death of the honourable kenneth samuel gross

Death o/the Hon. Kenneth Samuel Gross 10 October 1989 COUNCIL 673

Tuesday, 10 October 1989

The PRESIDENT (the Hon. A. J. Hunt) took the chair at 3.3 p.m. and read the prayer.

DEATH OF THE HONOURABLE KENNETH SAMUEL GROSS

The Hon. E. H. WALKER (Minister for the Arts)-I move:

That this House expresses its sincere sorrow at the death, on 2 October 1989, of the Honourable Kenneth Samuel Gross and places on record its acknowledgment of the valuable services rendered by him to the Parliament and the people of Victoria as a member of the Legislative Council for the Western Province from 1958 to 1976.

Although Ken Gross ceased to be a member of this House only relatively recently I cannot say that I knew him personally, but I certainly knew of him. In preparing a few comments to make today, I rang one or two of my contacts in the area where Ken lived to ask them about him and to get a sense of the man. I was delighted to find that he was held in very high regard. He was a grain and sheep farmer at Drung Drung, near Horsham, and my informants tell me that he was a great innovator in agricultural practice. He tried new crops and farming systems and he was, in the words of one of the persons I spoke to, a real leader in the farming community and a good farmer.

Ken Gross had a strong political following as a member for Western Province. One or two comments were made about his capacity to make strong relationships. As one person said, "You either loved him or you didn't love him"-actually, he put it a little differently-but he was a man who was forthright, which goes along with the notion of his being an innovator. He was regarded as a very good manager and chairman of meetings and a good representative of farmers. He represented their cause for many years in the Parliament and elsewhere.

He was appointed to the chairmanship of the Grain Elevators Board after leaving the House, and that appointment was somewhat controversial. I do not intend to go into the detail of that, but it is an interesting story. His appointment caused some tensions within what was then the Victorian Farmers Union, which is now the Victorian Farmers Federation. Some legal action was taken at one point, but as chairman of the GEB he handled the job extremely well. It was said to me that he was a person who brought modern management to the board. He made some quite dramatic changes, and he understood the need for real change. He was very good at explaining the functions and work of the GEB to growers across the State.

It was said of Ken that he could take good, hard decisions, and that speaks volumes about the sort of person he was. I know that other honourable members, particularly those from Mr Gross's party, want to make comments. It was a pleasure, in talking to one or two people who knew him well, to find that he had been a very good member of Parliament and a very good representative of his electorate. On behalf of government members I express our condolences to his wife, two sons and one daughter.

The Hon. M. A. BIRRELL (East Yarra Province )-On behalf of the Opposition I join with the Leader of the House in expressing the sympathy of the House to the family of the late Honourable Ken Gross. Ken Gross was born on 4 November 1924

Session 1989-23

674 COUNCIL 10 October 1989 Death of the Hon. Kenneth Samuel Gross

at Horsham and died on 2 October this year, at the age of 64. He was a former longstanding member for Western Province. He was elected to Parliament in an excellent year, 1958, and represented the Liberal Party in the seat of Western Province.

His interests and concerns were considerable and included the plight of primary industry, for which he was an extremely strong advocate; agricultural matters, particularly agricultural science; road safety, including his concern to improve motor vehicle safety through a period of major reforms; and the education of young children. One sees, from looking through the speeches made by Ken in the Council and in numerous public forums, particularly in rural Victoria, that those topics came up frequently. He was a temporary Chairman of Committees in the Council and the Chairman of the Subordinate Legislation Committee.

Ken Gross was a farmer who was concerned about farming interests. His property, named Roseneath, east of Horsham, was founded by his forebears, who were pioneers in the Wimmera district. Ken was a former Vice-President of the Horsham Agricultural Society and was actively involved in the society long after he retired as vice-president. Ken gave long and distinguished service to local government, especially to the Wimmera shire. He was one of many members who served an apprenticeship in local government before entering the House. He was educated at the State primary and high schools of Horsham and was later trustee of the Horsham Kindergarten Association and Chairman of the Horsham State School Committee. The education of young children was one of his primary concerns.

Ken was a keen cricketer and a former Vice-President of the Horsham Cricket Association. It is clear, from reading of his achievements and the positions he held, that he was an eminent individual in Horsham. He was also prominent in many service clubs, such as the Horsham Apex Club, and his long service to that organisation was rewarded with life membership.

The Liberal Party recalls his contribution very well. Ken Gross actively pursued the interests that he outlined in Parliament and gave back much to his local community and political party. He represented both enthusiastically, especially constituents for whom he felt concern.

Ken Gross was Chairman of the Grain Elevators Board. Although there may have been some controversy about his appointment, the community had a great deal of respect for the work he did and his contribution won him praise well outside any political boundaries. He adopted a practical and businesslike approach to his demanding tasks. He travelled extensively within Australia and overseas to inspect grain handling facilities and built on that experience to improve Victoria's grain handling system. The responsibility for improving the GEB's bulk handling network in Victoria rested largely with him. In 1980 Ken Gross was appointed chairman of the grain handling improvement authorities, and his expertise in and vast knowledge of grain handling meant he was the best person for the job.

I regret that I did not know Ken Gross personally. From reading his background it is clear to me that he made a great contribution to this House, to Parliament and to the people of Victoria. My colleagues will be able to speak in more detail about his contribution to the agricultural industry in this State.

I am pleased to have had the opportunity of paying tribute, on behalf of my colleagues, to his work. On behalf of the Opposition I extend condolences and sympathies to the family of the late Honourable Ken Gross.

Death of the Hon. Kenneth Samuel Gross 10 October 1989 COUNCIL 675

The Hon. W. R. BAXTER (North Eastern Province)-I desire to associate members of the National Party with this condolence motion to mark the passing of the late Honourable Ken Gross. I knew him when I was a member of the other place in the early 1970s. Subsequently I had a good deal to do with him when he was Chairman of the Grain Elevators Board.

It is unfortunate that Mr Gross died at the relatively young age of 64 years. He served in this Parliament for some eighteen years, and in that time made quite a mark, particularly as a spokesman on primary industry. He retired or stepped down from Parliament at the again relatively young age of 51 years. Although there may have been some reason for his taking that step-something to do with redistribution-he was able to carve out another career as Chairman of the Grain Elevators Board.

Despite the controversy that may have attended his appointment to that position, he certainly made his mark. Ken Gross chaired the board in what can be described as difficult times, including some years of extremely high yield in Victoria when there was a surplus of grain and insufficient storage space. He was a key player in the establishment of the bunker system, which was used as temporary storage and certainly assisted the growers out of difficulty at that time. That system has proved to be a reasonably cheap means of safely storing grain for relatively short periods.

Ken Gross was also chairman of the board in the 1982 season, which was one of Victoria's record lows; a most serious drought in Victoria put a lot of growers under extreme financial pressure. The Leader o( the House noted that Mr Gross had a reputation for being a good chairman of meetings, and I can vouch for that. One reason was that he was a man of considerable physical stature. That is a useful attribute for a chairman of a meeting, but Ken Gross had other more important attributes, such as a sound grasp of the language and the facts, which also help in controlling meetings.

I recall attending a grain growers' protest meeting at Yarrawonga where Mr Gross was under attack for alleged actions and shortcomings of the board. Although at the conclusion of the meeting the growers may not have agreed entirely with the board's actions, they were at least assured and convinced that the chairman had a good grasp of the facts and that he was running the board and its facilities in a correct and proper manner. I believe he cleared the air considerably on that occasion and, as Mr Birrell said, he did so in many other meetings around the State.

The family of Ken Gross can be proud of his record in Parliament and, more particularly, as Chairman of the Grain Elevators Board. I record the condolences of members of the National Party and extend their sympathy to his family.

The Hon. B. A. CHAMBERLAIN (Western Province )-Mr President, I was pleased to join you last week at the Uniting Church in Horsham in paying tribute to Ken Gross for his service to Parliament and to the wider community. When I was a member of the Legislative Assembly I shared an electorate with Ken for three years. Subsequently I succeeded him as a representative of Western Province. At that time it was suggested, unkindly, by some people that Ken Gross was offered a job to make way for me in the Upper House because my Lower House seat had disappeared in the redistribution. I am flattered by that suggestion, but I can assure the House that I had to withstand a heavily contested preselection process to be eligible for election.

Ken Gross believed his eighteen years in public office had put him in a position where he could better serve in a practical way the rural community that he loved so much. In the three years I shared an electorate with him, Ken was a source of much


practical advice for me, as also was the late Don McKellar. They were two eminently sensible, practical, plain-speaking farmers. As a young member of Parliament I discovered that I was constantly being educated about how to look after the needs of a rural electorate.

As the Leader of the House said, during Ken's six years as Chairman of the Grain Elevators Board there was much change in the industry and a need to make some difficult decisions. At times those decisions proved to be controversial and unpopular, but Ken Gross never shied away from his responsibilities, which in that case were to have an efficient grain handling system. He constantly travelled the State to ensure that the message was conveyed to farmers. As Mr Baxter said, although those who met him may not have totally agreed with him, they could not argue with the way he handled the issues and himself.

Ken Gross was a practical farmer and he was never afraid of change. He was often experimenting with new crops, or crops new to the district, or new methods. The views he held on issues were strongly held. When he was chairman of the GEB I recall having a number of verbal stand-up fights about the way grain should be handled in the port of Portland. Ken had strong views, which he put well, and had the facts to back them up. He was a man who represented and worked for the interests of the wider Victorian community for 24 years, and any member of this House would be proud to look back on such a record of achievement.

After he left the Grain Elevators Board he retained his interest in the Liberal Party and worked actively for its advancement in that area of Victoria. He supported current moves for a much closer working relationship between the Liberal and National parties.

On behalf of my family, I wish to assure Ken's wife, Heather, of our thoughts at this time. I hope we can be of some assistance to her and her two sons and daughter in the years ahead.

The Hon. R. J. LONG (Gippsland Province)-I also desire to associate myself with this condolence motion. When I came to this Chamber Ken Gross was also a member, and we had both been members of an Apex Club, an association that we cherished. It is true that Ken had strong opinions. Nobody could say he was a yes-man. He would argue extremely long and willingly on any view that he arrived at, particularly on agricultural matters. I had some long debates with Ken Gross and I respected his opinion.

After he left Parliament he became the Chairman of the Grain Elevators Board. He came to lunch at Parliament House on many occasions and we would exchange views. Nobody could say he was afraid of making a decision and sticking to it, because he was a fighter of the first order.

The Leader of the Opposition mentioned his sporting prowess. He omitted to mention that he was an extremely good billiard and snooker player. For all the years he was here, he was the champion billiard and snooker player of this place. Of course, after he left I happened to follow suit to some extent. However, we had some interesting games of billiards.

I am extremely sorry that Ken Gross has left us. I express my condolences to his wife and family and I am delighted to have had the opportunity of knowing him. The world will be the poorer for his passing.

The Hon. HADDON STOREY (East Yarra Province)-I should like to be associated with the sentiments expressed by other honourable members. When I first became a member of this House I was placed close to Ken Gross. Although I was city born and

Death o/the Hon. Kenneth Samuel Gross 10 October 1989 COUNCIL 677

bred, he was very friendly towards me. He educated me on country matters. He was always forthcoming in explaining the House and how Parliament worked. He was generally friendly and helpful to a new member of the House, and I appreciated that.

I share the view that other speakers have already expressed: he spoke forcibly on those matters on which he felt strongly. He put his point of view clearly and often sucessfully. He was an excellent member of Parliament. He represented his constituents well and was always prepared to stand up and raise matters on their behalf.

My main memory of hiln is of somebody who readily and willingly. spoke to newcomers to this House and helped them on their path. I appreciated the friendliness and kindness he showed to me and I also appreciated all that I learnt from him about matters rural.

The Hon. R. I. KNOWLES (Ballarat Province)-I also wish to be associated with this motion. Ken Gross left Parliament at the time I joined it but I got to know him well through our mutual friendship with the late Don McKellar. Their friendship continued many years after Ken retired from Parliament.

My experience with Ken on a personal basis was that he was always keen to assist and help young members to understand their role in Parliament. As other speakers have said, he was forthright in expressing his views. The greatest contribution that I remember being made by Ken Gross was as Chairman of the Grain Elevators Board. He took that on at a time of enormous change. In fact, he led that change fearlessly. He had a clear understanding and vision of the changes that were required and he was not afraid of explaining to an often sceptical or hostile audience the changes that he thought needed to be undertaken.

Another great attribute of his was that he was never afraid of going anywhere in the State and explaining or defending the changes that he was espousing. Other speakers have conveyed their experience of his addressing meetings where people left perhaps not fully convinced but certainly understanding the reasons for the change. The improvements that he led in the grain handling system in this State will long stand as a fine testament to his leadership.

I also convey to his wife, Heather, and their family my condolences at his premature passing.

The Hon. R. S. de FEGELY (Ballarat Province)-I also wish to be associated with this motion. I did not know Ken Gross in politics but I certainly got to know him well after he left this place. Ken was straightforward, always spoke with commonsense and was ready to give advice whenever it was sought.

I remember the controversy surrounding his appointment to the chairmanship of the Grain Elevators Board. As primarily a wool grower, not a wheat grower, I was able to be objective. The feeling of some at the time was that his appointment was perhaps political. I am sure that feeling was proved to be wrong as time went by and people realised his value as chairman of the board and what he did for that organisation.

I had quite a deal to do with Ken when, as a member of the Liberal Party's agricultural policy committee, I was asked to put together a policy on the grain industry. Because the Liberal Party at that time was thin on the ground with wheat growers-I was a wool grower and minor wheat grower-only one person came to mind immediately, and I rang Ken and asked him for assistance. That assistance was forthcoming and Ken met with the committee on many occasions and helped formulate the policy. Ken was way ahead of his time, and he has since been proved correct. He pushed for deregulation of the wheat industry, which at that time was extremely


unpopular. He also had views about what should happen with the Australian Wheat Board, which I probably should not enunciate here because they would probably still be fairly unpopular in certain sections of the wheat industry.

Ken Gross was always thinking ahead and looking to the betterment of the industry and the betterment of his fellow farmers. He will be sadly missed in all sections of the industry, in his district and, of course, greatly missed by his family. He remained a strong supporter of the Liberal Party. Unlike other members ofParhament who retire and move right away from the political scene, Ken always kept a close involvement with the party and attended State councils as a delegate from his area.

At election time he would ring me every morning for a report on how things were going in our part of the world. He kept me on the ball because often there was not a lot to report from day to day. At 7.30 each morning he would ring and ask what happened yesterday and what was plan:ned for today.

He showed interest in his fellow man, in his party and in the betterment of this country for all Australians. He will be sadly missed, and I extend my sympathy to his wife and family.

The Hon. B. A. E. SKEGGS (Templestowe Province)-I add my tribute on the life of the late Honourable Ken Gross, whom I first knew when he was President of the Horsham Agricultural Society and I was a young commentator. I met him at the Horsham showground. At that time he was closely associated with the late Mick Mibus, who served in the Victorian Parliament as the Minister of Water Supply and Minister of Mines. Both Ken Gross and Mick Mibus were closely associated with the Horsham Agricultural Society.

In later years I got to know Ken Gross when I was a member of the Legislative Assembly and he was serving in this place, both representing the Liberal Party. He was a man of great integrity, upright and a strong advocate. He was a very effective lobbyist on matters he wanted to pursue, not only within Parliamentary circles but at large. He had a firm point of view and expressed that view with great conviction.

Ken Gross succeeded the late Honourable Keith Turnbull as the Chairman of the Grain Elevators Board. Ken, Mick Mibus and Keith Turnbull were great friends throughout their lives, not only as members of the Parliamentary Liberal Party but also in their pursuit of agricultural interests.

In succeeding the late Keith Turnbull as Chairman of the Grain Elevators Board Ken Gross carried on a tradition as a powerful advocate for the grains industries, and he served with distinction. We will remember Ken Gross for his long association with the Liberal Party, which he continued after he completed his service with the Grain Elevators Board. Ken was a member of the State council of the Liberal Party and pursued agricultural interests with the same firm conviction that he showed as a member of Parliament.

I join with other honourable members in expressing my sympathy to the family of the late Ken Gross.

The PRESIDENT-Ken Gross was a gentle giant. Contrary to the impression that has been given today, he spoke infrequently. When he did speak he spoke forthrightly and effectively. He was listened to. He was an exemplar of two rules which I commend to honourable members generally and to new members of this place in particular. He well understood that the attention one commanded was in almost inverse proportion

Adjournment 10 October 1989 COUNCIL 679

to the frequency and length of one's speeches. He recognised that it is impossible to become a universal expert. The authority depended on becoming an expert in comparatively narrow fields.

Ken Gross developed a speciality in road safety, in subordinate legislation as Chairman of the Subordinate Legislation Committee for nine years, and in problems of agricultural industry generally; but he became an expert in a smaller field, the grain industry.

One subset of agriculture on which he spoke most frequently was the grain industry. He spoke not only as a practical farmer, but as one who had studied the future of the industry and the trends throughout the world; he had studied and looked forward to technological change. When he spoke in this House on that industry he did not only know the practical farming aspects of it; he knew of the world trends that were affecting the industry and the market for the various products. Ken Gross knew the economic implications in one country or another and their effect upon the market.

He was an expert in grain handling. No person in Parliament commanded greater authority on the subject of the grain industry as a whole than did Ken Gross. He was invaluable to Parliament and he was invaluable to his party in debates on the subject, upon which he made himself an absolute expert. It was that expertise and nothing else that subsequently brought about his appointment as Chairman of the Grain Elevators Board.

Ken Gross was a man of strong convictions. These, in part, came from his expertise and in part from his deep, personal Christian faith, which he did not parade but which was certainly there. He expressed himself forthrightly but briefly and then sat down. I think there was one session of Parliament when he spoke not at all. It was not unusual for him to make only one or two speeches in a sessional period. He confined himself to the subjects that he knew something about and when he spoke he prepared thoroughly, and therefore he was listened to. The House always listened to the late Honourable Ken Gross.

I had the privilege of serving with him for fifteen of his eighteen years in this place having, like Mr Long, known him earlier in the Apex movement. He was committed to the whole community. He was committed to rural Victoria in particular and his whole life was a life of service, service to his fellow man and to his community.

Naturally we all express our sympathy to his widow Heather, his sons and daughter and their families, but we know that they will take pride in his great record of service to his local and wider communities. He was a man of whom they and the community can be very proud indeed.

The motion was agreed to in silence, honourable members showing their unanimous agreement by standing in their places.

ADJOURNMENT

The Hon. E. H. WALKER (Minister for the Arts)-I move: That, as a further mark of respect to the memory of the late Honourable Kenneth Samuel Gross, the

House do now adjourn until 5 o'clock this day.

The motion was agreed to.

The House adjourned at 3.38 p.m.

The PRESIDENT took the chair at 5.3 p.m.

680 COUNCIL 10 October 1989 Questions without Notice

QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

ARTS FUNDING

The Hon. HADDON STOREY (East Yarra Province)-I refer to the Minister for the Arts an answer he gave to a question from Mr Ives on 6 September 1989 in which the Minister said that funds available for distribution through the Arts Development Fund in 1990 would be $9·5 million and that that represented a 6 per cent cash reduction and that in real terms that would be a 13·5 per cent reduction on last year's allocation. Will the Minister admit that each of these figures was wrong and misleading, and will he explain the true position to the House?

The Hon. E. H. WALKER (Minister for the Arts)-I am happy Mr Storey brought up the matter; I believed he would. In preparation I have had prepared a memorandum that explains the matter fully.

The Hon. D. M. Evans-Share it with us.

The Hon. E. H. W ALKER-I shall not provide the answer verbally, because it is both complex and long, but I shall be happy to make a copy of the memorandum available to Mr Storey. I shall discuss it with him at the end of question time, after which he and I can decide whether to incorporate it in H ansard.

ALLOCATIONS TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT

The Hon. R. M. HALLAM (Western Province)-On 5 September this year, in response to a question from me, the Minister for Local Government said she was looking forward to working with municipalities that had been disadvantaged by changes in the formula applying to Victoria Grants Commission allocations. I instance the example of the Shire of Dundas, which has had its grant cut by more than a third, even though the new formula has not yet been fully phased in. I ask the Minister whether she intends to work with the Shire of Dundas. If so, will she tell the House how her personal involvement will lessen the impact of the dramatic cut in funding suffered by that municipality?

The Hon. M. A. L YSTER (Minister for Local Govemment)-The matter that the honourable member raises has been frequently raised with me by officers of individual municipalities as I have travelled throughout the State. I have su~ested to those officers that they should initiate meetings to discuss this matter not WIth me but with the Victoria Grants Commission.

The Hon. R. M. Hallam-They have all done that.

The Hon. M. A. LYSTER-I must correct Mr Hallam on that point: many local councils have not taken that initiative. Those that have taken that step have found their meetings with the commission to be valuable and productive. The application of the basic formula cannot be changed, but the meetings have assisted local council officers-and thereby their councils-in understanding the long list of criteria that are taken into account by the grants commission.

Questions without Notice 10 October 1989 COUNCIL 681

Last week at a regional assembly in the Western District-at Portland-a couple of municipalities told each other that they were in favour of that approach. Taking it one step further-and this was the intent of my response at the time Mr Hallam referred to-if a municipality finds that its external sources of funding are continuing to decrease, officers of my department are willing to work with council officers to see how the use of their council's resources can be maximised within their boundaries, as well as assisting them to work across municipal boundaries to effect greater efficiencies, a trend that is increasing throughout the State.

PROPOSED MUSEUM SITE

The Hon. R. S. IVES (Eumemmerring Province)-There has been recent public conjecture about whether the new Museum of Victoria on the south bank of the Yarra River will provide adequate safeguards for either the river or the Polly Woodside maritime museum .. Will the Minister for the Arts inform the House whether the plans for the new museum adequately allow for those important assets to be both retained and improved?

The Hon. E. H. WALKER (Minister for the Arts)-I am delighted to be able to reassure honourable members that the plans for the new museum will ensure the protection of both the river and the Polly W oodside museum-irrespective of what journalists such as John Stevens of the Age or those who inform John Stevens or other journalists at the Age may say.

An Honourable Member-Cutting!

The Hon. E. H. WALKER-It was not meant to be cutting. It was meant to point out that a member of the House has set himself up as something of an expert on the matter.

I stress that the plans are in their early stages; at the moment they are master plans and they will be subject to much discussion and consultation. However, some elements are clear. One element is that it is crucial that the plans deliberately provide maximum free public access-as they will-along the river, particularly. As the plans presently stand all of the river's edge is made available to public access. It is important to the vista and to general access along the river that people be allowed a free flow along the north and south banks of the river and to the city.

A proposed ferry service will enable people to travel from the Southbank museum to the proposed museum of technology at Spotswood and back. It will be possible to enter at one of the museums and, if one wishes, to pay for an interesting ferry journey to the other museum.

The proposed plans make generous provision for public open space generally in the development. The proposals will enable expansion of the area around the Polly Woodsideand provide for a real improvement of the maritime museum.

I should like to see the inclusion of another ship in the proposed development. Honourable members have in the past suggested that HMVS Cerberus be resurrected and renovated.

The Hon. M. A. Birrell-How would you get it under the bridge?

The Hon. E. H. WALKER-It would have to be sunk again to bring it under the bridge. The proposal is not impossible but it would be difficult. I am sorry that neither the Nella Dan nor the Kista Dan is available because if one of them had been available


an Antarctic museum could have been established using the material that has been collected by Sir Phillip Law.

In today's Age there is a letter about the proposed omnimax theatre. The letter is erroneous in part. The proposed omnimax theatre will be an integral part of the development and a major landmark in the precinct. It will be set back 58 metres from the river and will be a tall, dome-like structure; it is a new technology in theatre presentation. The proposed theatre will be completed as part of the first stage prior to the major museums being completed.

The Hon. M. A. Birrell-Who says it is 58 metres back?

The Hon. E. H. W ALKER-The present master plan shows the theatre set back 58 metres.

The Hon. M. A. Birrell-Can we see that?

The Hon. E. H. W ALKER-I am happy to take Mr Birrell through the master plan or the concept plan. .

It is premature to speculate on the precise design of the new museum as the plan is a master plan. The precise placement of the various buildings will come later but the master plan does disclose that the site is more than adequate for a major and important new set of buildings, including adequate parking and ample open space.

The project will be one of the most exciting developments in this city in the next decade. The museums, along with the development of the Polly Woodside area, will be a highlight for any visitor to Melbourne, whether from the country or interstate, or even from the metropolitan area. In three or four years time the proposed development will be a facility of which all Victorians will be proud. As I have said, the site provides ample space to do the work well and to provide adequate open space.

MELBOURNE SPOLETO FESTIVAL 1989 The Hon. M. A. BIRRELL (East Yarra Province)-I refer to the Minister for the

Arts his public statement that nearly 60 per cent of the budget for the Melbourne Spoleto Festival came from sponsors and box office sales. Is it not a fact that the State Electricity Commission, the Gas and Fuel Corporation and the Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works each contributed $350 000 to the event, so that when those amounts are added to the $2·4 million contributed directly by the State government the reality is that the public purse provided nearly 60 per cent of the total budget of the festival?

The Hon. E. H. WALKER (Minister for the Arts)-As Mr Birrell suggests, the figures indicate that some $2·4 million of the festival's budget came from a direct grant made by the government. That sum was reached through escalation on the 1987 figure of $2 million. A sum in excess of $1 million was donated by the organisations that I am happy to call sponsors, although they are government agencies-that is, the State Electricity Commission, the Gas and Fuel Corporation and the Board of Workstowards the cost of the festival, along with the $1·7 million, ifmy memory serves me correctly, that came from ticket sales. The remainder of the budget came from private sponsors.


So far as I am concerned, Mr Birrell's figures are reasonably correct. I suppose his question goes to the issue of whether one calls major public agencies "sponsors". I believe that is the case; they were listed as sponsors during the festival. I give those agencies credit. The more than $1 million raised from those agencies made it possible for outside festivities to take place, and they were wonderfully well done, as I am sure all honourable members will agree. John Truscott did a magnificent job and the capacity for street theatre and outdoor entertainment was made possible by those three public agencies.

I prefer to call the agencies sponsors. They were not the only ones invited to be sponsors, but they agreed to take part. Certain other agencies did not take part, but the three that did were pleased with the results of the festival. Two of the three agencies have offered to take part in next year's Melbourne festival.

HEALTH CARE CRISIS The Hon. D. M. EVANS (North Eastern Province)-I refer to the fact that since

1982-83 the consumer price index has increased by a calculated 61 per cent while at the same time the Medicare levy has increased by a calculated 112 per cent, which is almost double the increase in the consumer price index. I ask the Minister for Health: in view of that fact, why is there a continuing crisis in Victoria's hospitals; why are the waiting lists lengthening; why are beds closing; and why is there a continuing crisis in the survival of bush nursing hospitals?

The Hon. C. J. HOGG (Minister for Health)-Mr Evans is obviously aware that the Medicare levy, and the Commonwealth-State financial relationships through the Medicare agreement, are constantly the subject of discussions between the Commonwealth and the State governments and they are the subject of finetuning during each set period.

It is worth noting by Mr Evans and other honourable members that, over the past two to three weeks, most hospitals have settled their funding agreements and arrangements with their regional directors. In almost every case that has been done cooperatively and satisfactorily.

I reject the notion that Mr Evans is promoting of a pervasive sense of crisis across the system. On many occasions I have said that if the entire State Budget were allocated to the health portfolio it would be used. However, given the finite resources of Health Department Victoria-just as the resources of other departments are finitethe distribution of money is made as intelligently and fairly as possible. I am aware of the difficulties of bush nursing hospitals, which have now been designated as private hospitals. As Mr Evans knows, I am attempting where possible to do something for those hospitals on an individual basis.

AEROSPACE TECHNOLOGIES OF AUSTRALIA PTY LTD The Hon. D. E. HENSHA W (Geelong Province)-My question relates to a company

called Aerospace Technologies of Australia Pty Ltd, whose factory happens to be on the border of the province I represent. The people I represent see it as an increasing source of employment in the Geelong region. Will the Minister for Industry, Technology and Resources inform the House of the benefits likely to flow to Victona and, indeed, Australia as a result of the State government's continuing support for that company? .


The Hon. D. R. WHITE (Minister for Industry, Technology and Resources)During 1989 it has been pleasing that Qantas Airways Ltd has decided to establish a maintenance base at Tullamarine, and I have previously informed the House of that. The people of Victoria have been the beneficiaries of the Commonwealth ~overnment's decision to construct the frigates at Williamstown; and, in conjunctlon with the Commonwealth government, the State government is about to develop the university of technology in the western suburbs.

Through those investments there is a major opportunity for establishing an aerospace industry far beyond the embryonic industry that currently exists both at Tullamarine in maintenance and cleaning and, to a large extent, at Laverton in respect of construction.

But the realisation of that potential is a much more complex issue than the issue associated with the frigate decision at Williamstown. As Mr Henshaw said-and as Mr Chamberlain said by way of interjection-it involves working cooperatively with Aerospace Technologies of Australia Pty Ltd-AST A-in developing contracts for working at A valon. However, the future of A valon remains uncertain because to some extent A valon and AST A are dependent on the implementation of the Federal government's offset policy, which means that for that to come to fruition the Federal ~overnment has to be prepared to put pressure on the international aerospace industry; In return for being given sales and contracts in this country, a proportion of their activity has to lead to construction work here which, in turn, has to be internationally competitive.

It is a complex set of arrangements which may come to fruition but, equally, may not. The Victorian government is also dependent on AST A working as successfully as Australian Marine Engineering Consolidated Ltd-AMECON-did at Williamstown to bring about the frigate decision.

There are early indications of some success, one of which has been the awarding of a major contract to ASTA to complete a number of projects for France, the first of those projects being floor support structures. That is expected to bring about $100 million to Australia in export income. The first items for this project have now been completed and are ready for delivery to France.

It is an issue of which Victorians and members of this House must become increasingly aware because to secure an internationally competitive, trade-exposed aerospace industry that can compete internationally means a great deal to Victoria and to Australia in overcoming the trade deficlt and maximising our import replacement and export potential.

This issue is by no means as secure as the leadership that Jonathon White has shown with AMECON but there is an emerging potential. From time to time I shall indicate to the House any progress being made. The Victorian government intends to develop a policy focus with AST A, and it is hoped attract and realise the potential that the international aerospace industry claims A valon has.

The spin-offs to the people of the western suburbs in employment growth, and in Geelong-Mr Henshaw's province-will be immense. However, a number of major policy issues have to be attended to, particularly the ambivalence of the international aerospace industry about starting new major construction activities far from their European and north-eastern American markets, when a large amount of that construction activity, they believe, can be undertaken more economiCally either in Furope or in the United States of America.


To make Avalon internationally competitive and viable is a major task for the Victorian government, the Federal government and all Victorians.

ARTS FUNDING The Hon. B. A. E. SKEGGS (Templestowe Province)-I refer to the Minister for

the Arts a recent statement by a spokesman of his Ministry, indicating that panels to recommend grants under the Arts Development Fund have been advised to cut 20 per cent off funding, to allow for the 6 per cent cut to the Minister's budget, and a 14 per cent margin for new projects. Since the Minister's own press release of 9 August 1989 shows that the cut in the funds for general allocations was only 0·6 per cent, will the Minister for the Arts issue amended instructions to the advisory panels?

The Hon. E. H. WALKER (Minister for the Arts)-Mr Skeggs is correct in his original comment. Incidentally, the panels are not an invention of mine but have been in place for some years. They establish priorities; I await their advice, which I expect later this month.

The intent of the 14 per cent and the 6 per cent-I agree, totalling 20 per cent-is to say there will have to be some reduction. The government also wishes to make allowance for some initiatives. The intent is to invite those panels to tell the government what they believe should be done in order to make the cuts the government requests; also, to allow for some capacity to take initiatives-hence, the 6 per cent and the 14 per cent. In that regard the honourable member's question was correct.

In response to the second half of his question, as I said in answer to Mr Storey, I am happy to make available to him the analysis of the issue. The matter is difficult and complex, and I am happy to put the information in the hands of honourable members and to answer any further questions that may be asked.

HOME LOAN INTEREST RATES The Hon. R. A. BEST (North Western Province)-Will the Minister for Housing

and Construction advise the House whether he is prepared to lobby the Federal Treasurer, on behalf of all Victorians who hold home loans with building societies and credit unions, to have the recent subsidy arrangements for interest rates extended beyond those borrowers involved with the four major banks, to ensure equal treatment for all Victorians with mortgages?

The Hon. B. T. PULLEN (Minister for Housing and Construction)-It is clear that the Federal government has limited its assistance to those banks, but I am prepared to take up general matters with the Federal Treasurer. At the moment I am concerned to pursue negotiations under the Commonwealth-State Housing Agreement, which is a critical agreement between the States and the Federal government. Subsequent to obtaining a satisfactory resolution of that issue, I am prepared to consider the other issue in relation to the Federal government.

TENANT ASSOCIATIONS The Hon. C. F. VAN BUREN (Eumemmerring Province)-My question to the

Minister for Housing and Construction relates to a matter which has been of recent concern to me, involving Ministry of Housing tenants not paying their rent and the


action of tenant organisations in supporting that action. Can the Minister inform the House of the current activities of certain tenant groups in disrupting the Ministry's operations?

The Hon. B. T. PULLEN (Minister for Housing and Construction)-The Ministry of Housing and Construction funds some 50 tenant groups in metropolitan and country Victoria. On the whole the groups perform useful roles in coordinating consultation about improvements, community developments and many policy issues.

Unfortunately, three or four groups have adopted tactics which can be described only as extremely disruptive. They have disrupted normal services, abused staff and occupied offices in a way that does not warrant the continuation of their support.

The Hon. M. A. Birrell-What about blocking the Eastern Freeway with parked cars! Wasn't that irresponsible?

The Hon. B. T. PULLEN-Mr Birrell refers to a person's right to exercise some civil disobedience or civil liberty , but not many groups that take such action also wish to receive government funding. I do not wish to restrict anyone's right to protest, but I am concerned that the funds allocated to community groups to provide services to tenants are being misused.

Yesterday the Essendon office was occupied and staff were prevented from doing their work. Today the South Port office was occupied and staff were prevented from providing normal services. I would not mind so much if the demonstrations were held to make a point. The protest yesterday concerned the eviction of a family earlier this week, and evictions are something that all of us would see as a last resort. Unfortunately the family involved owed $8000 in rent and had broken many agreements, and when efforts to arrange financial counselling had failed they were found to be in employment.

By contrast, the person who will occupy that flat is a single parent who was paying $108 a week rent in the private sector out of a fortnightly income of $324. In terms of the equity of the position, I point out that a number of people waiting for public housing, and in difficult circumstances, are prepared to pay a fair rent. The protest should not have been taken to the extent of disrupting services; it was neither warranted nor equitable.

Tenant groups basically do good work and it is unfortunate that the credibility of a large number of groups is being reduced by the actions of a few. Since such tactics are clearly inappropriate, I shall shortly be sending out clear messa~es to some tenant groups that they will not receive government funding. I shall adVIse all groups of the processes involved in the continuation of funding next year, for which funds have been set aside.· The Ministry and the government have no intention of moving away from the process offunding community groups that provide good, genuine services to tenants.

VICTORIAN ROCK FOUNDATION The Hoo. G. B. ASHMAN (Boronia Province)-I refer to the Minister for the Arts

the allocation from the Arts Development Fund to the Victorian Rock Foundation, which this year has increased from $175000 to $500 000, and ask why, in view of the fact that general allocations from the fund have been cut in real terms, the grant to the Victorian Rock Foundation has increased in real terms by more than 270 per cent.


The Hon. E. H. WALKER (Minister for the Arts )-Earlier this year the Premier advised the Victorian Rock Foundation that an increase in funds would be made available this year, and there has been an increase. I shall have a copy of that announcement made for Mr Ashman, advising him of the details. After perusal, if he has any further questions I shall be happy to respond to them.

MUNICIPAL ENTERPRISE PROGRAM The Hon. G. A. SGRO (Melbourne North Province)-As unemployment is still a

problem in some areas of inner Melbourne, I ask the Minister for Local Government to advise the House of any action being taken by local government to address unemployment and the need for training.

The Hon. M. A. LYSTER (Minister for Local Government)-Mr Sgro's question is most timely because I have only recently approved a new municipal enterprise program conducted by seven municipalities in inner Melbourne. The Collingwood, Fitzroy', Melbourne, Port Melbourne, Richmond, St Kilda and South Melbourne counclls have combined through their regional association to be the sponsors of a company, ITEC, that will provide training in office skills and electronics to unemployed people. This initiative by the seven municipalities should be highly commended, not only because local government is attempting to do something about a local problem but also because it is doing so in a productive and real way.

Too often we hear of training and employment projects that are not effective. This one has already demonstrated its success. Its first two training courses have had a 100 per cent success rate in placing people in areas of activity in which they would not otherwise have been able to gain employment.

I also congratulate the municipalities for their willingness to cooperate across their municipal boundaries. That demonstrates what can be achieved when councils address a common community problem together.

ADVANCED DENTAL TECHNICIANS The Hon. R. A. MACKENZIE (Geelong Province)-I address a question to the

Minister for Health. Pensioners and other people in provincial cities and rural areas find it hard to obtain public dental care because of the lack of public dentists. Will the Minister support legislative changes to allow advanced dental technicians to provide partial dentures, a move that was supported by the two previous health Ministers?

I understand a measure is to be introduced, and I ask that provision be made for advanced dental technicians to provide partial dentures to help overcome this problem.

The Hon. C. J. HOGG (Minister for Health)-The provision of advanced dental technicians would not be a substitute for working hard to obtain adequate public dentistry in provincial cities, but I hope we are making some progress in that respect.

A number of representations have been made through members of Parliament, especially Mr Davidson, on behalf of the advanced dental technicians. We are currently considering a number of issues related to dental technicians, such as the kinds of courses that they have undertaken in the past, the kinds of courses that might be required in the future and any possible legislative change.

688 COUNCIL 10 October 1989 Bayside Project (Amendment) Bill

ST MARTIN'S YOUTH ART CENTRE The Hon. G. P. CONNARD (Higinbotham Province)-I refer to the government's

promise in the ALP's arts policy prior to the last election that Labor would "maximise the potential of the St Martin's Youth Art Centre". I ask the Minister for the Arts why, in light of that promise, the government is now threatening to cut the grant to St Martin's.

The Hon. E. H. WALKER (Minister for the Arts)-I should be interested to know how Mr Connard lets information that I do not have. Where did this threat come from? What sort 0 threat is he talking about? I have explained in this House that the government has considered cuts across the board in most portfolios. However, the panels have not yet determined where the cuts will occur; when they do they will advise me and I shall advise the various respondents.

Perhaps Mr Connard can tell me where he gets this information from. I value the St Martin's company; I believe it does excellent work. It is premature for Mr Connard to suggest that a deCIsion in that regard has been made because it has not.

MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS WEEK The Hon. LICIA KOKOCINSKI (Melbourne West Province)-As everybody is

aware Mental Health Awareness Week has become an annual event. I should be grateful if the Minister for Health could inform the House about the events planned for this year and the cost of those events.

The Hon. C. J. HOGG (Minister for Health)-Mental Health Awareness Week is from 15 October to 21 October. It will be launched this coming Sunday at the Glasshouse Theatre at RMIT at Victoria's first mental health festival. It will promote the current services available. Overall it is designed to alert and to educate the general community about the issues surrounding an illness that is still stigmatised.

Mental Health Awareness Week is a major event for a lot of organisations and a lot of individuals. Many agencies have united working groups to organise their own events. An organising committee, which is widely representative of the field, will provide assistance by offering common resources to groups.

I am delighted that, with the assistance of hundreds of hours of voluntary planning, more than 100 events will be offered during Mental Health Awareness Week, many of which are innovative and interesting and some of which I hope local members of Parliament will be able to attend.

BAYSIDE PROJECT (AMENDMENT) BILL The Hon. E. H. WALKER (Minister for Major Projects), by leave, moved for leave

to bring in a Bill to amend the Bayside Project Act 1988 and for other purposes.


The Bill was brought in and read a first time.

FILM VICTORIA (AMENDMENT) BILL The Hon. E. H. WALKER (Minister for the Arts), by leave, moved for leave to

bring in a Bill to amend the Film Victoria Act 1981 and for other purposes.



Education (Amendment) Bill 10 October 1989 COUNCIL 689

EDUCATION (AMENDMENT) BILL

The Hon. E. H. WALKER (Minister responsible for Post-Secondary Education), by leave, moved for leave to bring in a Bill to amend the Education Act 1958 and for other purposes.



VERY FAST TRAIN (ROUTE INVESTIGATION) BILL

The Hon. B. T. PULLEN (Minister for Housing and Construction), by leave, moved for leave to bring in a Bill to facilitate the investigation of a route for a Very Fast Train and for other purposes.



PAPERS The following papers, pursuant to the directions of several Acts of Parliament, were

laid on the table by the Clerk: Planning and Environment Act I 987-Notices of Approval of the following amendments to planning

schemes:

Bulla Planning Scheme-Amendment L9.

Gisbome Planning Scheme-Amendment L 12.

Lillydale Planning Scheme-Amendment L57.

Marong Planning Scheme-Amendment LlO Part A.

Metropolitan Region Planning Schemes-Amendments R48, RL54 Part 1, RL80 and RL93.

Whittlesea Planning Scheme-Amendment L17.

State Bank-Report and financial statements for the year 1988-89.

,tatutory Rules under the following Acts of Parliament:

Alpine Resorts Act 1983-No. 233.

Building Control Act 1981-N o. 220, together with copies of the following documents which, by section 32 ofthe Interpretation of Legislation Act 1984, are also required to be laid upon the table:

AS 1530, Part 2-1973-Test for Aammability of Materials.

AS 1530, Part 3-1976-Tests for Early Fire Hazard Properties of Materials.

AS 1530, Part 4-1975-Fire-Resistance Test of Structures.

AS 1530.3-1982-Test for Early Fire Hazard Properties of Materials.

AS 1530.1-1984-Part I-Combustibility Test for Materials.

AS 1530.4-1985-Part 4-Fire-Resistance Tests of Elements of Building Construction.

Companies (Application of Laws) Act 1981-No. 221.

Estate Agents Acts 1980-No. 236.

Firearms Act 1 958-No. 226.

Fisheries Act 1968-No. 218.

690 COUNCIL 10 October 1989 Petroleum (Submerged Lands) Bill

Forests Act 1958-No. 229.

Futures Industry (Application of Laws) Act 1986-No. 222.

Health Act 1958-Nos 219 and 224.

Health Services Act 1988-No. 225.

Land Tax Act 1958-No. 234.

Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works Act 1958-No. 228.

Planning and Environment Act 1987-Subdivision Act 1988-No. 231.

Police Regulation Act 1958-No. 232.

Road Safety Act 1986-No. 227.

Securities Industry (Application of Laws) Act 1981-No. 223.

