonpayment of these accounts and will he confirm that in fact Senator Jessop is directly responsible for this non-payment of accounts?

Senator WHEELDON:
ALP

– I have seen the report; I was rather startled. In fact, I read it this morning on an empty stomach and I was surprised that Senator Jessop should make such an extraordinary claim. I would have been surprised also if the report had appeared in any other newspaper but the Australian, in which I read it. Nobody has taken the trouble to check with me or anyone in my Department as to the veracity of these facts, but one of the least engaging characteristics of the Australian is not checking stories which it receives with those who are supposed to be responsible for administering the matters to which that newspaper refers. If, as Senator McLaren has said, Senator Jessop and his colleagues in the Opposition were prepared to stop failing to pass the Appropriation Bills and to give the Government the money to which it is entitled as a government to carry out its business, none of these problems to which Senator Jessop has referred would arise and none of the departments, including the Department of Repatriation and Compensation, would have any problems in paying their accounts.

There is no mystery in the fact that a question was raised on one day regarding an account and a cheque was received subsequently. That is more likely to be a coincidence. No doubt the query would have been about an outstanding account. The Department is under no direction from me whatsoever, nor is it pursuing any policy of deliberately withholding the payment of accounts. I categorically deny on my own behalf and on behalf of my Department any such intentions or any such actions. But, I am faced with the position that, some votes under the Supply Acts are subject to greater demands than others. For example- and this is what concerns the specific matter to which Senator Jessop referreddivision 527 funds, from which repatriation payments for nursing homes, local medical officers, special medical officers and paramedical services, pharmaceutical services and education allowances are paid, are for all practical purposes already exhausted as a result of the Opposition’s actions. At the end of October, $750,000 was held in this division. Subsequently the Department of the Treasury advanced a further $750,000 out of the Advance to the Treasurer. That amount of $ 1.5m is insufficient in a division which at present is accumulating accounts to the value of $2, 100,000 a week.

Senator Jessop last week asked specific questions on this matter and I am obtaining the full details from the Department. As I promised then, I hope to inform him on this matter later this week. As to the question of the subsequent receipt of the cheque following the question which was asked in the Senate, I have to point out that the processing of payments is normally spread over several days and no payment has been made as a direct consequence of any question asked of me in the Senate. Subsequent receipt of a payment in the circumstances that Senator Jessop is reported to have mentioned would be purely coincidental and would not have any relationship to anything that had happened within this chamber.

page 1877

QUESTION

POLLING BOOTH OFFICIALS

Senator BESSELL:
TASMANIA

– My question is directed to the Minister representing the Minister for Administrative Services. Can the Minister confirm reports that officials at polling booths will be required in future to pay income tax based upon the pay they receive on that day and not as part of annual income? If the answer to that is yes, does the Minister realise that many of these people, because of high taxable incomes, in fact would be working for a little over $ 1 an hour, based on the amounts paid at the last election?

Senator WILLESEE:
ALP

– Firstly, I think that may be a question for the Treasurer. The gravamen of the question relates to taxation on extra payments such as overtime. It is a very old and hardy annual. I point out that last week we passed an Income Tax Bill which reduced substantially taxation at those levels. However, I will refer the specific subject to Mr Daly or perhaps to Mr Hayden, whoever is the appropriate Minister, for an answer.

page 1877

QUESTION

AUSTRALIAN MINERALS COUNCIL

Senator GRIMES:
NEW SOUTH WALES

– My question, which is directed to the Minister for Minerals and Energy, concerns the Australian Minerals Council. Does he intend to take an active role in this Council? When does he expect to call a meeting of the Council? What role does he see the Council playing in Australian-State Government cooperation in the development of Australia’s mineral resources?

Senator WRIEDT:
ALP

-The Australian Minerals Council comprises the Australian Minister for Minerals and Energy and also the State Ministers in this field. There have been, I understand, some meetings of the Council in the past but there has not been perhaps the liaison that could have existed. Many of the areas of responsibility, and also the legal rights of the States and the Australian Government are quite clearly defined in some areas and not so clearly defined in others. It is important that there be as much dialogue as possible between the Australian Government and the States so that matters of common interest can be resolved. This does not mean for one moment that the policies of the Australian Government would be in any way abrogated by the attendance of myself at one of those Council meetings. If, in fact, the development of our natural resources can be expedited by a greater degree of consultation with the States, I would think that course ought to be followed.

page 1878

QUESTION

CONSTRUCTION WORK FOR COMMISSIONS

Senator MISSEN:
VICTORIA

– I direct a question to the Minister representing the Minister for Housing and Construction, or alternatively to the Postmaster-General. What proportion of the total value of public works constructed by the Department of Housing and Construction in the last 5 years was ordered by the PostmasterGeneral’s Department? ls it expected that the establishment of 2 semi-autonomous commissions in place of the Australian Post Office will result in a decline in this proportion of work undertaken? Have there been any negotiations between the Department of Housing and Construction, the Australian Postal Commission and the Australian Telecommunications Commission regarding the letting of construction contracts for the Commissions? If so, has agreement been reached and what is the nature of the agreement?

Senator CAVANAGH:
ALP

– I am informed that the Postmaster-General can answer some parts of the question. I do not know the details of the percentage of the work that is undertaken by the Department of Housing and Construction for the Postmaster-General ‘s Department. However, at the time I was Minister for Works, as the portfolio was then known, the Postmaster-General ‘s

Department was possibly the biggest client for that Department. To ascertain whether there has been any alteration in that position, I ask the honourable senator to place the question on notice. We will obtain a considered reply from the Minister for Housing and Construction and the Postmaster-General.

page 1878

QUESTION

COMMUNICATIONS WITH WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Senator McINTOSH:
WESTERN AUSTRALIA

– I direct a question to the Postmaster-General. What action has been taken by the Australian Telecommunications Commission to improve communications between Western Australia and the eastern States?