State Superannuation Act 1988-No. 235.

Subdivision Act 1988-No. 230.

Tobacco Leaf Marketing Board-Report and financial statements for the year 1988-89.

On the motion of the Hon. HADOON STOREY (East Yarra Province), it was ordered that the reports tabled by the Clerk be taken into consideration on the next day of meeting.

PETROLEUM (SUBMERGED LANDS) (AMENDMENT) BILL The debate (adjourned from September 13) on the motion of the Hon. D. R. White

(Minister for Industry, Technology and Resources) for the second reading of this Bill was resumed.

The Hon. B. A. CHAMBERLAIN (Western Province)-The Petroleum (Submerged Lands) (Amendment) Bill deals with the ability of the community to provide for its own crude oil needs. It is part of an arrangement between the States and the Federal government to ensure that there is a system that-it is hoped-encourages exploration.

Worldwide, offshore exploration provides approximately 20 per cent of the world's oil production. Currently about 2000 offshore production platforms are in operation throughout the world. Oil production is a financially hazardous occupation in that four out of five exploration attempts produce no oil and the cost of one well can be in the order of$7 million to $20 million or more.

In Australia, offshore oil production, particularly in Bass Strait, has met up to 78 per cent of Australia's crude oil needs, and it must be said that Australia has been fortunate in that regard. However, crude oil reserves are being depleted at a much faster rate than they are being replenished. Production of crude oil and condensate from known and currently producing oil fields is expected to fall from 564 000 barrels a day to 300 000 in four years time and less than 180 000 barrels a day by 1998. Yet the demand is forecast to rise from the current level of 565 000 barrels a day to 680 000 in the 1990s.

We are seeing a widening gap between our demand and needs on the one hand and what we are able to produce from our own discoveries on the other. By the year 2000 it is forecast that we shall have to import some two-thirds of our oil needs. This will bring us back to the days prior to the Bass Strait discoveries. The cost of those oil needs at that stage will be something in the order of$3500 million.

To illustrate the nature of this widening gap I seek leave to incorporate a chart in Hansard.

Leave was granted, and the chart was as follows:

Petroleum (Submerged Lands) Bill 10 October 1989 COUNCIL 691

~ ~ ~ >-.

~ ~ 0.. Cl') ~ ~ Cl: ~ ~ CQ

~ 0 -~ ~ -~

PETROLEUM PRODUCTS SOURCE FORECAST 1988 to 1998

3oo-r----------------------~300

275 275

TOTAL PRODUCTS DEMAND

250 250

225 225

200 200

175 175

150 150

125 125

100 100

75 75

50 50

25 25

o 0 11988 ! 1989 /1990 / 19.91 /1992 /199:1 1199.1 /1995 /1996 /1997 11QMJ

Source: BHPP & AlP

1988

CRUDE OIL IMPORTS

PROBABLE NEW

PRC~UCTlON Oil & Condensate

PRODUCING and/ or PROVED

Oil & Condensate


The Hon. B. A. CHAMBERLAIN-This chart graphically illustrates the increasing reliance that this country will have on imported products unless there are dramatic new discoveries in the next ten years. It shows that something like two-thirds of our needs will have to be imported by the year 1998 and it will worsen as the years go on.

Bass Strait is of critical importance with approximately fourteen oil platforms producing at the moment. It has produced up to 420 000 barrels a day and is currently producing around 320 000 barrels a day. The important thing to note is that twothirds of the Gippsland Basin's reserves-our largest source of supply-have been used; and our largest field has been 80 per cent depleted.

It has been calculated that if Australia is to be just 50 per cent self-sufficient in crude oil products, 1800 million barrels of oil must be discovered and processed in the next ten years. This would involve drilling more than 4000 wildcat wells and would require the present exploration effort to be doubled. It is obvious that something fairly dramatic has to happen for Australia to meet the problems which will otherwise arise from this declining indigenous production of oil.

To give some idea of what is happening, in 1988 there was something in the order of between 20 to 40 million barrels of new oil discovered. That compares with an average between 1970 and 1983 of 70 million barrels. We need a regimen which will encourage an accelerated exploration program. This does not exist at present.

Because of the convolutions of Federal taxation rules the adverse impact of secondary taxes on crude oil production highlighted towards the end of last year. Up to 65000 barrels a day of Bass Strait production were shut-in; they were uneconomic to produce at the lower oil prices under the current uold" oil marginal excise rates.

A quick phase-out of the excise on the "old" crude oil must occur to avoid production shut-Ins when prices fall and to maximise production of known resources in the future. We have the anomalous situation where there is oil-in smaller quantities, admittedly-but, because of the basis on which our Commonwealth assesses its taxation, it is not economic to take it out of the ground.

The Hon. D. R. White-If it is deemed to be old oil rather than new oil.

The Hon. B. A. CHAMBERLAIN-Yes. Of course, if the problem continues, the effect will be adverse right across the board in Australia. The petroleum exploration and production industry is undergoing significant structural change as a result of the crude oil price collapse and government policies.

The decline in Bass Strait crude oil production and growth in other areas, especially the North West Shelf, has widespread implications, obviously, on Australia's energy trade payments, the balance of payments, the energy mix for domestic consumption, government revenue, and industrial development, employment and defence. Therefore, there are many reasons why we must attempt to be much more self-sufficient in crude oil supplies than the present indications are as to where we will be in ten years time.

The nature of the problem is that our initial crude oil reserve on a cumulative basis was 41 000 million barrels, but the remaining crude oil reserve is only 1500 million barrels. Therefore, what needs to be done to encourage exploration? There is a role to be played by both the States and the Commonwealth. Most importantly, a role can be played in resolving the issue that I mentioned before: the very complex tax rules that have the effect of impeding the raising of investment funds.

It is true that in recent times there has been considerable activity, particularly in Bass Strait, and I shall spell that out to the House, as I understand the position. I quote from the Energy Forum of July 1989:

There will be three drilling rigs operating in Bass Strait during 1989 (Southern Cross; Zapata Arctic and Maersk Giant).


Impetus for the renewed interest in oil search there is an outcome of the Victorian government's gazettal of new offshore and onshore Gippsland Basin permit areas in 1987. Liberation of the new permit areas has generated exploration work programs in excess of$250 million spread over a six-year period.

During first year of new permit, old seismic data was reinterpreted and 10 000 kilometres of new seismic surveys was carried out.

Second year will see significant boost in exploration activity, including drilling of a minimum of ten wells at a cost of over $60 million, at least 770 kilometres of new seismic survey, and further data interpretation.

I believe the Esso-BHP consortium is committed to drilling four wells offshore this year. Of course, in addition, there are some new players in the field, including the Shell Co. of Australia Ltd and Petrofina, which is a Belgian company, and also the South East Oil and Gas company. However, even these moves will not be sufficient to meet the needs and to generate the sort of activity that has to be generated.

In concentrating on Bass Strait we have perhaps ignored the potential of the Otway Basin. Although exploration in that area has been disappointing to date, there is a general feeling among the oil companies that there are big things to come from that area. We are currently drawing some small gas reserves, which are serving Warrnambool and a couple of other small areas, but there is great hope and expectation that the Otway Basin will yield larger amounts of product, although the substructure is very complex and the predictions that can be made in other areas are not so easily made in the Otway Basin.

The purpose of this Bill is to reflect amendments made in 1987 to corresponding Commonwealth legislation to improve the administration of petroleum exploration and to correct certain anomalies which were shown to have arisen.

The background to the Bill is that Victoria's jurisdiction finishes 3 miles from the high-water mark. By agreement between the States and the Commonwealth, the State legislation mirrors offshore legislation of the Commonwealth and Victoria acts as an agent of the Commonwealth government in respect of exploration for oil and gas offshore. For a long time there were many fights between the States and the Federal government because of the financial implications of who gets the major share of the revenue but, fortunately, wiser heads have prevailed and we now have a cooperative arrangement which seems to work fairly well, although I know the State of Victoria would like a much greater share of the financial action than it gets at present.

The procedure leading up to oil production is, in a simplified form, as follows: firstly, an application is made for an exploration permit. Some exploration is then carried out and if there is a discovery an application is made by the oil company to declare a location which delineates the number of blocks necessary to cover the discovery. I have been informed reliably that a block is an area 5 minutes by 5 minutes on a grid. Under current laws a maximum of nine blocks can be included in a location. The next step is that when the company wishes to develop a discovery an application is made for a production licence.

This Bill provides four major changes. Firstly, the Minister can declare a location over any block from which the Minister is satisfied petroleum can be recovered, and as many blocks as necessary to cover the discovery may be included in the location. In other words, the nine-block limit is to be removed and the Minister can declare a location over such number of blocks as necessary to cover the discovery, even though that location might spill over into someone else's exploration permit area. Secondly, the provisions providing for the over-the-counter issue of permits and production licences are repealed, because of preference for the system of competitive tendering. The old system was that if someone applied for a permit, he or she made the application and it was dealt with on its merits, whereas now, if someone shows an interest in a


particular area, it is advertised and the Minister has to assess the best proposition, and that would be the most active exploration program put before the Minister.

Thirdly, sensitive contractual information is to be protected from disclosure. This change has come about as a result of pressure from Western Australia, where it was desired to keep sensitive pricing information on gas costs out of the public domain. Two types of documents would be made available to the department, one would deal with the physical aspects of the potential discovery and the other would indicate whether there were farm-out arrangements with other companies. The sensitive information would still be made available to the Minister but would not be published.

Fourthly, provision is made for the early release to government of basis data and interpretive information to be supplied to the title holders. That has always been the intention but there has been some problem with the principal legislation and this change is designed to cope with that problem.

The Bill is part of the agreement between the States and the Commonwealth and mirrors the Commonwealth legislation introduced in 1987. The Opposition sought the views of a number of the players involved-BHP Petroleum, Esso Australia, the Australian Petroleum Exploration Association and Mr Peter McGauran, the Federal shadow spokesman on this issue-and it was agreed that these proposed amendments are in the interests of the industry and remove conflicts between State and Federal legislation. It is vital that there should be no gap between the two jurisdictions because otherwise the age-old problem arises of who has the right to say what the rules should be at a particular point offshore.

More work will need to be done in this area because the Primary Industries and Energy Legislation Amendment (No. 2) Bill is before the Federal Parliament, and it will make changes to the offshore legislation as well. We will need to catch up on that. I suggest to the Minister that there should not be such a big gap. We are acting in 1989 on legislation passed in 1987, and I suggest that this Parliament should have complementary legislation more quickly. If the Federal Bill goes through in this session of Parliament, we should have legislation before us early next year.

Having said that, we obviously support the Bill. The oil exploration industry is of vital importance to the economy of this country. It needs more encouragement and both State and Federal governments need to do more. The most practical thing the Minister can do is thump on the table of the Federal Minister to introduce a system of taxation on the products of exploration which encourages more exploration and more production. That is not available at the moment. I hope the Minister is vigorous in putting that view to the Federal government, and I shall use every public opportunity to support those moves. If we do not do that, we will again be dancing to the tune of the Middle East oil sheiks, and the economy of this country can no longer afford that.

The Hon. D. M. EVANS (North Eastern Province)-The National Party will be supporting this Bill. I was interested to listen to the comments of Mr Chamberlain on the reasons why the legislation was important, particularly his comments on the necessity for oil exploration to continue at a fast pace in Australia. We share those sentiments and I am sure they are not sentiments with which any member of this House would disagree.

I have seen estimates that by the middle of the 1990s the cost of oil imports into Australia, if current trends continue, could be in the order of$5, $6 or $7 billion every year; and when that is put alongside the existing enormous trade deficit of the order of $17, $18 or $19 billion in any year, the prospective results for the Australian economy are horrific. The results to our own ability to remain independent and without suffering too much outside influence are also horrific. As we begin to lose control of our trade


deficit and our trading position, we begin to lose control of our country. That is how important becoming self-sufficient in oil has been in past years and how important remaining as near as possible to self-sufficiency in the future will be.

The only other answer to the dilemma we face is to improve our competitive position in relation to imports and our ability to compete on overseas trade markets. Unfortunately, at this stage our efforts have not been good enough. It is important that we should not slip further behind in our ability to produce the oil and fuels we need to keep this nation on its wheels and to keep our industry and agriculture viable and working.

It also could be worth examining other ways of obtaining energy. Perhaps some study could even be made of the Brazilian situation where as much as 60 or 70 per cent of the fuel used for automotive purposes is derived from various plant products, particularly from sugar cane. That is a long-term project. I understand that Victoria has also examined the possibility of oil liquefaction from brown coal. Other possibilities, by which we can avoid the horrific problems that would be incurred if we had to import oil costing $6 billion or $7 billion during the next ten years, are being examined. Nevertheless there is an alternative in upgrading and improving ourselves as an oil-producing nation.

I recall reading about a micro-organism that is found on gum trees, which when placed in oil wells will improve production. A program was undertaken, I believe, by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, but I have seen nothing about it recently, so perhaps there was not much truth in the sU8$estion. The use of micro-organisms may sound bizarre, but their use is gaining in Importance, particularly in the mining industry.

On present production indicators, Australia will become increasingly dependent in this area. Mr Chamberlain has underlined this with the chart he has had incorporated in H ansard, which shows the reduction in production compared with the increase in consumption of petroleum products. It is also worth noting that one of the possible sources of oil is those Middle Eastern countries that are currently refusing to accept live sheep exports from Australia worth several hundred million dollars. In so doing they are further reducing our ability to pay for products that we may wish to buy from them in the future. I sometimes wonder whether their oil has too much sulphur in it, which can be a health hazard.

An Honourable Member-They should give us three barrels for a sheep.

The Hon. D. M. EV ANS-Something like that; it would certainly assist if that matter were sorted out. It is important to Australia that oil and gas exploration be expedited. Many oil experts say that our best chance of additional major discoveries to reduce the imbalance is with offshore exploration. As Mr Chamberlain said, a great deal of control over offshore areas is exercised by the Commonwealth government. That is an historical situation going back some years to difficulties regarding royalties and so forth, which were decided in the courts at that time.

As Mr Chamberlain said, the State has a responsibility from the high-water mark for a distance of approximately 3 miles or 5 kilometres. The Commonwealth government extends its influence in offshore control from that 5-kilometre point to the edge of the continental shelf, which I understand is that portion of the ancient continent of Gondwanaland that broke away to form the tectonic plate on which Australia floats, but that section underneath the sea is more than 3 miles out from the high-water mark. Because there is a need for Commonwealth legislation and because there is judicial uncertainty so far as the actual control is concerned, it is important that Victorian legislation mirrors that of the Commonwealth government.


As there have been a number of amendments to the Commonwealth legislation, it is necessary for further amendments to be made to Victorian legislation. That is the purpose of the proposed legislation. I understand the Bill is not likely to go into Committee and therefore it is worth while quickly to examine some of the clauses. The National Party does its best to be fully informed about the reasons behind proposed legislation and the various provisions of Bills, and I thank the Minister and his departmental officers for their efficient briefing given to me this morning.

The National Party examined the commencement provisions in clause 2, which states that the Bill comes into operation on a day or days to be proclaimed, although certain sections will be deemed to have come into operation on 14 October 1986. In that sense the Bill is retrospective. The National Party is concerned about legislation coming into operation on a day or days to be proclaimed because preferential proclamations can be made and provisions the government finds it could do better without need not be proclaimed. However, it is unlikely that amendments will be made to the Bill and the National Party does not propose any. As a result, that clause does not seem to have been attended to.

Clauses 4, 5 and 6 refer to what are called "over-the-counter" releases of exploration permits-where a person or a firm indicates an interest in a particular area or block of land or of an exploration area, without further ado the Minister can unilaterally make a licence available to that firm or individual. Under these provisions it will now be necessary that such applications be advertised so that there will be an opportunity for other individuals, companies or firms to indicate their interests and tender for the permits. In other words, a single applicant cannot be awarded a particular area without a public tender being called.

Clause 7, I am assured, is no more than a repeat of clause 9 of Act 106 of 1987 of the Commonwealth, and in that sense it brings the Victorian legislation into line with the Commonwealth legislation and provides the uniformity that is essential. Clauses 8 to 13 are consequential amendments.

Mr Chamberlain pointed out that clause 14 deals with problems that have arisen in Western Australia regarding confidentiality of commercial information that may be provided to the department at certain times during the course of geological investigations. It provides an opportunity to hold in reserve in the department any information that is of a fully commercial nature, so that it not be released, while at the same time allowing for the release of geological information of certain kinds that might be of value generally throughout a region as well as specifically to a particular area under investigation by a particular firm. It has not been a problem in Victoria and for that reason it does not concern the National Party, but in order to have conformity with Commonwealth legislation it is essential that Victoria has the same legislation. The Bill allows two different levels for information stored within the department, with one level only-that is, general information-being made available to other interested persons. That must be seen as valuable information to assist in further evaluations; it may even be an essential part of the evaluations by companies of areas in which they have an interest.

Clause 16 gives the Minister power to vary conditions under which exploration can take place or extractions can be carried out. When Parliament gives such important powers to a Minister, it is essential that there be proper safeguards against the misuse of that power, either deliberately or inadvertently, by any Minister at any time. During the briefing given to National Party members this morning by the Minister I sought assurances that appeal mechanisms would be available if such powers were misused.

I understand that clear appeal mechanisms will be available through the Administrative Appeals Tribunal and that, where appropriate, notions of natural


justice will be taken into account-as well as other matters including whether actions taken by the Minister are within the power of the Act. Clause 17 relates to the release of information such as basic data about seismic surveys and bore holes, but not to the commercial analyses that companies may make of such data. Clauses 18 and 19 respectively refer to transitional provisions and the amendment of minor errors in the principal Act.

The Bill will bring Victorian legislation in this area into line with Commonwealth legislation. It removes the impediments to free development and free exploration that were contained in the previous Act; only the minimum impediments will apply to the exploration for oil both in Victorian waters and throughout Australia. Because of that and for the other reasons I have outlined, the Bill has the full support of the National Party.

It is imperative that exploration for oil should be encouraged if Victoria is to become self-sufficient in hydrocarbon products as quickly as possible, thus reducing our import bill for such products. The Commonwealth government has an important responsibility in this matter. National Party Ministers in previous conservative Federal coalition governments were criticised for giving the oil industry incentives to explore for oil. How wise those Ministers were! It is essential that governments maintain the pressure on oil companies to explore for oil.

We must redouble our efforts to find alternative sources of automotive and industrial fuel. If plant material were used there would be the additional benefit of recycling carbon dioxide. Otherwise, continuing reliance on fossil fuel will have the effect of pumping more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, thus increasing the greenhouse effect. The National Party supports the Bill.

The Hon. R. A. MACKENZIE (Geelong Province)-I shall speak briefly on one aspect of the Bill. In particular, I wish to direct to the attention of both the House and the Minister for Industry, Technology and Resources a serious charge that has been brought to my attention by a constituent during the past few days. The constituent is a former contractor who has worked on oil platforms. Some days ago he came into my office and told me an horrific tale concerning matters of safety, the use of materials and the conditions under which tradesmen are employed to carry out very important work on the oil platforms.

The constituent has been harassed by some of the major oil companies because of his attempts to take action about what he considers to be very dangerous practices. I have not had the opportunity of gaining as much information for the Minister as I should have liked. I have been in touch with the Department of Labour to find out the extent of the powers of the department's inspectors. From conversations I have had with inspectors in the Gippsland area it is apparent not only that their powers are limited but also that they are unsure of the extent of the powers they have.

The constituent, who now resides in Geelong, has given me a considerable amount of information, including photographs and documents, all of which show the extent of pollution caused by operations on the oil platforms, problems that are often covered up by the oil companies. In one instance the former contractor cited, involving the use of sophisticated materials, a particular contracting company from the mainland arrived on an oil platform on a Monday morning only to find that the workmen's tool cupboards had been broken into and that the oil company involved had carried out a good deal of illegal work over the preceding weekend. I shall follow up that matter.

I ask the Minister to take note of what I am saying to see whether the matter can be investigated. As I said, I shall give him more information. The example shows that when joint ventures are established-either between the Commonwealth government

698 COUNCIL 10 October 1989 Budget Papers 1989-90

and a State government or between two State governments-grey areas arise concerning control over matters such as pollution and safety and whether more officers should be employed to live on those platforms to supervise operations.

Although some disasters have occurred, the operations of the fourteen platforms have been fairly sound so far. Certainly disasters have occurred in the North Sea, for example. The constituent to whom I referred is anxious that the government should take action to ensure that the construction of the oil platforms and their subsequent maintenance is carried out safely and securely.

The Bill provides that over-the-counter deals will be done away with and that a system of competitive tendering will be established. I suggest that when the Commonwealth government is selecting tenderers it should take into account the safety records of the companies involved. There are problems with and dan~erous practices occurring on the oil platforms. Guidelines must be established and pohcedespecially guidelines concerning the inspection of safety practices on the oil platforms.


The Bill was read a second time.

The Hon. D. R. WHITE (Minister for Industry, Technology and Resources)-By leave, I move:

That this Bill be now read a third time.

I thank both Mr Chamberlain and Mr Evans for their support for the Bill, particularly their support for the development of a tax regime that will maximise exploration in Bass Strait and other parts of Australia to once again make us self-sufficient in the production of oil.

As to the matter raised by Mr Mackenzie, two officers of my department are in the House. One of them, Mr Ken Gardner, is responsible, as a delegated authority from the Department of Labour under the Occupational Health and Safety Act, for the very complex and hazardous safety issues surrounding gas and oil production on the platforms.

As Mr Mackenzie is aware, matters regarding compensation are viewed seriously by the State and Federal governments and all explorers in Bass Strait. The matters raised by him are of the utmost seriousness. I urge him, at the conclusion of the debate, to make himself available for discussion with Mr Gardner so that he may pursue those issues, which are, as I said, of the utmost importance and sensitivity to the government.

The motion was agreed to, and the Bill was read a third time.

The sitting was suspended at 6.32 p.m. until 8.4 p.m.

BUDGET PAPERS 1989-90 The debate (adjourned from September 13) was resumed on the motion of the Hon.

D. R. White (Minister for Industry, Technology and Resources): That the Council take note of the Budget Papers 1989-90.

The Hon. B. A. E. SKEGGS (Templestowe Province)-The Budget Papers have several disturbing aspects. I am particularly concerned about the effects of the Budget on the racing industry, and the proposed goodwill tax. I direct those two matters to the attention of honourable members.

Budget Papers 1989-90 10 October 1989 COUNCIL 699

Firstly, I refer to the government's intention to share in the profits from Totalizator Agency Board surpluses, which will reduce the returns to the racing industry by $21·1 million. At the end of June the TAB confirmed a distributable surplus of$83 million to the three racing codes. Under the proposed measure the government will reduce that amount to $65 million. The government has announced that it will share in the revenue from the TAB by reducing the TAB profit from 0·5 per cent to 0·3 per cent of its turnover allocated to the TAB Development Reserve.

Secondly, the government will share in the TAB surplus above 3·525 per cent of turnover which has been guaranteed to the racing industry on the basis of 80 per cent to the government and 20 per cent to the racing industry. The government already shares in the profitability of the racing industry by extracting a minimum of 4·75 per cent in commissions from all turnovers from TAB investments.

In his Budget statement the Treasurer indicated that the government's income from these racing industry sources in 1988-89 has been $110 million. The Treasurer said also that the government's share of profits from TAB activities has not kept pace with the profits experienced by the racing industries, but this does not take into account the tote fractions netting several millions of dollars to the government as compared with racing industry returns.

The Treasurer predicted that the operations of the TAB would include the development of the Tabaret concept, which will compete directly with Tattersalls, from which the government derives a greater rate of return than it does from the racing industry.

However the racing industry provides employment for thousands more people than does Tattersalls, and it has been increasingly affected by the development ofTattslotto. The development of Tabaret will cause a further deterioration of the position. The racing industry is being affected continually by the approval by the government of new forms of gambling.

I invite honourable members to consider the effects of the government's budgetary policy on the various components of the racing codes. I quote from the speech made on 29 August at Flemington Racecourse at a meeting of racing participants. The speech was made by Mr Bill Bond, the President of the Metropolitan and Country Trotting Association. He said, among other things:

Early indications are that the government's decision to share in the TAB surplus above the guaranteed return to the industry will have disastrous effects on the Harness Racing Board, harness racing clubs and ultimately harness racing participants.

Harness racing's income from the TAB distribution in 1988-89 will be reduced by approximately $3·61 million. It will reduce the income to country harness racing clubs by $2·08 million and to the Harness Racing Board by $1·35 million. Projections indicate that harness racing will lose a further $3·48 million in 1990 and $3·5 million in 1991, based on the 80-20 formula between government and racing.

Again on this matter I quote from Mr Bond's speech: The position of the Harness Racing Board becomes more critical particularly in the year just concluded

by the fact that it follows recommended accounting procedures in treating the income from TAB operations in the year in which it is earned. Thus, the retrospective nature of the Budget decision will have disastrous effects on the board's financial statements for the year just concluded.

To varying degrees throughout the harness racing community, clubs and the board will lose between 20 per cent and 25 per cent of their income sources. No business entity in today's economic climate can afford to sustain a reduction of this magnitude, particularly when such reduction is made retrospectively.


It is the retrospective nature of the government's proposal that is of serious concern to those involved in the racing industry when they contemplate the intentions of the government.

Country harness racing also is in a parlous state following the government's decision. Since 1982-83 country harness racing growth in stake money has already slackened in real terms by 4·4 per cent. Country clubs do not accumulate surpluses they may generate; they invariably plough back surpluses into stake money or racetrack facilities.

I am the Senior Vice-President of the Cranbourne Harness Racing Club, and I can tell honourable members that one of the first reactions of that club-the same sort of reaction as that of other country clubs in all codes of racing-was to cut back immediately on stake money for the forthcoming season. All the country clubs had planned their stake money growth based on the expected returns from the TAB, and now much of these returns will not be available.

The Harness Racing Board had already announced a deficit of $500000 in the spring of 1988. The industry had no knowledge of the government's plan to share in the surplus for the year ended 31 July 1989 and, therefore, the Budget measures must be described as retropective. The reduction in revenue of the Harness Racing Board will probably escalate to a loss of$I·65 million for the year unless reliefis given.

Once again referring to the address by Mr Bond, he concludes by saying: Unless there is some deferment of the government's plan to share in the harness racing surplus

retrospectively or make up this iniquitous loss in some other manner, the board has no possible way of reducing the deficit from this record $1·65 million.

The forecast for the year ending 31 July 1990 is even more dire. The board in rearranging its stakes levels to accommodate a new handicapping system had announced increased stakes in 1989-90 of around $600 000. Despite government assurances that stakes increases would be met, it seems the board has no possible way of fulfilling such a commitment.

It is a matter of concern that the harness racing code finds itself in such a extremely acute situation.

I am aware that the government has offered a 50-50 sharing arrangement with the racing industries of the turnover surpluses of the Totalizator Agency Board above 3·52 per cent. The Premier has advised the racing industries that announced stake levels would not reduce but would be guaranteed by the government. However, even allowing for a 50-50 sharing proposition, harness racing is unlikely to be able to sustain current stake money levels.

Harness racing has had to rationalise both its TAB and radio coverage to fit in with the overall coverage of the three codes of racing, believing increased TAB turnover would result. We now know that that will not be the case. All three racing codes have had to adjust their calendars to fit in with the programming demands of Sky Channel. That has completely disrupted some of the traditional racing days enjoyed by the various codes, and they now find themselves facing the prospect of diminished returns.

Officials of the Department of Management and Budget have indicated that the ~overnment can assist in maintaining stake levels by identifying uncommitted funds In the industry's various trust accounts. Apparently they believe this can be done by taking money from the Racecourses Licences Board Country Assistance Fund. Harness racing has more than 50 per cent of its available funds tied up in trust accounts, mainly because of the effects of the Anderson report, which suggested a rationalisation and prioritisation of profits of various country tracks.

I shall now refer to the situation faced by the thoroughbred racing industry. The 73·25 per cent of thoroughbred racing'S share of TAB returns will reduce under the

Budget Papers J989-90 10 October 1989 COUNCIL 701 ----------------------------------------~---------

new system to $46·895 million, which is 13·4 per cent less than the previous year. The metropolitan thoroughl. ,J racing industry is grievously affected, as is country racing. I shall give a couple of t;hamples of the views of country racing clubs.

In 1988-89 the Mornington Racing Club received $1 million from the TAB surplus and in 1988-89 would have expected $1 150 000. The effect of the Treasurer's measures means that Mornington will receive only $850 000, a decrease of $150 000 on the previous year. The Mornington Racing Club employs 12 full-time officers and staff and 10 regular casuals as well as 100 to 120 casuals on race days. However, it is now predicting a 10 to 15 per cent reduction in staffin the current year.

Prize money increases had already been announced for the 1989-90 season and the Mornington Racing Club has been left holding the baby because it will have to cut back its prize money as a result of the government's move. Capital improvements to the betting ring, costing $400 000, leave the Mornington Racing Club in a parlous state.

The Kyneton District Racing Club is another club that has been active in puttin$ its points of view to members of Parliament, and it has written two letters on its position. I shall refer to the letters because they are of particular interest. In a letter of 17 August, the club secretary says:

There was no prior consultation with the industry and it will create serious implications for every race club in Victoria with inevitable reductions in stake money and a scaling down in the development of racecourse facilities reducing Victoria's ability to compete with racing in New South Wales ...

This will result in major cutbacks in stake money and a major scaling down in the development of facilities at the racecourse. The reduction in stake money will inevitably flow through to all parts of the industry resulting in a downturn in employment, not only in the local area but Statewide. The development of facilities will decline, forcing a reduction in racecourse staffand employment oflocal trades persons.

In the latest letter from the club, dated 3 October-written after the recent discussions between the racing industries and the government-the secretary of the club, Mr G. D. Buckley, wrote:

The decisions announced in the State government's Budget, and outlined in the above Bill, will still have drastic consequences on the racing industry. The government is attempting to solve its economic problems by taking a bigger grab from one the State's major employers and major growth industries, which is estimated to generate about 1·7 ofGDP in Victoria.

The industry has always done its utmost to cooperate with the government. The move will cause recession in the racing industry and will be felt in the industry generally, particularly in country areas and in tourism. The community will feel the adverse consequence when a major growth industry is forced into recession by the government's action. Since the government's budgetary measures were announced, racing clubs in Victoria have already started to reduce stakes and reduce the number of races being run. This must lead to a reduction in turnover growth in both on and off-course, and therefore adversely affect the incomes of those who rely directly on the industry for their living.

In the belief that the consequent drop in on-course revenue would be offset by an increased TAB turnover and distribution to the industry clubs have supported initiatives to maximise TAB turnover, such as Pubtab, display of dividends in TAB agencies, after-race payout and betting to race starting time. The expected recovery of revenue will now be confiscated by the government, resulting in millions of dollars being lost to the racing industry.

The Treasurer's claim that the additional funds will be used for new hospital facilities and improved health care, while technically correct, is misleading. It will merely result in less money being diverted from consolidated revenue for this purpose. The government should not move to recover from a growth industry like racing, part of the losses incurred by it through the mismanagement of matters such as WorkCare, VEDC etc.

Therein lies the truth. Most of the racing industry is aggrieved by the situation. They have made all sorts of sacrifices to accommodate the government, the TAB and the introduction of Sky Channel. Having made those accommodating moves to assist the


government and to assist their own industries, they now face a bleak prospect. The Victorian government is treating the racing industries as its latest milch cow to sop up government losses.

The same situation applies to the proposed goodwill tax. That is a disturbing measure because its effect on the small and medium businesses in the State will be serious.

In today's economic climate many business operations find themselves going to the wall or being forced to sell out. The impact of a goodwill tax on that sector is serious. I refer to a letter from the Liquor Stores Association of Victoria, signed by Bruno Scarculla, the secretary/manager, which states:

The recent decision by the Cain government to put a tax on the goodwill of a business is another nail in the coffin of small businesses in Victoria.

The incentive to invest in a business has virtually disappeared and the taxing of the goodwill will certainly make a lot of people think twice about going into business for themselves.

As you are aware 70 per cent of small businesses go bankrupt in the first three years of operation. If the stamp duty on goodwill is allowed to proceed the percentage of bankruptcies will certainly grow.

He asks honourable members to bring that fact to the attention of Parliament. Many people in small businesses are seriously concerned about the effect of stamp duty on goodwill.

There are two areas in the Budget Papers that I find disturbing; many more aspects are also of concern. The House has already dealt with the horrific government losses and examples of government mismanagement. Now, small businesses and a growth industy-the racing industy-are being milked to sop up the enormous government losses. It is not good enough; the government should reconsider its motives before it enacts the proposed legislation.

The Hon. R. A. BEST (North Western Province)-The 1989 State Budget is an indictment of the Treasurer's ability to handle the financial affairs of Victoria. The State is $31 billion in debt, and disasters such as the Victorian Economic Development Corporation, the Victorian Investment Corporation and WorkCare leave the Treasurer's credibility in tatters. Victorians have lost confidence in his ability to handle the financial affairs of the State.

One should examine in detail the mismanagement of the State and where funds have disappeared. Some $111 million of taxpayers' money has disappeared because of the VEDC; projects such as Whipstick Goldmining and Development Co. Pty Ltd, Fantasy Egg Farm Pty Ltd, Wallace International Ltd, Islamic Abattoirs of Australia Pty Ltd, Australian Vintage Travel, the Mildura Gold Oasis company, and Portland Bulk Haulin$ Pty Ltd are a few on which money was expended. All of those projects would realiStically have had difficulty in obtaining assistance from recognised financial institutions.

I shall not cover old ground about the VEDC because it has been debated in this House. That was a sad and sorry debate, particularly because of the input from government members. It is an indictment of the government's ability to manage financial institutions on a credible basis.

The Treasurer told Parliament that State Bank Victoria had been hamstrung in its operations because of the Liberal Party; it has returned a loss for the first time in its 143-year history but that was because the government wanted to get into the financial race with the big boys, the big corporations. It did not have the necessary expertise or experience to do so.


The Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Ltd is expected to report a profit of approximately $750 million; Westpac Banking Corporation should have an $815 million profit; the National Australia Bank Ltd is expected to report an $820 million profit, yet State Bank Victoria has returned a loss estimated to be more than $100 million. That is a dismal performance, particularly at a time when it has been running a campaign telling Victorians, "It is your money".

That loss was incurred not at a time when State Bank Victoria was giving discounts on housing loan interest rates or discounts to borrowers on business investments; it was incurred because of the Treasurer's direction. State Bank Victoria was regarded as the triumph of the government's shining economic vision. The bankers should not be blamed; only the direction that the government forced them to take. It is the first time in the bank's 143-year history that it will have recorded a loss.

Recently the House has debated W orkCare legislation. The legislative changes required to fix W orkCare were immense, as were the amendments that were required to be made to the amending Bill. It is a sad and sorry example of a badly planned workers compensation system; it has cost the Victorian taxpayers millions of dollars every year because of rorts and mismanagement. At present, it unfunded liabilities total $4-2 billion, and that is expected to exceed $ 5 billion in the next few years.

That is a staggering debt when one considers that the scheme has been operating for only four years. As I said at the time of the debate of the amending WorkCare Bill, it will be interesting to discover the unfunded liability when the Treasurer is asked to report to Parliament next year.

Those examples are but a few of the financial shambles that the Treasurer has led Victoria into. Our children and families will have to carry that heavy burden; they will have to drag Victoria from the brink of financial insolvency.

Cuts were made in many areas of this year's Budget, particularly in areas affecting country Victorians. Courthouses and one-man police stations have been subjected to closure. The State government's attitude to social justice is laughable when one considers the closure of those facilities because the fundamental principle of any social justice strategy must include access to the law; yet because of the lack offunds country Victorians will experience a reduction in the provision of law and other services. Courthouses and police stations will be forced to close; so much for social justice in country areas when the residents cannot attend a local courthouse or go to their local, one-man police station!

Police funding, particularly in country areas, is of particular concern; it demonstrates a lack of recognition of the importance of police services by the State government. The concept of one-man police stations is under attack. The government's reaction to the rising road toll has been a knee-jerk one. I have continually called for more resources to be made available to the Victoria Police Force. I was interested to read that one senior policeman acknowledged that the financial restraints forced by the government upon the Police Force made police jobs more difficult, thereby affecting community safety.

Police numbers are approximately 2000 down on the requirements identified by the Victoria Police Association, and by the Neesham report. That report agreed with and echoed the research of the association, predicting an additional 2000 police would be needed by 1990 to effectively control crime, attend to community interests and to police Victoria to a state where safety was paramount.

I refer to a document on Victorian personnel, which explains the state of the Police Force. I was staggered to learn that 85 per cent of police officers are under the age of 40; the average age is 31·85 years; the average length of service is only 10-18 years; and


the total force, as at 30 June, was 9148 officers, with 530 recruits. I remind all honourable members that policemen are leaving the force in droves.

With the ever-increasing crime rate and the disastrous road toll, our visible police presence has become all but invisible. One-man police stations are under attack. In the past four months I have attended three public meetings to try to protect four oneman police stations under attack at Raywood, Bridgewater, Korong Vale and Inglewood. The towns of Bridgewater, Inglewood and Korong Vale have held public meetings, and the community feeling was one of anger towards the government and total frustration.

The Police Association says that it is being stifled in its ability to do its job because of lack of funding from the government. The association believes it needs extra police officers and vehicles to capably protect all Victorian citizens. My disappointment and concern is not with the Police Force but with the government. The police are working under difficult and trying conditions, but the Labor government does not recognise the conditions under which they have to work, and that is a shame.

The total spending on education will be $4·07 billion, an increase of 3·9 per cent over last year when it was $3·92 billion. Education funding has been slashed by $56 million in real terms. The government has been advertising through the Department of Labour for more girls to take maths and science classes, yet the Budget makes no provision to assist in the implementation of that program. As an example to support my claim, I use the Kangaroo Flat Technical School, which I have raised before in this House. That school is unable to offer a comprehensive maths/science course because the government will not supply the funds to employ a laboratory assistant. The Minister for Education has refused that request. Lack of funding is stifling the ability of regional offices to rectify the problems and provide funds for schools in growth areas. Many schools in Bendigo have had to conduct classes in the open or in tin sheds because they cannot cater for the growth.

The possible loss of more than 3000 technical and further education student places because of budget cuts is totally unacceptable. This year the government has failed to provide funding for the construction of residential facilities for full-time students at the Loddon-Campaspe College ofT AFE. The college's submission to the government for capital funding has fallen on deaf ears. The government's failure to provide sufficient funds is a denial of the rights of country students to have access to the best possible education.

In reply to a matter that I raised on capital funds in the debate on a motion for the adjournment of the sitting, the Minister responsible for Post-Secondary Education said:

The situation is tough and funds are tight. The government is doing its best to extend the number of places for apprentices. Other honourable members have raised the matter in regard to other provincial cities, but I cannot answer the matter because there has not been a response to the submission for further funds.

An Honourable Member-Where are you quoting from?

The Hon. R. A. BEST-This is from page 429 of Hansard of 13 September 1989. Country students are very severely disadvantaged by the lack of accessible accommodation.

The Minister has admitted openly that there are problems in supplying apprenticeship places. That is affecting the role of T AFE colleges, small business and the ability of employers to employ young people and to operate profitable manufacturing businesses in country Victoria. Education does not enjoy the same


emphasis or importance under this government as it would under a Liberal or National Party government.

An amount of $2·56 million has been allocated for health, which is an increase of 6·2 per cent over last year, but is well below the estimated inflation rate of7·4 per cent. Funding for psychiatric services of $2·9 million is a reduction of 2·8 per cent over last year. I have raised that matter with the Minister for Health, particularly on the staffing level of psychiatric services in Bendigo.

The Budget makes no provision to ensure the future of bush nursing hospitals. In my electorate bush nursing hospitals are located at Murrayville, Pyramid Hill, Nyah, Sea Lake, Hopetoun, Korong, Rainbow, Beulah and Birchip. There is a question mark over the future role of those hospitals in the provision of health services to their respective communities. The hospitals were established by the communities from funds generated within the district, yet country people must have private health insurance if they wish to enter their community hospital. Social justice does not exist in country Victoria.

The government's proposal to use bush nursing hospitals and small community hospitals as providers of multihealth facilities is under threat because of the Federal government's withdrawal of the nursing home bed subsidy. I have asked the Minister for Health what she is prepared to do, and she says:

In answer to Mr Best, I have had discussions with my Federal counterpart about the matter, and shall continue to do so, about the 131 nursing home beds that the Commonwealth government seems to believe are surplus to Victoria's needs. On the face of it, that is not the belief of Health Department Victoria, because those beds were closed down to enable their transfer elsewhere.

The lack of consultation between the State and Federal governments is affecting small country hospitals and bush nursing hospitals.

Victoria faces a new round of public transport chaos, as unions prepare to hit back at savage State Budget cuts to staff levels. The total outlay is $1·55 billion, compared with $1·61 billion last year; that is a reduction of 3·9 per cent or $63 million. Almost 2400 jobs will be phased out over the next twelve months, and a further 1500 jobs will be slashed over the next two years.

I am concerned that this will prove to be detrimental to V/Line services throughout country Victoria. V/Line jobs at Robinvale, Ultima, Boort, Sea Lake and Korong Vale have been threatened. Moves are already under way to close the Pyramid Hill railway station, with the potential loss of jobs. It is clear that other townships are listed for shutdowns. The complete closure of lines servicing these centres would become a real possibility, particularly with the deregulation of the grain freight industry and the increase in the use of buses for passenger services.

The Minister for Transport claims that V/Line has no plans to downgrade railway services in country areas but in a letter of 5 May he said:

Although V/Line is investigating the staffing requirements at Robinvale, Ultima, Boort, Sea Lake and Korong Vale, it has asked me to assure you that passenger services for those towns will not be affected by any change in staffing levels since ticket agents would be appointed to handle V/Line business in the area.

On the one hand the Minister is claiming that V/Line has no plans to downgrade railway services to Ultima. On the other hand in the same letter he concedes that V/Line is reviewing staff requirements for Ultima and four other centres. The government is deliberately misleading all Victorians on the future of country rail services. Small country communities cannot afford th~ loss of even one job because that would affect the viability of their economies.

Session 1989-24


That point was recognised by the Small Towns Study undertaken by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs. It is something that the Minister for the Arts, who was then Minister for Agriculture and Rural Affairs, will recognise as a fact. The comments of the Minister for Transport have confirmed that the government is moving progressively to wind down V/Line services to country Victorians.

In a reaction to the road toll the government has suggested that road safety programs will be aimed at bad drivers and poor roads. Road funding is an issue of great concern to every Victorian municipality, particularly country municipalities and especially those in remote parts of the State. It is essential for the government to recognise that rural arterial roads will be most affected by government cuts in funding for shires.

Typical of the reaction of the shires is a letter I received from the Shire of Gordon explaining the poor condition of its main arterial roads. In its letter of 4 August the shire states:

The very poor condition of the main roads (rural arterial) is evident to all motorists. The number of failed patches and potholes is greater than it has been for many years. I think they can be compared with the condition ofthe roads in the 1950s.