Senator BISHOP:
ALP

– There has already been a great expansion of the east-west trunk system to double the number of telephone circuits on that system. Some $2m worth of equipment was ordered earlier this year to provide a further 600 telephone circuits to raise the capacity to 1 ,800 circuits by 1977. Interstate television programs for the national station at Norseman will be improved by 1976 by the installation of a television program relay bearer between Kalgoorlie and Norseman. A coaxial cable from Ceduna to Cobar will be installed by 1978 to provide a more direct and alternative link to Sydney. The Telecommunications Commission is also planning for the installation of a fourth transcontinental telephony bearer from Norseman to Ceduna by 1979.

page 1878

QUESTION

CLOTHING SHORTAGES

Senator SHEIL:
QUEENSLAND

– Is the Minister for Manufacturing Industry taking action to prevent a shortage of a wide range of clothing and manchester goods predicted for early next year? What action is he taking to eradicate bottle-necks in his Department that are delaying the granting of quotas and causing unreasonable hardship for both manufacturers and retailers, and also are responsible for the predicted shortages?

Senator James McClelland:
NEW SOUTH WALES · ALP

– I ask that the question be placed on the notice paper.

page 1878

QUESTION

AUSTRALIAN POLICE FOR CYPRUS

Senator MELZER:

– I direct a question to the Minister for Police and Customs. I believe that the new contingent of Australian police for Cyprus is due to leave Australia shortly. Could the Minister inform the Senate why the contingent has been reduced in number from 35 to 1 6?

Senator CAVANAGH:
ALP

-The first contingent of Australian police to serve with the United Nations peacekeeping force in Cyprus was sent to the island during 1 964. At that time the contingent comprised 40 members, drawn from all Australian police forces. As a consequence of a proposal in 1 974 the contingent was reduced to 35. Following recent population transfers of Turkish Cypriots to the north of the island in accordance with, the agreement concluded between both parties, Greece and Turkey, there is a reduced need for intercommunal policing in the Greek Cypriot area. This situation prompted the Secretary-General of the United Nations to propose a reduction in the United Nations peacekeeping force from approximately 3500 to 2900. This meant a reduction of 565 military and 62 police personnel. Under the agreement which was reached on 26 September 1975 the Australian contribution was reduced from 35 to 16 members, lt was agreed that this take effect from the November rotation period. I pay a tribute to the peacekeeping force and to the high standard of the Australian contingent. I think this was shown at the memorial service on 28 October to the late Sergeant Ian Ward who was killed in a land mine explosion on the island in November 1974.

page 1879

QUESTION

AUSTRALIAN MINERALS COUNCIL

Senator DURACK:
WESTERN AUSTRALIA

– My question is directed to the Minister for Minerals and Energy. I refer to the answer which he gave a short time ago to Senator Devitt about his decision to revive the Australian Minerals Council. He said that the Council undoubtedly has benefits. In view of those benefits, why has the Council not met for some considerable time? When did it last meet?

Senator WRIEDT:
ALP

– It last met on the 7th of this month. That was last week.

Senator Durack:

– Not with you present.

Senator WRIEDT:

– No. I was here, if you will recall. I could not say precisely the dates on which the Council has met in recent years. If the honourable senator would like me to obtain a list of the meeting dates, I will forward them to him.

page 1879

QUESTION

GOVERNMENT FINANCES

Senator DONALD CAMERON:
Minister for Science and Consumer Affairs · SOUTH AUSTRALIA · ALP

-Has the attention of the Minister Assisting the Minister for Defence been drawn to an article in today’s Australian in which Senator Jessop accused the Government of needlessly withholding funds to create uncertainty? In particular, has the Minister noted that Senator Jessop alleged that the Army and the Department of Defence have claimed that September accounts cannot be paid?

Senator BISHOP:
ALP

-Senator Wheeldon has already answered a similar question in respect of repatriation matter. According to the article in the Australian this morning, Senator Jessop allegedly referred to misleading statements, Ministers creating uncertainty about matters, and claims about funds for the Army and the defence services. I have checked with the Department. It is aware, as I am, of only one representation that Senator Jessop made to me. It was not about funds. It was about the case of a particular serviceman. I responded very quickly by showing the honourable senator the file of the person concerned. No instructions have been given to the Army or to the Department of Defence to cease paying any accounts properly presented for payment. Contractors to the Services have no reason to expect that September accounts will not be paid. What will happen to accounts presented next month is a very different matter. As to creating uncertainty, I suggest that Senator Jessop is the one who is doing that. We all know that it was not long ago that members of the Press were trying to find out from him whether he would vote for Supply. Not long ago he said that he would not stop Supply. Yesterday the television people were at his office to find out what his position is now. It is not the Ministers of the Government who are creating uncertainty. I suggest that it is Senator Jessop and others.

page 1879

QUESTION

OVERSEAS LOANS

Senator SCOTT:
NEW SOUTH WALES

-I ask the Minister for Police and Customs: Did the Minister in answer to a question asked by Senator Jessop on Thursday last say that statements reported to have been made that day by Mr Karidis made it possible to pinpoint who was in breach of his oath- Mr Karidis or Mr Khemlani? Has the Minister accepted an unsworn, oral statement rather than a written declaration? Does this indicate the Minister’s prejudice against Mr Khemlani, in whom the Government recently placed its trust to raise a massive loan?

Senator CAVANAGH:
ALP

– In answering Senator Jessop ‘s question last Thursday I pointed out that there were contradictions between the sworn statement of Mr Khemlani and the answers given on oath by Mr Karidis when he appeared before the Senate. I was very impressed with Mr Karidis and I think that all honourable senators believed, with a degree of confidence, that he was speaking the truth. That has perhaps created the suspicion that Mr Karidis has been more truthful than Mr Khemlani. Subsequent to that there have been some apparent contradictions in Mr Khemlani ‘s statement. Whether they are deliberate untruths or perhaps some inaccuracies that have simply crept into his statement I do not know.

Mr Karidis, whom I have stated I have more confidence in than Mr Khemlani, has made a public statement in the Press which would have been libellous if it did not attract the defence of truth. That statement completely contradicted the statement of Mr Khemlani. Mr Karidis said that in his opinion, as a result of the contradictions between his statement and Mr Khemlani ‘s statement, some doubt was cast upon the validity and the truthfulness of any of Mr Khemlani ‘s statements. As the honourable senator said, some Ministers did have sufficient confidence in Mr Khemlani to ask him to find out what he could do about raising funds. We have now reached the position where Mr Khemlani is the idol of the Opposition, which is using him in an endeavour to justify its unconstitutional attitude in relation to the rejection of Supply. For that reason, members of the Opposition have some desire to uphold him as a paragon of virtue when, in view of the facts, he is not. I would say to the Opposition that to justify its stand it has to get a better idol than Mr Khemlani.

page 1880

QUESTION

MEDIBANK

Senator WEBSTER:
VICTORIA

– I ask the Minister for Social Security: Does he recall giving the Senate payout figures on behalf of Medibank for the months of July and August? Does he recall that on page 9 10 of the Senate Hansard he stated that for July 160 000 claims costing somewhat less than $ 13.5m were paid and that in August 3 million claims at a cost of somewhat less than $30m were paid? I ask the Minister: Does he check the veracity of the statements that he makes in the Senate? If so, can he indicate why the average cost of the claims paid by Medibank in July were approximately $84 but only $10 in August?

Senator WHEELDON:
ALP

– I think I will require this question to be placed on notice. I recall giving the answer but I do not remember the details. I will obtain a detailed answer for Senator Webster.

Sitting suspended from J to 2 p.m.

page 1880

MEDIBANK

Senator WHEELDON:
Western AustraliaMinister for Repatriation and Compensation and Minister for Social Security · ALP

– On 8 October and 4 November in the Senate and on 10 October in the appropriate Senate Estimates Committee, Senator Sheil raised the matter of the non-payment of benefits for services rendered by doctors to other doctors, their wives and families. The policy is, as was explained to the Senate Estimates Committee in which Senator Sheil raised the matter, that medical benefits are not payable when the medical service is rendered by a medical practitioner to his family or to his partners or their dependants. This has been the policy of the Department of Social Security for some time.

MB Circular 75, distributed by the Department of Health in April 1970 under the previous Governent, explains the policy, and that it is in accord with the views expressed by the Federal Assembly of the Australian Medical Association as reported in the supplement to the Medical Journal of Australia of 24 November 1975. It is also in keeping with the principle that doctors did not generally make charges for these services prior to the introduction of the medical benefits scheme.

page 1880

QUESTION

STUDENTS FROM SOUTH VIETNAM AND CAMBODIA

Senator James McClelland:
Minister for Labor and Immigration · NEW SOUTH WALES · ALP

I have been asked several questions over a period of some weeks by Senator Carrick and I am now in a position to inform the Senate concerning the future status of students from South Vietnam and Cambodia, some of whom have expressed concern that the Government may require them to return to their home countries against their will. Any such concern is without foundation. The Government has no such intention. However, it is expected that many of the students from Vietnam and Cambodia who are currently completing their courses will wish to return home.

The Government has now decided that Government sponsored students from South Vietnam and Cambodia may apply for resident status in Australia if they so desire. This applies whether they have completed their studies, have terminated their studies before completion or still have a further period of study ahead of them to complete their courses. Since 1973 private students from these two countries have been eligible under the normal policy to seek resident status upon the successful completion of their study courses. The Government’s decision will now enable those private students who are still studying or who have abandoned their studies to apply for resident status if they do not wish to return home.

Some private and Government sponsored students may be in receipt of special financial assistance from the Australian Government to enable them to continue their studies. The acquisition of resident status could influence their continued eligibility to receive that assistance. We will ensure that private and Government sponsored students in this situation who apply for resident status will be fully informed so that they can determine whether they would prefer the question of resident status to be held over until they have completed their studies. There would, of course, be no problems about extension of their temporary stay for this purpose.

This decision recognises the situation of Vietnamese and Cambodian students and does not, by implication, confer on students from other countries the same privileges. Concern has also been expressed by some students from Laos whose courses of study have finished or are about to finish that the Government may require them to return to their home country. Any Laotian student who has completed his studies and applies to remain permanently will have his application considered sympathetically on its merits against i:he normal criteria for such cases.

page 1881

QUESTION

ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS ON NOTICE

The PRESIDENT:

– During question time last Thursday, Senator Baume raised a matter with me regarding the practice of circulating answers to questions on notice and I undertook to obtain whatever information I could for him. Senator Baume made the point that answers to questions sometimes appear in the Hansard before honourable senators have had a chance to ask the question of the Minister orally in the chamber. Senators will recall that the Senate considered proposals for new Standing Orders on 19 and 20 August 1975, and finally agreed to give a trial period to a proposed new standing order No. 103, with a modification.

The Standing Orders Committee originally proposed that a new standing order No. 103 in the following terms should be adopted:

The reply to a Question on Notice shall be given by delivering the same to the Clerk. A copy thereof shall be supplied to the Senator who has asked the Question, and such Question and reply shall be printed in Hansard.

The Senate, however, on motion by Senator Douglas McClelland, added the following words:

Provided that any Senator who, pursuant to this Standing Order, has received a copy of a reply may, by leave, ask the Question and have the reply read in the Senate.