Roads have traditionally been built with an expected average economical life of 25 years. As well, reseals have an expected economical life of ten years.

A quick statistical survey of the main roads shows that 44 per cent of the pavements are 25 or more years old and 30 per cent of the seals are ten or more years old.

In other words since 1965 nearly all of the pavements should have been upgraded or reconstructed. This means that about 20 per cent of the roads should have been treated each five-year period. The actual length treated in each five-year period is as follows ...

The Hon. R. A. Mackenzie-That is fifteen years of Liberal Party neglect.

The Hon. R. A. BEST-Exactly. From 1965 to 1969,20 per cent of the roads were treated; from 1970 to 1974, 15 per cent; from 1975 to 1979, 10 per cent; from 1980 to 1984, 6 per cent; and from 1985 to 1989, 5 per cent. It is obvious that there has been a drastic reduction in road funding, which is an indictment of the government's attitude to roads.

It is significant that at a time when the government is continually looking at ways of curbing the road toll and of examining the attitudes of drivers the one problem it has not realistically addressed is the condition of Victoria's roads. If one drives through country Victoria one observes the potholes and the edging of roads. They are in such disrepair that they not only cause damage to cars but also are a danger to inexperienced drivers. It IS difficult for young motorists to control cars if they are travelling on the edges of the roads. The letter from the Shire of Gordon exemplifies the problems faced by many country shires and municipalities, and reflects the government's attitude towards all Victorians.

The agricultural sector of the Budget represents only 1 per cent of total Budget outlays. The farming sector of Victoria makes a major contribution to the wealth and balance of payments of the State. The agricultural sector provides 20 per cent of gross national product and 46 per cent of export earnin~s. I do, however, recognise the major concession made by the government in scrapPing the public authority dividend tax on the Grain Elevators Board. It should never have been introduced.

A healthy small business sector is essential for a healthy economy. That sector is a major employer and a major service provider and it creates the infrastructure support for large businesses. The State government has done little in the Budget to assist the small business sector. The biggest sin~e employer in Victoria is faced with the introduction of a new tax, a tax on the Individual's ability to o~rate a good, viable business. The government will raise $10 million this year and $20 million next year


through this impost. All it will mean is that the ingoings for every small business operator will increase.

In addition, businesses have been hit with an increase in the financial institutions duty. But not content with that, the government has increased WorkCare levies. These new levies have the potential to drive manufacturing industries out of Victoria and into other States. The government has made no effort to lobby the Federal government on its policy of high interest rates. Nobody has suffered more than the small business sector. In Victoria some 147000 small businesses employ 618 900 people, or 55 per cent of the total work force. What is the government doing to assist them? It is taxing them to the hilt.

At last the State government has admitted that non-metropolitan Victoria has been disadvantaged at the expense of metropolitan Victoria. The old decentralisation initiatives, although they will never come back in their original form, were initiatives that created a spread from the urban metropolitan sprawl. The $3·5 million allocated to assist industries outside Melbourne is like a drop in the ocean. It is time that a comprehensive decentralisation program was put in place to assist regional Victoria and to curb the urban sprawl of Melbourne.

No real provision has been made in this Budget for housing to relieve the financial hardships of people attempting to payoff their mortgages. On many occasions I have asked the Minister for Housing and Construction what he was prepared to do to relieve the financial hardship being faced by families struggling to meet their mortgage repayments under crippling high interest rates. His answers have been exactly what they were today: nothing! He says, "We are providing assistance to families who are struggling to meet their mortgage payments; we have a mortgage relief scheme". However, the mortgage relief scheme that the government has in place does not go anywhere near identifying the real problems or assisting those families who are really struggling under financial hardship.

Victoria is truly facing a housing crisis. The public housing waiting lists is at a record level and more pressure is being brought to bear on the private rental system. The government collected $183 million from stamp duty this year while the housing boom was on. How much of that has been allocated in the Budget to provide for housing construction to stimulate the downturn in the present climate? Not one cent! The Liberal and National parties have vowed in their housing policies to remove stamp duty for all first home buyers. This would allow the first home buyer to get back into the home market-a need the government fails to identify.

The Housing Industry Association said the Victorian Budget had ignored the housing crisis. Access to home ownership is virtually denied to young home seekers unless they have two very good incomes. The State government is not able to cope with the growing waiting list for public housing and the industry is heading for a severe downturn with many jobs being threatened. The government appears to be in a state of paralysis in regard to this crisis.

On 4 August 1989, in a letter to the Premier the Chief Executive of the Housing Industry Association, Mr Les Groves, said:

The Victorian government should lobby the Federal government to switch the emphasis away from tight monetary policy in the August Budget to assist in the restoration of consumer confidence.

That is something this government has failed to do. While the official statistics do not reflect this situation as yet, there will be major shortfalls in housing construction for this year. Home costs at the moment represent some 34 per cent of income.


An article in the Herald of24 July 1989 states: Mortgage repayments traditionally have not exceeded 25-30 per cent of household income, yet the

report shows that in March Melburnians were paying $945-or an average of 34·2 per cent of their paypackets-on home loan repayments.

At the same time last year, repayments were 25·7 per cent of household income.

As the article states, mortgage repayments traditionally have not exceeded 25 to 30 per cent of a family's income but interest rates have affected every householder who has a mortgage and interest rates have also affected the rental sector.

A letter from the Tenants Union of Victoria of 10 September 1989 states: Both the Victorian and Federal Budgets contained initiatives to assist tenants. However, neither

government has addressed the problem of housing poverty in a comprehensive fashion.

Additional income support has been largely limited to $10 increases in supplementary rent assistance and, although indexation arrangements are welcome, proposed levels of assistance will leave many tenants in poverty after paying for housing costs.

There has been no change to assistance offered to tenants under the Mortgage and Rent Relief Program as the additional $15 million allocated to this program in the Federal Budget will go entirely to home owners. "

The supply of affordable accommodation through the public sector will continue to languish behind demand.

Then there was the fiasco of the Federal government calling a housing summit in Canberra on 3 March. Industry representatives and all State governments were asked to attend. What positive action came out of that housing summit on 3 March? Nothing! After submissions from all interested parties and housing industry groups, the State government has done absolutely nothing in the 1989-90 Budget to identify and address the problems raised on 3 March.

I approached the Minister on behalf of the Victorian Building Societies Association to ask for his support for a proposal to be put to the Minister for Consumer Affairs in another place for a change to the Credit Act to allow building societies to consolidate the debts of their borrowers. To my absolute amazement the Minister refused to meet a deputation from the Victorian Building Societies Association because, as it fell within the ambit of the Credit Act, he did not believe it fell within the responsibility of his portfolio. He did not believe that keeping people in homes was his responsibility.

Again today I asked him what he was prepared to do in an attempt to give assistance to people who have building society mortgage loans and he said: nothing. This Minister is interested only in public housing. As we heard today, he wants to be associated only with public housing issues. He does not give a damn for the construction industry or for the new class of poor that is being created by the Federal government's high interest rates. He is interested only in public housing. That is an indictment of his outlook on his portfolio, which is one of the most vital to this State.

The Minister has no concern for the construction industry. Pity help the construction industry in six or twelve months time if a severe downturn occurs. The reason I approached the Minister and asked him to talk to the building societies was that the people who have mortgages will face a financial crisis come Christmas. Without doubt their credit cards will have loans against them that they can ill afford to pay. Without doubt the financial stress of receiving rate notices, of allowing their children to have a decent Christmas and of sending their children back to school will impact heavily on their ability to meet their mortgage repayments. It is a sad day when the Minister for Housing and Construction is interested only in public housing and is not concerned with other sections of his portfolio that are so vital to the State.


Country Victoria will be the big loser in the Budget because many services have already been withdrawn and many others are under threat. It is unfortunate that the government has a bias towards people who are fortunate enough to live within the confines of the tram tracks of metropolitan Melbourne. Without doubt country Victoria is suffering under this Labor government and in this 1989-90 Budget.

As I said when debating the WorkCare issue, in twelve months time the unfunded liability of WorkCare will be enormous and our children will have to pay it. It has been said before that we are borrowin$ the planet for a short period and it is unfair of us to burden our children and their chIldren with a huge debt.

The Hon. LICIA KOKOCINSKI (Melbourne West Province)-In reply to Mr Best, if the government were to abandon the tight and stringent policies that it has in place and spend the public's money it would be criticised for taking a freewheeling and irresponsible approach-including all the other cliches-to government. Now the government is stingy and irresponsible because it is not spending money that does not exist.

I shall concentrate solely on the health area because that is an issue that concerns the western suburbs of Melbourne. Health funding will continue to increase under this government.

When the Labor Party came to power in 1982, and it reiterated it in its 1988 policy speech, it promised to maintain high-quality care in public hospitals and to continue to increase the number of public hospital beds in suburbs where more people live. The changes in population p-owth mean that hospitals need to be where people live. The Labor Party promised Incentives to private hospitals so that they could take some of the load away from public hospitals. It promised to continue reducing waiting lists for elective surgery despite the growing demand for public hospital beds.

In 1988 the Labor government promised to continue the development of the networks of health services, community health centres, district health councils, women's health centres and mental health services that has flourished over the past six years. These services are generally community managed and, because of that, the staffhave a grassf"oots knowledge of what is needed in a particular area.

In 1988 the Labor government continued the development of the Health Promotions Unit. Victoria leads the world in health promotion and illness prevention. The government also promised to continue decentralising psychiatric services to the regions.

The government's goal in the Budget, as opposed to Labor Party policy, is to ensure that all Victorians have a level of health which enables them to participate as fully as possible in the life of the community. Five priority objectives were set to meet that goal: firstly, to improve access to acute hospital services; secondly, to expand community and home-based health services; thirdly, to prevent illness or injury and to improve health; fourthly, to support groups with different and special health needs; and fifthly, to improve the management and accountability of health services.

Gone are the days when services could be provided through agencies and organisations which were not accountable to anyone but which could continue for many years without providing not just an audit but even a reason for the services they provided.

We live now in an economically constrained era but, despite that, the health budget has increased slightly. In 1988 the health budget was $2·4 billion or 19 per cent of the total State Budget.

I shall endeavour to demonstrate that the Labor government is meetin$ its policy pledges of 1988. The Labor Party policy on hospitals was to relocate hOSPItals out of


the central business district into the suburbs and, in addition, to allocate funding for an extra 900 beds in metropolitan hospitals. This is happening. More beds have been opened in the Frankston and Maroondah hospitals and there has been a redeployment of services and opening of extra beds at the Maribyrnong Medical Centre, particularly the Sunshine campus.

There has also been a further improvement in the quality of care and technology, particularly through the establishment of heart, lung and liver transplant centres at major Melbourne hospitals. Another policy is to ensure that the program of hospital improvement continues and, in fact, major hospital capital works programs will be developed during the year.

It is proposed to examine the redevelopment of rural as well as metropolitan hospital priorities. As I said earlier in relation to accountability, the present Minister for Industry, Technology and Resources, when the Minister for Health, developed a strong link between hospital funding and patient throughput. Hospitals now have incentives to treat patients, put them through the system and go on treating patients, which is one way of shortening the waiting list.

Up until two years ago real funding was decreasing, yet hospitals were expected to meet Medicare programs of free care in public hospitals and also find funds for new equipment and technology. We know what is happening in the health system; fewer and fewer people are taking out private insurance while more and more are relying on the public health system. Not only that, people with private health insurance are using the public health system.

During the past two years real funding has increased, although it has not reached the level of 1982-83. Hospitals have incentives. The more patients they treat and see without a decrease in the quality of care, the greater the financial reward.

Hospital equipment is extremely expensive. A piece of equipment may cost $1 million. Hospitals have to justify the need for the equipment they purchase. One way is by improving efficiencies in their own systems. Whatever savings are made by the hospitals are able to be kept by the hospitals and are not lost forever in the consolidated revenue. St Vincent's Hospital now has a lithotripter. It is the only "double banger" hospital in Victoria: the lithotripter machine removes gallstones, sparing patients from sUIJery, and some 2000 Victorians will use it for gallstone relief and 1500 for shattering kidney stones. This is the hospital's second such machine.

The organ donation register has been established to combat renal failure and $500 000 has been allocated by the government this financial year, with $750 000 to be provided next financial year for more staff and dialysis equipment and to develop community education.

Extra funds have been made available to establish the heart, lung and liver transplant programs at the Royal Children's Hospital, the Alfred Hospital and the Austin Hospital. That is a start and no-one would deny that those programs are needed.

In 1987-88 Victoria's public hospitals treated more than 180000 privately insured patients and, as I said earlier, more and more privately insured patients are now on hospital waiting lists, accounting for 21 per cent of people on hospital waiting lists for elective surgery.

In raw figures it is 12000 more than the previous year. Public hospitals admitted a record number of 586 000 patients; 58 600 patients more than the previous year and 45 000 more than any other year. Average waiting times have fallen from 8·3 weeks in June 1987 to 7·8 weeks in June 1988, decreasing to 6·7 weeks in September 1988.


Waiting lists for elective surgery have fallen from a peak of 35 000 patients in 1987 to 19000 in late 1988. The government's policy of throughput is bearing fruit.

The Hon. K. M. SMITH (South Eastern Province)-On a point of order, Mr President, I should like a ruling on the honourable member reading her speech.

The PRESIDENT-Order! I have been watching carefully. Ms Kokocinski has been referring to copious notes that are obviously her own. I have been able to see the writing from here. At times she has been quoting directly from figures and I believe that is allowable. I ask Ms Kokocinski to refer to her notes as little as possible; although she is entitled to refer to them in her speech and to any statistics.

The Hon. LICIA KOKOCINSKI (Melbourne West Province)-In the area of community health, the government is providing an additional $6·7 million from the renegotiated Medicare agreement program for the expansion in post-acute and palliative care and for these services to go out into the community rather than having them centralised in the hospital system. There will be an expansion of assessment teams and district nursing. There will also be seven new community health centres and 25 existing health centres will be expanded to provide facilities for podiatry, physiotherapy and occupational therapy to assist elderly people.

As has also been noted, there will be an expansion of the sexual assault service. The birthing service review, which the government has funded, has already brought down an interim report and the final report will be made later this year. The birthing service review has already provided a basis for a great deal of discussion among health providers and consumers. There is high demand for some alteration in the systems in hospitals to make birth a far more natural process than it is at the moment. In its commitment to women's health, the government will see that through. It has already provided seeding funds for three new women's health centres.

In the area of youth health, the government made a commitment that has come to fruition in that $300 000 was provided for the renovation of an old factory in Collingwood to provide a youth clinic. The Factory Health Complex, as it is colloquially called by the people in Collingwood, is the only one of its type and provides not only direct medical services but also other services that include family planning, counselling, medical attention and recreation facilities. It provides showers for many young people which in this day and age may seem a little unusual, but it was thought necessary to provide those facilities.

It is the first of its kind and it is targeted to the homeless youth and street kids of Collingwood. The kids who use that facility will also have access to housing information and education. The philosophy is on wellness and not the medical model; it is part of looking after young people's whole being-their physical, emotional and social wellbeing not just their physical health. The funds have come from the Collingwood Community Health Centre as well as from Health Department Victoria.

Victoria leads Australia, and probably the world, in the area of public health and promotion. The aim is to enhance health and prevent illness through better information dissemination and by improving the environment for people and encouraging them to take up what we call a healthier lifestyle.

The Hon. M. A. BIRRELL (East Yarra Province )-On a point of order, Mr President, I direct to your attention a potential breach of Standing Orders on the basis that the honourable member appears to be reading her speech. I am cognisant of your ruling on this matter and I have been observing the honourable member. The time-honoured tradition of this place is that the only people who read speeches are Ministers delivering second-reading speeches and people moving principal motions.


Mr President, I paid great attention to your ruling on Mr Smith's point of order. It appears the honourable member is constantly referring to her notes; she is not using them to refresh her memory but is relying on them for her entire speech. That deprives the Chamber of spontaneity of debate. If that practice is allowed to continue it will not improve the stature of this place. The honourable member should not be relying on her notes her entire speech, and the fact that she has on occasions added some spontaneous discussion is not enough. It goes well beyond being copious notes constitutes a written speech.

The Hon. R. A. MACKENZIE (Geelong Province)-On the point of order, Mr President, one must take into account the type of speech the honourable member is making. She is providing the House with a number of statistics to bear out her argument, and she needs to have those figures in front of her. From sitting beside her, I can assure you, Mr President, that the notes she has before her deal only with figures. She does not have a word-for-word speech in front of her. I can say, from the way she is reading her notes, that Ms Kokocinski needs to quote the figures to bear out her argument.

The Hon. K. M. SMITH (South Eastern Province)-On the point of order, Mr President, the point of order raised was that Ms Kokocinski was reading her notes, and I am pleased that Mr Birrell raised his point of order. Since my point of order Ms Kokocinski has continuously referred to notes; it has not been a matter of providing statistics. H ansard will show that the honourable member has not been referring to statistics. The honourable member is more than capable of referring to health matters without having to read from notes. It is not in keeping with the practices of the House that she should continually read from notes.

The PRESIDENT -Order! There is nothing to stop an honourable member from referring to notes. Those notes may be extensive or they may be very summary in form. I realise that it is a borderline case. I have been watching carefully. It has been my practice with challenges of this kind in a borderline case to put a direct question to the honourable member. I therefore ask Ms Kokocinski ifshe is reading her speech.

The Hon. LICIA KOKOCINSKI (Melbourne West Province)-No, Mr President, I am not reading my speech. I have copious notes and extensive figures.

The PRESIDENT -Order! I am bound by the honourable member's answer which accords, in any event, with the view to which I have come.

The Hon. LICIA KOKOCINSKI-One of the hang-ups of members of the Liberal Party is that they do not like it when the government tells them it is delivering the goods to people in this State, particularly in the area of community services.

The Hon. Robert Lawson-I'm sure you are reading.

The Hon. LICIA KOKOCINSKI-As I explained to the President, I am not reading. The Victorian Health Promotion Foundation has raised approximately $23 million in taxes from the sale of cigarettes, and that money is being used to promote good health by sponsoring a number of sporting events in Victoria.

There are by now many sports sponsorships in this field and the issue is not over yet. In fact, we have things like volleyball; the greatest coup of all, the buyout of the Thunderdome sponsorship by Bob Jane; the buyout of the cigarette advertising of the Dunhill company for the Victoria State Opera; and the buyout of the W.D. & H.O. Wills sponsorship of the Manikato Stakes. We are sure that in the sporting area the Victorian Health Promotion Foundation is going to be a major player in buying out cigarette advertising. Not only that, if I could refer back to Bob Jane's Thunderdome, it is a $3·5 million package over five years.


Since football seems to be a topical subject both in the media and within the parties, the Fitzroy Football Club will be merging with Footscray and Fitzroy has received a lot of support from the Quit campaign.

On the issue of nursing care, in 1988 the government committed itself to increasing the number of nurses practising in public hospitals. To this end, there has been a redevelopment of curriculum for State enrolled nurses so not only will they be professionally trained but they will also be able to update their qualifications and take up more duties in keeping with the professionalisation of the health industry. This is another example of the government meeting its commitment in the area of hospital care. The recommendations of the report into the study of professional issues in nursing will be implemented but only after consultation with health agencies and relevant unions.

Labor pledged itself to combating drug and alcohol abuse in 1988 with education, health promotion campaigns and the Rage Without Alcohol rock concerts. Much of this work is now taken up by the Victorian Health Promotion Foundation. However, through the 1988-89 Budget Health Department Victoria provided 22 new detoxification beds at a Salvation Army centre and a new detoxification centre capable of accepting an additional 650 admissions a year. This service will be maintained. One of the issues that arose in the western suburbs was the difficulty people faced in times of crisis in reaching a detoxification centre.

In its policies in relation to elderly people, Labor pledged to increase public nursing home beds and to expand district nursing services and other community support programs under both Home and Community Care programs and community health centres. The government is meeting this commitment through its increase in HACC funding as well as expanding community health centres actively to provide services for elderly people.

The relocation of nursing home and acute care services from Mount Eliza Geriatric Centre to Rosebud and Frankston will commence and in rural Victoria work will commence at Dunolly and Ballarat. Thus the rural area is not forgotten which is what honourable members opposite have been trying to tell this government.

As stated earlier, 2000 frail aged people living at home will be offered emergency personal alarms linked to geriatric centres, support people and ambulance services. As people study matters associated with old age, we all realise more clearly that many older people wish to remain in their own homes for as long as possible. Because the community is demanding that, it is up to the government to provide the services that will allow people to remain in the comfort and security of their own homes rather than being forced by economic and physical circumstances to be placed in nursing homes.

Despite the pointless interruptions, I wish to conclude by saying this government is meeting all the commitments that it made in the 1988 pledges prior to the October election and since it has been in this term of office for just over a year. I am very proud and honoured to be reading this speech--

The Hon. Rosemary Varty-That is exactly right!

The Hon. LICIA KOKOCINSKl-I am proud and honoured to be delivering this speech and showing that the Labor government is delivering its policies to the community.

The Hon. G. B. ASHMAN (Boronia Province)-This year's Budget continues the high-spending and high-taxing policies of the government's previous Budget and despite all the rhetoric the government has put forward it still increases expenditure


in real terms by 3·7 per cent. It increases taxes in five of the hidden tax areas by more than double the inflation rate.

The Budget has failed to address the growth in the Public Service and the inefficiencies that are built into that system. A great deal of fat could be trimmed from the Public Service in Victoria. Since 1984, public sector employment in this State has increased by 10·1 per cent. It is interesting to compare those figures with other States to see how much growth there has been in Victoria's Public Service. Public sector employment in New South Wales increased by 2·1 per cent. Under the Commonwealth government-remember that it is a Labor government-the Public Service increased by 0·5 per cent. I repeat Victoria's figure: 10·1 per cent. Much of the unemployment in this State is being taken up by the State government. Taxpayers are paying to reduce the unemployment figure in this State.

What are they getting for their money? I suggest, as would be obvious to anyone who has visited any of the public offices in recent times and checked the services that are available across the counter, that they are getting very little for their money.

The Victorian Public Service has increased at more than four times the rate of all other public services in Australia. That is reflected in the Victorian government debt, which is now estimated by Moody's Investor Services Inc.-I know the government does not approve of Moody's but it is a credible organisation that does its sums-to be $23·8 billion.

Moody's has also come up with the figures for New South Wales. The government is very anxious to compare Victoria with New South Wales because the debt there is $26·1 billion. That is a little above Victoria's figure, but in the last New South Wales Budget under the Greiner government measures were taken to bring that debt problem under control, and New South Wales is now commencing to pay off the debt.

The debt servicing burden in New South Wales is 13·3 per cent of Budget receipts. In Victoria, it is 16·7 per cent of Budget receipts. The financial mismanagement of this State has been well documented in this debate and Mr Best went through in some detail the losses incurred through the Victorian Economic Development Corporation, the Victorian Investment Corporation, Tricontinental Corporation Ltd-the unknown losses in Tricontinental-and the loss of profits from State Bank Victoria. All those chickens will come home to roost over the next twelve to eighteen months.

The whole Budget is predicated on a number of assumptions, one of which is the inflation rate. The Treasurer suggests that the inflation rate for the coming year will be in the order of 7·4 per cent. One could argue that this figure is optimistically low. Based on the Treasurer's past performance one can be reasonably certain that the figure is low, because the Treasurer has consistently underestimated figures within the Budget. In previous Budgets he has underestimated inflation, income and expenditure. Since 1984 the actual outcome of the Budget has exceeded the Estimates every year.

At a time when interest rates are higher, when credit rates are increasing, when home loan rates are on the increase and business finance is at an all-time high, this Budget has done absolutely nothing to ease the burden on the Victorian community. It sets the scene for wage increases and an escalation in charges. The inflationary spiral is in. place.

It is obvious upon examination of the Budget Papers that the Treasurer is assuming there will be substantial increases in the tax take created by inflation. Government taxes are up in almost all quarters. The actual taxation increase, on the Treasurer's own figures, is 2·2 per cent above the predicted inflation rate.


Payroll tax receipts will increase by 11 per cent. The Tattersalls take is up by 10 per cent and the land tax take is up by 16·8 per cent. The petrol tax take is up 14 per cent, the liquor take by 10 per cent, the tobacco take 28 per cent, and the financial institutions duty is up by 21 per cent. All of those are hidden taxes that are not seen by the average family.

The government claims in relation to payroll tax that the indexation of scales from $320000 to $345000 will provide relief to 9000 employers. However, the take from payroll tax will increase by 11 per cent. That means that a company that employs more than eight to ten employees will be roped into paying payroll tax. There is little or no real relief to employers from payroll tax. That tax is a disincentive to business growth, employment and investment.

Anyone who has had experience in the small business sector or who communicates with small business operators will know that almost all of them would say that when their businesses reach the stage of having a payroll of some $300 000 they are quite happy to hold the payroll at that level and cease expanding their businesses. They believe the hassles of becoming involved with the rip-off of payroll tax, the added burden of WorkCare, and the other duties involved mean that at that stage they need to employ one person full time to complete the government returns and administer the government's taxation scheme.

The stamp duty take is expected to increase by 68 per cent. That projected increase is an interesting figure to consider because the number of vehicles sold in this State is on the decline. In 1984-85 172 000 new vehicles were sold. The projection for 1989 is that 120 000 to 130 000 new vehicles will be sold. Prior to this government coming to office, average sales were around 150 000 a year. Therefore, there is an increase in stamp duty but a decline in sales. That demonstrates a decline in business activity within the motor vehicle sector. Some anomalies exist in this area.

The government has introduced its so-called luxury tax of$8 for every $200 of the purchase price of vehicles valued at $35000 or more.

The Hon. R. M. Hallam-The same rate as second-hand vehicles.

The Hon. G. B. ASHMAN-Yes, and there is another anomaly: a rate of $5 in every $200 of the purchase price applies to new vehicles up to the value of$35 000. However, a demonstrator model, which is critical to the operation of a new car dealership, is taxed at $8 in every $200 when it is sold, at the same rate as a used car. For tax purposes it is considered as a used car, although the new car dealer has at no time paid stamp duty on that vehicle. He has not paid stamp duty when the vehicle was first registered, and it should be treated as a sale of a new vehicle.

There is a real disincentive to any person contemplating purchasing a demonstrator vehicle instead of a new car. When one is talking about a vehicle valued at, say, $30 000 the discount that a dealer can offer on the demonstrator vehicle is generally less than the additional tax that will be paid on the purchase of that vehicle, as it will have to be paid at the used car rate rather than the new car rate.

When one considers the tax rate of $8 in every $200 of the purchase price of a vehicle valued at $35000 or more, one realises that commercial vehicles are also included. There is hardly a truck on the road today that does not cost more than $35000. It seems the government believes a delivery truck is a lUXUry vehicle. It intends to tax purchasers of delivery trucks at the same rate as purchasers of luxury cars.

This is another little dig at the business sector. In the government's eyes the business sector is ripe for the picking. The government believes the business sector is a cow


that can be milked forever and that the money will just keep flowing. Business makes the final decision when it comes to investment, and it is clear that business is not investing in Victoria. Small business is moving out of Victoria because the taxes and charges in this State are such that it is too costly for the operators to do business here.

I have already referred to the tax burden on businesses. This is evident when one examines the taxes imposed on businesses, such as stamp duty, payroll tax and WorkCare, and the fact that the Commonwealth government operates the pay-as-youeam system where the employer collects the tax and where the Australian Bureau of Statistics is demanding statistics from businesses. One realises that the State and Federal governments specialise in surveys. If ever there were a growth industry in this country, it must be in surveys. This government specialises in surveys and consulting, and each time a survey is generated the questions go out to business and there are more reams of paperwork for businesses to respond to. This all takes time, and that time costs businesses money.

I refer briefly to a note I received from the Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce, which has canvassed the stamp duty issue. It has gone a little further and suggested that the government should be prepared to pay business a fee that would at least cover the overheads associated with the collection of all the taxes by business. I suggest the government should consider this suggestion because the costs are substantial.

Further on the subject of the automotive industry and the costs of registering new vehicles, the government, through the Roads Corporation, has recently introd~ced a scheme whereby dealers are able to register the vehicles they have sold without taking the vehicles away from their premises. One would think that was a good scheme and would be a cost saving to the businesses, but the government has imposed a charge of $10 on new car dealers for the privilege of doing all the paperwork for registration of each vehicle and sending it in to the Roads Corporation. The dealers are paying for the privilege of registering the cars they have sold and are paying for the work they do on behalf of the government. It is typical of the attitude of this government towards business. Many similar examples can be provided in relation to other businesses but I shall not go into that now.

The Tattersalls take is up 10 per cent. The Budget Papers do not indicate the reason for that projected increase but perhaps we should speculate that the economy of this State is in such dire straits that the only hope families have of bailing themselves out of their financial difficulties is to get that lucky win from a Tattersalls ticket, from Tattslotto or from Keno. The government is projecting an increase in revenue from Tattersalls of 10 per cent, and providing no explanation for the increase.

Liquor tax is to be increased by 10 per cent and tobacco tax is up by 28 per cent.

The Hon. R. M. Hallam-What about the family pledge?

The Hon. G. B. ASHMAN-That has gone out the window. I refer now to land tax. The government has taken the view that land tax is a tax paid by the wealthy. Once again that is incorrect. Land tax is borne by small business operators and by consumers every day. It is an on-cost in business. Land tax is no more than a wealth tax. The property values are indexed to the average movement in the values of properties but that has no relationship to the consumer price index. The increase in property value is a paper gain, until such time as the property is sold, yet this government is taxing that paper gain while it is not generating any income for the person paying the tax. In regard to large investment companies that have properties they lease, in every instance, almost without exception, the land tax is an outgoing to the tenant and the tenant is generally a battling small business person.


It has been brought to my attention that the government is now looking to tax the alpine leases. I have always been under the impression that a property that is leased from the government is not owned by the lessee and, therefore, should not be subject to land tax; that land tax should not be payable by the lessee. However, a letter has been sent from the Alpine Resorts Commission to lessees in the alpine area around Mount Hotham stating that the commission has been advised by the Commissioner for Land Tax that all alpine leases will be subject to land tax in 1990; so the government intends to impose land tax on the lessees of government land as well as collecting rent for the leases.

In relation to stamp duty on land transfers, the government proposes to extend current land transfer duty rates to include business goodwill. This issue was covered by Mr Skeggs. The government ex~cts to raise $10·7 million in the first year and for that the government will provide $2·5 million in incentives to help small business. It is ripping off small business at a rate of four to one. If the government were really serious about assisting small business, there would be no tax imposed on the transfer of goodwill.

With respect to the exemptions being introduced for Commonwealth health cardholders when they purchase property, the exemption will apply to properties with a value up to $65000. Where can one purchase a property for $65 OOO? That is a worthless exemption. The government has extended the exemption from the payment of stamp duty for first home buyers who meet all the income tests to apply to homes up to a value of $100 000. The stamp duty payable on a home valued at $100 000 is $2400 and the exemption fades out at $111 000. In my area of Knoxfield the Urban Land Authority has been selling blocks of land for $70000, which clearly indicates that once a house is built on that land there is no way that any of those people-and they are all supposedly first home buyers, young families establishing their homes for the first time-will be able to benefit from that exemption.

Victorians are in trouble, and that can be proved by looking at credit card debt. This was alluded to earlier by Mr Best. Individual credit card debt in this State has doubled in the past two years, because living standards have been dropping, incomes have been dropping and people's spending capacity has also dropped. Families are borrowing against their credit cards to live. Interest rates have increased by 3 to 4 per cent over the past two years and families are struggling to meet their mortgage payments. In many instances there is clear evidence that mortgage payments represent more than 60 per cent of the average weekly earnings. In the new suburbs they can be as high as 70 per cent. The family pledge of the government is absolutely worthless.

I turn now to transport and raise some local issues to illustrate what this government has done to transport. There has been virtually no increase in road funding in any area. About 90 per cent of all journeys take place in private motor vehicles and yet the government is putting money into public transport. Despite that, in the eastern suburbs bus services are being closed down.

Night services on the Knox-Croydon-Mooroolbark, Ringwood-Dandenong and the Ringwood-Croydon lines have all been cancelled. The government claims that it will save approximately $200 000 because of the cancellation of those services. Other services on the Croydon-Olinda and Croydon-Boronia lines are being reduced to 30-minute intervals during peak periods, WIth an expected saving of$60 million.

The Budget provides no commitment to public transport for the outer eastern suburbs. As has been said throughout the debate, the government's interest finishes at the end of the tram tracks. Before the last election there was a great deal of talk in the Knox area about a tram service from Middleborough Road along the Burwood Highway to Knox City Shopping Centre. In fact, the honourable member for Wantirna


was photographed for the front page of the local newspaper in front of a tram on which was a sign that said "Knox City". Many people in the area believed that that was a clear commitment to build a tramline to Knox City, but on perusal of the Budget Papers one finds that not one cent is provided in a commitment to that project.

The implication was made that that tramline would be built within the term of this government. Because of the time involved in building such a line it would be necessary for a Budget allocation to be made this year so that that promise could be honoured. Oearly the promise has been scrapped.

No additional funding for new road projects has been provided in the outer eastern area. Police services are also a matter of concern. Mr Best dealt with that matter in some detail, but there is one issue that I shall raise regarding the Knoxfield police station. Prior to the election the Knox-Sherbrooke News carried a headline on 16 August 1988 that said, "Start this year on the Knox police complex". The article states:

Building on the long-awaited 24-hour police station at Knoxfield should start this year following a $1 million allocation.

The 1989-89 Budget showed $1 million. At the time a spokesman for the Minister for Police and Emergency Services said that further announcements about funding would be made by August 1988, but not a single sod has been turned on that site to this day. However, the Budget proudly announced that funding of$I·12 million will be provided for the commencement of the Knoxfield police complex.

That is not the only problem with police stations in that area. The Boronia. police station, which is only a small station, services a large community. The government has valued the station site at $300 000 and there is every indication that that station will be closed and the site sold. There have been suggestions that the Bayswater police station will close and the police presence in two large communities will be removed when the new Knoxfield station is opened. However, even when the Knoxfield police station is fully operational, it is essential that there be a police presence in Boronia and Bayswater. That was another promise made prior to the election. It is an issue that has been discussed recently in this Chamber.

A promise has been made about the new Country Fire Authority'S premises.

The Hon. R. I. Knowles-Ballarat has been promised that!

The Hon. G. B. ASHMAN-Ballarat has been promised that, but it could go to Melton or Lyndhurst or Knoxfield. The government has called for additional reports on the development of that facility. The Knoxfield site that was selected by the CFA is the best site, but following a question I asked in this place on 22 March the Minister for Police and Emergency Services responded by a circuitous route when he wrote to me at an address I vacated approximately nine months ago. In a letter dated 15 August, which I received only recently, he said:

In the prevailing climate of severe Budget constraints, the government has decided to defer the building ofa new headquarters for the authority.

The Country Fire Authority is not going to have a new headquarters. The Minister then said that the existing headquarters will be refurbished. It is clear that that facility is not adequate for CF A demands into the 1990s and that a new facility is desperately needed and should have been funded in the Budget.

There is little in the Budget to bring joy to young families who are struggling to establish themselves. The government stands conde.mned by the Budget.

On the motion of the Hon. D. E. HENSHAW (Geelong Province), the debate was adjourned.


It was ordered that the debate be adjourned until the next day of meeting.

ADJOURNMENT Personal Emergency Service-Box Hill South housing estate-Student accommodation

at T AFE colleges-Arts Funding-Apprentices at Grace McKellar centre, Geelong-Superannuation for part-time local government employees-Gas and Fuel Corporation agencies-Queen Elizabeth Geriatric Centre, Ballarat-St Martin's Youth Art Centre-Outer Eastern Group Training Ltd-Western Port port facility traffic-Speed limit on Hume Freeway

The Hon. C. J. HOGG (Minister for Health)-I move: That the House do now adjourn.

The Hon. M. T. TEHAN (Central Highlands Province)-I direct to the attention of the Minister for Health a matter with which she is familiar and with which members on this side of the House are familiar, the proposed closure of the Personal Emergency Service because of lack of funds. Under the auspices of the Office of Psychiatric Services this telephone counselling service is run by approximately 200 volunteers who receive up to 28 000 calls each year. The funding is not large-$180 000 a yearbut on 13 September a letter from Mr John Rimmer of the Office of Psychiatric Services to the Chairman of the Personal Emergency Service said that as from the end of the calendar year there would be no further funding.

The service plays a vital role for people who have emotional and psychiatric problems. They have immediate access to a 24-hour service through which someone will listen to their problems. Honourable members all know the therapeutic value of an opportunity of speaking to someone and being listened to sympathetically when people have emotional or psychiatric problems. Such a service could mean the difference between effectively dealing with an immediate problem and not doing so, even through the anonymity of a telephone. In short, this service is of inestimable value.

Although the Opposition supports the government's endeavours to have people with emotional and psychiatric problems cared for within the community-wherever that is possible and reasonable-the service is an integral part of counselling and guidance for such people. It is untenable for the government to claim that, because of other Budget priorities, $180 000 per annum cannot be found to continue the service, even though the assistance is provided by 200 volunteers.

In recent years volunteerism has declined; certainly it is undervalued. The government should review its decision. I ask the Minister carefully to consider the matters raised in correspondence with her by the chairman of the service and the volunteers, the matters raised publicly, and the matters that I have told the House of tonight so that funds can be found to continue this valuable service.

The Hon. G. H. COX (Nunawading Province)-I direct the attention of the Minister for Housing and Construction to headlines in the local press and follow-ups I have made about claims that old people are living in squalor in Ministry flats in Box Hill South.

Together with the Opposition spokesman for housing, the honourable member for Evelyn in the other place, I have visited the estate in Cyril Street, which consists of two double-storeyed concrete buildings, each of which contains eight bedsitters as well as other flats. Although the claim that people are living in squalor in those flats is extreme, a representative of the Ministry said that he would follow up claims made about the estate.

720 COUNCIL 10 October 1989 Adjournment

Most of the tenants of the estate are old ladies living on their own. All of their worldly possessions must fit into the one-room bedsitters. Some are forced to store their possessions in the shower recess or the toilet. The stove is behind the front door as one enters the unit-although I am sure the Minister is familiar with the floor plan. One old fellow who lives with his wife in one of the units on the estate said that the past five years had been years of misery. Because of the construction of the units, they are poorly ventilated and mould often forms. I ask the Minister to consider demolishing such units and to ensure that no more are built. Some of the units are poorly maintained; one of the flats I visited was badly in need of repainting, and it could be said that the female tenant was living in substandard conditions.

The Minister has made much of the fact that more money has been provided in the Budget for public housing. It is high time something was done about the units because of the inconvenience and stress suffered by the tenants. Old ladies should not have to face the hazardous situation of walking up and down concrete steps that are wet and often mOUldy. Perhaps the Minister could consider allowing a younger man to live in one of those flats at a cheap rent to act as a caretaker. Also, lIttle expense would be incurred by the installation of internal communication systems, many of which are available in electronics stores. If such measures were taken, the needs of the tenants would be better catered for.

Recently one old tenant died, and it was four days before his body was found. In another instance an old lady had a heart attack and, again, it was many days before she was discovered. These problems are not necessarily the fault of the Minister, but I ask him to see what can be done to alleviate the problems being faced by the tenants of the bedsitters. Recently a psychologist who knows about the units and who has spoken to the people who live in them claimed that the tenants were suffering from stress and trauma because of the anxiety associated with living in the flats.

The Hon. P. R. HALL (Gippsland Province)-I direct the attention of the Minister responsible for Post-Secondary Education to student accommodation at technical and further education colleges throughout the State. I raised the issue on 12 September last; and I ask the Minister to respond directly to the matters that I raised during that speech. When talking about accommodation for TAPE students I said that over the previous twelve months there had been an underexpenditure of $9 million in the capital works program for post-secondary education. In the 1988-89 Budget, $66·4 million was allocated for such accommodation but only $57·5 million was spent. I note that there has been an increase of 35 per cent in funds for capital works programs for post-secondary institutions in this year's Budget. Some of that money should be spent on accommodation for students in T APE colleges.

I shall mention two colleges in particular. The Minister would be aware of the situation at the Loddon-Campaspe College of TAPE in Bendigo. The college, which has sent several submissions to his department during the past few years, has two types of rooming-house accommodation subsidised from its recurrent budget to the tune of $30 000 per annum. That money could be better spent on teaching services within the college. One of those rooming houses will close at the end of the year, leaving places for only 30 students next year because of financial restrictions.

The Yallourn College of T APE has a desperate need for accommodation for apprentices undertaking their block release studies, as well as for some full-time students. At present the only accommodation that is provided amounts to ten beds in the local nurses' home attached to the hospital. Of course, the apprentices do not mind, but there are not sufficient places to meet demand! The Yallourn college has plans to provide on-site accommodation for both apprentices and full-time students; but it cannot go ahead with those plans because of a lack of funds. Colleges of advanced education in rural areas have adequate accommodation for students because


they are funded by the Commonwealth government. Because T AFE colleges are the responsibility of the State government I ask the Minister to respond to the matters that I have raised and to say whether he is willing to provide funds for student accommodation in T AFE colleges from the money that is provided in the Budget for higher education.

The Hon. HADDON STOREY (East Yarra Province)-I direct the attention of the Minister for the Arts to the Arts Development Fund and the amounts available for grants from that fund, which was the subject of questions earlier today.

When questions were asked earlier today about the fund, the Minister for the Arts said that he would provide me with a position paper which would explain it all. He has provided me with a copy of that position paper. I seek leave to have it incorporated in Hansard.

Leave was granted, and the paper was as follows: 9 October 1989

POSITION PAPER TO THE MINISTER FOR THE ARTS

ARTICLE IN "AUSTRALIAN BUSINESS"

The figures contained in the August 9 press release were prepared with the intent of providing the reader with a basis to enable a meaningful comparison between the two financial years. As is quite often the case government accounting can "distort" figures because of "one-off" or "non-recurring" funding items, as can the transfer of items between funding appropriations. (For example, the museums and festivals program, transferred from the VTC, was funded from works and services in 1988-89 and from recurrent sources in 1989-90).

The press release also attempted to provide information regarding the Ministry's major funding program, the "Assistance to cultural activities" Budget line, which is based on calendar-year funding and not on a financial year.

Comments on specific items raised in the article are as follows:

"The press release claimed the recurrent spending cut was 3·5 per cent in real terms. But if you examine page 16 of the Appropriation Bill you'll find that the Treasurer has allocated $67·87 million for recurrent expenditure on the arts in 1989-90, a 2·7 per cent rise from the $66·08 million spent in 1988-89. After an inflation factor of 7·6 per cent (as per Walker's August 9 press release) this represents a cut in real terms of 4·9 per cent."

Comment:

The figure of3·5 per cent was derived after taking into account the "non-recurring" funding items in an attempt to provide a more meaningful comparison of the Ministry's ongoing programs.