The Senate agreed that the proposed standing order, with the amendment, should be adopted as a Sessional Order for a period of 3 months, so that its workability could be tested. The Sessional Order is due to be reviewed by the Senate on the first sitting day after 20 November.

One of the reasons for the adoption of the proposal was to enable any answers to questions on notice received to be included in Hansard if received before the time for finalising the Notice Paper and Hansard. The procedure eliminated the need for a list to be circulated in the chamber prior to the sitting of the Senate, and eliminated the need for an early cut-off time for the acceptance of replies. The practice has been that where answers are received too late in the day for the question to be asked orally, but are included in Hansard, honourable senators may still ask the question on the following sitting day and it will again appear in Hansard.

It would seem that the answers to questions to which Senator Baume referred arrived very late in the day, far too late for them to be asked at the end of question time, but early enough to be included in Hansard. It may be that there are some problems with the system on trial at the moment, in which case I suggest that honourable senators raise the matter when the Senate reviews the procedure on the first sitting day after 20 November.

page 1881

ASSENT TO BILLS

Assent to the following Bills reported:

States Grams Bill 1975

States Grants (Special Assistance) Bill 1975

Local Government Grants Bill 1 975

page 1881

AUSTRALIAN FORESTRY COUNCIL

Senator WRIEDT:
Minister for Minerals and Energy · Tasmania · ALP

– For the information of honourable Senators I present a summary of resolutions and recommendations of the fourteenth meeting of the Australian Forestry Council held in Canberra on 29 August 1975.

page 1881

EXPORT FINANCE INSURANCE CORPORATION

Senator WILLESEE:
Western AustraliaMinister for Foreign Affairs · ALP

– Pursuant to section 88 (4) of the Export Finance and Insurance Corporation Act 1974 I present the report of the Export Finance Insurance Corporation for the period 1 February 1975 to 30 June 1975.

page 1881

DOMICILIARY NURSING CARE

Senator WHEELDON:
Western AustraliaMinister for Social Security · ALP

– For the information of honourable Senators I present a report entitled Survey of Patients Receiving Domiciliary Nursing Care 31 May 1974. Due to the limited number available reference copies of this report have been placed in the Parliamentary Library.

page 1882

INTERIM ABORIGINAL LAND COMMISSION

Senator CAVANAGH:
South AustraliaMinister for Police and Customs · ALP

– For the information of honourable senators I present four reports submitted to the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs by the Interim Aboriginal Land Commissioner. A reference copy of each of the maps accompanying these reports has been placed in the Parliamentary Library.

page 1882

IMMIGRATION

Senator James McClelland:
Minister for Labor and Immigration · NEW SOUTH WALES · ALP

– For the information of honourable Senators I present the report of the conference of Ministers for Immigration held in Perth on 4 April 1975.

page 1882

LAW REFORM COMMISSION

Senator James McClelland:
Minister for Labor and Immigration · NEW SOUTH WALES · ALP

– Pursuant to sub-section 35 (3) of the Law Reform Commission Act 1973 I present the annual report of the Law Reform Commission for 1975.

page 1882

PUBLICATIONS COMMITTEE

Senator DONALD CAMERON:
South Australia · ALP

– I bring up the 12th Report of the Publications Committee. I seek leave to move a motion for the adoption of the report.

The PRESIDENT:

-Is leave granted? There being no dissent, leave is granted.

Motion (by Senator Donald Cameron) agreed to:

That the report be adopted.

page 1882

APPROPRIATION BILLS

Motion (by Senator Douglas McClelland)- by leave- agreed to:

That Business of the Senate, order of the day No. 1, be withdrawn.

page 1882

QUESTION

BUSINESS OF THE SENATE

Postal Regulations and By-laws

Senator DEVITT:
Tasmania

-by leave-The first notice of motion relates to certain provisions in the Postal Services Regulations and the Postal By-laws. There are 2 separate questions involved. The first is the power of officers of the

Postal Commission to open and dispose of mail. The regulations provide that mail may be opened where it may contain matter in contravention of any law, or subject to customs duty, or which has been posted overseas on behalf of persons in Australia in order to gain the advantage of lower overseas postage rates. There is also a regulation allowing the opening of mail posted at concessional rates, but this power is so expressed as to leave some doubt as to its extent. The regulations and by-laws also provide for the disposal of mail which contains such matter.

The Standing Committee on Regulations and Ordinances regarded these provisions as unduly infringing the rights and liberties of citizens. The Committee considers that the right to privacy of mail is an important right of the citizen, and ought to be abridged only pursuant to law, and with proper safeguards against misuse of the powers conferred by law. The PostmasterGeneral (Senator Bishop) has agreed to have the regulations amended so that mail may be opened only where there is a reasonable suspicion that it contravenes the law, or is subject to customs duty, or is posted abroad to take advantage of lower rates overseas. The regulation allowing the opening of concessional rate mail will be amended so as to make it clear that such mail may be opened only where it is a condition of its transmission that it be open for inspection. Mail which is alleged to contravene the law will not be disposed of except pursuant to a court order to that effect. There is already in the Customs Act a right of appeal where articles are alleged to be subject to customs duty. The regulations will be amended so that mail may not be disposed of if it is subject to legal proceedings. The by-laws will be amended so that there will be a right of appeal to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal where it is alleged that mail has been posted abroad to take advantage of lower rates overseas. Where mail has been opened and delivered, the recipient will be notified not only of the fact that his mail has been opened, but also of the reason for it being opened. The Committee regards these proposed amendments of the regulations and by-laws as providing proper limits to the power to open and dispose of mail, and proper safeguards of the rights of the citizen. The second question, arising in relation to certain postal by-laws, was the payment of compensation for registered or certified mail which is lost or damaged. The by-laws gave the Postal Commission the final say as to any compensation to be paid. The Committee has been assured that an appeal to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal will be provided in relation to this matter. On behalf of the Regulations and Ordinances Committee I would like to thank the Postmaster-General who, once again, has shown a ready appreciation of the matters raised by the Committee, and a willingness to assist the Committee to achieve it objectives.

The second notice of motion relates to 2 provisions in the Australian Capital Territory Liquor Ordinance. The first provision appeared to allow the Liquor Licensing Board to cancel a liquor licence without first holding a hearing. The Committee considered that, notwithstanding the provision of a right of appeal to a court where a licence is cancelled, a licensee ought to have a right to be heard before his licence is cancelled. The Minister for the Capital Territory (Mr Bryant) has agreed to amend the Ordinance to this effect. The other provision appeared to be unclear in its effect, but it has been explained to the satisfaction of the Committee. In view of the action taken by the responsible Ministers, I withdraw Business of the Senate, notices of motion Nos 1 and 2, standing in my name. I wish to assure the Senate that in spite of the difficulties of recent weeks, the Committee has continued its work of scrutinising delegated legislation to safeguard the rights and liberties of Australian citizens. I would like to thank my colleagues on the Committee for their assistance in this work, and also Senator Durack, who took some interest in the matter of the Postal Services Regulations.

Senator DURACK:
Western Australia

– By leave- I congratulate Senator Devitt and the members of the Senate Standing Committee on Regulations and Ordinances for the interest they took in these regulations and for the manner in which they have sought and obtained significant amendments to them. I believe that the privacy of every citizen is of fundamental importance in the community. As these regulations under the Postal Services Regulations definitely infringe in the many ways which Senator Devitt has detailed, it was certainly an important matter for the Senate Regulations and Ordinances Committee to take into consideration and to seek to amend. I am also very pleased to note that the Postmaster-General, Senator Bishop, accepted the suggestions that were made by the Committee and has undertaken to have these regulations redrafted in the way in which Senator Devitt has indicated. I hope the new regulations will meet the various points which have been made. Naturally, we will all be looking to them with great interest when they come to light. Of course, if they are not satisfactory the powers of the Senate still remain to ensure that they are amended in a suitable manner.

I refer briefly to the magnitude of this issue by directing attention to answers to questions on notice. I placed the questions on the notice paper some little time ago and I received the answers the other day. I asked the Postmaster-General how many postal articles had been opened since 1 July 1975. The answer was 1 540 045 letters. That is a million and a half letters which have been opened in the period of 4 months since 1 July. Although the vast majority of these are letters through the Dead Letter Office, nevertheless 723 articles which were suspected of being posted in contravention of the regulations were opened. The mere fact that letters have to be opened for good reason, particularly through the Dead Letter Office, does not detract from the seriousness of this threat to privacy. It may well be that this happens because of mere need but the fact that letters to the tune of 1 .5 million have been opened over a period of 4 months shows that this is a serious problem. I am very pleased that the regulations will be amended to take some account of these basic principles. I congratulate all those who have taken part in this matter.

page 1883

TERTIARY EDUCATION COMMISSION BILL 1975

Bill received from the House of Representatives.

Ordered that the Bill may be taken through all its stages without delay.

Bill (on motion by Senator Douglas McClelland) read a first time.

Second Reading

Senator Douglas McClelland:
Special Minister of State · NEW SOUTH WALES · ALP

– I move:

Mr President, I seek leave to have incorporated in Hansard the terms of my second reading speech.

The PRESIDENT:

-Is leave granted? There being no objection, leave is granted. (The speech read as follows)-

The purpose of this Bill is to set up, in place of the Universities Commission and the Commission on Advanced Education, a Tertiary Education Commission assisted by 2 Councils which are to advise the Government on the development and support of higher education in Australia. The establishment of a Tertiary Education Commission has been a possibility for a number of years, but the importance of greater co-ordination has recently become more apparent. Since 1965, when the advisory body on advanced education was set up in parallel to the Universities Commission, a number of significant changes have taken place. The Panel, whose recommendations the Government has accepted in deciding to establish the Tertiary Commission, has pointed out these factors: there has been very considerable growth in tertiary education, particularly in the advanced education sector, which has matured and is now comparable with the universities sector in terms of the resources committed to it; teacher education has been accepted within the advanced education program; tuition fees have been abolished; and the Australian Government has taken on full financial responsibility for tertiary education.

A great deal of consultation takes place between the two existing Commissions, but their formal responsibilities remain separate, and no amount of consultation can guarantee the degree of overall co-ordination and rationalisation in tertiary education programs which is now clearly desirable. The Panel in its report has made a valuable attempt to delineate the main distinctions between universities and colleges. These include different patterns of legal basis, relation to Government, vocational or academic emphasis, degree of research commitment, and the nature of courses provided. Even so, these distinctions are clearly very difficult to define with precision. Many characteristics are shared across the two groups of institutions, just as there is considerable variation within each group in the size and activities of particular institutions, and demarcation is sometimes blurred.

A number of different views were put to the Panel about the nature of the advisory arrangements which should be established. The main alternatives are set out in the Panel ‘s report. In general, the proponents of the various possible systems were agreed on the importance of giving due recognition to the characteristics of existing institutions and maintaining appropriate distinctions in any process of rationalisation. The Government recognises the importance of maintaining the two existing systems, and this is reflected in the present Bill, which defines universities and colleges separately, and provides for the Commission to have the assistance of two Councils- a Universities Council and an Advanced Education Council- each with a special concern for its own area. The Bill ensures that membership of these two Councils must be sufficiently different at all times to maintain fully their separate identity. The Councils will respectively represent the Commission in dealing with individual universities and colleges, which will thus find that they have much the same channels of communication as they do with the existing Commission.