He said, "In 1990, nearly $9·5 million will be distributed in response to applications seeking more than $14 million in all. The funds available in 1990 represent a 6 per cent cash reduction and a 13· 5 per cent reduction in real terms on the funds granted in 1989".

Comment:

The press release did not make reference to this figure. It is assumed that the 13·5 per cent referred to has been "rounded" from 6 per cent plus 7·6 per cent.

"None of this is correct according to the August 9 press release. This shows that the Arts Development Fund for the performing 300 this year is $8·33 million, down from $8·38 million last year-or 8·2 per cent in real terms.

Comment:

The figures of$8·38 and $8·33 million for the Arts Development Fund are for the base program and do not include "specials".

The 8·2 per cent quote is the 0·6 per cent drop between the two levels plus the 7·6 per cent stated inflation factor.


"On top of that general grant moneys are some specials, which this year lift the total available to $9·695 million compared with $9·37 million last year. But of course this is still a cut in real terms, by 4·1 per cent.

Comment:

Arts Development Fund:

-General (Base Program)

-Victorian Rock Foundation

-Australian Children's Television

-Museum and Festivals

1988-89 $

8377000

179000

813 000

9369000

1989-90 $

8327000

500000

93000

775000

9695000

The increase between the two years is 3·5 per cent less 7·6 per cent inflation gives a net reduction of 4·1 per cent.

"Actually if you turn to page 19 of the Appropriation Bill and look at the line "Assistance to Cultural Activities" under recurrent expenditure you'll find that exact same $9·695 million figure as the allocation for 1989-90. Funnily enough the" 1988-89 payment figure is $8·92 million, which means Walker is getting 8·7 per cent more to hand out this year. Hallelujah, a 1·1 per cent rise in real terms."

Comment:

The 1988-89 expenditure figure of$8·92 million does not include $813 000 for the museums and festivals program which was funded from the works and services program and is included in the non-recurring works item of$1 298779.

1988-89 Appropriation Expenditure

Plus museums and festivals

1989-90 Appropriation Estimate

$

8918660

813 000

9731 660

9695000

(36660)

As stated previously these figures attempt to address these "accounting" anomalies.

L. J. MENGONI Finance and Accounts Manager

The Hon. HADOON STOREY-People will be able to see the Minister's explanation. However, the reality is that he still has not explained what is happening. I shall briefly explain the dilemma, which derives from a press release issued by the Minister for the Arts on the occasion of the Budget speech delivered on 9 August 1989. In his press release the Minister referred to the Arts Development Fund and set out figures showing that the reduction in the general grant for the fund was 0·6 per cent for the financial year, in accordance with the Budget.

Since then the Minister has referred to a reduction of 6 per cent and has told arts organisations that their funding will be cut, with the starting point being a reduction of 6 per cent not just in real terms but in money terms. That is not the position as set out in the Budget.

The paper the Minister has provided today in trying to deal with those problems sets out exactly the same figures as were set out in his press release of 9 August, in


which he set out the figures for the Arts Development Fund. If one does the mathematics, one finds that the figures show the reduction in the Budget allocation is simply 0·6 per cent.

If the Minister is going to justify a larger reduction than that in the Arts Development Fund allocations for this year, he must explain to the House and to the whole arts community how it is that his starting point for cuts is not 0·6 per cent but 6 per cent. That is a dramatic difference and one of great significance to the various organisations that have had the benefit of those grants over the years.

I ask the Minister if he can explain how it is that, despite the Budget Papers and despite his press release issued on 9 August, he now contends that the cut in the grants for the next calendar year will be 6 per cent plus whatever other margin he adds to it for a variety of reasons-which I shall challenge in a different forum-as against what the Budget shows, which is a cut of 0·6 per cent.

There are other points I wish to make but I am conscious of the fact that I may make only one point at a time. At this stage I make that point and ask the Minister to explain it; he said it was explained in the document he supplied in answer to a question asked of him earlier today. The arts community is waiting for an explanation from the Minister. He has not given the explanation and I invite him to do so.

The Hon. R. A. MACKENZIE (Geelong Province)-I refer to the Minister responsible for Post-Secondary Education the recent decision by the government to withdraw funding from the State Additional Apprenticeship Scheme, and in particular to two apprentices employed at the Grace McKellar centre in Geelong, which the Minister will be aware is probably one of the best run centres for the aged in the State. This year it won the business excellence award for the way it runs its operations.

Because of the withdrawal of money from the scheme, the two apprentices will be unable to finish their apprenticeships even though they have only seven months to go. The centre must find the necessary $27 750 in order that the apprentices may continue with their apprenticeships. As I said, the centre is an extremely well-run and ti~t ship. It does not have the $27000-odd required to enable the apprentices to firush their training.

An apprenticeship, as all honourable members know, is an agreement between the employer and the apprentice. In this case the government has provided the funds and the agreement is drawn up between the government and the apprentices. It seems to me that a contract has been broken. It is disastrous for these two young people who had signed and sealed apprenticeships under which they believed they would receive training and become qualified tradesmen but three-quarters of the way through their apprenticeships the government has withdrawn from the contract.

I ask the Minister to take up the matter on a case-by-case basis to see whether funding can be provided for these two young people so that they may finish their apprenticeships. Otherwise they will have no alternative but to obtain unemployment benefits. It would be a tragedy if that should happen, particularly if the government has broken faith with these two young people.

The Hon. REG MACEY (Monash Province)-Will the Minister for Local Government inform the House of the government's policy on mandatory superannuation for part-time employees in local government?

The Hon. ROBERT LAWSON (Higinbotham Province)-I direct a matter to the attention of the Minister for Industry, Technology and Resources. A constituent of mine is a newsagent in Richmond. A very small part of his business is an agency for the Gas and Fuel Corporation through which he receives payment of gas and fuel


accounts. There are some 40 to 50 transactions a day, he takes in $2500 a week for the Gas and Fuel Corporation, and that money goes into a separate bank account. For all this activity he gets the very fine sum of about $100 a week. He is not complaining about that-the SI 00 is neither here nor there-because he likes to get 40 or 50 people coming into his shop where ~hey might buy things, and that is the general idea.

Somebody in the office in charge of the arrangements has informed him that the agency is to be taken from him and, I understand, from other newsagents and given to the post office instead. Of course, he does not want to lose this part of his business.

It occurs to me that this is a cheap way for the Gas and Fuel Corporation to collect its outstanding accounts and that it might do worse by going to the post office. I ask the Minister to examine whether the proposed move to the post office is good or bad. I believe it might be a bad idea. It certainly will be for the various small agencies run by people like my constituent who have attended to the affairs of the Gas and Fuel Corporation around the metropolitan area.

The HOD. R. S. de FEGEL Y (Ballarat Province)-I refer to a letter the Minister for Health would have received from Mr WaIter, the Manager of the Queen Elizabeth Geriatric Centre in Ballarat. In his letter Mr WaIter expresses in the strongest terms the disappointment of the board of the hospital at cuts that have been made to its budget this year. The regional director of Health Department Victoria advised the centre of a $200 000 cut in the approved operating expenditure level for the centre in the 1989-90 Budget. It was suggested also that this cut would be permanent. As well, the centre was allowed only 5 per cent for inflation on its expenditure, whereas the understood allocation across the board in the State was 6 per cent.

The Queen Elizabeth Geriatric Centre has served Ballarat and its district extremely well in providin~ care for the aged. I believe it to be one of the most cost-conscious and efficient genatric centres in the State. As Mr Waiter says in his letter, it seems unfair that the reward for this efficiency is a budget cut.

In view of the government's pledge to provide more services for the aged, I find it hard to reconcile this type of cut. In the interests of care for the aged in and around Ballarat, I ask the Minister to review the decision as a matter of urgency.

The HOD. G. P. CONNARD (Higinbotham Province)-This morning I asked the Minister for the Arts a question about grants to St Martin's Youth Art Centre. In his reply the Minister seemed to indicate that funding to St Martin's had not been cut, and he wanted to know where I had acquired my information.

I refer to the Minister an article in the Ageof31 August 1989, which states: Mr Walker sent letters to fifteen companies which have received more than $200 000 through the

Victorian Ministry of the Arts State Development Fund.

The budget of the fund has been cut from $8·37 million to $8·32 million. The article goes on to say:

The letters warned that since the companies were unlikely to be insulated from the cuts, the companies should not attempt any plans for 1990 on the assumption that previous funding levels will be maintained.

The fifteen companies involved are: the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra; the State Orchestra of Victoria; the Melbourne Theatre Company; the Playbox; St Martin's Youth Art Centre; the Victorian Rock Foundation; Heide Park and Art Gallery; the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art; the Meat Market Craft Centre; the Gertrude Street Gallery; the Victorian Tapestry Workshop; the Australian Print Workshop; the Crafts Council of Victoria; the Ballarat Historical Park Association; and the Victorian Arts Council.


The Minister apparently said that, for the purposes of planning, the companies should recognise that the government has no option but to pass on a 6 per cent cut. The Minister said he had asked the Ministry's advisory panels to recommend reorientation of art funding.

I ask the Minister again whether he will give me more details of what he said in the letters. Perhaps it may be wise for me to ask him to table the letters so that I can read what was said. I ask the Minister to advise me on the response of the organisations that received the letters.

The Hon. E. H. Walker-What have you just been reading from?

The Hon. G. P. CONNARD-An article in theAgeof31 August 1989.

The Hon. ROSEMARY V ARTY (Nunawading Province)-I direct to the attention of the Minister responsible for Post-Secondary Education a letter from Outer Eastern Group Training Ltd which, as the Minister will be aware, offers group training for apprentices. It is one of 22 bodies in Victoria involved in the group training of apprentices and other trainees. Currently in Victoria there are apprOXImately 3000 young people under the umbrella of group training. It has been an effective means of training young people, particularly when some small businesses are unable to take on apprentices full time.

The company is committed to this form of training, but it points out in its letter that employers in general will not take on apprentices unless they can be assured that training positions will be available for them in technical and further education colleges soon after they commence their apprenticeships.

Currently there are some 30 employment train.ing positions in the local region that cannot be taken up. They are in the electrical, building, furniture and vehicle industries. Outer Eastern Group Training Ltd is eager to fill the positions, but it cannot do so unless places are available at relevant T AFE colleges.

The group points out some of the extremes to which it has had to go to cope with the problem, and I quote from the letter:

There are no foreseeable places for cabinet-making apprentices in the metropolitan area until July 1990. In July this year this company had to enrol eight apprentice electrical mechanics at the Sunraysia college of T AFE due to a lack of places in the metropolitan area. This causes our staff, the apprentices and their parents much concern with transportation problems, particularly if they need to drive a vehicle that distance.

The group points out that the number of young people in the age group of fifteen to twenty years is decreasing in Victoria because of demo$I1iphic circumstances. However, despite the decrease in population, the T AFE system IS still not able to cope ..

The group's letter continues: If the State government is serious about such projects as conducting the Olympic Games it must ask

what resources are required by industry now and put them in place or else Victoria and Australia are going to be the laughing-stock of the world. Surely the lack of skilled tradesmen has to be a major concern now.

As I said, Outer Eastern Group Training Ltd operates effectively and it is vitally concerned to improve the quality of tradesmen as well as getting more people into apprenticeships. If employers cannot find suitable young people they will take other alternatives, such as the use of automation or not continuing with a particular trade. That will be to the detriment of the entire community,

I conclude by asking the Minister to advise the group training organisation as soon as possible what steps are being taken to overcome the serious shortfall of TAPE places for training, particularly in the outer eastern area.


The Hon. K. M. SMITH (South Eastern Province)-I direct to the attention of the Minister for Industry, Technology and Resources the fact that he is the Minister responsible for coordinating the development of port facilities at Western Port following the government's action in exercising its right under the Western Port (Steel Works) Act 1970 to purchase 50 per ~ent of the reclamation area specified in that Act. By the look on the Minister's face, I believe he may be surprised to discover that he has an additional responsibility.

Most of the people in the Western Port area would like to see the port expanded, particularly in the area north of Hastings. The Minister for Industry, Technology and Resources has the responsibility of coordinating the expansion of that area, and a number of things are happening at once.

The development of the port facilities, particularly in the reclaimed area, is only a small portion of the problem. The Department of Industry, Technology and Resources has been promoting the Western Port area for the manufacture of petroleum products. The entry point to the Western Port area north of Hastings is via Bayview Road, which is the main road to the BHP Co. Ltd plant, known as Lysaghts, and the Esso Australia Ltd factory, both of which are expanding their facilities.

A traffic problem will be created at the corner of Bayview Road and the Frankston-Flinders Road. It is a normal T-intersection and faces a residential area. Currently some 3800 heavy vehicles pass through the intersection each day. The traffic from Lysaghts will increase by 30 per cent, which is 210 vehicles a day. Traffic from Whitemark Pty Ltd-Delta Petroleum-will increase through an additional 25 to 30 petrol tankers being on the road each day.

Honourable members must remember that I am referring to vehicles going in and out of the area, therefore, 60 additional vehicles will be travelling through the intersection each day simply to service Whitemark Pty Ltd. Esso Australia Ltd proposes an increase of 60 liquefied petroleum gas tankers to service its plant, which is an additional 120 vehicles going in and out of the area.

During my time as a councillor representing the Shire of Hastings I was aware that the problem would eventually occur. Residents are concerned at the danger. One can only imagine the effect of a collision between a gas tanker and a truck travelling from Lysaghts, perhaps carrying 70 tonnes of steel-the 500 people in that community could be wiped out. The effect would be felt throughout the Hastings area.

Without mentioning what might happen in that redevelopment area, I ask the Minister responsible for development in that region to consider changing the route, even to the extent of making forceful approaches to Lysaghts to remove the junction, and to improve McKirdys Road, which joins the Dandenong-Hastings Road approximately 4 kilometres from Hastings. That could be the main road to connect to the Mulgrave Freeway and the South Eastern Arterial.

The Hon. D. M. EV ANS (North Eastern Province)-I direct to the attention of the Minister for Housing and Construction, who is the representative in this place of the Minister for Transport, an issue raised with me by many constituents in the northeast of Victoria, namely action taken by the government to reduce the speed limit on the Hume Freeway from 110 to 100 kilometres an hour.

No-one suggests that the road toll in Victoria is not a serious problem but everyone suggests that the government's action will have no effect on the road toll. People are not being killed on freeways. A reduction in the speed limit on the Hume Freeway, when other roads in Victoria have a maximum speed of 100 kilometres an hour, or a reduction on any other dual or divided freeway is not the answer to the road toll.


I ask the Minister to direct the attention of the Premier and the Minister for Transport in the other place to that fact. With due respect to the Premier, he does not drive his own car very much; normally he is chauffeur-driven; nor does he understand the conditions on the roads or how accidents happen on the roads. I suggest that the problem is one of education and of proper policing of the side roads in Melbourne, because that is where people are being killed, not on the Hume Freeway.

I ask the Minister to direct to the attention of the Premier and the Minister for Transport in the other place the fact that travelling at either 110 kilometres an hour or 100 kilometres an hour on long stretches of freeway is likely to send drivers to sleep at the wheel-one can kill oneself while travelling at 110 kilometres an hour as one can while travelling at 100 kilometres an hour. However, most accidents on the Hume Freeway do not involve cars but involve trucks travelling interstate overnight, with the driver having been driving for perhaps 12 hours. I see them regularly. On behalf of my constituents, I suggest that the Hume Freeway with motorists travelling at 110 kilometres an hour is not causing the problem-accidents are happening on other roads.

The Hon. D. R. WHITE (Minister for Industry, Technology and Resources)-Mr Lawson raised an issue regarding the Gas and Fuel Corporation agency arrangements and the plan to use post offices. I am not sure whether that would be a removal of existing agency arrangements; the point raised by Mr Lawson is reasonable. I am happy to re-examine the general proposition in the context he requests and, if he wishes me to pursue a specific example in Richmond, he should provide me with details about the agency; I shall then follow that up, and provide an answer.

Mr Smith raised the problem about road intersections adjacent to the Lysaghts development in Western Port and the proposed impact of the Delta Petroleum, Solo Oil Australia Pty Ltd and further Lysaghts proposals.

There is an intersection adjacent to the Lysaghts development in Hastings-a major residential area; I share his concern. It is proposed that the department, in conjunction with the Western Port Development Council, will examine alternative road access to the Lysaghts development. That may involve discussing an alternative road with Lysaghts, and the government is happy to do that. There are two or three alternatives; Mr Smith is correct in saying that an alternative to the current route needs to be found in the future-I am not sure when the alternative will be found.

The Hon. E. H. WALKER (Minister for the Arts)-Mr Storey raised a matter on which he questioned me earlier today; I am happy to have the paper that I provided to him included in H ansard. However, he is correct in saying that perhaps it has not been explained as well as he would have liked.

To attempt to put it simply: the panels working on the issue of funding have now been told that a 6 per cent cut will be required. From January 1 to June 30 there is no doubt that the 6 per cent will be required in order to meet budgets. Advice from the panels does not take effect until 1 January. That is not to say that his figure as outlined in the material I have given him is incorrect. However, it will be necessary for the 6 per cent cut to apply. Funds are allocated on a calendar-year basis.

The Hon. Haddon Storey-How is the 6 per cent calculated?

The Hon. E. H. WALKER-I am happy to sit with Mr Storey and explain it. I am not saying his arithmetic is incorrect.

The Hon. Haddon Storey-I hope not.


The Hon. E. H. W ALKER-A financial year is different from a calendar year. I think both statements are correct: that the 6 per cent will need to apply from 1 January, and possibly more than that from 30 June next year.

Mr Mackenzie asked about the two apprentices at the Grace McKellar centre in Geelong who are unable to finish their apprenticeships. I have spoken about this issue in this House previously in respect of third and fourth year apprentices. I have made it clear to Mr Henshaw, who has brought this matter to my attention on a previous occasion, that I shall investigate the matter.

Previously I have made it clear in this House that in cases of significant hardship the government will do its best to assist. The policy has been determined in relation to third and fourth year apprentices. The matter raised will be investigated and I hope a positive answer can be provided.

Mr Hall asks about accommodation for T AFE students. It is an important matter. I have discussed the Loddon-Campaspe case in Bendigo; a creative solution was suggested by that T AFE college whereby their apprentices undertook the construction of units on that property. I do not have any knowledge of the Yallourn case. I am happy to investigate that. The government is doing its best to assist in the provision of accommodation, and I shall provide Mr Hall with an answer as soon as possible.

Mrs Varty raised a matter to which several honourable members have referred during debates on motions for the adjournment of the sitting, as well as in many comments, namely the incapacity of the government to find places in T AFE colleges for all apprentices who want to be placed, many of whom have found positions with employers. I have made it clear in previous comments on two or three occasions in this House that last year and this year the government has been able to scramble to find approximately 4000 extra places. Nevertheless, we are still short of between 800 and 2000 places for apprentices in T AFE colleges. The demand for apprenticeship places has been unprecedented. At the moment almost 50 000 young people have apprenticeships.

I understand from Mrs Varty that some 30 students are unable to gain places in the Outer Eastern Group Training Ltd scheme. I cannot answer her directly, but I shall follow that up. In the past two years we have done our best to increase the number of places, but our estimates have been underestimates. If Mrs Varty gives me some particular instances, I shall do my best to see if we can help. This year the State Training Board has followed up on some cases, with some success.

Mr Connard referred to St Martin's Youth Art Centre. Letters were sent to the fifteen largest beneficiaries the Arts Development Fund; those that receive more than $200 000. We did not send letters to all theatre companies, as that would have involved sending some 300 letters. I do not mind showing Mr Connard a copy of the letter that was sent.

The Hon. Haddon Storey-Did it include St Martin's?

The Hon. E. H. WALKER-I am not sure whether a letter was sent to St Martin's, but one should have been as St Martin's receives something like $200 000. The letters were an early warning to the theatres receiving large grants that cuts may be needed and they should not bank on retaining or increasing their current funding. The letters did not state that a decision had been made; they were a warning to theatres to look after their budgets on the basis that they may face reductions.

The reason for my comment this morning was that it has not yet been determined whether a cut will apply in each case. St Martin's may be one of those cases where the funding level is maintained, based on advice to me, a decision of the panels, or a


decision by me. That is why I asked Mr Connard where he had heard about the letter, because no decisions have been made on any particular case. The letter was a warning to theatres to be careful to budget so that they take into account that there may be a cut in funding.

The Hon. Haddon Storey-You should apologise to Mr Connard. His comments are completely justified.

The Hon. E. H. WALKER-Not at all; my comments were proper. I asked him this morning where he had heard about the letters because I had not made a decision. The recommendations have not yet come from the panels. The general response has been appropriate, and there has been some degree of appreciation that we have given a warning to be prepared for possible cuts. That is as far as we have gone. The letters were sent in good faith. We sent only fifteen letters, but St Martin's would have received one of those letters. I am happy to show Mr Connard the text of that letter.

The Hon. C. J. HOGG (Minister for Health)-Mrs Tehan raised a question about the Personal Emergency Service and asked me to review the decision taken by the Office of Psychiatric Services to make very substantial changes and cuts to that service. She may be assured that I am looking very closely at the detail. I will meet representatives of volunteers on Wednesday, 18 October, and I expect them to put their case very forcefully at that meeting. I shall certainly inform Mrs Tehan of whatever package of measures is finally decided upon.

In answer to Mr de Fegely, who asked about the Queen Elizabeth Geriatric Centre, I am not sure whether the funding agreement has been signed. I shall make inquiries about the issue he raised, but I take this opportunity of sayin~ that the acting regional director, Mrs Kerry Cross, has done a good job in her region WIth the Budget allocation. I have great confidence in the way she has handled the budget, as I am sure Mr de Fegely would have.

The Hon. B. T. PULLEN (Minister for Housing and Construction)-Mr Cox asked about bedsitter units in Cyril Street, Box Hill. I share his concern about the suitability of that accommodation in this day and age. I do not think he would mind me pointing out that it dates from an era when a different government was in office and different standards were applied. I hope that those standards would not be applied now by any government providing accommodation for elderly people. I am sure Mr Cox would realise that the projects which are now being undertaken as partnership projects provide normal accommodation for elderly people, comprising open living space, kitchens and properly appointed bathrooms, generally of a very high standard. The decision in each case is quite different.

Nothing would give me more pleasure than to move totally from the bedsitter accommodation to the other type, and I should certainly like to give priority to the government allocation of $130 million over the next four years to upgrade and redevelop existing stock for the needs of the elderly.

Many places similar to those in Box Hill warrant that kind of action, which ultimately may be the most cost effective and socially responsible action to take. It is often difficult to change elderly people's accommodation because they often find any disturbance quite upsetting. It is often not possible to do the redevelopment on site without the construction causing enormous disruption. We have to use a decanting process; to find other sites available on which to build new units, then make those new units available to the people in existing units, and then redevelop the existing units. That two-stage process is necessary to get a successful result. This matter has been raised before, and attempts to provide housing for elderly persons in other suburbs have been opposed by some residents, and that opposition has been supported by


some Opposition members. The Liberal Party ought to address that contradiction if it is serious about providing better accommodation for elderly people.

Mr Cox also referred to the use of caretakers, and I believe that idea has merit. On my recent visit to Sweden I was interested to see that the use of caretakers and concierges in buildings is very common, and the feedback on their use in public housing is generally very positive. I have asked the department to look at that matter. I cannot say without further investigation whether it would be cost effective in this case, but I agree with Mr Cox that the idea deserves examination.

Mr Evans referred to the reduction of the speed limit from 110 to 100 kilometres an hour, announced recently by the Minister for Transport. I shall refer the question to the Minister. As Mr Evans would realise, many factors contribute to the causes of accidents. Accidents occur, not necessarily on stretches of road that are well designed, but when people travel on good roads at high speed for long periods and then have to travel on poor roads with lower speed limits; there is sometimes a tendency not to adjust to the lower speed limit.

I do not believe anyone can be so prescriptive as to say that that does not have an impact on accidents. The best process to follow in this case is for me to refer the point raised by Mr Evans to the Minister for Transport so that the Minister can reply to him.

The Hon. M. A. LYSTER (Minister for Local Government)-Mr Macey again raised a matter that he raised on the motion for the adjournment of the sitting a couple of weeks ago. I have written to him in response to the matter he raised, but I am pleased to advise him of the substance of that letter.

Mr Macey asked what government policy was on superannuation for part-time employees in local government. I am tempted to respond that the government's policy is the same as that of the previous Liberal government. I understand it was the Liberal government that initiated the section in the Local Authorities Superannuation Act that the City of Moorabbin is currently seeking to have amended. There will be no change to the section of the Act providing for part-time employees to be included in the superannuation scheme.

Some of the problems local government is having at present arise out of the fact that many councils have only just become aware of that section. They are extremely concerned about the potential cost to councils should a significant number of retrospective claims be made by part-time employees. That is a separate issue from the right of a part-time employee to have access to a superannuation scheme.

The Hon. Reg Macey-Will you resolve the ambiguity?

The Hon. M. A. L YSTER-The government hoped when the legislation was last amended that it would resolve the ambiguity. The Local Authorities Superannuation Board is now seeking to bring the practice into accord with the legislation. That is causing the current agitation, together with ongoing confusion about how the legislation affects casual employees. There is often confusion in the mind of the community about a casual employee and a permanent part-time employee, who may be working for only a small number of hours each week but it is permanent employment each and every week.

My major reason for not agreeing to have the legislation amended, apart from the fact that it is a longstanding section in the Act, is that I believe the community standard or expectation now leans even more strongly towards the notion of all permanent employees having access to superannuation. I believe it would be a retrograde step to move away from that.

Questions on Notice 10 October 1989 COUNCIL 731

I am certainly looking further-as is the case in many areas of employment-at the question of casual employees, but that is a separate issue.


The House adjourned at 10.54 p. m.

QUESTIONS ON NOTICE

PUBLIC HOSPITALS PATIENTS (Question No. 11)

The Hon. M. A. BIRRELL (East Yarra Province) asked the Minister for Health: (a) In each of the years from 1982-83 to 1986-87, what was the total number of in-patients and out

patients, respectively, treated in public hospitals in Victoria?

(b) What was the average number of people on public hospital waiting lists in each of those years?

(c) In each of those years, what was the number of -(i) medical; and (ii) surgical in-patients, respectively, treated in each of the Alfred, Austin, Prince Henry's, Preston and Northcote Community, Royal Children's, Royal Eye and Ear, Royal Melbourne, Royal Women's, St Vincent's and Western General hospitals and the Monash Medical Centre (Clayton and Moorabbin)?

(d) Why has the government failed to make those statistics publicly available?

The Hon. C. J. HOGG (Minister for Health)-The answer includes a number of figures and I seek leave of the House to have it incorporated in Hansard without my reading it.

Leave was granted, and the answer was as follows:

PUBLIC HOSPITALS

Outpatient and In-patients Emergency Department Treated Attendances

(a) 1982-83 541 021 5025614 1983-84 537988 4719606 1984-85 525815 4495095 1985-86 530357 4651 262 1986-87 527545 4713 212 1987-88 585312 5009837

(b) The average number of people on the public hospital waiting list is as follows:

1985-86 27 264

1986-87 30 936

1987-88 24602

There are no comparative data available for years 1982-83 to 1984-85. Information was available only in respect ofa small number of hospitals.

(c) The number of - (i) medical; and (ii) surgical in-patients for the above-mentioned hospitals, for years 1982-83 to 1984-85 is currently unavailable. The high cost to obtain this information is not considered to be justified for the purposes of this question.

732 COUNCIL 10 October 1989

Figures for years 1985-86 and 1986-87 are provided below:

1985-86

Hospital

Royal Children's

Royal Women's

Western General

Royal Melbourne

Royal Victorian Eye and Ear

Austin Hospital

Preston & Northcote Community

St Vincent's

Queen Victoria Memorial (Monash Medical CentreClayton Campus)

Alfred

Moorabbin (Monash Medical Centre-Moorabbin Campus)

Prince Henry's

1986-87

Hospital

Royal Children's

Royal Women's

Western General

Royal Melbourne

Royal Victorian Eye and Ear

Austin Hospital

Preston & Northcote Community

St Vincent's

Queen Victoria Memorial (Monash Medical CentreClayton Campus)

Alfred

Moorabbin (Monash Medical Centre-Moorabbin Campus)

Prince Henry's

Surgical In-Patients

7570

11 661

4602

6474

7042

4255

6577

5 186

6719

6710

1 817

3867

Surgical In-Patients

7277

11 148

4378

6878

6761

3860

6204

6031

5446

6445

1 596

3313

Questions on Notice

Medical Total

14 197 21 767

12436 24097

8641 13243

19345 25819

1 615 8657

14841 19096

7390 13967

13386 18572

10 591 17310

10440 17 150

3178 4995

9585 13 452

Medical Total

13848 21 125

12795 23943

8884 13262

19429 26307

1 428 8 189

19 109 22969

7343 13547

14685 20716

9405 14851

12949 19394

3453 5049

9863 13 176

(d) Public hospital in-patient and outpatient statistics are available in published reports.

The average number of people on public hospital waiting lists (part b) has been available in various reports since 1985.

Waiting list information is now available in a simplified report produced quarterly. It is distributed to general practitioners to assist in identifying hospitals with the shortest possible waiting time for their patients.

State aggregate data for medical and surgical in-patients treated is published yearly. The cost of producing reports prohibits the publication of reports for each hospital.

Questions on Notice 10 October 1989 COUNCIL 733

BOGONG NATIONAL PARK (Question No. 59)

The Hon. M. A. BIRRELL (East Yarra Province) asked the Minister for Housing and Construction, for the Minister for Conservation, Forests and Lands:

(a) How many employment positions were allocated to staff the Bogong National Park in each of the years 1981-82 to 1988-89?

(b) How many of those positions were-(i) vacant; or (ii) filled in a temporary capacity, in each year?

(c) Is it considered that four rangers can adequately manage the 81 000 hectares of the park1

(d) Does the government intend to increase-(i) the total number offull-time and part-time employees; (ii) the number of rangers; or (iii) the annual recurrent expenditure on services, in the park in 19891

The Hon. B. T. PULLEN (Minister for Housing and Construction)-The answer of the Minister for Conservation, Forests and Lands is lengthy and I seek leave of the House to have it incorporated in H ansard without my reading it.


(a) Year Positions (b) (i) (b)(ii) Allocated Positions Positions Filled in a

Vacant Temporary Capacity

1981-82 Nil Nil Nil

1982-83 4 Nil Nil

1983-84 5 Nil Nil

1984-85 5 Nil Nil

1985-86 5 Nil Nil

1986-87 5 1 Nil

1987-88 5 2 1

1988-89 5 Nil

(c) Yes, depending on the type and extent of services to be provided to park visitors.

(d) (i) Yes.

(ii) Yes. One additional ranger to be based at Bright.

(iii) Excluding salaries, no.

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (Question No. 103)

The Hon. M. A. BIRRELL (East Yarra Province) asked the Minister for the Arts, for the Attorney-General:

(a) When was the last time that the Attorney-General's Department updated and printed brochures that advise the public about the Freedom of Information Act?

(b) How many brochures were printed, when were they printed, and at what cost?

(c) How many of these brochures have been distributed, and to whom?

The Hon. E. H. WALKER (Minister for the Arts)-The answer supplied by the Attorney-General is:

(a) The brochures were last printed on 28 February 1986.

(b) 20000 brochures were printed by the Victorian Government Printer's Office on 28 February 1986 at a cost of$1845.

(c) Approximately 22 000 brochures have been distributed since 1983. It is impossible to identify who received the brochures.

734 COUNCIL 10 October 1989 Questions on Notice

WORKCARE PAYMENTS IN MINISTRY OF EDUCATION (Question No. 108)

The Hon. G. B. ASHMAN (Boronia Province) asked the Minister for the Arts, for the Minister for Education:

(a) How many teachers in each of the teaching divisions have been in receipt of Work Care payments for-(i) 6 to 12 months; (ii) 12 to 24 months; and (iii) more than 24 months?

(b) In each of the above groups-(i) what is the active participation rate in rehabilitation progress; and (ii) how many have returned to light duties or part-time employment?

The Hon. E. H. WALKER (Minister for the Arts)-I seek leave of the House to have the answer of the Minister for Education incorporated in Hansard without my reading it.


(a) (i) 6-12 months 176

(ii) 12-24 months 259

(Hi) More than 24 months 171

(b) (i) 6-12 months 130

12-24 months 186

More than 24 months 125

(ii) Returned to less than previous duties 190

Death of the Hon. R. C. Dunstan, DSO . 11 October 1989 COUNCIL 735

Wednesday, 11 October 1989

The PRESIDENT (the Hon. A. J. Hunt) took the chair at 2.3 p.m. and read the prayer.

DEATH OF THE HONOURABLE ROBERTS CHRISTIAN DUNSTAN,DSO

The Hon. E. H. WALKER (Minister for the Arts)-With regret, I advise honourable members of the death earlier today of the Honourable Roberts Christian Dunstan, a former Minister in the Bolte and Hamer governments. It is my view that it would not do justice to his memory to proceed immediately and without proper notice to a condolence motion today, and I therefore indicate that it is the government's intention to submit a motion recognising his services to Parliament and the people of Victoria on the next day of meeting.

I have spoken briefly with each of the Leaders of the other parties and I believe they agree with this view.

QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

ALLEGED ACTION OF ADVISER TO MINISTER FOR HOUSING AND CONSTRUCTION

The Hon. K. M. SMITH (South Eastern Province )-1 ask the Minister for Housing and Construction whether it is a fact that one of his advisers, Mr Dick Searle, verbally abused and then maliciously and forcefully assaulted Mr Robert Sandiford, President of the Ascot Vale Public Housing Tenants Group, and his two-year-old daughter without provocation at the premises of the Ministry of Housing and Construction, where Mr Sandiford and members of his group had attended to discuss with the Minister a tenant eviction; and, if so, what action has the Minister taken in relation to this serious assault by a member of his personal staff'!

The Hon. B. T. PULLEN (Minister for Housing and Construction)-The answer is that it is a totally unfounded accusation. There is clear evidence from a number of independent witnesses who were there that no contact or incident occurred that by the wildest imagination could be construed as such an incident.

Unfortunately, it seems to be a set-up, in the sense that it was probably a prepared situation and deliberately organised to discredit someone. In fact, no incident of that kind occurred. In fact no incident occurred.

The Hon. Haddon Storey-How was it organised if nothing occurred?

The Hon. B. T. PULLEN-This is a serious matter; more serious than the matter raised yesterday about the activities of tenant groups that are publicly funded, and their ability to influence government policy. Their tactics have stooped to the extent that deliberate lies that have no foundation at all are being propogated through the media. Honourable members should pay no attention to such matters without checking the evidence. I make it quite clear and state categorically that the incident did not occur. The allegation is totally unfounded and legal action may ensue.


STATE BANK VICTORIA The Hon. W. R. BAXTER (North Eastern Province)-Is the Minister Assisting the

Treasurer satisfied with the performance of State Bank Victoria?

The Hon. D. R. WHITE (Minister Assisting the Treasurer)-As the Leader of the National Party is aware, the Minister responsible for State Bank Victoria is the Treasurer, and responses to questions without notice about the State Bank are his responsibility. It is clear that the state of government in Victoria is in much better shape than is the case in Queensland under a National Party Government.

MUNICIPAL RATES

The Hon. C. J. KENNEDY (Waverley Province)-I ask for your assistance and cooperation, Mr President, to say a few short words without interruption. I ask the Minister for Local Government--

Honourable members interjecting.

The PRESIDENT -Order! Mr Kennedy has asked for my protection, and he will have it.

The Hon. C. J. KENNEDY -Can the Minister for Local Government clarify, in her capable manner, reports of unusually high rate increases by councils?

The Hon. M. A. LYSTER (Minister for Local Government)-It is a very easy response, unfortunately, to blame increases in rates on cuts in State and Federal grants. However, local government is well aware that many elements contribute to increases in rates, including the high administrative costs of councils; the failure of some councils to increase their rates by realistic amounts in past years; their dependency on State and Federal grants; and their increasing use of surpluses and reserves artificially to keep rates down.

The question goes to the broader issue of how much the community is prepared to pay to maintain the status quo, which in turn leads to the broader question, which I shall not canvass fully today, of the future of local government. Councils do their ratepayers very few favours by ignoring the economic reality and hiding behind inflexible and parochial views.

The economic reality is that demands on councils are increasing but resources are diminishing. It is the task of councils to manage this conflict effectively in the interests of their municipalities. If the future of a council is dependent upon increases in rates that are significantly above the State average and upon cutting back services that its community is asking for; if an unreasonably high proportion of the council's discretionary income is being directed towards keeping the doors of the council open; and if a council is resorting to the unnecessary use of surpluses and reserves, that council has a problem for the future.

The Hon. W. R. Baxter interjected.

The Hon. M. A. LYSTER-Yes, this is exactly what I said at the Municipal Association of Victoria conference this morning. I look forward to working constructively with local government to address a problem that councils know is a problem for all of us. I am pleased to say that many councils not only are cognisant of the problem but also are taking some excellent remedial action by sharing resources with neighbouring municipalities.


I look forward to continuing to work constructively and productively with local government to help councils to meet the needs of their communities and to ensure that local government does have a dynamic future.

ARTS FUNDING

The Hon. HADDON STOREY (East Yarra Province)-I refer to the Minister for the Arts the position paper handed to me yesterday as a result of my question on the Arts Development Fund, and in particular the information in that paper that discloses that the allocation for museums and festivals was funded from the works and services program last year but is included in the recurrent funds this year, and I ask: why was this change made; how are people supposed to follow the Budget when such changes are not disclosed or explained; and how many other hidden changes have occurred in the presentation of the arts budget?

The Hon. E. H. WALKER (Minister for the Arts)-I understand that the item referred to by Mr Storey was in the Victorian Tourism Commission works program last year and is therefore listed in a different manner in the Budget this year. I also point out to the honourable member that, in addition to having a significant document handed to him by me yesterday, he was briefed on the whole arts budget by my officers and is probably almost better informed that I am. I suggest that if Mr Storey wants to ask more questions along that line I should arrange another briefing for him.

STATE ELECTRICITY COMMISSION The Hon. P. R. HALL (Gippsland Province)-During the visit of the Minister for

Industry, Technology and Resources to the Latrobe Valley on 27 September some confusion was created among State Electricity Commission employees when the Minister failed to give a clear answer to the question of what happened to the Loy Yang cost study. Is the Minister now in a position to advise the House exactly what notice was taken of the results of that study?

The Hon. D. R. WHITE (Minister for Industry, Technology and Resources)Whether Mr Hall is aware of it, I am not able to say, but the fact is that for some time a major industrial issue has been brewing in the Latrobe Valley in respect of wage restructuring. During the course of negotiations between the SEC and the Municipal Officers Association of Australia, the Federated Engine Drivers and Firemen's Association of Australasia expressed concern about a particular model, which the FEDFA described as the corporation model, being used by the commission as part of those negotiations.

The FEDFA indicated that its preferred view was that the Loy Yang study model should be used as the basis for the negotiation of that wage claim and productivity offset. Since those discussions with the FEDFA in the Latrobe Valley, the State Industrial Relations Commission has met and ratified agreements between the SEC and the MOA, the SEC and the Electrical Trades Union of Australia, and the SEC and the National Union of Workers. The FEDFA and the Amalgamated Metal Workers Union still have matters that are subject to resolution.

Whether industrial action will transpire next week, as some parties are contemplating, I am unable to say at this point. The SEC and, it is hoped, the FEDF A will continue to have meetings this week, and the commission during the course of those meetings will explain in more detail the appropriateness of the application of the corporate model for the purposes of negotiating any increase.

Session 1989-25


It is important to place on record that successful negotiations have been completed with a number of major unions, with the support and backing of the Australian Council of Trade Unions. That means that the commission is setting the example in Victoria following the successful general negotiations between metal workers, employers and others in bringing about productivity offsets for wage increases.

I hope that, consistent with the ACTU's expectations, the negotiations between the SEC and the FEDFA and the SEC and the AMWU can be concluded without major industrial action.

VICTORIAN SOLAR ENERGY COUNCIL The Hon. T. C. THEOPHANOUS (Jika Jika Province)-I direct a question to the

Minister for Industry, Technology and Resources. Energy conservation is an important goal of the government and the promotion of solar energy is an important part of that strategy. Will the Minister advise the House what progress is being made in the government's review of the activities of the Victorian Solar Energy Council and how this might be linked with broader government moves in relation to energy conservation?

The Hon. D. R. WHITE (Minister for Industry, Technology and Resources)Because of the vast reserves of fossil fuels in this State, and because of the pricing policies of the government, renewable energy resources such as solar energy and wind power do not become available in the marketplace at a price competitive with Victoria's electricity and natural gas sources of energy.

The government is interested in reviewing the activities of the Victorian Solar Energy Council with a view to promoting and increasing the proportion of energy use from renewable energy resources without undermining the competitiveness of Victoria's current electricity and gas tariffs.

In doing so, the government has appointed Ainsley Jolly, formerly of the Chamber of Manufactures and now a consultant, to undertake a review of the Victorian Solar EneI¥y Council. It is to be hoped he will soon complete that report. In answer to the intel]ection from Mr Smith, Mr Jolly is not related to the Treasurer, as all honourable members on the other side of the House, with the exception of Mr Smith, well know. It is also true that when Mr Jolly completes it, that report will become available for public comment.

In addition, I have asked the Department of Industry, Technology and Resources to examine the merits of producing targets for the use of renewable energy resources with a view to linking the research and development that is currently undertaken in the major utilities, and to examine to what extent the government can increase the level of renewable energy used in this State and increase the links between the use of renewable energy resources and support from the gas industry and the State Electricity Commission.

I look forward to the departmental report and the report of Ainsley Jolly being made available, I hope, before the end of the year.

ARTS FUNDING The Hon. ROSEMARY VARTY (Nunawading Province)-I refer to the Minister

for the Arts the promise in the ALP's arts policy at the last election that the Cain government would "continue to support the growth and artistic development of the Victoria State Opera". Will the Minister guarantee that this promise will be honoured


and, in particular that the Victoria State Opera's grant this year will not be cut by at least 6 per cent as threatened in the Minister's recent letter to the VSO?

The Hon. E. H. WALKER (Minister for the Arts )-Clearly the Victoria State Opera is a very impressive opera company; it is probably the best in the countl}'. However, it was one of the groups that received a letter from me indicating the possibility that it may have to accept a cut in funds this financial year. It was one of fifteen groups that received a letter because it is a major beneficiary of State funding.

The answer to Mrs Varty's question is the same as the answer I gave yesterday to another honourable member who asked a similar question about a different organisation: the decision on the final amount to be distributed to the Victoria State Opera has not yet been determined. That will occur in early November, when I receive a report from the panels that will assess and advise how the money should be distributed.