The measures I have just outlined will ensure the continuation, under the new Commission, of the valuable distinction between the two sets of institutions. As this distinction is essential to efficiency, the separate Councils are established. As the claims of universities and advanced education on resources have become enormous, the co-ordination of these claims- especially capital claims- through a Tertiary Education Commission has become essential. At the same time, the Government recognises that its machinery in this area should not be static or inflexible. Whilst the Bill reflects present policies and practices to the extent I have outlined, it is sufficiently adaptable in its approach to cater for future changes in policy and circumstances. For example, whilst the schedules to the present Bill have been drawn up on the basis of the existing situation, the new Commission will be expected to give careful consideration to the lists in the schedules, and the position of some institutions may need to be reappraised, now that there is a Technical and Further Education Commission operating.

The Government will look to the Commission and its Councils to take steps to increase the chances for higher education throughout the nation in diverse ways, including through what has become known as Open Tertiary Education. The Bill enables the Minister for Education to appoint committees to assist the Commission in relation to specific matters. Open Tertiary Education is clearly a matter worthy of such special attention. I would like to make special mention of the extent to which the Commission will be expected to consult with all those bodies which have a concern with tertiary education and its interface with other areas. Section 7 (2) of the Bill provides that the Commission shall consult, as appropriate, with the Technical and Further Education Commission, with universities and colleges of advanced education and with the States, as well as with other appropriate persons and organisations.

When the new Commission comes into operation, we can expect increased effectiveness and savings in administration. The two secretariats will merge, and their staff numbers and costs are likely to be reduced. Tertiary education capital planning calls for skilled building labour, a great flow of building material, and the prevention of wasteful competition between programs. It also calls for the greatest availability of courses without wasteful duplication of rarer but essential courses of study and training. Thought needs to be given, where possible, to shared facilities. The Commission will, in these respects, achieve what is needed. The Bill should receive the speedy assent of Parliament.

Debate (on motion by Senator Greenwood) adjourned.

page 1885

APPROPRIATION BILL (No. 1) 1975-76

page 1885

APPROPRIATION BILL (No. 2) 1975-76

House of Representatives Resolution

Consideration of House of Representatives Message No. 406-

Mr President, the House of Representatives acquaints the Senate of the following resolution which this day was agreed to by the House of Representatives:

That the House of Representatives, having considered Message No. 285 of the Senate:

a) re-asserts that the action of the Senate in delaying the passage of the Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 1975-76 and the Appropriation Bill (No. 2) 1975-76 for the reasons given in the Senate resolutions is not contemplated within the terms of the Constitution and is contrary to established constitutional convention;

b ) denounces again the blatant attempt by the Senate to violate section 28 of the Constitution for political purposes by itself endeavouring to force an early election for the House of Representatives;

declares that the Constitution and the conventions of the Constitution vest in the House of Representatives the control of the supply of moneys to the elected Government and that the action of the Senate constitutes a gross violation of the roles of the respective Houses of the Parliament in relation to the appropriation of moneys;

re-asserts the basic principle that a government that continues to have a majority in the House of Representatives has a right to expect that it will be allowed to govern;

declares its concern that the unprecedented and obstructive stand taken by the Senate in continuing to defer the passage of the Bills is undermining public confidence in our parliamentary system of government, and

again calls upon the Senate to pass without further delay the Appropriation Bill (No. 1 ) 1975-76 and the Appropriation Bill (No. 2) 1 975-76.

Senator WRIEDT:
Leader of the Government in the Senate · Tasmania · ALP

– I move:

That, responding to Message No. 406 of the House of Representatives again calling upon the Senate to pass without further delay the Appropriation Bill (No. 1 ) 1 975-76 and the Appropriation Bill (No. 2) 1975-76, and responding to the resolution of the Senate agreed to on Thursday, 6 November, on the voices and without division that the Appropriation Bills are urgent Bills, and in the public interest, so much of the Standing Orders be suspended as would prevent a question being put by the President forthwith- that the Bills be now passed- which question shall not be open to debate or amendment. and I move:

Question resolved in the affirmative.

The PRESIDENT:

– The question now is: That the motion be agreed to ‘.

Question resolved in the affirmative.

The PRESIDENT:

– The question now is: That the Bills be now passed ‘.

Question resolved in the affirmative.

The PRESIDENT:

-The sitting of the Senate is suspended until the ringing of the bells.

page 1886

ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS

The following answers to questions were circulated:

Discrimination in Employment and Occupation (Question No. 693)

Senator Greenwood:

asked the Minister for Labor and Immigration, upon notice:

  1. 1 ) How many complaints have been considered by

    1. a ) the National Committee and
    2. b) each State Committee on Discrimination in Employment and Occupation.

  2. What action has been taken in respect of each complaint.

Senator James McClelland:
NEW SOUTH WALES · ALP

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

  1. 1 ) and (2) Details of complaints of discrimination in employment and occupation considered by the National and State Committees on Discrimination in Employment and Occupation from their establishment in June 1973, until the end of September 1975, and the action taken in respect of these complaints, are contained in the following table.