As I said yesterday and have said several times by way of press release, there will have to be some cuts. It is not yet clear who will bear the brunt of those cuts. Therefore, I cannot answer entirely in regard to the Victoria State Opera until early November. However, I reassure Mrs Varty that the government is very proud of the Victoria State Opera and will do its best to continue to support it generously.

LOW-START HOUSING LOANS The Hon. K. I. M. WRIGHT (North Western Province)-The question I direct to

the Minister for Housing and Construction concerns low-start housing loans. By way of background to the question I advise the House that I am a member of the Sunraysia Housing Advisory Council, which has invited the Minister to visit Mildura shortly. The council has been informed that, although the low-start housing loan scheme is a good initiative, a problem has arisen in that requests to State Bank Victoria and other agencies to allow fortnightly repayments-which, with a daily calculation of interest, in the long term would mean considerable savings to borrowers-instead of monthly repayments, have been refused. On behalf of those borrowers, I ask the Minister to intercede to allow the fortnightly repayments.

The Hon. B. T. PULLEN (Minister for Housing and Construction)-I thank Mr Wright for his question and for his favourable comments about the scheme. I am prepared to review the situation for Mr Wright, but at this stage I cannot guarantee that it will be possible to allow fortnightly repayments; there may be some technical or other reason why it is not possible to provide the convenience of fortnightly repayments. However, I shall examine the matter. I look forward to visiting Mildura at a future date to discuss this and other matters.

COMMONWEALTH-STATE HOUSING AGREEMENT The Hon. B. W. MIER (Waverley Province)-My question is directed to the

Minister for Housing and Construction.

The Hon. R. M. Hallam-Come on Footscray!

The Hon. B. W. MIER-We are going very well. We have just on $1 million this week. By this time next week I believe the club will have $1·5 million and will really be able to take on the Victorian Football League!

I return to the question. Will the Minister for Housing and Construction advise the House of the current status of the Commonwealth-State Housing Agreement?


The Hon. B. T. PULLEN (Minister for Housing and Construction)-Despite Mr Mier's preamble, I must say there is nothing in the Commonwealth-State Housing Agreement that will benefit the Footscray Football Club, although it may be possible to provide houses in the area.

As I said yesterday, the agreement is in the final stages of negotiation. As honourable members will be aware, it is a major vehicle for providing funds to the States for housing matters. The agreement involves a ten-year review, and it is proposed that the new ten-year agreement will operate from this year.

Several worthwhile changes have occurred as a result of the negotiations. For example, all Commonwealth funds will now be provided as grants rather than a mixture of loans and grants and, as they are remaining at the same monetary level, that means a benefit to the State in that it will not have to pay the interest and redemption.

Secondly, encouragement is being given through the new agreement for home purchase loan finance to be raised from private sector sources, comparable to the system used in Victoria for loans under the Home Opportunity Loans Scheme. It means that those funds will not be counted in global borrowings; therefore, they will not be competing with funds to be used for other purposes, such as health and education. That is a benefit to the housing sector and will mean that lending will be on a subsidy recoupment basis similar to that pioneered in Victoria by the Home Opportunity Loans Scheme and the shared home ownership scheme.

The bulk of the Federal and State funds will be used for the provision of public rental housing. Another feature that I welcome in the agreement is the provision for the States and the Commonwealth to work together to provide forward commitments for plans for ensuing years. There will be a process whereby officers of Commonwealth and State governments will jointly consider housing needs and prepare forward plans.

I am disappointed with one issue in the agreement. At this stage of negotiations the Commonwealth government has not given a commitment to the indexation of forward funds. That is a serious omission. A ten-year agreement which at this stage does not provide for indexation is detrimental to genuine forward planning. I am continuing to make representations to obtain assurances that funds will be provided to allow for increases in the cost of living.

Victoria has already committed itself to indexing its funds on a matching basis, if the Commonwealth agrees to do likewise. Overall the agreement has reached a favourable stage, but obviously the final point is a critical one that I shall pursue so that Victoria can plan with assurance knowing that the funds will not be eroded by inflation.

POLLUTED LAND AT KNOXFIELD The Hon. G. B. ASHMAN (Boronia Province)-Is the Minister for Housing and

Construction aware that quantities of lead arsenate and DDT have polluted the land being developed by the Urban Land Authority at the Lakewood Estate, Knoxfield? What health and environmental guarantees can the Minister provide to would-be purchasers of this residential land against long-term detrimental effects related to chemical pollution?

The Hon. B. T. PULLEN (Minister for Housing and Construction)-I am aware of that situation, as is the Urban Land Authority. The land is being examined extensively by the Environment Protection Authority. The material has been buried to a considerable depth, and I have reinforced the view of the Urban Land Authority that


the soil should be tested and that additional bores should be sunk to ensure that no contaminated material is left on the site.

Additionally, steps are being taken to ensure that the land in question is not used for residential purposes. I understand the plans do not include that area in a residential development. I believe the area has been secured and the situation is being monitored by the Urban Land Authority. Tomorrow I expect an update from the authority on the progress it has made in securing the site.

In view of the concerns generally expressed about contamination, which are well founded, I assure Mr Ashman that this and other sites with which I am involved either through the Ministry of Housing and Construction or the Urban Land Authority are subject to every possible precaution, and the people with responsibility for dealing with those areas have been made aware of the problem.

ALCOHOL AND DRUG TREATMENT SERVICES

The Hon. JOAN COXSEDGE (Melbourne West Province)-Will the Minister for Health advise the House how much money has been made available by the Victorian government for alcohol and drug treatment services in this State for 1989-90?

The Hon. C. J. HOGG (Minister for Health)-I am pleased to inform the House that $20·7 million has been provided for treatment services for the current financial year, which includes moneys from the Commonwealth-State national campaign against drug abuse program. A little more than $5 million has been provided from that program, of which the State government provides half, and with the additional $15·1 million provided by the government that adds up to $20·7 million.

Since the commencement of the national campaign against drug abuse, funding to non-government agencies for community-based treatment services has risen from $1·9 million to the current level of $8·4 million. That level of funding represents an 8·9 per cent increase over the previous year's allocation.

If one considers that the 51 non-~overnment agencies across the State provide all kinds of services, such as detoxificatIon, residential programs, assessment, counselling and referral, one recognises that the increased funding is welcome indeed. The details of the allocation will be supplied to the agencies over the next few weeks, but most honourable members would agree that it is a significant increase in funding for the program.

REGISTERED NURSES

The Hon. M. T. TEHAN (Central Highlands Province)-Has the Minister for Health gone outside the Victorian Industrial Relations Commission's decision of 19 May 1989 in the registered nurses' professional rates case by directing that public hospitals continue to pay qualification allowances to grade 2 nurses? If so, why has the Victorian government gone outside the wage-fixing principles espoused by the Federal government?

The Hon. C. J. HOGG (Minister for Health)-Obviously, I shall have to get back to Mrs Tehan, but I do not believe the government has done so. All questions involving the implementation of professional rates are difficult and complicated, so I shall seek advice and return to her.

742 COUNCIL 11 October 1989 Petition

WODONGA INSTITUTE OF TERTIARY EDUCATION The Hon. JEAN McLEAN (Boronia Province )-As all honourable members are

aware of the need for more tertiary educational opportunities in regional areas, will the Minister responsible for Post-Secondary Education advise the House of future plans for higher education in Albury-Wodonga?

The Hon. E. H. WALKER (Minister responsible for Post-Secondary Education)Honourable members should be aware that there are now detailed plans for the Wodonga Institute of Tertiary Education to become a campus of La Trobe University, and certainly Mr Baxter has played some part in that. Both the new campus and the Wodonga College of Technical And Further Education will use a common site and facilities for students and administration will be shared. Although an earlier plan was to have one institution, it has been determined at local meetings that the two organisations should share a site with common use of the facilities.

The proposal calls for the establishment of a regional campus council as a constituent part of La Trobe University. That will involve a significant local input into the management of both colleges. A planning committee has been established under the chairmanship ofMr Jim Sawyer, President of the Wodonga College of TA FE Council, with representatives of academic staff, students and the administration of the present institute and the T AFE college.

The institute has developed a strong reputation in the areas of nursing, small business and welfare courses, and is considering moving rapidly into new areas. The expanded university will also develop research and post-graduate centres linked to regional needs. The government believes that is important. In the Albury-Wodonga area it will be possible for the institution to pick up important research work for local communities. At present feasibility studies are being conducted into environmental science and agriforestry.

I congratulate the Wodonga community and La Trobe University on this exciting development, after a long period of frustration, particularly due to the inability of governments north of the border to bring together what I should have hoped-and I am sure what other honourable members from the area believed-would be a combined tertiary institution for Albury-Wodonga.

The proposal will enable students in the Albury-Wodonga region to enrol in the programs of a major Australian university. The government believes a significant number of students will be attracted from New South Wales to the courses offered at the Wodonga campus of La Trobe University. The accreditation and awards will, of course, be the responsibility of the La Trobe University Council.

The proposed new campus will assist industry and government to finance major research, as I said, and it will provide a major regional focus for the management of the new campus as part of the enlarged La Trobe University.

PETITION

Adoption (Amendment) Bill The Hon. R. A. MACKENZIE (Geelong Province)-I desire to present a petition

from certain citizens of Victoria praying that clauses 6, 8 and 9 of the Adoption (Amendment) Bill be omitted when the Bill is before the Legislative Council. The petition is respectfully worded, in order, and bears 15 signatures.

Before I move that it be laid on the table, I point out that the petition was drawn up in accordance with instructions issued from this House, which are based on the

Road Safety (Amendment) Bill 11 October 1989 COUNCIL 743

Standing Orders of the Legislative Council. I refer particularly to Standing Order No. 253 and I seek the indulgence of the House to place on notice that perhaps the Standing Orders Committee should consider this particular Standing Order, which provides that:

The signatures shall be written upon the petition itself or upon sheets attached thereto, but no individual or single signature shall be pasted upon, or otherwise transferred thereto.

The people who drew up the petition had those instructions. To the petition bearing 15 signatures they attached a further 204 signatures but, because they did not have the prayer on the paper, those additional signatures cannot be accepted in the House. I think they have read the instructions correctly. They were not to know that this procedure asks for the prayer to be on each sheet.

I seek the indulgence of the House to put that matter on notice for consideration by the Standing Orders Committee. I place on record that the petition in fact bears 219 signatures, although only 15 are allowed to be acknowledged.

I move: That the petition be laid on the table.

The motion was agreed to, and the petition was laid on the table.

ROAD SAFETY (AMENDMENT) BILL The Hon. B. T. PULLEN (Minister for Housing and Construction), by leave,

moved for leave to bring in a Bill to amend the Road Safety Act 1986 and the Penalties and Sentences Act 1985 and for other purposes.



PAPERS The following papers, pursuant to the directions of several Acts of Parliament, were

laid on the table by the Clerk: Benefit Associations-Report of the Registrar of Friendly Societies for the year 1988-89.

Building Societies Council-Report and financial statements for the year 1988-89.

Members of Parliament (Register of Interests) Act 1978-Summary of returns, June 1989, and Summary of variations notified between 1 May and 30 June 1989.

Planning and Environment Act 1987-Notices of Approval of the following amendments to planning schemes:

Alexandra Planning Scheme-Amendment L5.

Ararat (Shire) Planning Scheme-Amendment L2.

Bairnsdale (Shire) Planning Scheme-Amendment L9.

Box Hill Planning Scheme-Amendment L3 Part 1.

Caulfield Planning Scheme-Amendment L 7.

Colac (Shire) Planning Scheme-Amendment L2.

Eaglehawk Planning Scheme-Amendments L2 and L3.

Healesville Planning Scheme-Amendment L14.

Knox Planning Scheme-Amendment L9 Part I.

Lillydale Planning Scheme-Amendment L49.

744 COUNCIL 11 October 1989

Marong Planning Scheme-Amendment L4.

Melton Planning Scheme-Amendment Ll.

Closure of Courthouses

Metropolitan Region Planning Schemes-Amendments R18, R79 and RL37 Part 2.

Myrtleford Planning Scheme-Amendment L9.

Pakenham Planning Scheme-Amendment L15.

Rosedale Planning Scheme-Amendments L 12 and L 19.

Shepparton (City) Planning Scheme-Amendment Ll7.

Sherbrooke Planning Scheme-Amendment Ll4.

Swan Hill (Shire) Planning Scheme-Amendment L2.

Tambo Planning Scheme-Amendment Lt O.

Upper Murray Planning Scheme-Amendment L5.

Whittlesea Planning Scheme-Amendment L7.

Statutory Rule under the Accident Compensation Act 1985-No. 238.

On the motion of the Hon. HADDON STOREY (East Yarra Province), it was ordered that the reports and summary of returns tabled by the Clerk be taken into consideration on the next day of meeting.

CLOSURE OF COURTHOUSES The Hon. B. A. CHAMBERLAIN (Western Province)-I move: That this House expresses its concern at the decision of the government to close 41 courthouses without

consultation with the community, municipalities, the police or the legal profession and calls upon the government to postpone the closures until proper consultation has occurred, and that the terms of this resolution be forwarded by the Clerk to the Attorney-General.

Ready access to the courts is an integral part of any democratic society but that ready access is being constantly diminished in the State of Victoria. There should be no financial, physical or language barriers in the way of that court access. That view is supported by the Social Justice Strate¥y of the Cain government. Part 9 of that statement deals with the essential ingredIent of access to the courts and says:

Court processes can be confusing, traumatic, slow and expensive ...

The government has already introduced a number of measures to protect the rights of Victorians, and to improve the legal system.

Under this government access to the law and to justice has become more remote, slower and more expensive. The method by which the views of the government are communicated is apparently through press releases with circulation limited to the Age newspaper. On 10 August 1989 the Age newspaper indicated that some 41 courthouses were to be closed throughout the State, and it was suggested that the only reason for this was that the government would save $500 000.

I place on the record the list of the courts to be closed under this proposal. They are in the city, in the outer suburbs and in the country. They are: Port Melbourne, Camberwell, Healesville, Northcote, Warburton, WhIttlesea, Berwick, Cheltenham, Cranbourne, Hastings, Pakenham, Sunbury, Kilmore, Camperdown, Daylesford, Port Fairy, Cohuna, Eaglehawk, Rochester, Heathcote, Kyabram, Redcliifs, Warracknabeal, Beechworth, Bright, Euroa, Alexandra, Yea, Nathalia/Numurkah, Rushworth, Rutherglen, Tallangatta, Tatura, Yarrawonga, Cowes, Leongatha/Traralgon, Warragul and Yarram. It is a pretty big cleanout. That notice in the Age newspaper was the first and only indication to the Victorian community of the proposed change. No councils have been advised formally about the change.

Closure of Courthouses 11 October 1989 COUNCIL 745

Mr President, as you would know from your experience, the essential element of a Magistrates Court is that it is a local court designed to provide local justice. It is meant to provide a venue for remedying disputes between parties, whether they be civil disputes or matters involving the Crown, at a venue as close as possible to where the incident took place. It is a local court accessible to litigants, witnesses and others. In Victoria there has been a dramatic decline in the number of Magistrates Courts. In March 1982 there were 175 Magistrates Courts in this State. Admittedly, as I have said and shall say again, many of those courts were under-utilised, not used at all or not required within the system. My argument is not used for the preservation of all courthouses.

In March 1982 the number of courthouses in operation was 175; in August 1984 there were 119; in April 1986 that figure dropped to 115; and in June of this year there were only 108 Magistrates Courts in operation. The government proposes to close another 41 courthouses leaving only 67 Magistrates Courts to service the needs of Victorian communities. As a result there will be 67 per cent fewer courthouses than when the government came to office in 1982. Unlike the situation with the announcement that was made in December 1982 by the Premier when he was also the Attorney-General, this move will hit not only rural areas but also the metropolitan and outer metropolitan areas.

The purpose of the motion I have moved is to highlight that no consultation has taken place on this issue. From discussions I have had with magistrates I know that they were not con.:ulted about the proposal-although the Chief Magistrate was consulted. Certainly the Police Force was not consulted. Later I shall read to the House comments made by police officers in the outer Melbourne suburbs that show they are devastated by what the government has proposed. There has been no consultation with local municipalities-that is nothing new-nor have members of the community been consulted.

Is the government's tactic in making a far-reaching decision such as this without talking to people beforehand a new one? Of course, the answer is a clear and emphatic no. The decision has all the hallmarks of a government riding roughshod over the people of Victoria-and I have referred on other occasions to the jack-boot tactics of the government.

On 12 November 1982, Mr Cain, while Attorney-General, announced that 51 rural courthouses would be closed. I initiated a debate on that decision in the House on 1 December 1982, and the terms of that motion were similar to the motion before the Chair. At that time the Opposition did not argue that all of the 51 courthouses should stay open. Instead it argued that the community should have the opportunity of saying whether all or some of those courthouses should remain open-and the House agreed to that motion. Naturally the government went ahead: most of the courthouses were closed!

Because of community reaction to the closures the then Attorney-General, now the Minister for Transport in the other place, established a consultative process. A series of meetings were held throughout rural Victoria at which the views of the wider community were sought about the closure of the courthouses. I attended one or two of those meetings to argue for the reopening of two courthouses in my electorate that were closed-at Casterton and Edenhope. That consultative process had the effect of making the government realise it had made a mistake in some instances-admittedly too late. The two courthouses at Casterton and Edenhope were subsequently reopened; and those services now operate through the shire offices of both towns.

One should have thought the government would have learnt from that process and realised the advantages of consultation before making decisions. Clearly the

746 COUNCIL 11 October 1989 Closure of Courthouses

government has learnt absolutely nothing and has become more arrogant by the day. An interesting point about the decision is that the reason for closing the courthouses is outside the guidelines set by the Premier: when he was also Attorney-General the Premier said that the cut-off point for closure was to be 50 hours of sitting time per annum. The Premier's remarks will be found in H ansard. They show that the critenon was to be 50 hours sitting time per annum; if it were less than that, the court would close but if it were more than that the court would stay open.

In the list published in the Age on 10 August it is clear that, of those 41 courthouses, only 15 operate for fewer than 50 hours per annum. In fact, 26 of them operate for more than 50 hours and some of them for as many as 185 hours.

Under the Premier's criterion, spelled out at the time he was Attorney-General, 26 of these courthouses should stay open. Apparently the decision to close these additional courthruses is made on the basis of a consultant's report that the government obtained. One of my constituents, a lawyer, attempted to obtain a copy of that document under the Freedom of Information Act but was denied access to it. Not only are we denied consultation on these issues but the government is making these decisions on the basis of secret advice that is being denied to the community. This advice is no doubt being obtained, at public expense and is being denied to the community.

I ask the Leader of the House during the debate to table the consultant's report so that everyone can see the justification for these closures and why the dictum the Premier issued in November 1982 was overturned.

The number of hours the courts are open should not be the only criterion. Later I shall quote the view of the Law Institute of Victoria in relation to that issue and I shall be arguing why the Warracknabeal courthouse should stay open when the average court time is something like 30 hours a year.

Many of the courts listed for closure are, anomalously, in fact in rapidly expanding areas. One would think there might be an argument for closure in a small country town where the population is decreasing but in the outer fringes of Melbourne, both on the west and the south-east, there are proposals to close courthouses in areas that have the highest growth rates in the State. That is hard to understand and I ask the Leader of the House to tell us how it is justified.

Shonly I shall be citing the Sunbury courthouse as a classic example of the ~overnment proposing to make the most stupid decision possible. Another criterion IS the remoteness of some of these courts from others, and later I shall give the example of Camperdown. Western Victoria has the lowest number of courts in the State and now there is a huge hole in the court system because of the proposal to close that court.

One issue the government has conveniently ignored is the impact that these closures are going to have on the operations of the Police Force of the State.

The Hon. W. R. Baxter-Dramatic!

The Hon. B. A. CHAMBERLAIN-Yes, and a senior police officer says: It is nct an exaggeration to say that this move will cripple police operations within this area in the future.

A chief inspector of police is saying that the proposal to close the Sunbury court will cripple police operations in that area. They are strong words, but this is a strongly held view.

With the closure of the actual courthouse we also lose the services of the clerks of courts. Honourable members who have had dealings with these clerks know that they have a very wide range of responsibilities. For instance, they give advice on legal aid, enforcement of maintenance orders, administration of small estates, government


services generally and applications for money from the court fund, known as the "poor-box" .

All these services in most of the areas under discussion will be lost. It is not just the sitting time of the court that will be lost but also this range of other services. This is all in the name of savings to the government; the government may save some money but everyone else loses. The community at large pays.

The people who most particularly will be paying are those who cannot afford motor cars, those in trouble with debts and those who are being evicted. These are the people who will be the casualties of this so-called cost-saving measure by the government.

The Hon. W. R. Baxter-It makes the social justice policy seem a bit hollow.

The Hon. B. A. CHAMBERLAIN-Mr Baxter and I would suggest that there is no such policy.

I emphasise what I said before. In moving this motion, which is similar to a motion I moved in 1982, I am not su~esting that all of these courts should stay open. I am suggesting that each communIty should be given the opportunity of arguing its own case. Surely that is the basis ofa democratic society. If the Minister for the Arts were administering these things he would have done it differently.

The Hon. E. H. Walker-Of course!

The Hon. B. A. CHAMBERLAIN-He would have sent his teams out into each of these towns to discuss the issue on site. There has been no pretence of that at all.

The Law Institute of Victoria put out a press release on this issue on 11 August under the heading, "Concern on some country court closures". The president of the institute, Mr John Kelly, states:

However, some of the courts targeted for closure service large towns and are busy courts. The communities involved will be disadvantaged by not having a local court, particularly because of poor public transport facilities between country towns.

The House will see shortly that it is not just country towns. The article goes on: Mr Kelly said the towns the institute believed would be hurt by the closure were:

Tatura, Kyabram, Yarrawonga, Camperdown, Daylesford, Cowes, Leongatha, Traralgon, Warragul, Yarram, Morwell, Hastings, Sunbury.

Mr Kelly said that while the Attorney's recommendations had been made after an analysis of court sitting times and needs, more human considerations needed to be taken into account when a decision to close a country court was made.

Cost-cutting measures are generally commendable but other things need to be considered, such as the difficulties caused for local police and business in travelling often long distances to another court, the role of the local court in providing community support and assistance through, for example, its poor-box, and the need for a visible symbol of accessible community justice.

The institute believes that if the court facilities in these areas were properly used, by listing sufficient hearings and using the court building for hearings of other courts and tribunals, such as the Administrative Appeals Tribunal, those courts will be economically viable.

It must be said that the figures that are published in relation to hearing times in the courts are no reflection on the amount of work generated in the particular area. There are artificial decisions as to where the legal process commences. I shall give an example of that later concerning the Sun bury case. What the institute has produced is a constructive suggestion as to the sorts of factors that should be looked at in relation to this matter.

I shall give the House examples of courts to be closed in three different areas. Common themes run through each. They are the areas of Sunbury in the outer


Melbourne area, Warracknabeal in the Wimmera and Camperdown in western Victoria. My colleague, Mr Reynolds, the honourable member for Gisborne in another place, has acquainted me with the situation of the Sunbury courthouse.

The Sunbury courthouse is the only courthouse in the Shire of Bulla, which is one of the four fastest growing municipalities in the State of Victoria with an increase in population of some 9 per cent per annum. It is a designated growth area and the population of Sunbury town is 20 000 and growing rapidly. Of course, it is only part of a much wider area.

It is an isolated area with little public transport. In fact, it has been estimated by one of the local solicitors that the round trip from Sunbury to Broadmeadows-where the central court is located-and back by the public transport that is available is a 5-hour journey. That is supposed to be accessible justice! That is worse than in some of our country towns.

As I said before, often the people who get tied up in court proceedings are people who do not own motor cars, have very little money and cannot afford a day offwork. The trip from Sunbury to Broadmeadows for a court appearance would involve taking a whole day off work.

The current procedure at Sunbury-and this spells out why more cases are not heard there although the area generates so much court work-is affected by, first of all, police cases the Attorney-General's Department requires to be listed at Broadmeadows. With respect to summons cases, the initial day for hearing is called the mention date and the court where the matter, is first heard is called the mention court. With respect to Sunbury, all that takes place at Broadmeadows.

If a guilty plea is made, the case is heard at Broadmeadows. If a not guilty plea is made the case is adjourned and the police request that the issue be dealt with at Sunbury. However, almost invariably the case is set down by the authority to be dealt with at Broadmeadows.

For a view of the local community as to the impact of this on the community, Lindsay F. Bruce, a.solicitor practising in the area, has made a comment on the socalled cost-saving measure involved in this proposal. In a letter of 25 August 1989 to the Shire of Bulla he states:

The question is whether the increased cost should be borne by the community as a whole or the few who use it. Ifit is to be borne by the few who use it then legal process will be outside the financial reach of most.

The savings of centralising local activity in Broadmeadows is a saving for a few whereas the savings of maintaining the Sunbury court is a saving for many. In this sense-for "few" read bureaucrats and public servants and for "many" read workers, wage-eamers, wives who need assistance, Children's Courts and the man in the street.

It is no argument to say that Sunbury has been used for only 150 hours so must be in the hit-list. Civil cases have not been "set down" to be heard in Sunbury since approximately 1984, about the time when the "mention" system was introduced at Broadmeadows, as a means of saving court time.

If Sunbury loses its court, I believe in only a few short years it will need it back when Sunbury with an expanded police facility and population will have its own "mention dates" and cases referred to it.

One of the arguments against using courts such as Sunbury and other smaller courts is that we are in the age of computerisation and smaller courts are not used because the major courts are linked by computer.

I recall when, as shadow Attorney-General, I was being briefed br Mr John King, the head of the department. I was told of the possibility of a system Involving a clerk of courts travelling to the outer courts with a small portable computer with a modem that was hooked into the telephone, which would give access to the complete court


system whether that court was at Camperdown, Warracknabeal or Sunbury. For instance, a lady could appear in court to enforce a maintenance order and the clerk of courts could plug into the court records and pull up the necessary documentation and know exactly what was needed to help that lady. That is a strong argument-and there are others that I have not mentioned-for small courts to be used.

One of the concerns of solicitors in the Sunbury area of having the court so far away at Broadmeadows is the effect on the honorary probation officers who service the needs of the Children's Court and on the children appearing before that court. Because honorary probation officers are volunteers, they are reluctant to travel long distances to the central system at Broadmeadows.

In the then Law Department's Consultation Report of April 1986 reference is made to Broadmeadows on page 60:

The designation of Broadmeadows as a mention court for the western suburbs drew some criticism due to difficult access by public transport.

Proposals to build court complexes were not supported. The retention of smaller more local courts was preferred as they were felt to be more accessible and less intimidating than large complexes.

It must be especially intimidating for people with language difficulties to go to a large court, whether it be Broadmeadows, Prahran or wherever. These places are signposted in English. It is a daunting, anonymous environment and would certainly not help litigants to relax and feel that they were getting justice.

The government's proposal will deprive the Sunbury area of the clerk of courts' services, access to the court funds, legal aid, general advice and ~overnment services. Is this social justice for the people of Sun bury? In anyone's definition of social justice, it is hardly so.

One of my major concerns is the dramatic impact that these court closures will have on the operations of the Victoria Police. The comments I propose to give the House from Chief Inspector D. Hilton, based on a submission he made to the Shire of Bulla, which has in fact been sent to the Attorney-General, are applicable throughout the State and make sober reading. I hope the government will take notice of these issues. Chief Inspector Hilton speaks, first of all, about the growth in police numbers in the area:

Sunbury court services residents in the Sunbury, Bulla, Gisborne, Riddells Creek, Bullengarook and lower Macedon areas. It gives service on two days per week, not just one, since the clerk of courts is in attendance on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Staff at the Sun bury police complex is about to be increased by the addition of new Traffic Operations Group personnel, which will bring the numbers of that group to 1 senior sergeant, 2 sergeants and 20 constables; this is in addition to the 30 operational members and 2 detectives already at the complex.

A traffic policeman averages at least one court appearance per week.

If one considers that police numbers at Gisborne must increase with the rise in population within that shire, then it can be seen that the closure of the Sunbury court is completely out of kilter with what is taking place in this area.

The chief inspector in charge of the police in that area is saying that what is being done is totally the opposite of what should be done. He continues:

If the Sunbury court was properly used as a "mention court" and all cases heard there which should be heard, plus any overflow from Broadmeadows, it logically follows that extra court days should be allocated rather than closing it down ...

With the closure of Sunbury court, police can expect to be travelling almost daily from Sunbury to Broadmeadows to attend court. Any assurance that Sunbury cases would be listed on the one day can be ignored, since this has never been achieved in the past.

This effectively ...


And this is important-... strips from this area an absolute minimum of one vehicle and one dayshift person on a daily basis, from the date of closure. This will eliminate preventive patrol of school crossings, Calder Highway re traffic, residential areas re burglaries, central business district re crime, and back-up response to the divisional van. Our activities would be strictly limited to response calls in the divisional van.

The chief inspector concludes: From a police and community point of view, there is not one positive factor produced with the closure

of the Sunbury court.

The law department will state that they will save thousands of dollars per annum, but the cost to the police department in fuel and transport use, salaries of personnel tied up attending Broadmeadows court, and the loss of preventive policing in the community, is far greater than that saved by the AttomeyGeneral's Department.

It is not an exaggeration to say that this move will cripple police operations within this area in the future.

That is not a statement by the Opposition but by the policeman who has the responsibility of providing police coverage in that area. As has happened in other communities throughout Victoria, the closure of courts takes the police away from the community into the town where the court sits; on many days of the year that removal of police coverage leads to dangerous situations.

In summary, Sunbury is one of the four fastest growing areas in Victoria; it has been designated by the government as a growth area; it has increased police work; and it has poor public transport; yet it is to be deprived of its court and the clerk of courts services.

The honourable member for Gisborne in the other place is endeavouring to arrange a deputation to the Attorney-General to have the government recognise that it has made a mistake about the needs of that community. The Opposition will not criticise the government if it admits it has made a mistake. This has happened once before. The government reopened courts that had been closed on incorrect data and advice. Certainly the government should recognise that a mistake has been made about the Sunbury courthouse.

The courthouse at Warracknabeal in the Wimmera is to close. Warracknabeal is a small but important town, situated 60 kilometres north of Horsham. It is proposed that the courthouse will close at the end of 1989. The Shire ofWarracknabeal found out about that closure by reading the Age of 10 August, in which an article discloses that the courthouse is to close, and subsequent inquiries have revealed that the services of the clerk of courts are to be removed. The shire has received no other advice and no consultation has been invited. A senior officer of the Attorney-General's Department has said that the decision is cut, dried and non-negotiable, and will be implemented.

As Opposition members have said on many occasions in this place, the government has been good at that type of consultation-it announces a decision after the decision has been taken, thereby depriving the community of participation in the decisionmaking process.

The Warracknabeal courthouse had only 36 hours ofsittings in 1988 because many cases from Warracknabeal are listed for Horsham, for the reasons I have already outlined; but the sitting hours are only one issue that should be taken into account. I have already referred to comments made by the President of the Law Institute of Victoria. Many factors should be taken into account, including the remoteness of the community and the distance from other courthouses. The Shire of Warracknabeal continually experiences withdrawal of government services; the State Electricity Commission office in that town is closing. On almost a daily basis the shire is being


denied government funding; for example, grants from the Victoria Grants Commission are shrinking at an alarming rate.

The shire is experiencing continuing disadvantage as a result of government action and, unfortunately, the target of the cutbacks is often the same town. I argued the case of Murtoa when the office of the Department of Water Resources closed, and that town lost its SEC branch, and other facilities.

It is a 120-kilometre round trip from Warracknabeal to Horsham; any litigant, witness or lawyer from Warracknabeal would have a 120-kilometre trip to appear in Horsham.

The Hon. W. R. Baxter-That is if you live in Warracknabeal. What if you are further north?

The Hon. B. A. CHAMBERLAIN-That is right, you could live in Brim. One would be in strife without a car. If one went to court and one's licence was suspended, one could not drive the car home.

The Hon. R. S. de Fegely-Probably take the bus.

The Hon. B. A. CHAMBERLAIN-There are no buses. The services provided by clerks of courts are valued in those country towns. I refer to the comments of the Secretary of the Shire ofWarracknabeal:

A clerk of courts offers personal advice to local people on family law, traffic cases, applications to marry, second-hand dealer/hawker licence applications, court fines and poor-box contributions, the signing of legal documents and many other matters.

Mr Shade is a justice of the peace and has practical experience in those matters.

In many small towns the courthouse building is used by State and Federal government agencies. Warracknabeal courthouse accommodates the Federal Department of Social Security, the Ministry of Housing and Construction, and the Department of Conservation, Forests and Lands; if the building is closed and sold, where will these facilities go? There is a chance that those services will be denied to that community if the venue is not available. The Warracknabeal community is seeking a deputation to the Attorney-General.

The Hon. W. R. Baxter-They won't have much luck.

The Hon. B. A. CHAMBERLAIN-I believe the Attorney-General is refusing to receive the deputation.

The Hon. W. R. Baxter-He sends a messenger instead.

The Hon. B. A. CHAMBERLAIN-The decision is cut and dried. Warracknabeal citizens are regarded as third class-again, the hallmark of the government!

The final courthouse closure with which I shall deal concerns Camperdown, located on the Princes Highway between Colac and Warmambool. Many of the issues I have previously mentioned about deprivation of clerk of courts services and the inconvenience to people who must use the courts apply to the Camperdown case, although it is a little different; as was acknowledged in the government's own Consultation Report, published by the then Law Department in April 1986, the Western District has the lowest number of courts in Victoria. That was why the government restored court services to Casterton and Edenhope. The Consultation Report states:

An additional mention court location suggested was Camperdown. The court currently catered for eight police stations and it was argued that there was sufficient need to warrant upgrading the court classification from hearing court to mention court.


According to the criterion published by the Premier when he held the portfolio of Attorney-General, Camperdown exceeds the number of hours said to be viable. The former Attorney-General set the figure at 50 hours a year; Camperdown has been operating at 110 hours a year. Much of the Camperdown work is instituted at Colac or Warmambool. If the Camperdown courthouse is closed, there will be no courthouse in the 107 kilometres between Colac and Warmambool; neither is there a courthouse as far as the sea in a southerly direction.

If one examines a map of Victoria that highlights the number of Magistrates Courts, western Victoria is very light on; if the proposals come into effect, only 67 Magistrates Courts will operate throughout Victoria.

The Hon. W. R. Bu:ter-Less than one-third of the figure ten years ago.

The Hon. B. A. CHAMBERLAIN-Yes, a third of the figure often years ago. As I said before, the proposal will deprive the people of the Camperdown district of court services and other services that go with it.

The Western District Law Association, through its president, Mr Jim Dwyer, strongly opposes the proposal. Mr Dwyer pointed out that the Camperdown Magistrates Court operates twice a month-on the first and third Mondays-and usually averages 4 to 5 hours each day of sitting, bearin~ in mind that the maximum sitting time is usually 5 hours. Mr Dwyer says that to ehminate the Camperdown Magistrates Court would result in no court operating between Colac in the east and Warmambool in the west and between the coast to the south and Ballarat to the north. The nearest Magistrates Court would be Colac, 47 kilometres away, or Warmambool, more than 60 kilometres from Camperdown. Outlying areas would be even further from the nearest court.

Mr Dwyer makes it clear that the Law Institute of Victoria and its agencies are not arguing through self-interest, because to close down major courts and to decentralise the system makes life much easier for lawyers. They are concerned about their clients, who are put in dire straits by having to find access to courts where there is no public transport. Western Victoria IS losing out because of lack of services.

I am sure other honourable members will want to contribute to the debate, but I reiterate that the most basic of services in a democratic society is being seriously reduced by the government, as has continuously occurred since 1982. Accessibility in a physical sense to local courts is vital, as are other services provided by the courts. The government must recognise that it has made a mistake. It believes it will save $500 000, although the House has no evidence to that effect because the government hides the report on which it has based that assumption. The government is shifting those costs on to the community, so people will pay more.

The government should recognise that and stop the closure of courts. It should do what it did in 1983 and 1984 when it went to the community, talked about the issues and recognised that a large number of courts should stay open in the interests of the Victorian community.

I commend the motion to the House.

The Hon. W. R. BAXTER (North Eastern Province)-I support Mr Chamberlain's motion and commend him for bringing it before the House today. The motion highlights another round of cutbacks by the government and another savage attack on the people of Victoria, particularly country people.

One has only to contemplate the seven disgraceful years of Labor rule and not go into the extraordinary losses that have occurred through all the financial blunders of the government; one need only examine some of the actions taken by the government that have been detrimental to country people. Railway lines have been closed;

Closure of Courthouses 11 October 1989 COtJNCIL 753

Department of Conservation, Forests and Lands offices have been closed; police stations, particularly one-man police stations, have been closed and even more are under threat; offices of the State Electricity Commission have been closed; as have offices of the Department of Water Resources. As Mr Chamberlain said, in many instances, a town has been subjected to multiple closures and an accelerating downward spiral has resulted.

The Hon. B. A. Chamberlain-There have been a couple of closures in your area.

The Hon. W. R. BAXTER-Yes, indeed. Tallangatta feels under siege from the government. It has lost its railway line, a Department of Conservation, Forests and Lands office and a State Electricity Commission office, and is now about to lose its courthouse. What is next? There IS not much more the government can take away from the citizens of Tallangatta, other than their hospital, and that is not beyond the bounds of possibility when one examines the government's record.

It is a disgrace and an outrage that Victorians are treated so unfairly and that those who happen to live in the more isolated parts of the State suffer the discrimination that has occurred under this government.

Honourable members should examine the record of the government. In 1983 the then Attorney-General, the Premier, announced the closure of 51 courthouses. At the time I made some comment on those closures and, in a press release dated 14 October 1983 and headed "Labor's attack on country Victoria", I said that Labor's hit-list against country Victoria was growing daily and country people were coming to believe they were under siege from a government which cared little for what went on outside Melbourne. I went on to say that the attitude of the government seemed to be that, as it held only three seats outside Melbourne, few votes would be lost by hefty tax increases and the withdrawal of services. At the time I produced a list, largely compiled by members of the Opposition and the National Party, and particularly by Mr Chamberlain, which listed 60 examples of government action against country people.

I made the comment in October 1983: This is in the first nineteen months. What is the government going to do when it gets into its stride?

The sad and sorry history since then amply illustrates what the government did once it got into its stride. The attack on country Victoria has become totally unrelenting. Each Budget highlights the withdrawal of services from country Victoria.

In 1983 Victorians were told that a rationalisation of Magistrates Court services was required, that many courts were under-utilised and were serving few people and that the closure of some courts could be justified on that basis, but that was to be the final decision and the remaining courts would be maintained. In fairness to the government, I admit that that argument at that time had some validity in certain locations throughout the State. In my own electorate, the court at Mitta Mltta, a small, isolated village, had little business to transact. I did not, at that time, attack the closure of the Mitta Mitta courthouse, on the basis that Tallangatta would retain a court which was a workable distance from the people of Mitta Mitta; but now that undertaking is being thrown out the window and the people of Mitta Mitta will have to go to Wodonga, presumably, for court services.

One cannot take at face value undertakings given by the government, because as the days go by those undertakin~s are breached time and again. At that time other courts were closed as well, includIng Tungamah, Chiltern and two others.

In 1985 in another round of attacks on country people further courts were proposed for closure. A press release dated 12 September 1985 from the then Attorney-General, now the Minister for Transport, referred to the Beechworth court and said that the


Beechworth region would get better court services because the Beechworth court would become a mention court under the system being put in place at that time. However, the Beechworth court is now being closed and is included in the list Mr Chamberlain read out for closure. Again, assurances given in 1985, and accepted by local communities and local members of Parliament concernin~ the introduction of the mention system and some withdrawal of local court servIces and stating that overall the service would be better, have been broken. How can the service be better for the people of Beech worth when the undertaking they accepted in 1985 is now being breached?

The resident clerk of courts at Tallangatta was to be withdrawn. Honourable members will recall that I referred earlier to the closure of the Mitta Mitta court in the 1983 round of closures. At that time one of the justifications for the closure was that the township ofTallangatta would retain a resident clerk of courts and that, therefore, the people ofMitta Mitta would still be served, at least to some extent.

I received a letter from the Attorney-General, dated 27 January 1988, in which he said, among other things: ... the concerns expressed by the Shire ofTallangatta are appreciated-

The shire had been protesting, through me and other local members, about the withdrawal of the resident clerk of courts-... and I should like to emphasise that the current level of service delivery at Tallangatta will not be reduced ...

That undertaking was dishonoured approximately eighteen months later when an announcement in the Age on 10 August indicated that the court of Tallangatta would close and no visits would be made by the clerk of courts. That is another example of why we cannot take this government at its word; its word is absolutely meaningless. No wonder the people are suspicious of any supposed undertaking given by the government. Although the undertaking was given in writing to me, as one of the local members, and to the Shire of Tallangatta, it still proved to be not worth the paper it was printed on. It is little wonder that the people are cynical about undertakings given by the government.

In the 1988-89 Budget we find that further cuts are made. As Mr Chamberlain has set out chapter and verse, absolutely no consultation has taken place. The local population found out that the courts would be closed when they read the announcement In the Age. In my province nine courts are to be closed: Beechworth, Bright, Tallangatta, Rutherglen, Yarrawonga, Kyabram, Chiltern, Rochester and Cohuna. All of those courts should be retained, as well as several others that are to be closed but where the argument for retention is not as strong.

Immediately upon reading the hit-list I sought to take a deputation to the AttorneyGeneral, particularly on behalf of the Shire of Beechworth, because the Beechworth court had been made a mention court as recently as 1985 and huge sums of money have been spent on restoration of the historic courthouse since the government came to office. The building has a place in Australian heritage as the courthouse where Ned Kelly was tried, and Beechworth is an historic town which has a very laq~e tourist industry. The court building is attractive, being built out of granite, and is In part of the historic precinct, adjacent to the similarly constructed police station and directly opposite the municipal chambers, which are also a Victorian-style building. It is essential that the courthouse be retained for those reasons, without the other reasons that I shall canvass in a moment.

I received in my office on 14 September a letter dated 11 September advisin~ me that the Attorney-General would not receive a deputation from me because the deClsion


was final and in these extreme financial times there was no option but to close the court. The Attorney-General and the government were foisting on the people of Victoria a cut in services, on the excuse of extreme financial times, when their own financial bungling and mismanagement has lost thousands of millions of dollars. The saving from the closure of the court would be chickenfeed, and in fact there would be no saving at all because the cost would be passed on to other people.

The Attorney-General refused to receive a deputation to discuss the matter, but said that he would send some of his officers to meet the local people and local members. That meeting took place the next day, 15 September. I attended that meeting with representatives of the shires of Beechworth, Bright and Tallangatta, in company with the honourable member for Benambra and Mr Evans. The meetin~ was most unsatisfactory. Not only did we have the very rude letter from the MInister, who effectively said "You are wasting your time anyway because the decision is made and is final", but also he did not come to the meeting; he sent the messengers. That was not satisfactory, nor was the attitude of one of the officers who attended. At one stage she seemed to believe that she was the Attorney-General, and it was quickly pointed out to her by the members of Parliament present that she was not the AttorneyGeneral, and things improved a little bit after that. The discussions could not be called amiable or structured, as we were sitting around the shire council table--

The Hon. B. A. Chamberlain-Eating cream cakes?