Discrimination in Employment and Occupation (Question No. 694)

Senator Greenwood:

asked the Minister for Labor and Immigration, upon notice:

  1. 1 ) How many meetings has the National Committee on Discrimination in Employment and Occupation held.
  2. When and where was each meeting held.
  3. How many meetings has each State Committee on Discrimination in Employment and Occupation held.
  4. When and where was each meeting held.
  5. What work has the National Committee and each State Committee done.
  6. Have reports been made by the National Committee and each State Committee; if so, to whom have the reports been forwarded.
  7. 7) What action has been taken or done in respect of the reports.
Senator James McClelland:
NEW SOUTH WALES · ALP

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

  1. 1 ) and (2) The National Committee on Discrimination in Employment and Occupation has held 27 meetings, all in Melbourne, on the following dates:

29.6.73, 3.8.73, 11.9.73, 16.10.73, 26.11.73, 6.2.74, 13.3.74, 24.4.74, 13.6.74, 17.7.74, 21.8.74, 25.9.74, 29.10.74, 27.11.74, 28.11.74, 20.12.74, 3.2.75, 14.2.75, 12.3.75, 14.4.75, 9.5.75, 18.6.75, 21.7.75, 5.8.75, 20.8.75. 11.9.75, 15.10.75.

  1. and (4) The New South Wales Committee on Discrimination in Employment and Occupation has held 21 meetings, all in Sydney, on the following dates:

1.8.73, 16.10.73, 5.12.73, 5.2.74, 13.3.74, 10.4.74, 24.4.74, 1.5.74,29.5.74,26.6.74, 14.8.74, 18.9.74, 6.11.74. 29.1.75, 17.3.75, 23.4.75, 28.5.75, 25.6.75, 24.7.75, 27.8.75,2.10.75.

The Victorian Committee on Discrimination in Employment and Occupation has held 44 meetings, all in Melbourne ( except where indicated ), on the following dates: 23.7.73, 20.8.73, 24.9.73, 15.10.73, 29.10.73, 5.11.73, 19.11.73, 4.12.73, 10.12.73, 18.12.73, 11.2.74, 4.3.74, 1.4.74 (Springvale), 22.4.74, 7.5.74, 20.5.74, 3.6.74, 24.6.74, 2.7.74, 15.7.74 (Shepparton), 5.8.74, 19.8.74, 16.9.74, 23.9.74, 14.10.74, 21.10.74, 4.11.74, 25.11.74, 16.12.74, 13.1.75, 25.2.75 (Mildura), 17.3.75, 14.4.75. 5.5.75, 12.5.75, 30.5.75 (Geelong), 9.6.75, 7.7.75, 21.7.75, 24.7.75, 18.8.75, 8.9.75, 29.9.75,20.10.75.

The Queensland Committee on Discrimination in Employment and Occupation has held 19 meetings, all in Brisbane (except where indicated), on the following dates:

The South Australian Committee on Discrimination in Employment and Occupation has held 25 meetings, all in Adelaide (except where indicated), on the following dates:

The Western Australian Committee on Discrimination in Employment and Occupation has held 21 meetings, all in Perth, on the following dates:

The Tasmanian Committee on Discrimination in Employment and Occupation has held 21 meetings, all in Hobart (except where indicated), on the following dates:

  1. The main work of the Committees has been to investigate, and to resolve by conciliation, allegations of discrimination in employment and occupation on the 7 grounds specified in ILO Convention No. 1 1 1 -Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) 1958- ic race, colour, sex, religion, political opinion, national extraction and social origin. The Committees are also free to investigate allegations of discrimination in employment and occupation on other grounds, e.g., age, and to recommend ways in which such discrimination might be eradicated. The National Committee considers complaints referred to it by State Committees, including complaints regarding Australian Government Departments and Agencies, lt also has the additional functions of advising the Australian Government on how the national policy can best be implemented, of interpreting the policy, and of developing a national education and publicity programme.
  2. and (7) The National Committee on Discrimination in Employment and Occupation is the only Committee which reports to the Minister for Labor and Immigration. The First Annual Report of the National Committee for the year 1973-74 was tabled by my predecessor in the Parliament on 30 March 1975.

The National Committee has also submitted reports to the Minister for Labor and Immigration on particular facets of employment discrimination, as well as on individual complaints. To date the action taken or done in respect of such reports has been regarded as confidential- not least of all in the interests of the complainants.

Discrimination in Employment and Occupation (Question No. 695)

Senator Greenwood:

asked the Minister for Labor and Immigration, upon notice:

  1. 1 ) Who are the current members of the National Committee on Discrimination in Employment and Occupation and of each of the State Committees on Discrimination in Employment and Occupation.
  2. When was each member appointed.
  3. What are the terms of appointment of each member, including (a) the tenure of appointment; (b) the remuneration payable; and (c) the allowances payable to each member.
Senator James McClelland:
NEW SOUTH WALES · ALP

– The answer to the honourable senator’s question is as follows: (l)and(2)-

(3)-

  1. The Chairmen and members (as distinct from Acting members) of the National and State Committees are appointed for a period of three years.
  2. and (c) The sitting fees and allowances for members of the Committees are based on those determined by the Remuneration Tribunal for part-time holders of public office and are subject to my approval. The current rates are:

These sitting fees are paid only to non-government members.

Travelling allowance payable to all Chairmen and members is $37.00 per day where an overnight stay is involved.

Electricity Meters (Question No. 776)

Senator McLaren:

asked the Minister representing the Minister for Manufacturing Industry, upon notice:

  1. 1 ) Is the Electricity Trust of South Australia now using General Electric single phase 240 volt watt-hour meters made in the United States of America in preference to using Emco single phase 240 volt watt-hour meters made by Email Ltd in Australia.
  2. If the answer to ( 1 ) is in the affirmative, how many meters will be imported by the Electricity Trust of South Australia in the f.rst twelve months from the date of the first imports.
  3. What are the reasons for these imports if Email Ltd is still manufacturing single phase watt-hour meters in Australia.
  4. Will the decision to use American made watt-hour meters have any effect on the present or future employment opportunities for workers employed by Email Ltd.
  5. What other major supply authorities in Australia are using General Electric single phase watt-hour meters.
Senator McClelland:

– The Minister for Manufacturing Industry has provided the following reply to the honourable senator’s question:

  1. Yes.
  2. 2 ) and ( 3 ) As the Electricity Trust of South Australia is an agency of the Government of South Australia I am not in a position to provide detailed advice on the particulars of the purchases referred to or on the reasons for the selection of the chosen supplier. However, I understand that the contract provided for the supply of a total of about 24 000 meters over a twelve month period. The Electricity Trust is expected to make a decision shortly on a new contract for the supply of 48 000 meters.
  3. Email had maintained a factory in South Australia to supply meters to the Electricity Trust. This factory was closed in December 1974, resulting in 10 retrenchments. A further 20 employees making components in Sydney lost their jobs.
  4. None.