The Hon. W. R. BAXTER-No, it was not such a friendly meeting that we had cream cakes, because the people in attendance, led by the shire president, Cr J oan Brunken, were very disturbed, with every justification. At the meeting were councillors, representatives of the local Police Force and legal fraternity, and other shire officers. We discussed the justification for closing the court, and the only justification that the Attorney-General's messengers could produce was that it would save costs. The closure of the Beechworth court would save the Attorney-General's Department $326 in SEC charges, $736 in telephone charges and about $1000 in cleaning and maintenance costs; the princely sum of about $2000 a year. That is a paltry sum when compared with the cost ofremovin$ from the people of the area one of their democratic rights of access to local court servIces.

As Mr Chamberlain has rightly pointed out, there will be no saving because the costs are foisted onto the community. Defendants will have to travel to the courts at Myrtleford, W odonga or Wangaratta. Extra costs will be imposed on witnesses, and the cost of legal representation and legal aid will increase, because a solicitor from Beechworth will have to hang around the court in Myrtleford all day waiting for the case to come on, when in Beechworth it would come on quickly or, if the solicitor knew that there would be a delay, he could go back to his office and come back to the court at the appropriate time. At the Magistrates Court at Wodonga I see crowds outside the court all day; no-one ever knows when his case will come on. I sometimes ring up the clerk of courts to get an estimate of when a case in which I am interested might come on, and he gives me an estimate to the best of his judgment, but it is often way out of kilter and I wait there for hours. This will be aggravated by putting extra work on already busy courts.

The meeting at Beechworth discussed a few other statistics. A rather interesting statistic was put to us about how many defendants who appeared at the Beechworth court were local. Statistics indicated that only 21 of the cases dealt with this year involved local defendants. That caused a bit of ruction around the table, because people could not believe that only 21 of the cases involved local defendants, so some inquiries were made about the definition of local. It was discovered that "local" did not include Stanley, which is only 6 miles out of Beechworth and is within the shire. The statistic did not include defendants from Yackandandah, which used to have a


court but now does not, and those people use Beechworth. Those people should have come within the definition of local for the purpose of compiling the statistics.

A policeman who was in attendance confirmed that it was his strong view that most of the cases at the Beechworth court would be deemed local. The great bulk of the witnesses would also have been locals, so what was suggested at that meeting-that most of the cases dealt with were from out of town-was totally erroneous.

One should also examine the sitting times quoted in the newspaper. It is the same old story: "You can use statistics to prove any argument." That is what happened at the meeting at Beechworth and what was suggested in an article in the Age of 10 August. The sitting hours for a particular year were examined. In the case of Beechworth, the sitting hours for the first six months of 1989 are already 33·3 per cent greater than the sitting hours for the whole of 1988, which were the figures used in the Age article as the justification for closing the court because of lack of business. In other words, if the pattern ofthe·first six months of 1989 continues for the balance of the year, the court usage in Beechworth will be 66 per cent higher than in 1988.

I do not suggest we should take notice only of 1989, either. I should then be guilty of the same sin that I am accusing the department of; what I say is that it ought to be examined over a period greater than one year, and the trend ought to be taken into account. I suggest that the trends in those courts that are for the chop are moving upwards. Beechworth court is a classic example, as is Kyabram, where already the number of days that were scheduled have been increased to accommodate the increased workload of the court. The trends should be examined rather than looking at just the bald figures.

In the case of Tallangatta court, it is a disgrace that that court is to be closed. It is an adequate building. Tallangatta is not a huge distance from Wodonga; it is probably only a half-hour drive, but as I interjected when Mr Chamberlain was speaking about Warracknabeal these courts must service people who come from considerable distances further out, particularly in north-eastern Victoria, which is mountainous terrain and it is difficult travelling. People travel to Tallangatta from the Tallangatta Valley, the Mitta Mitta Valley and around Shelley. They have already travelled for three-quarters of an hour to get there, but when the Tallangatta court is closed they will then have to travel on.

If the decision to close the court is not revoked it will be necessary for witnesses and others involved in cases to have access to motor vehicles, because public transport does not exist in those areas. Mr Chamberlain said-which I endorse-that a great percentage of people appearing before the courts in Victoria are from the lower socioeconomic levels. They do not have cars and they cannot afford to hire taxis because they are already hard pressed financially.

Where is the social justice policy? It appears to be hollow rhetoric so far as I can gather. At the Kyabram court extra days have already been scheduled for hearings. That court services 16000 people in the hinterland. It is a growing population. If Kyabram loses its court, litigants will have to go to either the Echuca or Shepparton court. That will mean that Kyabram will virtually be without a police presence for some time of the day, because it has only one police vehicle and if the policeman is required to attend a court at a distance the people of Kyabram will be left without adequate police protection for those times of the day.

The same situation will occur at Tatura. It has been suggested that the Tatura court should be closed and that the cases should be transferred to Shepparton court. Currently, it is impossible to get inside the court in Shepparton; it is a lean-to, makeshift building. There are plans to build a new Magistrates Court in Shepparton,


but we have been waiting for some years for it. The way the government is behaving, we may have to wait a good deal longer before it is built. The closure of the Tatura court will cause enormous problems because the Shepparton facilities have no room for extra cases.

It is proposed to move the Cohuna cases to Kerang on the specious ground that it will save travelling costs for the magistrate. When one looks at the road map one notes that Kerang is further away from Bendigo than Cohuna is. Where is the saving? Surely we can do better than that if we are to justify closing a court such as Cohuna. Moreover, if the building is let to other government departments, presumably they will pay rent that will cover maintenance and so forth.

There is also the matter of access to the Cohuna police station. Currently, access to the station is through the Cohuna court grounds. If the court is closed and the land is sold off, how will access be gained to the police station? It will mean some form of expenditure to provide that access. That matter requires examination. If the justification for closing the Cohuna court is a matter of costs, the substantial additional expenditure required for providing access to the police station and the need for space for other government departments should be considered.

I believe the move by the Attorney-General to close these 41 courthouses is unjustified. It is a knee-jerk reaction to save money. The amount proposed to be saved in overall expenditure is $500 000, which is a paltry sum. It is not a saving, it is simply passing the cost on to someone else. This move will deny local people justice and access to courts within reasonable distances. The Attorney-General in his higher courts discussion paper said:

The government is committed to maintaining a system of justice within Victoria which is accessible to ordinary people.

Those are laudable sentiments. All honourable members endorse them. However, in the next breath the Attorney-General announced that 41 courts will be closed around the State. Those are the courts that are used by the ordinary people, the very people he referred to in his paper. His statement is the height of hypocrisy.

I join with Mr Chamberlain in supporting the motion. I direct to the attention of the Attorney-General the wording of Mr Chamberlain's motion. Mr Chamberlain is not calling for a retention of every one of the 41 courts. It is not a knee-jerk reaction from an Opposition that simply does not agree with anything the government does; the motion asks for consultation with each of the communities concerned. Implicit in that is the notion that if the community can present a good argument to justify the retention of the respective court the decision should, accordingly, not be ratified.

I am convinced that many courts on that list of 41 can put an argument that cannot be countered by the Attomey-General's staff if they are reasonable and give credence to the aspirations of country Victorians.

The Hon. R. A. MACKENZIE (Geelong Province)-The motion before the House is one I find hard to argue against. The motion states:

That this House expresses its concern at the decision of the government to close 41 courthouses without consultation with the community, municipalities, the police or the legal profession and calls upon the government to postpone the closures until proper consultation has occurred, and that the terms of this resolution be forwarded by the Clerk to the Attorney-General.

Who could argue against such a motion? Government members would be concerned about courthouses closing, and all honourable members would favour consultation with those communities that will be effected by the closures.


I cannot argue on behalf of my constituents because the reverse situation is the case in the Geelong Province, where a large court complex is being built. I can argue on behalf of the law association in Geelong, which has expressed concern, as have Mr Chamberlain and Mr Baxter, about the closure of the 41 courthouses.

We must realise what is happening in country areas. This is another case of taking something away from the country community. It is hard for people who live in city areas and who make decisions of this nature without having experienced life in country Victoria to realise that the local pubs, the local churches, the recreation reserves and other facilities are important, and that the courthouse is often an integral and important part of the community. If the courthouse goes the community has lost another facility.

Honourable members who have contributed to the debate have pointed out the cost to the ordinary people who will have to travel long distances where a public transport system is virtually non-existent; it places an enormous burden on those people. I should have thOUght that the government would endeavour to make life easier rather than harder for people who require justice. One of the cornerstones of the British system of justice is that it should be free and available to every citizen. We cannot sit here as Parliamentarians and approve of a move that will make justice more expensive. If we believe in justice for all, as laid down under the British system, we as Parliamentarians should not condone efforts that will have the reverse effect.

I carried out an exercise as to costs. We were informed by the Attorney-General that the closing of the 41 courthouses will save $500000. An article in the Herald of 14 August 1989 lists the 41 courthouses and the hours they sat.

The Hon. B. A. Chamberlain-That was the Age.

The Hon. R. A. MACKENZIE-The 41 courts sat for a total of 2238 hours. If one divides that into the $500000, the hourly unit rate is $223. That is all it costs to enable people to seek justice in those country courthouses. One cannot put a figure on justice. The government has a responsibility to ensure that justice is free. The cost of that service of$223 an hour is a small price to pay.

Like justice and the law, Parliament belongs to the people. As a comparison, the Legislative Council of the Parliament sat last year for 32 days: at an average of8 hours a day the approximate total is 240 hours. The running cost of Parliament, excluding salaries, was $2·831 million, which is $11 000 an hour, but no-one thinks any more about that because that is part of the process of Parliament. Why should justice be any different? Why are we looking at such small amounts? It is costing $11 000 an hour for Parliament to sit and only $223 an hour to provide for justice in country Victoria; and as Mr Chamberlain pointed out, not all of the 41 courthouses are used for hearings. There is no argument for the closure of the courthouses.

Consultation with the community must take place because the community is an integral part of Victoria. Costs are not the main factor in the provision of justice. I support the motion. I cannot see how anyone can vote against the motion because justice must be available to all. We all espouse the principle that justice should be free and available to every citizen of this State. If we condone the closing of courthouses in country Victoria, that will make it more expensive for country Victorians, and if we vote against the motion we are voting against an important principle.

The Hon. R. S. de FEGELY (Ballarat Province)-I support the motion. The closure of courts is a high-handed exercise by the government and is another blow to country Victorians. Since the government was elected the country community has become accustomed to services being closed down. It is a common practice. It is disappointing and disturbing that we can no longer trust the word of the government. Many


communities in country Victoria were assured in recent times that their courthouses would not be closed; yet the latest announcement indicates the reverse.

Since time immemorial justice has gone out to the people. One only has to go back in history to see that this has been so. That is to change under this government. Mr Chamberlain and other honourable members have said that consultation has not taken place. This decision was a bombshell to most in country Victoria who suddenly found that their courthouses were to be no more or would operate only on a temporary basis.

Mr Baxter said that many of the people who appear before the courts are people in poor financial circumstances. That does not seem to worry the government. Those people are being asked to travel distances to the courts and their families are being forced to travel with them; the police also are being forced to travel long distances, which often leaves the communities they serve without community protection.

I am not talking about the suburbs of Melbourne, where one is able to jump on a tram or train and reach one's destination easily; I am talking about country Victoria, where one often has to travel long distances. People must find their way to the courts that they are required to attend, which often involves travelling long distances.

The Hon. J. V. C. Guest-Mr Deputy President, I direct your attention to the state of the House.

A quorum was formed. The Hon. R. S. de FEGELY -Before I was so rudely interrupted, I was about to say

that, surely, in the interests of justice and particularly in view of the government's much acclaimed social justice strategy, the courts should still be taken to the people rather than the people being asked to travel to the courts.

I mentioned earlier that it is not possible to trust this government. To illustrate my point, I refer to the case of St Arnaud, which fought very hard to maintain its court a couple of years ago. An article headed "Clerk of Courts-bombshell", that appeared in the North Central News, states:

The shock announcement, last Friday, that 41 courts across the State were to be downgraded or closed, included the downgrading ofSt Arnaud by removing its resident clerk ...

The decision was apparently so sudden that area managers and other staffwere taken by surprise and North Central News could get no positive information on the day after the Budget of what was planned for St Amaud other than a clerk visiting on court days ...

It is ironic that on 4 July,less than six weeks ago, the magistrate, Mr Tim McDonald, in welcoming Mr Foster at St Arnaud council, congratulated the town on its strong and persistent campaign for the return ofa clerk who lived in the town.

Mr McDonald said that he gave the town full credit "in now having a resident clerk who would greatly assist in the magistrate's duties there" ...

St Arnaud succeeded in saving its courthouse just prior to the imminence of a State election at the time ...

That was very convenient: ... and it was the local aspiring government candidate who finally brought the Attorney-General, Jim Kennan, to St Arnaud two weeks prior to the election where he announced that the courthouse would not close.

Yet, just a short while later-only some few months-the St Arnaud courthouse is virtually going out of existence, apart from providing a service for two days a week.

The article also stated that, in the interim period during the battle to retain the courthouse, the town had a temporary clerk coming in two days a week, which proved


to be totally unsatisfactory in servicing such a large area. I shall quote briefly from the letter ofMr David Broad, the Town Clerk of the Town ofSt Arnaud.

The DEPUTY PRESIDENT (the Hon. K. I. M. Wright)-Order! When was the letter written?

The Hon. R. S. de FEGEL Y - The letter is dated 12 September 1989 and is addressed to the present Attorney-General. Mr Broad says in that letter:

As was stated in a letter to the Hon. Jim Kennan back in March 1984, the local magistrate's clerk services a district population in St Amaud of 4000 people, as well as the centres of Wycheproof, Donald, Charlton and Wedderburn which increase the service population to nearly 16000 people.

Mr Broad also says: It must be realised that in the case of emergencies, having no resident clerk in St Arnaud means a round

trip of nearly 200 kilometres to seek assistance, and this is totally unacceptable.

It is intended that the court be serviced from Maryborough, which the people of the area believe to be unsatisfactory, and I agree with them.

Another court within Ballarat Province that will suffer the same fate is Sunbury. That issue has been well covered by Mr Chamberlain. Sun bury is probably one of the most rapidly growing communities in Victoria. There has been a vast change in the population of that area. Like St Amaud, Sunbury has recently lost its State Electricity Commission office. I find that extraordinary, particularly since it is such a rapidly growing city; yet, that city, which is relatively close to Melbourne, is now to lose its court and the local people will have to journey to Kyneton to attend court.

Daylesford is yet another court to go. According to the announcement made about it, the Daylesford court sits only 53 days a year. One should not lose sight of the fact that it is not only the sitting days that matter. I believe Mr Baxter pointed out that the clerk of courts provides many other services which are outside the strict court duties but which are a service to the community where the clerk lives and are very necessary to the people so that they do not have to travel long distances.

To illustrate my point regarding the government's about-face, I shall quote from an article that appeared in the Midland Express of 22 August. Under the headline, "Court closure a 'slap in the mouth' ", the article refers to the Daylesford court closure and states:

The saga began in May 1983 when council expressed its concern for the future of the court.

Councillors of the time were assured by the Acting Secretary to the Law Department, " ... no consideration is being given by the Law Department to closing the court at Daylesford at this time, nor would I envisage, in the foreseeable future ... "

Over the ensuing five years, council received numerous assurances the court would not close.

That decision has now been overturned. How can the government be trusted when it is prepared to overturn such decisions without batting an eyelid and without any consultation?

Other courts to be affected are those at Stawell and Ararat, where there is to be a rationalisation between the two. Perhaps that is a practical alternative; I do not know, and we will have to wait and see. However, I was interested to read in the press that, to date, no decision has been made as to how those courts will operate. Surely there is a need to work out how the courts will operate before decisions on changes are made. There was no consultation with any of the communities, and that is totally and utterly outrageous.

I have pleasure in supporting the motion moved by my colleague, Mr Chamberlain. I agree with him and Mr Mackenzie: the Opposition is not seeking to have all the


courthouses remain open, but surely communities deserve the opportunity of consultation and discussion before decisions affecting them so seriously are made by the government. I commend the motion to the House.

The Hon. P. R. HALL (Gippsland Province)-I take this opportunity of expressing my strong support for the motion moved by Mr Chamberlain. Gippsland Province is one of the hardest hit areas in the State with regard to the closure of courthouses. I dispute the figure of 41 courthouses mentioned by Mr Chamberlain and suggest that an additional seven courthouses will be closed, taking the figure to 48.

In the province I represent three Magistrates Court buildings will be closed in addition to the 41 mentioned by Mr Chamberlain. The Omeo and Orbost courthouses will be closed and Magistrates Court cases from those towns will be heard in the chambers of the local council or shire. The Magistrates Court service in Morwell will be taken away from the town, although the courthouse will be kept open for County Court cases. As I said, there are some 48 courthouses that will be closed and not just the 41 mentioned by Mr Chamberlain.

As has been clearly stated throughout the debate, the reason given by the government for the closure of the courthouses is economic circumstances. The government has claimed the move will save $500000. That is false economy because the cost of the service provided by courthouses will merely be transferred from the State government to the private sector. When one weighs up all the community costs against State government costs, one realises that it is false economy to claim that savings will be made.

Government services will suffer, and honourable members have already heard about police and other similar services being affected. A great deal of inconvenience will be created through people having to travel long distances to attend cases to be heard before a Magistrates Court. I shall expand on some of those points.

The increased cost to the community will be felt through increased legal costs to those people having to attend a Magistrates Court. It is folly to suggest that legal expenses will not increase. Individuals using the services of legal representatives will have to pay more because their legal advisers will have to spend more time travelling from one town to another. Lawyers and solicitors will pass on those costs to the people using their services.

It should be pointed out that other prosecution agencies will also be affected, and I refer particularly to by-laws officers and health inspectors who undertake prosecutions on behalf of their local municipalities. It will no longer be a simple practice for the health inspector to check in at the Magistrates Court early in the morning to find out what time his case is likely to be heard so that he can attend later in the day, thereby using only a short part of his day. After the closure of the courthouses a health inspector may have to travel for 30 to 60 minutes to attend a court hearing and it is likely to take him from his duties for a whole day rather than just a few hours. Other prosecuting agencies will suffer greatly from a reduction in their services because of the longer time their officers will have to spend away from their jobs.

The public transport issue has been highlighted in the case of Sunbury. I shall highlight a worse example in the township ofYarram, but I shall refer to that later. As has already been said, the public transport system in country Victoria is not as accessible as it is in the metropolitan area. People in the country will suffer the inconvenience of having to use public transport services far more than people in the city. That will lead to a lot of lost time from work. The same situation will occur with people having to attend Magistrates Courts as I outlined with local government employees. Rather than taking 1 or 2 hours off work to attend a court session in the


local town, a person will have to give up half a day or perhaps a whole day's work to attend a Magistrates Court sittin$ in some distant place. That will lead to a loss of productivity, which is an economic disadvantage to the State.

Police availability has been adequately covered in comments made by other honourable members. However, there are many one·man and two-man police stations in Gippsland Province and many stations have only one police vehicle. When police officers have to attend other towns to appear before a Magistrates Court, they will have to take the police vehicle and that will leave many police stations in country areas unattended for long periods.

During my speech on the Budget Papers made on 12 September this year I referred to the closure of the 41 courthouses and pointed out that 35 of the 41 courthouses were in country Victoria. I highlighted that as an example of the discrimination in the Budget against rural people.

Seven courthouses in the province I represent are listed for closure. They are the courthouses at Leongatha, Traralgon, Warragul, Morwell, Omeo, Orbost and Yarram, which I shall comment on in more detail. With 7 courthouses of the 41-although I suggest the real figure is 48-the province I represent is one of the hardest hit areas in Victoria.

I shall now refer to Yarram. The services of the Magistrates Court in Yarram will now be transferred to the City of Sale, some 70 kilometres away. During my speech on the Budget Papers I pointed out that to travel to Sale from Yarram using public transport, one would have to use the only bus service available. It is a private bus service and it leaves at 7 a.m. and returns at 6 p.m. Mr Chamberlain believes the people of Sunbury will be disadvantaged because they will lose 5 hours due to public transport arrangements. The situation in country areas is even worse. In Yarram there is 11 hours between the departure and return of the only public transport service to the Magistrates Court at Sale. The people of Yarram will be greatly affected by that.

It makes a mockery of the statement made by the Attorney-General in his press release of 9 August, which states:

With changing population patterns, and the improvement of transport facilities, the appropriate locations for courts have changed.

Honourable members have heard about Sunbury. It is one of the fastest growing population centres in the State. Surely Sunbury is an appropriate place for a Magistrates Court. The Attorney-General referred to improved public transport. There has been absolutely zero improvement in public transport in Yarram and in many other areas of the province I represent. The statement made on 9 August is absolute rubbish.

I shall now refer to Traralgon, because the Magistrates Court service in that town is to be closed. Traralgon is a township of 20 000 people and it is another of the growth centres of the State. Of the courthouses to be closed, Traralgon's Magistrates Court has one of the highest numbers of hours ofsittings. Its sitting hours amounted to 185.

It has already been pointed out in the debate today that the Premier's criterion for court closures was 50 hours; any court sitting more than 50 hours would not be closed. Traralgon Magistrates Court had 185 hours of sittings over the past twelve months. The Magistrates Court service will be moved from Traralgon to Moe, which means approximately 30 minutes travelling time by motor vehicle or two or three times that if one travels by public transport.

The solicitors of Traralgon and the Magistrates Court had a convenient arrangement that probably exists in other country towns. The local solicitors would telephone the clerk of courts early on a sitting morning and ascertain the approximate time their


case or cases would be listed. That was a convenient arrangement because instead of solicitors being at the court at 9 a.m. they could turn up at the appropriate time later in the day. Their working time would be far more productive and they would not have to sit around the court all day. My Leader, Mr Baxter, also highlighted that in his contribution.

It is also convenient for local government by-laws officers to attend prosecutions in their home towns because they spend less time away from their jobs. It is difficult to understand how Traralgon could be classified as one of the little-used courthouses that must be closed. With 185 sitting hours last year and with an increasing population in the City ofTraralgon, the decision to close the Traralgon courthouse is abysmal.

Two townships that did not appear on the government's hit-list are Omeo and Orbost. However, these courthouses will also be closed because their sittings are scheduled to be held at the local shire chambers. Mr Chamberlain's motion refers to no consultation having taken place with local government on the closure of courthouses, and that is the case with both the Omeo and Orbost municipalities. There has been no consultation with the State government about the closures. The Attorney-General simply suggested that the court sittings would be transferred to the shire chambers.

The Hon. W. R. Buter-They weren't even asked!

The Hon. P. R. HALL-The shires weren't asked or consulted. What happens if one of those shires says, "No, we don't want the courts to use the shire buildings"? What happens if the magistrate decides the shire offices are not suitable for court hearings? The lack of consultation with municipalities has been an abysmal performance.

Omeo and Orbost lie in a remote and isolated part of East Gippsland. Road transport is the only means of transport between Omeo or Orbost and the remainder of East Gippsland. In the past few years courthouses at Bendoc and Cann River have closed down. The proposed transfer of court sittings to shire offices will mean we are not far away from having court services completely removed from Orbost and Omeo. The sittings will then have to take place at the nearest towns, such as Bairnsdale and Lakes Entrance, which are 2 hours away by motor vehicle and much longer by public transport-and public transport is not available every day of the week. If a person from Orbost has to attend a court in Bairnsdale in the future, it may involve an overnight stay; it will be necessary to pay for accommodation as well as losing a day's wages.

The government suggested that one of the biggest cost savings with the proposal will be in maintenance of court buildings. The Orbost courthouse is a modern, brick veneer building that requires little maintenance work. There is no support for an argument about cost savings with respect to maintenance for the Orbost courthouse. That court had 106 hours of sittings scheduled over twelve days in the past twelve months. Although twelve days may not sound a great deal of time, some 180 cases were heard in the Magistrates Court.

I shall analyse the commercial argument with respect to the increased travelling time of people who must attend sittings in another town. If I were to take a conservative estimate of three people on average being involved in each of those 180 casessometimes there may be fewer but often more than three people are involved with legal representation and witnesses-some 540 trips would have to be taken by people attending the courthouse. If that court is moved to a town such as Bairnsdale, which is 2 hours away, 540 trips of 2 hours would have to be taken even before the case is heard. However, if the magistrate and the clerk of courts were to travel to the Orbost courthouse, only 24 trips are required for everybody involved to attend the court and to travel home. There is a vast difference between 540 trips if the service is taken away


from the people and 24 trips if the service is taken to the people. If the government is serious about the economics of this position, it should consider the lost time involved in travelling and the lost wages and productivity of people involved in court cases.

The police situation in small townships such as Omeo and Orbost is also critical. They are one-man or two-man police stations and there is little hope of providing relief to stations when their officers have to attend court sittings in another town. Many police stations will be left unmanned, or at least with reduced facilities, when police officers are forced to travel from town to town.

Other courthouses to be closed are Warragul, Leongatha and Morwell. These are significantly sized communities; Warragul has more than 10000 people; Leongatha has just fewer than 10 000; and Morwell has about 20 000 people. These towns are significant and are growing centres. It is a disgrace that towns of that size should lose the base for their judicial system.

An associated issue involving the closure of courthouses is the loss of clerk of court services. Services provided by the clerk of courts include legal inquiries, the payment of fines, the payment of maintenance, and the provision of a poor-box; the clerk of courts also witnesses documents. All these services are convenient and frequently used by country Victorians.

Although it was not clearly spelt out in the Attorney-General's press releases, it appears that the services provided by the clerks of courts will go with the closure of courthouses. In correspondence received by members of the National Party, the Attorney-General suggests that Morwell will retain its clerk of courts service. However, it says nothing about retaining those services in other towns. One can only assume that those services will go with the closure of courthouses.

Perhaps I should outline for the benefit of the House the role of the clerk of courts in country Victoria. In Traralgon a visiting clerk of courts attends the courthouse on Friday of every week, so members of the Traralgon community know when they can obtain his services. What will happen in Traralgon now that the courthouse is to be closed? Will the clerk of courts service be retained in some other venue? It is important that country towns have that service available to them. I su~est and make the plea that the government strive to retain at least the services of viSIting clerks of courts in country areas. If the courthouses are closed, other venues should be considered and I suggest that the local police station may be convenient. If there is no other appropriate venue, I should be happy to have the clerk of courts visit once a week and sit in my electorate office to allow people to have the benefit of that service.

Another situation which arose before Christmas last year during the course of the debate on the Magistrates' Courts Bill relates to the backlog of cases to be heard in Magistrates Courts. The Magistrates' Courts Bill had as one of its main aims a reduction in that backlog. The cases that comprise the backlog are mainly "crash 'n' bash" types of cases. What will happen when more court cases are transferred to another court? In my electorate, court services will be transferred to Moe from Traralgon, where the Magistrates Court sat for 185 hours. At Morwell, the hours of sitting were 226 and at Warragul there were 101 sitting hours. Each of those three courts services will be transferred to Moe, where the court will have at least an extra 502 hours of sittings. If there was a problem last year-and apparently there had been a problem because the Magistrates' Courts Bill was before the House, indicating that the backlog needed to be considered-how will the Moe Magistrates Court handle an extra 502 hours of sitting time? How can the government guarantee that the transfer will not create an even greater backlog of cases in Magistrates Courts around the State? I believe the result of the closure of so many Magistrates Courts will be a growing backlog in some of the main, so-called regional courthouses.


I suggest that the government consider some alternative uses for courthouses. Government tribunals conduct hearings in some country areas. For example, the Small Claims Tribunal and the Residential Tenancies Tribunal visit country towns, as does the Public Advocate. I suggest that the visiting tribunals and government officials could use the facilities of the local courthouses. Perhaps better utilisation of the local courthouses would result in the government's not needing to close so many of them.

A few individuals in the community that I represent have expressed the opinion that some of the courthouses might be taken over by the local shire or community. If the only reason for the closure of a courthouse is the economic circumstances surrounding its use, perhaps the responsibility for and the maintenance of the building could be taken over within the budget of local groups. I am not suggesting that all local shires will be agreeable to that proposal, but it may provide a solution in some country areas. The Attorney-General's Department could perhaps consider making that offer in the consultations-if there are to be consultations-to be undertaken in respect of the proposed closure of courthouses. Some communities are desperately keen to retain their court services. I am sure that if local municipalities were responsible for the maintenance of country courthouses they would be only too willing to lease back the courthouse to the government for sittings of Magistrates Courts or any other government agency.

That concludes my comments on the motion because if I continue I shall probably repeat some of the arguments put forward already. I have highlighted some new points and have indicated the effects that the closure of the 41-although the figure should be 48-courthouses will have on country Victoria, particularly on the people in my electorate. I have pointed out that the decision will result in added legal expenses that will certainly be passed on to consumers. I have pointed out also that there will be an increase in time offwork, which will lead to a drop in the productivity rate-something this country can ill afford. I have said that the services provided by the Police Force and local government agencies will be reduced because of the resultant increase in travelling time. I have pointed out also that the loss of services provided by the clerks of courts will create a real hardship for the people in those communities.

As has been said by other speakers, the courthouse is a symbol of justice in many country towns across the State. The government has reduced police services in country Victoria and now it is reducing judicial services. One wonders where it will end. I strongly support Mr Chamberlain's motion. I condemn the government for this action and ask it to reconsider some of the decisions it has made.

The Hon. R. J. LONG (Gippsland Province)-I, too, strongly support the motion put by my colleague, Mr Chamberlain. The amazing fact is that not one member of the government has seen fit to try to defend the government's action! I suggest that when honourable members report to their respective electorates they can say quite truthfully that the case was unanswerable because not a single member of the government attempted to defend it!

The Hon. W. A. Landeryou-Because James Guest kept interrupting, calling for quorums!

The Hon. R. J. LONG-I shall not repeat the arguments that have been put forward. The decision by the government to close 41 Magistrates Courts proves conclusively that the government is not interested in justice for the ordinary citizen.

The Hon. W. A. Landeryou-What about Ramer's government and the closure of courts during that time?


The Hon. R. J. LONG-The government is not interested in justice for the ordinary citizen, particularly the citizen in country Victoria. At least citizens in suburban areas can use public transport. Convenient public transport is seldom available in country areas.

Obviously the government measures justice in dollars and cents. In the press release announcing this fantastic decision, the government claims that it will save $500 000. I wonder who thought up that figure? I should like somebody to try to justify it because, of course, the answers do not come from those sitting on the government benches.

If the argument that justice should be measured in dollars and cents is taken to its logical conclusion, all courthouses should be closed. The only argument that has been put forward to date has been based on dollars and cents. Why should a poor unfortunate inidividual who is charged or has to attend a court hearing have to travel long distances and employ a solicitor and pay him or her to travel long distances to seek justice?

In 1982 the government started the rot when it moved to creating mention courts and hearing courts. At that time, ten Magistrates Courts in Gippsland were closed; five of them were in Gippsland Province. Now it is proposed that six Magistrates Courts in Gippsland will be closed; five of those are in Gippsland Province.

My colleague, Mr Hall, has mentioned the hours that many of these courts sit. Mr Chamberlain made the point that not one iota of consultation has taken place. In relation to the Orbost courthouse the press release announces that the court will be disposed of and, because of remoteness, a legal hearing facility will be provided in the council chambers. If any inquiries had been made, it would have been learnt that the local council chambers do not have room to accommodate a court. A report was made in the Snowy River Mail, a newspaper published in Orbost, on 27 September 1989 under the heading "Orbost courthouse will not close":

Despite what the department termed as 'rumours' which have been circulating to the contrary the Orbost courthouse will not be closing on 1 Janauary 1990.

The SRM spoke to Mr John Gidley of the Attorney-General's Department yesterday, questioning him about the rumours, in order to ascertain exactly where the Attorney-General's Department stands on this issue.

Mr Gidley adamantly states that the Orbost court is not subject to closure at the beginning of next year. He said that there were inquiries made regarding the usage of the shire chambers as a courtroom. However, this was found to be an unviable option, especially considering the high rate of usage that the court is receiving at the moment.

That is one court that certainly should not be closed because, although inquiries were made, it was not possible to find alternative premises.

Mr Hall mentioned Yarram. Yarram is 70 kilometres from Sale, to where it is proposed to transfer court operations. Often 1, 2, 3 or 4 policemen might need to be taken from Yarram to attend the court at Sale. In addition, in the area is the Won Wron Prison. The public is entitled to receive protection from escapees and, from time to time, escapes do take place. Now, ifan escape occurs, the escapees would not need to worry because most of the police would be at Sale-"go for it". It is an absolutely farcical situation.

As Mr Hall again said, with the closure of the Warragul, Trafalgar, Traralgon and Morwell courts-he left out Churchill, which has a population of 6000 people and does not even have a police station-the Moe courthouse will be unable to handle all the cases and the government will have to spend the $500 000 that we have been told it might save to provide additional premises so that the public will be able to obtain


justice. No wonder government members will not stand up and speak. The case presented by Mr Chamberlain is unanswerable.

The Hon. G. R. CRAIGE (Central Highlands Province)-I have pleasure in supporting my colleague, Mr Chamberlain, on this matter. I commence by quoting from the Victorian government's Social Justice Strategy, which tends to give us an overall picture of the way the government will treat the people of Victoria. Certain principles are laid down. I shall go through some of those. One is access, another equity and others are participation and rights. A part of the Social Justice Strategy also says that services are to be provided on an equitable and accessible basis. I ask where the social justice in closing 41 courthouses, particularly in rural areas of Victoria, is. It is nonsense. In a media release by the Attorney-General on Wednesday, 9 August, the honourable gentleman reiterated the same nonsense:

Our goals in these initiatives have been made to make sure court delays are minimised, that justice. administration is efficient and accessible.

Here is talk about accessibility again but the government plans to close 41 courthouses. It does not add up. The government is paying lip-service to the people of Victoria and telling them it will provide social justice for everyone but it is then turning around and closing 41 courthouses.

In my electorate seven courthouses are to be closed. They range from those that sit the lower level of hours to some on the higher level. I shall list those courthouses and mention some particular areas that concern me in relation to them. They are: Alexandra, Euroa, Healesville, Kilmore, Warburton, Yea and Whittlesea. A blg gap will be left in the Central Highlands area if these courthouses are closed. Again the rural community is being kicked in the teeth by the removal of another service. My colleagues have mentioned that the attitude of this government is that votes beyond the tram tracks do not exist. The government closes off rural services willy-nilly without due consideration of the people affected.

I refer particularly to the Kilmore courthouse. When one drives into Kilmore in a northerly direction, as one goes down the hill, on the right-hand side there is a magnificent bluestone building. The people of Kilmore have much pride in that courthouse. Their history has revolved around that courthouse, and if there is something about country people that one must admire it is the way they stick together over what they believe is a part of their communities. That is something that this government does not recognise. The government, because of its socialistic and communistic attitudes, wishes to destroy services which are so important in rural Victoria and Australia and which make us a cohesive, well organised and productive country.

Kilmore is a growth area; people are moving there. The growth in Kilmore is approximately 6 per cent, yet the courthouse will be closed and people will have to travel either to Broadmeadows or to Seymour. No public transport is available from Kilmore to Seymour, other than the school bus, and people will have to travel in that school bus in the morning and come back on it in the evening, often sitting around at Seymour all day. The only other means of reaching Seymour is by private transport. This situation is not acceptable. The alternative is to go to Broadmeadows. However, Broadmeadows court is overcrowded now. It does not make sense for more people to be sent there.

Mr Hall mentioned that the purpose of these closures is to save $500 000. It appears that the government wants to flog off the courthouses to make a quick buck to add more to the coffers. Already one courthouse at Broadford has been sold offfor $85 000. The shire was conned into that. The government will not have to sell off too many more courthouses to raise the $500 000. That is how it will be done. Those courthouses


in my electorate are also listed on the Historic Buildings Register. Yet the government has dollar signs in its eyes and has worked out how much it can get for those courthouses. In the end the shires will have to pay because they have a pride in the buildings and the history of their towns-which, all of a sudden, the government is destroying.

So the people ofKilmore will have to head off to Seymour, thus further overcrowding that courthouse and placing heavy burdens on court officers. The people of Euroa will also be forced to head off to Seymour. The document issued by the Attorney-General's Department says that people of that town will be catered for in Benalla, but that is unrealistic. Benalla is miles away, and there is no public transport, as is the case between Euroa and Seymour. The people of Yea will lose their courthouse and will also have to head otrto Seymour, more than 35 kilometres away, a journey of between 35 and 40 minutes. The document distributed by the department suggests that Yea residents could travel to Mansfield, some 70 kilometres away. That is nonsensical, because the resources of the Mansfield courthouse are already overstretched.

Some of the courts the government will close sit for more than 100 hours per annum. Hearings will be transferred to courts that are already overstretched, as are the resources of the police officers in those towns. The government claims the closures will minimise court waiting times but in the areas to which I have referred they will increase. The measure does not make sense.

The government has invested a great deal of money to build low-cost houses in the growth areas of Warburton, Yarra Junction, Healesville and Woori Yallock-and those areas are booming. Yet the government intends to close the Warburton and Healesville courthouses and shift their operations to Lilydale. Police officers, shire clerks and many other people in Lilydale have complained continually about the overcrowding of the Lilydale courthouse during sitting times. Yet the government intends to stretch those facilities even further. One wonders what can be done about a ~overnment that in one breath makes promises and in the next breath goes back on Its word. Much has already been said about the way in which police resources and public transport in country areas will be overstretched by the government's proposal.

I support the motion moved by Mr Chamberlain, which in part calls for more consultation with the wider community, municipalities, the Police Force and the legal profession about this matter. Such consultation should have occurred, but it has not. When consultation does not take place one becomes very suspicious of the government's hidden agenda.

The Hon. K. M. SMITH (South Eastern Province)-I congratulate Mr Chamberlain for moving a motion on a matter of extreme importance, yet only one member of the government has been prepared to sit in the House and listen to the speeches made by members of the Opposition. That government member, the Minister for Local Government, has not been prepared to get to her feet--

The Hon. Robert Lawson-She's on duty.

The Hon. K. M. SMITH-She is on duty; but she has not been prepared to defend the actions taken by the Attorney-General to close courthouses across the State. It is disgraceful! The people of Victoria should be made aware of what the government thinks of them.

Before coming into the House I spoke to a member of the government in the hallway. I chastised him for not being in the House to listen to the debate. He said to me that, so far as he is concerned, all courthouses should be closed because if no cases were heard no convictions would be made and the government could then claim it


had law and order in hand. Such is the absolutely disgraceful attitude of government members.

The Hon. R. A. Mackenzie interjected.

The Hon. K. M. SMITH-It is true, Mr Mackenzie. Although Mr Mackenzie is not a member of the government, I have not seen him rise to his feet--

Honourable Members-He has, he has!

The Hon. K. M. SMITH-He did support it? I congratulate him for that. Obviously he is learning some tricks now that he is no longer a member of the Labor Party.

The Hon. R. A. Mackenzie interjected.

The Hon. K. M. SMITH-He is a slow learner! The government claims that, by closing the courthouses, it will save $500 000. But one must ask how much the community will lose as a result. It will cost millions of dollars extra because of the additional police officers that will be tied up for days on end, for example, because of the delay in the hearing of cases. Such problems have been referred to by Mr Craige. In short, many of the courthouses will be overloaded. The government claims it is concerned about people's rights; yet it is prepared to sell them down the chute to save $500000, allegedly to clean out the Magistrates Courts system and to make it work more efficiently. The cost to the community of the Attorney-General's action must be highlighted.

Approximately seven courthouses will be closed in the province you and I represent, Mr President.

The Hon. C. F. Van Buren-Which ones?

The Hon. K. M. SMITH-Berwick; Cranbourne; Hastings; Pakenham; Cowes; Leongatha; which is near the border of the province; and Warragul, which is just over the border, will be closed. The Berwick-Pakenham corridor is one of the most rapidly expanding areas of the State, yet it is to be deprived of courthouses. People in the area will be forced to go to either Dandenong or Moe, for example, despite paying the same taxes and rates as people in suburbia. People on the Mornington Perunsula have a poor standard of public transport. Once the courthouse in Hastings is closed, people in that area will find it difficult to travel to Dromana; they will either have to drive or catch a train to Frankston and then wait hours for a bus to take them to Dromana. It is neither fair nor right for the government to treat my constituents in such a way.

I can only say to this government that in time it will be sorry it closed these courts because people on the Mornington Peninsula, in West Gippsland and in the Berwick area are getting sick and tired of what it is doing to them.

A report in the Pakenham Gazette of 4 October 1989 in regard to the Pakenham shire shows its condemnation of the government closing down the court in Pakenham. It mentions that there would be no courthouse between Dandenong and Moe, and yet the courthouse itself was upgraded-at the government's request in 1983, I would say-and it was very sound and serviceable. It is right in the middle of the most rapidly expanding part of Victoria, yet this government is going to close it down.

From this newspaper article, I see that each and every councillor from that shire has condemned the government for what it is doing. Local leaders have been prepared to go to the press and stand in their council chambers and say that this government is not doing the right thing by them. They are right! The government is not doing the right thing by them. We will see at the next election just how badly the government has treated these people because, apart from the government being thrown out of

Session 1989-26


office, there will be some of the safest non-Labor seats in Victoria surrounding the areas where these courts are being closed.

The government decision to close these courts is not a 5-minute wonder; it is part of an overall plan which it has had for some time. I should like to read from the Sunday Press of 27 January 1985, headed "Lawyers protest at plan for courts", which states:

Mornington Peninsula lawyers have called a public meeting to stop what they say is a secret plan to close down four peninsula courthouses.

Secretary of the Mornington Peninsula Solicitors Association, Mr Clive Alsop, said yesterday he had inside information that the law department planned to end the operations of Magistrates Courts at Sorrento, Mornington, Hastings and Dromana.

How right he was back in 1985! What sort of consultation did this government have in those years? It did not want anybody to know. Secret committees! Decisions made without consulting the public and without talking to the solicitors, the lawyers, the police, the community and the local government people!

The article continues: A leading Gippsland lawyer said yesterday that the cuts hurt most the disadvantaged-"unemployed,

the young, pensioners, young mothers chasing maintenance" -who had no transport.

These people who cannot afford their own transport are the people who have to use public transport. The Mornington Peninsula Solicitors Association has again been prepared to come out and openly condemn the government-solicitors are not normally people who will do this.

A letter from Charles Beckwith, the President of the Mornington Peninsula Solicitors Association, dated 16 August 1989, states: ... that while many of the closures announced by the Attorney-General seemed sensible, some country communities would be disadvantaged by losing their Magistrates Courts.