Employment of Non Public Servants (Question No. 808)

Senator Withers:
WESTERN AUSTRALIA

asked the Minister for Labor and Immigration, upon notice:

  1. 1 ) What persons or private companies outside the Public Service have been used by the Minister’s Department for research, public relations, advice, or any other purpose, since 1 July 1973.
  2. For what project or purposes were the services of each person or company utilized.
  3. What was the cost of each of the consultations referred to above.
Senator James McClelland:
NEW SOUTH WALES · ALP

– The answer to the honourable senator’s question is as follows: (I to 3) Computer Sciences of Australia Pty Ltd. Assist with the analysis and design of an on-line ADP system for the Commonwealth Employment Service. Cost $1 13,350.

Dr F. Emery. Survey of the Quality of Work Life in Australia. Cost Nil.

Australian Sales Research Bureau Pty Ltd. Services in connection with Survey of the Quality of Work Life in Australia. Cost $52,758.

Mr M. F. Stevens; senior partner of Robertson, Darling & Wolfenden- Chartered Accountants. Pilot survey of Stevedoring Industry. Cost $747.

Computer Sciences of Australia Pty Ltd. Feasibility study and strategic design for an integrated information system to serve the information storage, retrieval “and processing requirements of the former Department of Immigration. Cost $78,000.

Mr K. D. Marks, Mr R. E. McGarvie; Q.C. Enquiry on Coordinated Industrial Organisations. Cost Mr Marks $1 1,736, Mr McGarvie $9,8 12.

Dr J. R. Niland, Dr R. Gregory. Assistance with the development of an integrated manpower policy. Cost Dr Niland $38 1 , Dr Gregory $480.

Prof. D. Cochrane, Mr P. Clancy, Mr E. Donohoe. Committee of Enquiry into Labour Market Training. Cost Prof. Cochrane $425, Mr Clancy $370, Mr Donohoe $230.

Prof. D. Dunphy. Advice on organisational development and job enrichment within the Department. Cost $11,143.

Conciliation Commissions (Question No. 890)

Senator Mulvihill:

asked the Minister for Labor and Immigration, upon notice:

Will the Minister outline the present deployment of Conciliation Commissions in relation to the various industrial groupings.

Senator James McClelland:
NEW SOUTH WALES · ALP

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

The following information states the position as at 24 October 1975-

Pursuant to section 23 of the Conciliation and Arbitration Act 1904-1975, the President of the Australian Conciliation and Arbitration Commission has assigned industries or groups of industries to panels of members of the Commission as follows:

Mr Deputy President Isaac

Mr Commissioner Holmes

Mr Commissioner Paine

Under Part IIIa of the Act Mr Justice Coldham holds office as The Flight Crew Officers Industrial Tribunal. Mr Commissioner Stanton has been assigned by the President for the purposes of this Part.

Commissioner Cohen is assigned to disputes as required. She has not been specifically assigned to an industry panel or for the purposes of Divisions 2, 3, 4 or 5 of Part III or Part IIIa.

Shipping Freights (Question No. 917)

Senator Bessell:

asked the Minister representing the Minister for Transport, upon notice:

Has the most recent freight rate increase of 40 per cent imposed by the Australian National Line on its coastal shipping routes between Melbourne and Brisbane been reduced because competition from road transport operators is so great that it has meant that the Australian National Line was losing cargo.

Senator Bishop:
ALP

– The answer to the honourable senator ‘s question is as follows:

No. the 40 per cent increase in sea freight rates imposed by the Australian National Line on its coastal shipping routes between Melbourne and Brisbane on1 August 1975 has not been reduced.

Government Finances

Senator Wriedt:
ALP

-On 23 October 1975 Senator Baume asked me a question without notice concerning Government Finances. The Treasurer has now provided the following information in answer to the honourable senator’s question:

Supply Bills (Nos 1 and 2) 1975-76 each included an amount of $120m for the respective Advance to the Treasurer appropriations.

A statement made in the Senate (Hansard 20 May, pages 1564 to 1568) pointed out that the Advance to the Treasurer appropriations are designed not only to meet cost increases but also to meet a very broad range of unpredictable, unexpected and unavoidable contingencies arising from many sources- including changes in expenditure patterns, timing of deliveries of supplies and work completion under contracts, the introduction of new programs and/or authorities for which Parliament approval could not first be obtained, as well as emergency needs.

That statement also emphasised that the Supply Bills are by nature a temporary funding provision and that estimates contained in them are not made in the same detail as for annual Appropriation Bills. Broadly, Supply Bills (Nos1 and 2) 1975-76 aimed to provide for services, at the levels authorised by the 1974-75 Budget, until end November 1975.

The Prime Minister stated on 24 October 1975, with reference to the situation if the Opposition in the Senate continues to deny passage of the Appropriation Bills, that steps have been taken to ensure that wage and salary payments will be maintained through the Supply period, that is until the end of November, and that it is likely that in addition to wages and salaries most other essential payments can also be wholly maintained until the end of November.

Cite as: Australia, Senate, Debates, 11 November 1975, viewed 22 October 2017, <http://historichansard.net/senate/1975/19751111_senate_29_s66/>.

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