Again I interpose the comment: how right he is! The letter goes on: Clearly, some ofthe courts targeted for closure are in large areas and are busy courts. The communities

involved will be disadvantaged by not having a local court, particularly because of poor public transport facilities.

Charles Beckwith said that the areas the association believes would be hurt by the closure are:

Hastings, Momington (although not on the current list) and, possibly, in the long term, Dromana.

Dromana would be the next one. The letter continues. Cost-cutting measures are generally commendable but other things need to be considered, such as the

difficulties caused for members of the public, local police and business in travelling often long distances to another court, the role of the local court in providing community support and assistance through, for example, its poor-box, and the need for a visible symbol of accessible community justice.

Mr Craige spoke about the social justice strategy. It is socialist injustice! I said that the day I came into the House and I shall say it again: it is socialist injustice! This is what this government is trying to thrust on the people of Victoria. Time will show, however, that the people of Victoria will rebel against this government and throw it out of office. It cannot come soon enough for me!

The Shire of Hastings, which owns the local hall where court hearings are held, was asked recently to upgrade the facilities and the councillors were quite prepared to put in the necessary telephones and carpet and to give another office-one more roomwhich could be rented out to the court. The shire even had a special meeting about the


courthouse because of its grave concern that it would be closed and that its closure would become an inconvenience for people living in the area.

Attending the meeting were Mr Peter Clothier, SM, Mr Graeme Ebert, acting manager, southern suburbs court region, Mr David Gibbs, who is a local solicitor and who was representing the Mornington Peninsula Solicitors Association, and Mr John Riley from the Frankston police station. Mr Clothier told the council that there was a lack of facilities at the Hastings court and that all users had to use the one room. The council said it was prepared to extend and expand wherever necessary.

Mr Riley, the police spokesman, said the police would encounter problems regarding staff and the lack of vehicles should the court facilities be transferred to Dromana. My colleagues spoke earlier about the fact that the closure of the local courthouse would take those police out of Hastings and place them on the other side of the Mornington Peninsula.

At that special meeting the council said that on the recommendation of staff it would give consideration to the inclusion of a multi-use facility, as outlined by the deputation, in any municipal precinct redevelopment. The councillors themselves were prepared to put money into a court facility when they redeveloped their council precinct but this government has snubbed them time and again.

In conclusion, I should like to congratulate Mr Chamberlain once again for bringing this matter forward. He is extremely conscientious in that he frequently puts forward recommendations and motions and brings to the attention of the people of Victoria acts that this government is not prepared to carry out and matters he feels that this government is handling wrongly. Mr Chamberlain's ability has been clearly shown during debate on police investigation powers and court issues. I congratulate him; it is a pleasure to serve on this side of the House with him.

The Hon. G. P. CONNARD (Higinbotham Province)-I endorse the remarks made by my collea~ue, Mr Smith, about Mr Chamberlain. The motion moved by Mr Chamberlain IS enriching to this House; it is germane and correct.

Two courthouses have been closed in recent times in Higinbotham Province. The first is the Brighton courthouse, which was closed in February_198S. For a considerable time the building was used by police personnel for night staff and recreation until this year when, because it is an historic building, the Brighton City Council was forced to buy it at a grossly inflated price considering the purpose for which it was used. That is a typical example of the financial mismanagement of the government. The building was closed and then the government did not know what to do with it so it put it up for sale.

The building is of historic value to Brighton. Fortunately the Brighton City Council has purchased it. Although it has no plans for its use, it IS correct for the council to own it. No assistance was given by the government despite the historic value of that building. Cases that normally would have been heard at the Brighton courthouse have been referred to Sandringham. The police premises and the courthouse at Sandringham are a disgrace and in much worse condition than the Brighton courthouse. The government now intends spending large sums of money to develop the Sandringham complex because it is handling more cases than it can cope with. By the process of transferring the cases and closing down the Brighton courthouse the government now must waste money in redeveloping the complex at Sandringham. That reveals the inept management of the government.

The Cheltenham courthouse is also old, having been in existence for more than 100 years. It has served the community well. It was an arbitrary decision by the government to close it down. No case has been heard in that courthouse for three years. However,


the clerk of courts remains there. From an article in the M oorabbin Standard of 30 August, the clerk of courts, Michael Pitcher, appears to be working there because he said in that article that the premises were now used to store and file court documents for the entire southern region. So staff is still there. All that has been altered is the magistrate's jurisdiction. For some inexplicable reason, the cases that would normally have been heard at that court are now heard at either Sandringham or Oakleigh.

No-one would know better than you, Mr President, because of your vast experience, that Cheltenham, Sandringham and Oakleigh are on three train lines independent of each other. Sandringham is on the Sandringham line-obviously; Cheltenham is on the Frankston line; and Oakleigh is on the Dandenong line. My rural colleagues have spoken about ready access to courts and I endorse their remarks. The fact that these three areas are on different train lines poses a problem for non-mobile people who need to use the court system. The government's maladministration of bus services also precludes the people who rely on public transport from ready access to those courts.

I am concerned about the poor-boxes at the Sandringham and Cheltenham courthouses. I asked the municipal authorities involved how the money from those poor-boxes was used. The money from the Brighton courthouse poor-box was used for hardship cases. No information is available about where any remaining funds went. I intend to pursue that issue.

The closure of the courthouses also creates a problem for welfare workers who previously had ready access to the poor-boxes for distributing funds to deserving cases. With respect to the Cheltenham courthouse poor-box, nobody knows where the money, if indeed there was any remaining, went. I have spoken to the Moorabbin town clerk's office and they are pursuing that on my behalf.

In the article in the M oorabbin Standard of 30 August is an announcement from the honourable member for Mentone, the Minister for Community Services:

We are seeking the council's view, and the community's comments, on the future use of this historic building.

The article describes the building as being more than 100 years old. Although that article was written several weeks ago, the Moorabbin town clerk's office knew nothing of the Minister's plans. It had not been informed of any community consultation and knew nothing of the content of this press release. That is typical of the Minister, who is well known for kite flying.

It seems strange that the Minister, who is a local member, is telling community groups to have a go, that the building is available, when he has no authority to do so because the courthouses are administered by the Attorney-General's Department. It really is a messy operation. No-one knows whether the Cheltenham courthouse will be sold or whether it is available for community use. Local government has not been consulted.

I endorse Mr Chamberlain's motion that the House expresses its concern at the decision of the government to close 41 courthouses without consultation with the community, municipalities, the police or the legal profession. I use the Cheltenham courthouse as an example of these bodies not being consulted.

The Minister for Local Government, who is also a local member, at least has not been as impertinent as the Minister for Community Services, who informed the world through the local paper of the future use of this building. The government is making a mess of any negotiations. I ask the Minister whether the Cheltenham courthouse is to be sold or to be used for community or municipal purposes. The building is historic


and is worthy of preservation. No-one can find out from this ineffective government what it intends to use the building for.

I could mention other courthouses in the province I represent but the examples I have given bring to the attention of the House the mismanagement of this government.

The Hon. D. M. EVANS (North Eastern Province)-I speak to this motion particularly about the courthouses in the North Eastern Province. I congratulate Mr Chamberlain for bringing this important issue before the House.

As announced in the State Budget, 41 courthouses will be closed throughout Victoria as a result of action taken by the State government; twelve of the 41 are in the province shared by Mr Baxter and myself. When I sought information on the closure of three of the courthouses-at Bright, Beechworth and Tallan$atta-under the Freedom of Information Act, to ascertain the reasons behind the decIsion to close the courthouses, I received what I regard as an exquisite piece of irony, in a letter from Margaret Pitt, Manager, Executive Co-ordination Unit of the Attorney-General's Department, dated 22 September 1989:

Your request has now been assessed and it has been decided to deny you access to the material sought pursuant to the provisions of section 28 (1) (b) of the Act. The documents were prepared by a Minister for the purpose of submission for consideration by the Cabinet.

I thought it exquisitely ironic that at this stage I should receive advice that none of the documents about the closure of the three courthouses will be available for me to examine whether fair and reasonable consideration given to their closure.

The Hon. B. A. Chamberlain-That is called open government.

The Hon. D. M. EV ANS-There may have been a document prepared specifically for the government which would be exempt under the Freedom of Information Act 1982. However, I cannot believe that all the documents, including data and background information that make up the decision-making processes under which it could be decided that the courthouses should close could be described in total as "Cabinet documents" and should therefore be unavailable to a member of Parliament representing a province in which three courthouses are about to be closed and another nine have been recommended for closure.

From time to time the Victorian government has supported the need for a bill of rights to preserve the rights of citizens in Victoria and in Australia ensure that they are properly protected, with access to the law and protection from individuals under the law forming a number of important individual freedoms-yet, this same government will close courthouses throughout Victoria to make justice and the place at which it is distributed, and is available, more remote for many people in the community.

Ten years ago Victoria had 400 courthouses; that was reduced to 110, and the ~overnment's proposal will reduce that number to about 60. Not all of the courthouses In Victoria are extraordinarily busy-some Victorian citizens are good and do not make visits to courthouses; perhaps those in my province are better than most. Obviously, from the number of courthouses that are to be closed, that is the judgment of the government.

Nevertheless, on many occasions when constituents have to visit a courthouseperhaps because of a threat to their liberty or a threat to their pockets, and for other good and sufficient reasons involving business with the law-those facilities will not be available.

A meeting was held in Beechworth on 15 September when three officers of the Attorney-General's Department gave those in attendance an edited version of the


information not available to me under the Freedom of Information Act; they told the meeting exactly why the government has decided to close the courthouses. I took careful notes. They said that between $500 000 and $2 million would be saved by the closure of 40 courts, on account of savings in salaries, maintenance, running costs, SEC costs, gardening, cleaning and associated expenses. They could not come any closer than the range of$500 000 to $2 million.

The Hon. B. A. Chamberlain-The Minister's press release states $500 000.

The Hon. D. M. EV ANS-The meeting was told "up to $2 million". Miss J. Williams made that comment; I took careful notes at the time, and I am now referrin$ to them. It is clear that the government is not sure how much money it will save~ It IS certain that a maximum of$2 million is the price of justice in 41 courthouses in Victoria. The criteria-number of hours of sittings, adjacent courthouses that may be available, and savings in travelling, and so on-were explained to the meeting. Those officers said that frequently local courts are not staffed, and that the remaining courts will be staffed every day. Availability of staffing on a regular basis obviously is important; nevertheless, the courthouses to which I refer are used for sittings, and there is a community expectation that that service will continue.

However, the visibility of justice in country communities and the feeling of confidence in the availability of the law to all citizens is being eroded by the government's decision, for what could be less than $500 000 in savings. Two or three members of the press corps in the Government Media Unit could be removedVictoria and Australia would be better off without them-and the State could keep its courthouses!

Beechworth has an historically important courthouse; it had 83 hours of sittings in the past twelve months. The courthouse has ma$llificent facilities, and the building should be maintained. It is included on the NatIonal Estate Register as an historic building. For what it is worth, it is the courthouse in which Ned Kelly was tried many years ago, and was the scene of the trials of many other well-known criminals. It is perhaps one of the most famous courthouses in Victoria; 120 years ago Beechworth was a substantial city, rivalling Melbourne at that time. The courthouse cannot be allowed to fall into disrepair; at present it is in mapificent condition, and the costs involved in maintaining that condition must contInue at someone's expense. I am unsure whether the government intends to pass that responsibility to local government, and to further compound the problems faced by local $overnment, about which the Minister for Local Government showed little sympathy In answer to a question earlier today.

The Myrtleford courthouse is approximately 30 minutes travelling time from Beechworth, and will remain open; it has had 103 hours of sittings in the past twelve months. Those statistics scarcely justify the removal of the visible system of justice from those communities, which have a not unreasonable expectation that the courthouses in that area will remain open.

The issue has previously arisen. The firm Nevin, Lenne, Gross and Bennett, solicitors, of Myrtleford wrote to the former Attorney-General, the present Minister for Transport in the other place, and to other officers of the Attorney-General's Department in 1985. In a letter dated 29 August 1985, Mr John B. King, Deputy Secretary for Courts, wrote to that firm. On 9 September 1985 the present Minister for Transport in the other place wrote to the honourable member for Benambra in the


other place about the issue-obviously it was from the same personal computer because the letters are identical!

The relevant phrase to which I direct the attention of the House is this:

I should like to reaffirm that the Myrtleford and Bright courts will not be closed. Myrtleford is not scheduled to be closed and sufficient court hearing dates, including those for Beechwortb, will be nominated for future years after 1985.

That letter was signed by both Mr King and the then Attorney-General, the Minister for Transport in another place. So they obviously keep their promises!

The Attorney-General wrote to me on 11 December 1989, following representations I had made on behalf of the people of Beechworth seeking a deputation to discuss the closure of the courthouse. The Attorney-General said:

Due to the historical significance of the Beechworth courthouse I would be interested to receive suggestions as to its future use.

Clearly the Attorney-General believes this most beautiful building in Beechworthdespite the fact that the community needs court services and wants the court retained and despite the fact that the clerk of courts who regularly services the building lives in Beechworth-will have to be looked after by somebody else if it is to be retained.

I understand there may be economic reasons for economists to recommend that certain things should happen. It may be that on economic grounds it cannot be argued that every single courthouse throughout Victoria should be retained. However, surely there are values that are more important than economies, provided the expenditure is not totally out of proportion.

In my opening remarks I said that the lowest figure attributed as the amount to be saved for the closure of the 41 courthouses would be $500000 and that the maximum figure-the government obviously does not know the real cost-would be $2 million. I accept for the moment the lower figure, the figure included in the government's press statement to which honourable members have referred, the $500 000. It is not a lot of money. Somebody else will have to maintain the closed courthouses, so considerable sums of money will be expended to maintain them. The price of justice for country people, according to the government, is $500 000. This is from a political party that is constantly saying that the rights of its citizens have to be protected, that people's rights before the law have to be protected and that people do not receive justice in the community. When the government is put to the test it fails because ofa few miserable dollars. Two thousand years ago it was 30 pieces of silver; after inflation, I believe $500 000 is approximately the equivalent amount.

I condemn the government's action and I strongly support the motion. The government's action is disgraceful and is one that country people and no doubt many people in metropolitan Melbourne believe to be of such magnitude that they will lose respect for the government every time it talks about the rights of its citizens, fairness, equity and justice.

I strongly support the motion.

On the motion of the Hon. C. J. Hogg (Minister for Health), for the Hon. E. H. WALKER (Minister for the Arts), the debate was adjourned.


776 COUNCIL 11 October 1989 Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Bill

PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS (LEGHOLD TRAPS) BILL

The Hon. R. A. MACKENZIE (Geelong Province) moved for leave to bring in a Bill to amend the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986.



ROOMING HOUSES BILL For the Hon. B. T. PULLEN (Minister for Housin~ and Construction), the Hon.

C. J. Hogg (Minister for Health), moved for leave to bnng in a Bill to define the rights and duties of owners and residents of rooming houses and for other purposes.



BAYSIDE PROJECT (AMENDMENT) BILL For the Hon. E. H. WALKER (Minister for Major Projects), the Hon. C. J. Hogg

(Minister for Health)-I move: That this Bill be now read a second time.

Section 40 of the Bayside Project Act provides that no authority or permit may be given under the Building Control Act or the Planning and Environment Act for development or building work on certain contaminated land in the Bayside Project area until clean-up works are completed. The intention of this section was to prohibit construction work on the contaminated land until it was cleaned up.

In a recent decision the Administrative Appeals Tribunal ordered that a planning permit be obtained prior to commencing any clean-up work. Section 40, however, prohibits the issue of a permit until after clean-up is completed. In recognising this catch 22 problem, the tribunal recommended amendment to both the planning scheme and section 40. Accordingly, the Bill amends section 40 to make it clear that the prohibition on issuing any authority or permit for development applies to construction and not to clean-up works or approval of the development plan.

While section 40 will enable the development plan to be approved, I wish to make it clear that construction cannot proceed until the clean-up works are completed. The Act prohibits the issuing of any building permit until the contaminated land is cleaned up to the satisfaction of the Environment Protection Authority, and the Council of the City of Port Melbourne has been consulted.

At the same time, the opportunity is being taken to make certain other amendments to the Act. The Bayside Project Act contains provisions for subdivision of land based on the law as it stood when the Act was passed. Prior to completion of subdivision of the bayside land, however, the Subdivision Act and the new Local Government Act will be in operation. These Acts would significantly alter the legislative scheme for subdivision under the Bayside Project Act. The Bill therefore enables a choice to be made as to whether the subdivision proceeds under the previous method or under the new.

Finally, the Bill clarifies certain provisions relating to the creation of bodies corporate by recognising the method of creating bodies corporate under the Subdivision Act.

Film Victoria (Amendment) Bill 11 October 1989 COUNCIL 777

The Bill also limits the number of members of the body corporate created by the primary plan of subdivision. In the second-reading speech on the Bayside Project Bill 1988 it was pointed out that in a complex project such as this, which will take over seven years, other legislation may be identified which inadvertently creates legal obstacles which prevent the development proceeding. While every effort has been made to anticipate and address all known legal obstacles, legislation applying to the project will need to be kept under review.

I commend the Bill to the House.

On the motion of the Hon. M. A. BIRRELL (East Yarra Province), the debate was adjourned.


FILM VICTORIA (AMENDMENT) BILL F or the Hon. E. H. WALKER (Minister for the Arts), the Hon. C. J. Hogg (Minister

for Health)-I move: That this Bill be now read a second time.

The purpose of this Bill is to amend the Film Victoria Act 1981 by expressly providing that membership of the corporation known as Film Victoria shall not be taken as holding an office or place of profit under the Crown. Film Victoria was established by the Film Victoria Act 1981 and is the successor of the Victorian Film Corporation, which had been in existence since 1976.

Briefly, the functions of Film Victoria are to:

(1) encourage, promote and assist in the production, distribution, exhibition and broadcasting of films and sound recordings for the entertainment and information of the public;

(2) promote the appreciation of films and sound recordings and conduct research for the purpose of improving their quality and effectiveness; and

(3) undertake the production of films and promotion and participation in arrangements or agreements for the financing of film production.

Under the provisions of the Act the members of the corporation are the governing body, consisting of a chairman and not fewer than six or more than ten other members. These members, with the exception of any member who is an officer or employee in the Public Service, are entitled to be paid a remuneration and travelling and other allowances and expenses.

Legal advice received indicates that, because of this provision, irrespective of whether payment is taken and in the absence of any express provision to the contrary in the Film Victoria Act, membership of the corporation could be considered to be an office or place of profit under the Crown. "Office or place of profit under the Crown" is provided for in the Constitution Act 1975. In section 49 the Act states, inter alia:

Except where express provision is made to the contrary by any Act or enactment no person who holds an office or place of profit under the Crown ... shall sit or vote in the Council or the Assembly; and the election of any such person to be a member of the Council or the Assembly shall be null and void.

Furthermore section 55 provides: If any member of the Council or the Assembly except where otherwise expressly provided or permitted

by any Act or enactment, accepts any office or place of profit under the Crown ... his seat shall thereupon become vacant.

778 COUNCIL 11 October 1989 Education (Amendment) Bill

Currently no such express provision exists in the Film Victoria Act. Therefore a member of the corporation who may be elected to either the Council or the Assembly would be prevented from continuing membership of the corporation, and a member of either the Council or the Assembly would be prevented from being appointed a member of the corporation.

This is an unnecessary constraint to impose on a non-political body. It is well known that members of Parliament are expert in many and varied fields and their expertise and interests often extend beyond their Parliamentary roles. A restriction of this nature to the appointment of members of Parliament to an apolitical body is inappropriate and can only restrict access to some entirely appropriate persons for appointment to the corporation. This amendment to the Film Victoria Act will enable greater flexibility in appointments to the corporation known as Film Victoria.

I comment the Bill to the House.

On the motion of the Hon. G. H. Cox, for the Hon. HADDON STOREY (East Yarra Province), the debate was adjourned.


EDUCATION (AMENDMENT) BILL For the Hon. E. H. WALKER (Minister responsible for Post-Secondary Education)

the Hon. C. J. Hogg (Minister for Health)-I move: That this Bill be now read a second time.

For many decades government schools in Victoria have been divided into three categories: primary, secondary and technical. For this reason the Education Act currently provides for teachers to be registered as primary, secondary or technical teachers. In accordance with its commitment to providing an education of the highest quality for all young people in government schools, the government has now introduced the new Victorian Certificate of Education and is replacing high and technical schools with secondary colleges. These changes will ensure that all secondary college students have access to a comprehensive curriculum. The changes have, however; also given rise to the need to amend the Education Act to remove the threefold system of teacher registration.

In line with the new school reorganisation policy, this Bill will provide for two types of teacher registration: primary and secondary. This will enable the Teachers Registration Board to develop streamlined regulations and procedures to cover all teachers applying for registration to teach in secondary colleges. Existing arrangements for the registration of primary teachers will not be affected by the Bill.

It is proposed that the changes to teacher registration come into effect from 1 January 1990, prior to the commencement of the next school year. Teachers currently holding solely technical registration will be deemed under the Bill to hold secondary registration, and will therefore automatically qualify to teach in secondary colleges. In addition, teachers who complete approved courses of technical teacher training will continue to have their qualifications recognised for registration and employment purposes. In consequence, no technical teacher will be disadvantaged by the amendments.

The Bill also includes a provision extending the terms of the current members of the Teachers Registration Board to 31 January 1991. At present members' terms expire in August 1990, requiring elections for the teacher representatives to be held during the school year. In order to avoid disruption to school staffing arrangements,

Very Fast Train Bill 11 October 1989 COUNCIL 779

the Bill provides for the terms of all current members of the Teachers Registration Board to expire on 31 January 1991. Thereafter, terms will commence at the start of the school year and will run for the usual three years.

Finally, the Bill contains a number of minor machinery amendments suggested by Parliamentary Counsel, which ensure that the Education Act accurately reflects the current structure of the Ministry of Education. The Bill will assist in the implementation of the school reorganisation policy, which will in turn strengthen government schooling in Victoria.


On the motion of the Hon. G. H. Cox, for the Hon. HADDON STOREY (East Yarra Province), the debate was adjourned.

It was ordered that the debate by adjourned until the next day of meeting.

VERY FAST TRAIN (ROUTE INVESTIGATION) BILL The Hon. B. T. PULLEN (Minister for Housing and Construction)-I move: That this Bill be now read a second time.

The purpose of this Bill is to facilitate the investigation of a route for a Very Fast Train linking Melbourne with other centres within or outside the State. Before proceeding to address the contents of the Bill it is appropriate that honourable members be advised in broad detail of the nature of the proposal for a Very Fast Train and the government's attitude and response to the proposal.

THE PROPOSAL FOR A VERY FAST TRAIN

The Very Fast Train project is a private sector initiative intended to provide a highspeed rail passenger service, travelling at maximum speeds of 350 kilometres an hour outside Melbourne, providing a minimum transit time between Sydney and Melbourne of 3 hours. Desi~ and construction of a suitable route for a Very Fast Train necessarily require as an initial step detailed survey of land over which an appropriate route may be established.

THE GOVERNMENT'S ATTITUDE AND RESPONSE

The Victorian government is enthusiastic about the Very Fast Train proposal and considers it could be an exciting and beneficial project for not only Victoria but also other parts of south-east Australia. The project potentially has many benefits beyond provision of a high-speed mode of transport. These include tourism benefits, changed living patterns and decentralisation, reduced needs for airway infrastructure and numerous other economic advantages.

However, the government is anxious to ensure that every aspect of the project, be it environmental, social or economic, is carefully and comprehensively assessed. To this end the government will cooperate with the VFT joint venturers in their conduct of a feasibility study for the project, but will also conduct an independent assessment of the project's impact and a two-stage public inquiry process.

As the VFT project has an enormous capacity to influence Victoria's development, the two-stage process is considered imperative and must have public input. The first stage will develop an independent assessment of the VFT in terms of its effect on communities and re$ions en route, the environment, other modes of transport, tourism, State Budgets and Infrastructure. A consultant has been appointed to conduct an investigation into the project's impact on the State and an independent review panel

780 COUNCIL 11 October 1989 Very Fast Train Bill

has been established to consider submissions. The second stage will produce an environment effects statement and applications for planning scheme amendments. The government is prepared to make seeding funding available to appropriate public interest groups to research and prepare submissions to the inquiry.

Until this process has been completed, no decision will be made on a choice of route for the VFf, which will be based on all available information. Eventually, provided the outcome of the feasibility study, route choice, EES and public inquiry processes satisfy government requirements, legislation to provide for land acquisition where necessary will be considered.

ACCESS TO LAND FOR SURVEY AND TESTING

One of the prerequisites to determining route choice is legislation to enable the VFf joint venturers or other approved persons where necessary to gain access to land for survey and testing purposes for the preparation of the VFf feasibility study.

The Bill provides for access to land and is intended only as an avenue of last resort for the joint venturers or other approved persons. Where agreement cannot be reached with land-holders for access for investigation purposes, the joint venturers or other approved persons will be able to apply to the government to enter land and conduct investigations. Any investigation carried out will facilitate the choice of any route subject to the processes the government has initiated.

It should be indicated that the Bill is closely modelled on the New South Wales Very Fast Train (Route Investigation) Act 1989. The government has taken this approach because it considers there is no justification for enacting different legislation except in respect of those aspects that are peculiar to Victoria or where a different approach is essential. In this context honourable members are advised that there are few areas of differentiation.

For the benefit of honourable members the details of the Bill will be briefly outlined. Under the Bill the Minister will have power to declare approved persons who can then apply for permits tQ enter land to carry out route investigations. Permits will be required only if agreement cannot be reached with owners and occupieFs for such work to be carried out without a permit. Applicants must advertise their intention to apply for a permit and must supply certain particulars in their applications. The Minister must take into account certain issues before granting a permit-for example, representations made to the Minister in response to the permit application-and may also attach conditions to the permit. Environmental factors, for example, may be considered by the Minister in this context.

The Bill does go further than the New South Wales Act in a couple of important respects. For example, where an initial application is made for a permit, an applicant must advertise the application by a published notice and must call for submissions not just from affected land-holders but also from any member of the public where the land is Crown land or land owned or occupied by a public authority. This provision is evidence of the government's desire to ensure that the public has a right to make submissions about proposed investigation activities on what is essentially public land. The notice obligations towards land-holders are intentionally more stringent as well. Consistent with the Land Acquisition and Compensation Act 1986, the Bill provides that personal notice in writing must be given of an application for a permit, the granting of a permit, changes to permit conditions, reductions in areas subject to a permit and surrender or revocation of a permit. These provisions will ensure that individual land-holders are adequately notified of permit applications and other important developments relating to permits.


The Minister may revoke a permit if any of its conditions are contravened. Once a permit has been granted, owners and occupiers of land may enter into agreements relating to the payment of compensation or the performance of work in respect to any loss or damage suffered. Owners and occupiers of land are entitled to compensation for loss or damage suffered as a result of anything done or omitted to be done under authority of a permit. Disputed claims for compensation will be determined under the provisions of the Land Acquisition and Compensation Act 1986, which is the appropriate Victorian legislation for determining compensation claims of the type that may arise under the Bill.

The government considers that the Bill strikes an equitable balance between the need to undertake survey and testing work in relation to the whole or any part of a proposed route for a Very Fast Train and the requirement to safeguard the interests of land-holders and the needs of the environment.


On the motion of the Hon. ROBERT LAWSON (Higinbotham Province), the debate was adjourned.


BUDGET PAPERS 1989-90 The debate (adjourned from the previous day) was resumed on the motion of the

Hon. D. R. White (Minister for Industry, Technology and Resources): That the Council take note of the Budget Papers 1989-90.

The Hon. D. E. HENSHA W (Geelong Province)-I take pleasure in speaking in support of the Budget Papers and I look forward to supporting the Bills when they come before the House at the appropriate time. The Cain government has presented a series of Budgets that have facilitated economic activity in the State. This has been reflected in the majority of the available economic indicators over recent years. For example, employment is higher in Victoria than in the rest of Australia; the unemployment rate has been lowest in Victoria for a considerable number of years. Likewise private investment in industry in Victoria is higher by other States' standards. In general Victoria has had a successful economy, which has been facilitated by the Cain Labor government Budgets. These factors have been set out in the Budget Papers. I do not propose to deal with them tonight.

I shall make some comparisons between the costs of services provided by the Victorian government and those in New South Wales. I shall do that because contemporaneous figures from New South Wales constitute the only data presently available to provide some indication of how a coalition government might perform in this State through its Budget and its contribution to the State economy.

I shall.examine the charges that are set out in the basket of services covered by the Cain family budget pledge in table 6.1 on page 75 of Budget Paper No. 2. I shall make comparisons between the figures set out in that table and the figures that have been provided to me by the Office of Prices showing the corresponding service charges applying in New South Wales since the base year of 1987-88. I seek leave of the House to have the two tables incorporated in H ansard.

The PRESIDENT-Order! I understand that the tables have been shown to the Leaders of the parties and they have also been shown to Hansard.

The Hon. M. A. Birrell-To whom were the tables shown?


The Hon. D. E. HENSHAW-Mr Knowles and Mr Wright.

Leave was granted, and the tables were as follows:

SECV GFCV Board of Works Public Transport Drivers Licence Transport Accident Motor Rqistration less Education Expense Allowance Total

SAVINGS FROM PLEDGE

Table 1 THE FAMILY BUDGET PLEDGE BASE CASE-METROPOLITAN(a)

($) Base Year

1987-88 507.72 342.55 409.94 195.00

19.00 265.00 49.40

(120.00) 1668.61

(benchmark)

Cost if all charges had increased with inflation(b) SAVINGS RELATIVE TO INFLATION

1782.08

Year 1 Year 2 1988-89 1989-90

522.19 548.33 352.90 370.55 434.16 455.57 195.00 203.00

19.00 19.00 257.00 267.00

24.70 0.00

(200.00) (200.00) 1604.95 1663.45

63.66 5.16 1913.95

177.13 250.50 (a) Based on unchanged typical consumption for metropolitan family with two school children and one

car. (b) Melbourne CPI of 6·8 per cent in 1988-89, and projected DMB estimate of 7·4 per cent in 1989-90.

Table 2 COST OF BASKET OF SERVICES IN NSW

(Melbourne Consumption Levels)

Base Year 1987-88

$ ELCOM (Electricity) 439.00 AGL(Gas) 316.00 SW & SB (Water and Sewerage) 333.84 Public transport 195.00 Third pany insurance 262.00 Motor Reg. (includes weight tax) 142.00 Driver licence fees 42.00 Total NSW 1729.84 Total Victoria 1668.61

Comoarative Benefit for Victorian families 61.23 -Provisional

1988-89 1989-90 $ $

482.02 508.53 347.92 371.23-370.24 484.01 219.38 234.73 280.00 390.00 150.00 152.00 46.00 48.00

1895.56 2184.50 1604.95 1663.45

290.61 521.05

The Hon. D. E. HENSHA W -The family budget pledge has been debated in this Chamber and I know honourable members will be familiar with it. The tables set out a number of basic charges covering the provision of electricity, gas, water and public transport and costs associated with the running of motor vehicles. Table 1 sets out the figures for three years; the base year when the proposal was first taken up in 1987-88; year 1 for 1988-89; and the projection for year 2, 1989-90. Also included is a figure for the education expense allowance. While there might be some argument whether that is an appropriate figure for the particular parcel of services, it is not relevant to a particular comparison I want to make.

The Office of Prices has set out corresponding figures for New South Wales. The figures are based on an arbitrary assumption that one is dealing with a household of


two adults and two school-age children. The assumption is that they would have the same consumption levels for those services in New South Wales as in Victoria. That may not be strictly accurate, but it is a reasonable basis on which to make a comparison. The services are basic and important; the average family cannot do without gas, electricity and water. The average family has to contribute towards public transport and the cost of running a motor vehicle, but within Victoria the cost of that parcel of services has been maintained at a more or less constant figure projected at $1604.95 in year 2. The corresponding fiBure for New South Wales shows a substantial rise in the cost of those services from $1729.84 in the base year 1987-88 to a projected figure of$2184.50 in 1989-90. In round terms there has been an increase, partly factual and partly projected, in New South Wales of $450 a year, $9 a week for that typical family-a substantial increase in charges for those basic services.

On the one hand, in Victoria we have had a government, and indeed a Public Service, which has been dedicated and committed to maintaining these service charges for typical workers and families-and has had a large measure of success-yet, on the other hand, New South Wales has increased charges. These are the only figures which can be used to demonstrate the achievements of a coalition government currently in Australia, and certainly the coalition government in New South Wales has not been in government for that complete period. Nevertheless, a general rise in charges has occurred across the board in the last New South Wales Budget.

The New South Wales government has caused hardship for the needy, particularly workers and pensioners; it is a matter of concern in New South Wales. The Cain government has had a remarkably high degree of success in maintaining the level of basic service charges.

The Hon. R. M. Hallam-Why didn't you use South Australia or Western Australia?

The Hon. D. E. HENSHA W-I explained my purpose.

The Hon. R. M. Hallam-Why didn't you choose another Labor State?

The Hon. D. E. HENSHA \v-Perhaps I should do that, but I am concentrating on New South Wales at the moment. The charges are reflected in the increases in State and local government charges which form a part of the consumer price index figure. I refer to Chart 6.2 in Budget Paper No. 2, which has plotted State and local government charges over a period from March 1982 to June 1989. Over that long period Melbourne experienced an increase of 45·9 per cent in State and local government charges, which has been the lowest for any major capital city in Australia. During the same period the figure for Sydney was 85·4 per cent. There has thus been a small increase in Victoria for that part of the consumer price index which can readily be attributed to government action.

The government has brought down a Budget that will maintain and enhance economic activity within the State and will help and serve the workers and the needy. I commend the Budget Papers to the House.

The Hon. K. M. SMITH (South Eastern Province)-It gives me pleasure to contribute to the debate on the Budget Papers, and in doing so I condemn the government for its actions. The Budget is a Budget of a failed government; a Budget ofa failed Treasurer; a Budget ofa failed Premier; and an absolute disaster, because it is a Budget of a government that is grasping at any straw. Socialism is beginning to work in Australia, and in Victoria we have a socialist government that is trying to put every large and small free enterprise business out of business.

The government has assembled what I would call a socialist jigsaw puzzle and is slowly but surely putting the pieces of socialism into place around the State and is


taking over anything that free enterprise has ever run. It is taking over enterprises that have done something for this State and it has done that over the past seven to eight years. The piece of the socialist jigsaw puzzle that was marked "modem money managers" that the government lovingly referred to at one stage has unfortunately been lost; not that I am sure it was ever there. Now that piece of the jigsaw puzzle is marked "disastrous money managers" because the proofis in the eating of the pudding of the $31 billion that the government and the Ministers of the government, particularly the Treasurer, have lost. That is money that belongs to the people of Victoria. One has only to read today's newspapers to see that it was the government that caused State Bank Victoria to lose almost $200 million, a bank that has had a magnificent history over the past 143 years. It is shameful; the government should have resigned and resigned quickly.

If Victoria is to be saved the government has to go and go quickly. If the government had any backbone or thought for Victoria, the Premier would go to Government House tomorrow and hand in his resignation and ask the people of Victoria whether they want a Labor government looking after them for another three years. I am sure the people of Victoria would throw the government out quickly, and the sooner that occurs the better. Cyril could go back to taking photographs.

The PRESIDENT-Order!

The Hon. K. M. SMITH-I apologise, Mr President. Mr Kennedy would not be short of a job. He would still be able to take photographs, as he has taken them in the past; he did a particularly magnificent job during the Nunawading Province re-election. I am sure that would stand him in very good stead for taking pictures where they should not be taken.

I referred earlier to the $31 billion that the government has lost. WorkCare has lost $4200 million. Long before the government introduced WorkCare, when it bored in through the window of opportunity it had when it had control of both Houses of Parliament, the Liberal Party warned that WorkCare would not work. The only thing the government has done since that time has been to prove members of the Liberal Party right in everything they said. The only decent thing the government has done is to once again prove that the Liberal Party was right. Unfortunately, that has occurred to the detriment of Victorians, and has only added to the $31 billion loss.

The Victorian Economic Development Corporation lost $111 million. One has only to examine the newspaper reports to understand how much money the government will continue to lose for some time. This year $78·1 million of taxpayers' money went down the drain. Some $52 million of that was lost through the VEDC, and the remainder was lost by the Victorian Investment Corporation. Opposition members remember that corporation; they have not forgotten about it.

The Opposition will continue, over the next three years, to point out to the government where it has gone wrong and remind it that it has lost money that belonged to the people of Victoria. The government will suffer over those years. It will be reminded year in and year out, whenever it presents a Budget to this House, of the money it has lost.

The government has lost, on average, $50 million in each year for the seven years it has been in office, for each Lower House seat in this Parliament. That amounts to approximately $31 billion that the government has lost, which could have been put back into services in each of the 88 Lower House seats. The figures are correct. Think of what our constituents could have done with that money!

Imagine the schools that could have been built, the roads that could have been constructed and the public transport system that could have been provided with that


money. Some of the money could have been provided to local government to enable it to improve services, but the government has lost all that money.

This is a disgusting government that has to be thrown out of office. It cannot stay in government for another three years. It has to go soon, and the sooner the better. Representatives of the Liberal and National parties are just waiting for the government to have the courage to call an election and to affirm its conviction to stand by the Budget that it is prepared to put before honourable members for debate. Opposition members will tell the government about its Budgets. They will tell it how good it is at money management.

The Australian Business magazine contains a list of the worst performing enterprises in Australia. I shall not even refer to the first twenty; I shall concentrate only on the first ten. Listed as No. 2 is the Accident Compensation Commission of Victoria; it is the second worst performing enterprise in Australia. Transport Victoria is listed as No. 4; it also made a huge loss. No. 8 on the list is the Met, which lost more money. No. 9 is Victorian housing. The Minister for Housin$ and Construction is in the Chamber. He has not done much since he has been MinIster. He has not allocated the money available to his Ministry very well and this year is no different.

An Age article reported that $216 million will be spent on buying 2500 houses. There are tens of thousands of people on the waiting list for public housing, but the government and the Minister are not allocating money in the right places. They are not encouraging people to buy into their own homes. While I am talking about people buying into their own homes, I point out that, while interest rates are running at 17 per cent and are set to increase to 17·5 per cent, there has not been one murmur from the bearded lips of this wonderful Minister for Housing and Construction to say how crook the Federal government is in maintaining interest rates at that disgustingly high level. He has said not a word. Of course, he has blamed the banks; it is their fault that the interest rates are so high.

The Hon. D. M. Evans-He does not care.

The Hon. K. M. SMITH-I don't believe he cares, either. It is typical of the government, which is bent on socialism. The government should provide houses for people, yet it is driving those who currently have their own homes out of them. The ~overnment is saying it will supply those people with houses. It is another piece of the Jigsaw puzzle called socialist Victoria. It is just another piece fitting into place. The Minister for Housing and Construction is just a pawn who is putting this jigsaw puzzle together.

The people of Victoria are waking up and realising that the State is slipping into socialism. The pieces of the jigsaw puzzle are fitting together. The VEDC lost $111 million, which was hidden in the Rural Finance Corporation, away from the prying eyes of the Opposition. It was hidden where people did not have the opportunity of properly examining where the money had been lost.

One should consider the criticisms made by the Auditor-General, who suggested there was a need to start looking into other places where more money might have been put away. For the first time, through the Premier and some government officers, the government denied the Attorney-General access to information.

In this socialist life that the government is trying to push Victoria into, one wonders in what other areas people have been denied access, particularly the Auditor-General, whom nobody could criticise. The Liberal Party certainly cannot criticise him, nor can the people of Victoria. The government criticises the Auditor-General because, at long last, he has been able to pinpoint, in some of the reports that he produces on a regular basis, where the weaknesses of the government lie. One has only to examine

786 COUNCIL 11 October 1989 Budget Papers 1989'-90

the 312 or 313 pages of the Auditor-General's report to realise the absolute disgrace and indecencies that the government has committed against the people of Victoria. The government should be ashamed of itself. As time goes on, over the next three years, the Liberal Party will continue to raise every conceivable fault of this government.

The Hon. C. F. Van Boren interjected.

The Hon. K. M. SMITH-It is nice to note that Mr Van Buren is in the Chamber. I can assure him that he will be gone from his seat after the next election. The people of Dandenong and the surrounding areas do not like what the government has done to them. It is not my government: it is Mr Van Buren's government.

The Victorian Economic Development Corporation is now buried within the Rural Finance Corporation. Members of the Opposition remember the Victorian Equity Trust and the commitment by the VEDC to repurchase units in that trust amounting to some $700 million. How will those units be purchased? How can the VEDC possibly repurchase those Units when it has been gobbled up by the Rural Finance Corporation? The Opposition cannot find out what is happening in that regard.

I shall now refer to transport. One has only to look at the Budget to realise that over the past six years the transport system in this State has lost $5000 million. That is a huge amount of money. In conSIdering what it could do about public transport, the best the government could come up with was to cut the services offered.

In the province I represent the government has been prepared to cut and cut services to save only a little money. In the Hastings area the only cross-peninsula public transport system the government has ever provided has been a taxi that used to run from Hastings to Mornington and back.

The Hon. B. E. Davidson-Have we nationalised it?

The Hon. K. M. SMITH-It is a wonder you haven't socialised it! The government has now withdrawn even that poor service. The government has denied the people of Hastings and Mornington the opportunity of crossing from east to west and vice versa.

The government has also cut the bus service from Frankston to Balnarring. However, members of the government do not think that matters because it does not affect them. The area involved is beyond the end of the tram tracks, and that is as far as the mentality of the government goes. The government does not care about the services it is denying people.

The government has also cut services from Frankston to Cranbourne, thus inconveniencing people travelling from Frankston to Cranbourne attempting to get home from work or the local shopping centre. The government is denying the kids in that area the opportunity of going from Frankston to Cranbourne or Dandenong for entertainment.

Prior to the last State election the government promised new services, such as Cranbourne to Hallam, but they have now been completely cut out. Compared with the amount of money the government will pay to the workers of the train, tram and bus services, it will save only chickenfeed. The government will have to pay the workers who are so tied up WIth work practices that they get paid for doing nothing. The government pays workers who arrive at railway sheds because one of their mates has been rostered on. Current work practices allow for an entire team to be employed for a certain ~riod. A whole team may arrive and yet there will be work for only one person. That IS the type of work practice the government has approved and encouraged.

It is a disgrace that my constituents will be denied the opportunity of using bus services that should be available. In most places they should have a proper electric


train service and a reliable public transport system, but this government and its cronies who work for it could not provide a proper service.

When the government spoke about cutting back on the number of people who can bludge on the government while working in the public transport system, Mr Joe Sibberas said that the abolition of 1600 jobs would add to commuter frustration. My God! Mr Sibberas has been looking after the Australian Railways Union for a long time. He was denied the opportunity of travelling to Mildura to one of his Labor Party conferences. The railways could not even provide him with a decent seat because they left a carriage off the train! However, Mr Sibberas and his mates had a plane provided for them to fly them to Mildura for the meeting and to bring them home again. That was all paid for by the taxpayers of Victoria.

Mr Sibberas said that the abolition of 1600 jobs in the public transport system would add to commuter frustration. Commuters will be rapt about the move because the service they get may improve and the system will not lose so much money. The government is losing an absolute fortune through the public transport system.

The PRESIDENT -Order! This is a convenient time for the suspension of the sitting for dinner, particularly as there is a meeting in the Legislative Council Committee Room at 7.30 p.m. of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association. Because of the meeting, some flexibility regarding the resumption of the sitting will be exercised. Therefore,· I shall resume the chair when the bells ring, which is anticipated to be 8 p.m. or as soon thereafter as practicable.

The sitting was suspended at 6.27 p.m. until 8.5 p.m.

The Hon. K. M. SMITH-Before the suspension of the sitting I was referring to some of the problems the government has created for Victorians. The Minister for Housing and Construction fails to understand that the Federal government has created enormous problems for people by maintaining high interest rates for housing in an attempt to dampen the economy. The Federal government is not really dampening the economy; it has tipped a bucket of water on it. As a result of the flow-on of interest rates the number of jobs lost in the building industry has been horrific.

I am not sure whether the Minister appreciates that, because he fails to understand what the building industry is all about. Unfortunately, he will continue to misunderstand because he is now leaving the House. Mr Les Groves from the Housing Industry Association estimates that 12 000 fewer houses will be built in this financial year and $350 million will be lost to the Australian economy. Victoria's share of that loss will significantly affect its economy.

I always regard the building industry as a thermometer for the economy of this country. I am saddened to learn that 1500 jobs will probably be lost. Unfortunately, when there is a slump in the building industry tradesmen are not prepared to sit around and wait. The government and its Federal counterpart have made it easy for people to collect the dole when they are out of work for any period. In this case it is not because the tradesmen want to be out of work but because the government has forced them out of work as a result of its economic policies.

One group of people who will never be out of work in this State are public servants. The Labor government regards public servants highly because they are responsible for keeping the unemployment figures low. There has been a 10·1 per cent increase in the number of public servants in Victoria since the Cain government took office. That is a disgrace because the service provided to Victorians has gone downhill. These public servants are not providing anything extra to Victorians, apart from sticking their noses into small businesses and big businesses and into the lives of their fellow


Victorians. That is probably what the socialist government wants to do. It wants to find out about people's lives and attempts to interfere in any way it can.

The Hon. D. R. White-What are you up to, Smithy? Are you feeling guilty about something?

The Hon. K. M. SMITH-I am pleased the Minister for Industry, Technology and Resources has opened his mouth.

The PRESIDENT -Order! I ask the Minister to cease interjecting.

The Hon. K. M. SMITH-Thank you, Mr President, but I do not need protection from the Minister.

The PRESIDENT -Not ever?

The Hon. K. M. SMITH-Not ever; certainly not tonight! The Minister has helped the government along the road to disaster, with its $31 billion deficit and losses. He was partly responsible for that when he was in charge of health services in this State. Under this government health services have deteriorated from being the best to the worst in Australia.

The queues at the hospitals have been getting longer. They became particularly long while the Minister for Industry, Technology and Resources was in the chair as the Minister for Health. During the last election campaign he stomped around the State promising everything that could be promised-hospitals here and hospitals there. The current Minister for Health came to my electorate, which has the Southern Peninsula Hospital, to try to fend off some 500 to 600 people who had assembled at the Rosebud hall in an attempt to discover whether the promises made during the last election campaign by her predecessor would ever be honoured. The present Minister for Health, as she has so many times since she was appointed to that position, had to back off from the promises her predecessor had made. There is no money left because the government has squandered it.

The Southern Peninsula Hospital caters for some 40 000 Mornington Peninsula residents. The government proposed the removal of 6 of the 34 beds, so that those 40000 people would have to be serviced by a 28-bed hospital. During the summer months some 100 000 people visit the Mornington Peninsula and that extra number have to be cared for as well. The government's proposal made the provision of health services for people on the Mornington Peninsula an impossibility.

If there were a disaster-and local municipalities must plan for disasters-the hospital would not be able to provide the necessary facilities for a large influx of injured people. In its wonderful way the govern.ment has managed to restore those 6 beds to the hospital so that now it has 34 beds again. Unfortunately, 8 or 10 of those beds are set aside for maternity cases.

The Hon. D. R. White-If you think that's a bad thing, you should speak to your Leader; he thinks it's all right!

The Hon. K. M. SMITH-The best that can be done is that there are 30 births a month--

The Hon. D. R. White-They do not arrange the births!

The Hon. K. M. SMITH-It is unfortunate that the Minister for Industry, Technology and Resources saw fit to go there and raise the hopes of the people of the Momington Peninsula by saying that there was a need for a facility with an additional 80 to 90 beds. Of course, he has backed off from that as he has from other promises that he has made and the other half-truths that he has told people.


The Hon. D. R. White-At least you acknowledge they are half true; that is flattery from you! How long have you been here?

The Hon. G. R. Craige-N ot long enough to know!

The Hon. K. M. SMITH-I have been here long enough to wake up to what is going on! I was extremely impressed by the Minister for Industry, Technology and Resources when I watched television interviews in which he took part.

The Hon. D. R. White-More flattery!

The Hon. K. M. SMITH-He was impressive, if ugly. Unfortunately, he has disappointed me since I have sat on this side of the Chamber and had to gaze across at him and listen to him back offfrom the promises he has made in the past.

I am disappointed in the Minister for Industry, Technology and Resources and other members of the government; but I am no more disappointed in them than I am in the Treasurer and what he is trying to thrust on the State of Victoria. Honourable members know that Victoria is the highest taxed State in Australia. Now the Treasurer has seen fit to introduce more ways of ripping into the community.

To understand what is happening with State taxes, one need only look at the Budget documents, one of which refers to what will occur in respect of payroll tax.

The Hon. D. R. White-Y ou want to make payroll tax optional!

The Hon. K. M. SMITH-Payroll tax is a disincentive to business, particularly to employment. Unfortunately the government has seen fit to rip into businesses to the extent that payroll tax will have increased by 120 per cent between 1982 and 1990. The Minister for Industry, Technology and Resources has gone quiet now in trying to contemplate that huge increase, because it is a disgrace!

Stamp duty has been increased and it represents a greater disgrace than does payroll tax. Stamp duty will have increased by 326 per cent. The tax take from Tattersalls will have increased by 119 per cent. The government has introduced thousands of increases in the taxes collected in the State.

Land tax represents another disincentive to the people of Victoria. I refer to the Weekend Australian of 9-10 September. The property section contains reference to developers and others. Under the heading "Victoria", there is mention of the following:

Melbourne property owners will pay 200 per cent more land tax next year, according to figures released by lones Lang Wootton Ltd-lLW.

It claims that a proposed new tax rate contained in last month's Victorian Budget will increase taxation on a $15 million city land holding from $230 000 this year to $685 000.

Under both the State and Federal governments the price of land has shot up out ofall proportion, particularly in Victoria. The Minister for Industry, Technology and Resources has a shocked look on his face again.

The article continues: From next year, the top land tax rate will be 4 cents in the $1 for properties valued above $2·8 million.

Jones Lang Wootton Ltd is quoted as saying that land tax is driving people from the State of Victoria. Unfortunately, at this time it is not a very smart thing for people to invest in Victoria. It is unfortunate for the State that people have seen fit to leave Victoria as quickly as they possibly can. I am disappointed that that is happening. However, there is some hope for them in that the State of Victoria will shortly return to being governed by the Liberal Party.


On page 3 of Budget Paper No. 4, under "revenue initiatives" in respect of payroll tax the government indicates that there will be an increase in the payroll tax threshold. However, one need look only at the increase to understand what is happening. One might think that the government had done a fine thing in raising the threshold a little to $345 000. That represents a 6 per cent increase on the $320 000 threshold that applied previously. Honourable members will be aware that wages are forecast to increase by more than 6 ~r cent in the next year. A 7 per cent increase would have brought the threshold to $342 400, and an 8 per cent increase would have brought it to $345 600. All honourable members will be aware that wages in this State are forecast to increase by more than 8 per cent in the next year. So the government has not increased the threshold at all; it is merely keeping up with the wages increases predicted for the coming year.

I am distressed that the government has imposed stamp duty on the transfer of goodwill. As if there were not enou~ disincentives for small business or any other sort of business, the government has Introduced a new levy! The argument put forward by the disreputable Treasurer-and he cannot be described as anything more or less than that-is that every other State in Australia already imposes that tax. The Treasurer supports the imposition of the tax by the other States and has introduced it into Victoria. Victoria had the advantage of not having stamp duty on the transfer of goodwill and it will serve only as another disincentive to small business.

As I have said, the government does not care about small business. It sees small business as a thorn in the side of government because it comprises people who are prepared to stand up and criticise the government's performance, particularly in respect of the continual increases in taxes charged by the government.

Once again the government has introduced a tax to knock around small business people. Stamp duty on the sales of high-value new cars has shot up out of all proportion under this government. The rate has continued to increase since the government came into office and, unfortunately, the government is talking about $35 000 being the benchmark after which the rate of stamp duty is increased. Stamp duty is a tax, providing extra revenue for a pitiful government grasping at every straw. Once again the people of Victoria are being stepped upon by this government.

Tobacco franchise fees have been increased and this represents a further rip-off of the smoker. I do not smoke and I have never been a smoker but I am very concerned at the way the government is using the money it is rippin$ off the cigarette smokers of Victoria. One has only to consider the mess that the PremIer made with the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix to understand the situation. The new rates of taxation will increase by $20 million a year the amount of money the government receives and enable it to have more money to stick its nose into art festivals or the sporting arenas.

The Hon. D. R. White-Don't you like the Victorian Health Promotion Foundation?

The Hon. K. M. SMITH-I believe the Victorian Health Promotion Foundation has gone far enough. It is interfering with the lives of Victorians and, over a period, more and more sporting events like the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix will be cancelled. Cricket will go out the back door. The Melbourne Cricket Ground will no longer be used as a venue for cricket matches. The State government is using smokers' money to fight against the smokers and the people of Victoria. Certainly the ideal is noble and we should not be encouraging smoking but unfortunately the government is using the people's money to drive sponsors out of Victoria, particularly sponsors who were prepared to invest in Australia before the socialists decided to take over sports and other festival sponsorships. It is extremely disappointing.

Honourable members have heard a great deal about the increased take of $21 million from the Totalizator Agency Board and how this will rip into the racing


industry. Some $18 million will be taken from the racing clubs. In my electorate there are a number of racing clubs, all of which will be disadvantaged by this move. The government does not seem to care. One wonders whether it is just part of the socialist jigsaw puzzle the government has going. One must wonder at the hidden agenda of the government. I am disappointed with the government's performance in the twelve months I have been in this place. I expected something more but it has not eventuated. Victoria is called the Garden State or the non-nuclear State but I wonder when the government will be honest with the people of Victoria and start printing on numberplates the slogan "Victoria, State of Insolvency", because this is an insolvent State. We are so far down the drain that I do not know whether there is any hope.

Tourism is another area in which I have an interest. Tourism funds have been cut back from $33 million to $27 million, a 17·1 per cent decrease in an area that has growth potential. If ever an industry in Victoria needed some encouragement to bring the people here, to get money flowing in and to encourage employment, it is tourism, but the government has blown it because it has withdrawn money from that industry. I have here the Municipal Officers Association of Victoria Journal. Honourable members may be aware that the government eliminated funding for regional tourism bodies at a time when many small municipalities had been prepared to take the punt to invest in tourism to bring people to their areas. One of those places was South Gippsland.

I am disappointed at the cutbacks in tourism funding made by this government, but then some of the strange investments made by the Victorian Tourism Commission might explain why the government is trying to pull back some of that money. Unfortunately, it is the people most affected who are being hit, the tourist operators and the people living in the tourist areas.

Other cutbacks have affected me and the sixteen municipalities within my electorate.

The Hon. D. R. White-Hastings will be proud of you.

The Hon. K. M. SMITH-I am pleased to have been associated with Hastings because it is prepared to do many things that were offered it by this government. However, with most offers made to municipalities, it does not take long for the government to step back.

I have a letter from the Victorian Public Service Association in regard to cutbacks in the visiting child health nurse program. This program does not affect Mr White, Mr Kennedy, Mr Sgro or Mr Davidson. It seems to affect only members who represent rural electorates. The government has cut back funding to save $700 000 on a service provided to rural Victoria that helps people to cope with life in times of need and, sometimes, with the isolation of living on farms. I shall refer to some of the case studies where these people were prepared to assist, and shall mention a couple of them. A baby born in 1989 has no arms or legs but normal intelligence. The family lives in substandard housing at Rushworth, 50 kilometres from central hospital services. No daily transport is available and there is no electricity. The child health nurse at Rushworth is the only service available to go out to help the family cope with this child. However, that service is now unfortunately to be withdrawn.

Another case study relates to parents who are of low intelligence and who have two children. Both children have delayed development. The father has a record of alcohol abuse and a police record. There has been a court case over arson of the family home.

That is an example of the unfortunate family circumstances that require the services of visiting health care nurses. In this instance both the wife and her children were able to be cared for by a visiting nurse. The problems faced by such people must be


considered. I am pleased that the Minister for Industry, Technology and Resources is looking up--

The Hon. D. R. White-Did you raise this with Caroline? We would be happy to hear from you.

The Hon. K. M. SMITH-The government has claimed it does not have enough money to spend on the service. That is why it will try to raise $21 million from the racing industry to prop up its failed health system; so I can understand why the Minister is listening to me intently. I shall raise the matter with the Minister for Health and try to make her appreciate the problems that exist in communities beyond the tram tracks.

Another service the funds for which have been cut by this cruel and heartless government is the Personal Emergency Service. The service was previously called the suicide prevention service, a title that hammers home the service it provided to the people of the community. That service previously received $180000 in government funding. The service will be cut because this heartless government, a government that squanders taxpayers' money, has withdrawn its funding.

The Hon. Robert Lawson-That is social justice!

The Hon. K. M. SMITH-Is it social justice or socialist injustice? Probably it amounts to socialist injustice. The government has lied to the people of Victoria.

The Hon. C. J. Kennedy-Name one!

The Hon. K. M. SMITH-It is nice to see Mr Kennedy in the House. Obviously he does not have photographs to take or other jobs to be done tonight. One remembers the poor old mountain cattlemen who tried to do the right thing in the Nunawading Province re-election.

The Hon. M. A. Birrell-He has finished colouring in his book; that's why he is here!

The Hon. K. M. SMITH-I am sure Mr Kennedy bought some Phantom comics at the show a couple of weeks ago, so he will be all right.

The Hon. M. A. Birrell-Then he passes them on to his brother.

The Hon. D. R. White-Are you saving Phantom comics, Smithy?

The Hon. K. M. SMITH-I have gone on for some time tonight because there are many issues to be raised revealing the incompetence of the government. I am disappointed by--

The Hon. C. J. KENNEDY (Waverley Province )-On a point of order, Mr President, I move for an extension of time for the honourable member.

The PRESIDENT -Order! A frivolous point of order is, in itself, disorderly conduct. I warn Mr Kennedy.

The Hon. C. J. Kennedy-In Hansard again!

The Hon. K. M. SMITH (South Eastern Province)-What can I do but accept an offer of extra time!

I shall raise another example of what could be called a "White" lie that has disappointed people in the Cranbourne area; it relates to the ambulance service in Cranbourne. During the last election campaign, when the then Minister for Health, the Minister for Industry, Technology and Resources, was stomping his way around the countryside telling people they could have what they wanted, he gave a commitment


to the people of Cranbourne that the government would supply ambulance services in the area. He encouraged local residents to work hard and raise funds to contribute towards the establishment of an ambulance service.

Many local people worked very hard; and by August of this year they had raised $140 000. I have raised this matter in the House with the Minister for Health; I raise it tonight because on a previous occasion the Minister did not give me a satisfactory answer. The Minister said that although the government had not provided an ambulance service she promised it would not only supply the service but also make a large contribution towards the necessary buildings. The claim in the Budget Papers that the government has provided a service is misleading. In fact, the government has provided a part-time ambulance service for the people of Cranbourne, which is one of the most rapidly developing areas in Victoria. The part-time service runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. five days a week; it does not operate over the weekend.

The government has put the onus on the Metropolitan Ambulance Service by saying that if it wants an ambulance station it will have to supply the funds. Despite the need for an ambulance station in the area, and despite local people raising $140000 for the service, the government has told the Metropolitan Ambulance Service that it will have to supply the capital, thus depriving another area of a much needed service.

This will be another nail in the government's coffin. At the next election the Opposition will finally bury the government. Because of the huge debts incurred by the government during its time in office the Liberal Party, when elected to government and so burying this government, will erect a tombstone stating: "Here lies the ~overnment of John Cain, the most disgraceful government in Victorian history-rest In peace never to rise".

I have enjoyed the opportunity of speaking during this debate. I have raised a number of matters because I believe the voices of Victorians should be heard in Parliament so that the government is aware of the damage it has wrought during the past seven years. The government should be aware that what it intends to do in the next twelve months, according to the Budget Papers, will not be appreciated by the people-and will be another nail in its coffin.

The Hon. R. J. LONG (Gippsland Province)-When the government came to power in 1982 a great deal was heard about modem financial techniques. Thereafter there was a continual churning out of propaganda in beautifully bound volumes at great cost to the community. Since then we have seen the collapse of the Victorian Economic Development Corporation, the Victorian Investment Corporaton and WorkCare and the losses suffered by State Bank Victoria. The next thing that we should hear about is the resignation of the Treasurer!

I wish to comment specifically on a matter concerning health in the Latrobe Valley; it is an example of the way in which the government has conned the people ofVictona for too long. The beginning of the matter was the introduction of Medicare by the Federal Labor government. When it was introduced the Federal government claimed that Medicare would provide public hospital beds for every person who required hospitalisation. For that privilege all of us are paying 1·25 per cent of our taxable income In passing I predict that if the Hawke Labor government is re-elected the levy will increase to 1· 5 per cent or .1· 7 5 per cent in a flash.

I shall give an example of the confidence tricks pulled on the people of the Latrobe Valley. There were three hospitals in the valley, at Traralgon and Moe, and a smaller hospital in Morwell. The government put forward the proposition that it would close the Morwell and District Community Hospital. This debate went on over a long period and ultimately the then Minister for Health, now the Minister for Industry,


Technology and Resources, gave an undertaking to the people of the Latrobe Valley that if the Morwell hospital were closed and turned into a nursing home he would provide 30 extra beds.

As it turned out it was a "White" lie. The moment the Morwell hospital was closed the people went to the Minister and said, "What about the 30 beds you promised us?" He said, "I'm sorry, I don't have the money". Realising the urgency of the situation, he agreed to provide ten beds. This was done and the people said, "What about the rest? What about opening another ten beds?" He said, "We don't have the money, but see what you can do". The hospitals went ahead and arranged ten extra beds, and again asked, "But what about the money?" He said, "I told you you could do it but I didn't say I would pay for it". In March 1989 ten beds were opened and the confidence trick imposed on the public was really starting to come to the fore.

The Traralgon Central Gippsland Hospital has a capacity for 205 beds, but it is now down to about 150 and the board of management is desperate. As honourable members heard in question time, the present Minister for Health was talking about how the regional directors had been negotiating with these hospitals to try to reach agreement.

What has happened in the Latrobe Valley? Let us deal with Traralgon. As a result of the former Minister's undertaking there are only ten beds open and as a result of the negotiations with the regional director we now find that the input into the Traralgon hospital has been reduced by 500 patients for the coming year. That is a catastrophe of the first order!

In the Latrobe Valley Hospital in Moe the patient intake has been reduced and it has to treat about 8800 patients for the year. In other words, its capacity has been reduced by about the same figure of 500. The point I want to make is this: if we still had the Morwell hospital with about twenty beds, I could safely assume it could handle 1000 patients. We have lost 1000 patients from Morwell. We have lost about 500 from Traralgon and another 500 from Moe, in all a total of 2000 patients at least--

The Hon. R. M. Hallam-Do you mean people have died? That is what I thought you meant.

The Hon. R. J. LONG-No, we have lost the potential to treat them. In an area such as this that cannot be tolerated. It is all brought about by Medicare. The Labor Party, for some unknown reason, has a philosophical problem with Medicare. The public hospitals are overcrowded, the bed capacity is reduced and in the private sector we have the hospitals half filled. It could easily be fixed if this government and the Federal government provided an incentive for people to take out private health insurance. In that situation we could cope with this because the private hospitals could then take the overflow and people who could not afford private hospital treatment would go into public hospitals.

I have had a family crying in my office because a father had to have urgent heart surgery and they could not get him into a public hospital and they could not get him into a private hospital because they did not have the money, so the father was going to die. It is a heartbreaking experience. They try desperately to raise the money and cannot. That is the problem this government has forced upon the people of Victoria. It is a problem that is not going to go away and one it will have to face up to.

Unless this government is prepared to provide an incentive to people to take out private health insurance, we are heading for disaster. People cannot pay the Medicare levy imposed by the Commonwealth plus private health insurance. If the Federal government could give a tax deduction for the private health insurance part, we might


get somewhere towards a solution but the only way to get into a public hospital is to arrive by ambulance.

The Hon. R. M. Hallam-And even then you have to be lucky!

The Hon. R. J. LONG-You do indeed have to be lucky because you might get into a corridor and that is about as far as you will get until a bed can be found. It is a terrible state of affairs. I believe the public is starting to realise the seriousness of the situation and it will get more serious as every day goes by. It is a situation the government cannot continue to push aside because the public is not going to tolerate it. As my colleague Mr Smith said, the public is going to pay dearly for it in the future.

Another issue I wish to raise deals with the Ministry of Housing and Construction. I was recently involved in a case where a husband and wife agreed to buy a house under the urban homesteading program. They entered into this agreement in 1983. Normally a period of two years is allowed to go by for the home to be brought up to a reasonable standard of repair because the point of the homesteading arrangement is to enable them to renovate the house in that time.

The homesteading arrangement is a good scheme and I have no objection to it; in fact, it has enormous potential. However, this husband and wife entered into an agreement with the then Ministry of Housing and waited for the Ministry to do the necessary paperwork for the preparation of the mortgage documents to enable them to become the purchasers. The Ministry delayed the preparation of those documents for two years. Proof of that is shown in the mortgage documents, which are dated 1987 but provide for interest to be charged from 1 September 1985, two years before the documents were signed.

I know the people involved and I know that it put them in an untenable situation from which they will never recover. The first debit entry in their account was for about $3700 interest for those two years. The Ministry said that these people should have paid the interest by instalments between 1985 and 1987 but the Ministry made no attempt to collect that interest during those two years.

When this case came to my attention I began negotiations with the Minister for Housing and Construction and pleaded with him not to allow the Ministry's solicitors to have judgment entered in the Supreme Court to obtain possession of the premises. I suggested that agreement could be reached without judgment being entered because I realised that if judgment were entered it would cost a lot in legal fees to fight the case at that stage.

The Minister agreed; the only problem was he then went overseas. I wrote to the Ministry asking that judgment not be entered, not realising that the Minister was overseas, and I received a telephone call in reply to my letter from the Minister's adviser, Mr Tony Nippard, informing me that judgment had been entered. He knew nothing about the arrangement I had made with the Minister. That is a terrible state of affairs; it is completely contrary to the Westminster system.

The Minister should consider carefully the position of Ministerial aides because we have reached the stage where we cannot talk to Ministers, we must talk to their Ministerial aides. It is time that procedure was thrown out the window. It is time to return to the system of members of Parliament being able to talk to Ministers. Unfortunately the Labor Party does not believe in that system.

Already today a question was asked about the actions of a Ministerial aide and now I am complaining about another one to the same Minister. It is time the Minister considered this matter and rectified it.


The Hon. K. I. M. WRIGHT (North Western Province)-I appreciate the tight financial situation facing the State government and the fact that programs in the Budget must be cut because of the high debt problems the government has had to face in the past six years. Unfortunately the people in the more remote areas of the State, in country areas and provincial centres, are the ones to feel the sharp edge of the axe.

Hospitals throughout the State have been badly treated. The Mildura Base Hospital has been required to cut back by $800 000 this year and it will be difficult for the hospital not to cut back on patient care. It is all very well to say that the cuts will be made in areas that are not detrimental to patient care but that is difficult because the cuts have gone on for a number of years.

In addition, the Mildura Base Hospital was hoping for capital expenditure to embark on a ward upgrade, something that has not been done since the hospital was built in 1934. My colleague Mr Best and I have made several inspections of the hospital and can testify to its current situation. Mildura also needs a day hospital. As well as the ward upgrade, the day hospital has been deferred.

It is appreciated that bush nursing hospitals are of special interest to country members. There are 33 or 34 bush nursing hospitals in Victoria, many of them in North Western Province. These hospitals have had taken away their capital grants, maintenance grants and their $20-a-day bed allowance. To make things worse, probably one of the most unfair taxation systems in Australia is levied on residents of towns with bush nursing hospitals who pay their levies-often the wife pays as well as the husband-but they are not entitled to go to their own bush nursing hospital unless they pay a hospital fund premium, which would be in the vicinity of $1200 or $1300. The other alternative is to travel 50 miles to a public hospital and be treated under the Medicare system.

Mr Best and I arranged a public meeting in Charlton which representatives of all bush nursing hospitals attended. The Bush Nursing Hospitals Association president and most of the executive were there. The Minister for Health accepted our invitation to attend. Much useful information came forward at that meeting but not many solutions were forthcoming except that the Minister did say she would visit the bush nursing hospitals one by one and endeavour to negotiate a solution for each. In fact, she has visited Murrayville, Rainbow and several others.

The Hon. W. R. Baxter-In a discussion with me today she undertook to visit Chiltern.

The Hon. K. I. M. WRIGHT-That is good news because I understand that the Chiltern hospital, like a number of other hospitals, is going backwards at a fast rate and losing thousands of dollars. My colleague Mr Best interjects that Murchison hospital is in the same situation.

I turn to the Department of Conservation, Forests and Lands. Although the officers I deal with in the department are capable, especially Mr Hamish MacLennan, the manager of the branch at Mildura, it seems there is a tendency more and more to have administrative staff in the office and the people out in the field doing the actual work are becoming fewer and fewer. The policy of the government, and indeed of the Opposition, is that national parks are to be Increased at a fast rate.

That would require more staff. Recommendations have been made by the Land Conservation Council study group for an additional 800 hectares of national park. Controversy is raging because several families have been licence holders in the area for many years; and one family for more than 100 years.

An Honourable Member-And should stay there.


The Hon. K. I. M. WRIGHT-Yes. That has been decided by the National Party at a regular party meeting. The problem is that the conservation movement is becoming stronger, as it should, if directed correctly. It wants more national parks, come what may, and it will be very difficult for the Liberal Party to make a decision as to what should happen in that area.

The Hon. Haddon Storey-We are working together, don't forget.

The Hon. K. I. M. WRIGHT-In a balanced way I am suggesting that the Liberal Party will be required to look at the situation in which several hundred thousand voters are looking for a right decision along conservation lines. Only one family will completely lose its property; parts of four properties will be lost. The Opposition must examine that problem, and I wish it well in making the correct decision after the Bill is introduced. It is not the usual practice of the National Party to make a decision on a matter until it sights the Bill, but in this case it has already made up its mind.

I refer to visiting child health nurses. Throughout Victoria, 32 nurses do a colossal job in providing a mobile, flexible service for children aged from birth to six years. The service is for families lacking in psychological and social resources. The Minister for Health is well aware that Health Department Victoria has overseen this service. The Minister was very sympathetic to and appreciative of the work performed by the visiting child health nurse service. That section was transferred to Community Services Victoria but is now to be axed, although an extension of time until December 1989 has been granted.

State Bank Victoria has lost $200 million and should have recorded a $200 million profit, resulting in a turnaround of $400 million. This service requires only $700 000 and, if funded, provides an outstanding service to Victoria.

Today Mr de Fegely, Mr Knowles and I led a deputation from the Rural Woman's Action Group-dedicated to fighting these changes-to the Minister for the Arts, in his capacity as Chairman of the Rural Affairs Subcommittee of the Cabinet. A proposal was put to the Minister that the service should be transferred back to Health Department Victoria; if that is done, the $700000 may be found to enable the department to retain the service.

I shall now discuss the State Additional Apprenticeship Training Scheme. In 1987 the Victorian government made a commitment, and created 325 additional positions. They were to be funded by the State government; and I give credit to the State government for introducing that program. Among the disadvantaged Victorians in the program were long-term unemployed, Aborigines and prisoners.

However, a bombshell was dropped when Cabinet decided in July 1989 to discontinue the apprenticeships. Most of the apprentices were working for government departments; the idea was for most government departments to pick up the tab rather than the individual apprenticeships being funded from the scheme. The W. J. Christie Centre in Mildura does a remarkable job in looking after the mentally impaired; that centre has an Aboriginal apprentice-Christopher Schreiber-but is having difficulty in having that young lad placed. He has completed two and a half years ofa four-year apprenticeship. The problem was compounded by the loss of promised employment with the Wimpatja program, an Aboriginal cooperative that builds houses and other structures. Unfortunately, before Christopher could start on the job the Wimpatja people told him that they were in financial difficulties to the tune of $1 million; obviously, he is unable to be employed. .

The W. J. Christie Centre has been able to obtain temporary funding from the State Training Board. I ask the government to guarantee indefinite funding until another position is found for that apprentice. Unfortunately, the building industry in Mildura


is experiencing a slight downturn in employment-although that is common throughout Victoria. It is becoming increasingly difficult to place the apprentices privately.

I refer to the transport subsidies for the intellectually handicapped. Two centres experiencing problems are the Lady Byrnes Centre at Swan Hill and the W. J. Christie Centre at Mildura. The subsidy per student has been reduced by $1.30 a day. That government action is contrary to its philosophy and to its social justice policy. Unfortunately, many of the intellectually disabled are further disadvantaged by their location. Some students come from Kerang to Swan Hill, a 30-minute journey by bus. The manager of the W. J. Christie Centre, Bob Pascoe, says that the average client pays $8.75 a week for that bus fare. Many travellers have families and are on low incomes-many probably rely on social service payments.

I understand approximately 30 000 people are employed in the racing industry. The government has taken an extra $21 million from the Totalizator Agency Board profits that are normally allocated to the trotting, racing and greyhound codes, and apparently it is placing those funds into consolidated revenue. That means a 25 per cent reduction in prize money that racing clubs can offer. The Mildura Harness Racing Club and the Mildura Racing Club have approached me, as one of their local members; they have been placed in a difficult position.

I refer to preschool centres, for which the 1989-90 Budget includes a $56·4 million allocation compared with a $56·6 million actual allocation last year. If one takes into account a 7·4 per cent inflation rate this year, the preschool and kindergarten centres will be harshly treated by the Budget. When the Budget is being prepared for next year the government should remember that young people are the nation's future, and that the preschool education they receive is vital to the education they will receive at the primary and secondary school levels.

I am also concerned about library funding. Some years ago when municipalities were encouraged to become active in the provision of library services to ratepayers and constituents, funding was generally on a $1-for-$1 basis, $1 from the State government and $1 from local government. At a time when the finances of local government are being stretched to the limit, funding from the Commonwealth and State governments is being withdrawn and ratepayers have to pay the piper for many of these programs. Local government is allocating $2 for every $1 from the State government.

Recently I visited the town of Ouyen in my electorate, a community-minded town. I know that Mr Mackenzie goes there from time to time when he makes his excursions into the Hattah Lakes, now part of a national park that my uncle was partly instrumental in creating. There was a presentation in Ouyen of a bookmobile that is to be active along the highway and service small communities such as Murrayville, Kiamal, Underbool and Walpeup. Most of the money for that bookmobile was raised by the Shire of Walpeup, and I give credit to the shire and its ratepayers for their interest in reading.

I hope the Ministers in this Chamber take note of the remarks I have made and do something about the problems I have raised. I recall that, when I was first elected as a member of this place, remarks made by honourable members during the debate on the Budget Papers were sent to government departments and honourable members received a detailed reply.

The Hon. Robert Lawson-It was a Liberal government in those days.

The Hon. K. I. M. WRIGHT -It was a Liberal government, and a good government too. I am saddened that this practice has ceased because it was a valuable adjunct to


the work of the hard-pressed member of Parliament and provided a service to his constituents.

The Hon. ROBERT LA WSON (Higinbotham Province)-I present as exhibit A in my contribution to the debate a leader article from the Australian dated 10 July 1989 which is headed, "Jolly Should Resign". It is a very perspicacious article and states in part:

The Cain government's refusal to accept any responsibility for its financial mismanagement of Victoria is scandalous. The latest in a long line of inept, amateurish meddlings in business undertakings it knows nothing about is the State Bank's seemingly impossible accomplishment of reducing its profit in a year when every other bank made extraordinary gains.

Like the Victorian Economic Development Corporation (VEDC), the disastrous wheeling and dealing ofthe State Bank's subsidiary, Tricontinental, has only come to light because the Cain government could no longer suppress the truth.

The Herald was not far behind, because a full front page headline in the 11 October edition says, "Jolly should resign-or be sacked". An article by Terry McCrann states:

Just exactly how many billions do State government instrumentalities have to lose before the Treasurer admits that something is badly wrong, and he just might have some responsibility for the crippling cost to Victorians?

Today it's the first loss in the State Bank's history, yesterday it was the $200 million or more wasted in the VEDC debacle. And there are quite literally billions already poured out and committed well into the 1990s through WorkCare.

To say nothing of the common-or-garden losses and massive future payouts ...

The article continues in that vein and I could read it all into the record. It is an excellent article and I commend it to honourable members opposite.

The Treasurer may have lost billions of dollars for the State, but he is totally unfiappable. I do not know whether he wakes up in the middle of the night and worries about the enormous losses he has caused to the State. The Treasurer gives the impression that nothing worries him and that everything has an explanation. The only thing he cannot explain is the damning indictment in the Herald tonight and in the Australian in July.

The Treasurer says the State Bank purchased Tricontinental Corporation Ltd and that it is not his fault that it lost an enormous amount of money. I note in the program Budget outlays for 1989-90 that the Treasurer has the following allocations for recurrent appropriations: in respect of corporate services, $4 million; for management of Budget sector resources, $30·5 million; for developing and managing public sector policies, $4 million; and for developing and managing State financial services, $4 million. The Treasurer is able to outlay these sums, yet when it comes to employing someone to keep an eye on State Bank Victoria, it cannot be done.

The Treasurer says, "It is not my fault; I knew nothing of what was going on in these instrumentalities". Why could the Treasurer not find someone to keep an eye on the State Bank or Tricontinental Corporation or the Victorian Economic Development Corporation?

It is no wonder that baby Emma Birrell was born crying the other day. She had done nothing wrong; she had just arrived here, yet already she owed $2500 because of the ineptitude of the State government. The poor child!.

During its period in office the government has created a small but expensive library of glossy publications. There are a number of them and I put them in the fiction section of my bookcase. Victoria The Next Decade, for instance, an official government


publication, dated April 1987, has a section on the Accident Compensation Commission. It states:

The Accident Compensation Commission has benefited greatly from the modem management techniques applied to its operations. In addition to the $715 million in savings on levy payments by employers (a 46 per cent reduction on the previous system), the average rate of return for funds invested including unrealised capital profits was 27 per cent in the first ten months of operation.

The most immense losses had already started piling up in the Victorian Economic Development Corporation and the Accident Compensation Commission.

On page 74 the same publication states: Direct financial assistance has also been provided to eligible firms through DITR, and sometimes as a

complement to VEDC financing. Firms assisted have generally been in targeted industries, able to demonstrate viability and capable of meeting the requirement that their projects be of potential benefit to the State economy. In general, financing assistance through DITR has entailed the provision of interestbearing unsecured loans to facilitate or expedite projects in the critical early stages. This form of assistance is regarded as being more appropriate and commercially desirable than the earlier practice of providing direct financial grants.

This was the assistance given to such developments as Fantasy Farms, Islamic Abattoirs of Australia Pty Ltd, Wallace International Ltd and so on. At one stage a Malaysian princess came to Australia and collected $1 million of VEDC money and then disappeared. Unfortunately, she did not leave a forwarding address and I do not know whether they have caught up with that lady, but I think she may not be back.

I have another book that is dated August 1988, two months before the election in October, which lists the firms that were being helped. I will not read them out, but it is quite instructive. It is significant that it contains not one mention of the Victorian Economic Development Corporation. Sherlock Holmes said that the clue in one of his murder cases was the barking dog. Dr Watson asked, "What barking dog?" Sherlock Holmes replied that the vital clue was that the dog did not bark in the night. In this book the government is not barking about the VEDC. The earlier book said what a wonderful project the VEDC was, yet the book dated August 1988-when the Treasurer said that he had no idea that the VEDC was in frightful financial trouble-does not mention the VEDC. The government knew very well that it was in trouble, but it did not tell us, not on your nelly! It did not tell the Opposition or the Victorian people, but the truth came out after the election, when it was too late for the people to pass their judgment on such mendacity.

The truth about this government is emerging slowly, but unluckily we have about three years to go before the next election. The government should pay attention to Mr McCrann and the Australian. We have only to talk round the Age and then we will have a hat-trick; all three papers will be calling for the Treasurer's resignation. The Australian Business of 2 AU$ust 1989 speaks for all of us. The front page shows a glossy picture, and the headlIne is, "The State of Insolvency". The article goes into some detail about what the government has been up to and tells us about the storm of red ink breaking over the heads of everyone in Victoria, the terrible losses piling up and the financial disasters that are occurring. Everything that the government has tried has turned to dross. The Premier, the Treasurer and Dr Sheehan are the guilty parties. We warn the people of Victoria that they will have to take drastic steps to get these limpets off the rocks. The limpets are hanging on and will not be moved. They are like barnacles on the ship of State, and it is about time that they were scraped off.

A headline which appeared in the Age on the same day that the Budget was introduced says that business and the rich will bear the brunt of the bigger tax take. That was a naive headline. The article says that payroll tax, which will rise by $1·747 million, is a tax on business and the rich. It is not; it is a tax on employment. We have told the


government repeatedly that businesses can employ fewer people if they have to pay more payroll tax. Stamp duty will increase by $1·5 million, the revenue from Tattersalls by $284 000, from land tax by $267 000 and from petrol by $261 000. Taxes on liquor and petrol are not taxes on the rich, they are taxes on the middle class and many poor people-the working class, if I can use that rather old-fashioned expression. They are the victims of many of these taxes, and the government has treated them shamefully.

In the Herald today is a story, below Terry McCrann's article, under the headline, "Council rates soar-the steepest jump in twenty' years". I have been following the saga in the papers and I know that many councils are in the most desperate plight because they have no choice but to put up their rates because the money is not available to $}ve councils the same amount that they received last year. The grants to many councils have gone down because the government has squandered the money that should have gone to council projects.

Mr Smith told us how much money has been squandered by the government. He said that it was equal to $50 million per electorate per year. With that money we could have given a few million dollars to famine relief, or built new roads and harbours or a thousand other projects, but instead it has disappeared, like throwing water on the sand. We do not have that money but we have enormous debts to pay.

I could go on for a long time, but I shall save much of the ammunition for the debate in Committee, when I shall give a more detailed view of how the government has squandered money over the past seven years. Government members laugh, but they are the only folk in Victoria who find these episodes to be comical. It is a shameful and sad record of a government that came into office with a promise of modem money management. When government members first came into office they talked about the hollow logs and said that the hollow logs were full of money. They have emptied them out and burnt the logs. The State is a financial shell. The only asset it has left is the taxpayers, who will have to make good the errors and mismanagement of the government.

The Hon. R. A. MACKENZIE (Geelong Province )-1 move: That the debate be adjourned until the next day of meeting.

The Hon. HADOON STOREY (East Yarra Province)-Mr President, there has been no discussion about the motion moved by Mr Mackenzie. Opposition speakers are ready and willing to speak on the debate and, unless some reason is advanced or there is some discussion with the parties, there seems to be no reason why the debate should not continue.

The Hon. D. R. WHITE (Minister for Industry, Technology and Resources)-I acknowledge the remarks made by the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. I inform honourable members that the House has just received the Appropriation Bill and the Works and Services Bill. Under the Sessional Orders it is necessary for new business to be introduced before 10 p.m. I therefore seek the leave of the House to proceed with the second reading of the Appropriation Bill and the Works and Services Bill. Following the second-reading speeches on those Bills, I foreshadow that I will seek leave to have the Budget Papers incorporated as part of the debate on the Appropriation Bill and the Works and Services Bill. If it is the wish of the Deputy Leader of the Opposition that the House resumes debate on the Budget Papers following the second-reading speeches, I am happy for that to occur.

The Hon. HADDON STOREY (East Yarra Province) (By leave)-I thank the Deputy Leader of the government for his explanation, but it would have been more sensible if he had made that explanation before the motion was moved by Mr Mackenzie. The Opposition would be pleased to accommodate the suggestion of the

Session 1989-27

802 COUNCIL 11 October 1989 Appropriation (1989-90, No. 1) Bill

Deputy Leader, but the motion was moved as it was by Mr Mackenzie. If the motion is amended the Opposition will be happy for it to proceed.

The Hon. R. A. MACKENZIE (Geelong Province)-By leave, I move: That the motion be amended by substituting for the words "the next day of meeting" the words "later

this day".

The amendment was agreed to.

The motion, as amended, was agreed to, and the debate was adjourned until later this day.

APPROPRIATION (1989-90, No. 1) BILL This Bill was received from the Assembly and, on the motion of the Hon. D. R.

WHITE (Minister Assisting the Treasurer), was read a first time.

The Hon. D. R. WHITE (Minister Assisting the Treasurer)-I move: That the Bill be printed and, by leave, the second reading be made an Order of the Day forthwith.

The Hon. R. J. LONG (Gippsland Province)-On the question of leave, I make it clear to the House and the government that, despite the government having adopted an attitude of leave being granted automatically, that procedure should not be looked upon as a right. I give notice that in future automatic leave will not be granted.


The Hon. D. R. WHITE (Minister Assisting the Treasurer)-I move: That this Bill be now read a second time.

The Bill provides the necessary legislative authority for both recurrent and works and services expenditure proposals in so far as they require appropriations for the 1989-90 financial year. It appropriates the sums required for the services of that financial year, including the amount previously appropriated under the Supply (1989-90, No. 1) Act 1989.

The Treasurer, in his Budget speech, indicated that this is the most stringent Budget presented to Parliament in more than two decades. Budgetary decisions this year were circumscribed by three fundamental constraints. Firstly, the Commonwealth government made a substantial cut in general revenue funding to Victoria. It also reduced Victoria's global limit borrowing allocation by $379 million. Secondly, the present slowing in economic activity will adversely affect growth in Victoria's revenue base. Thirdly, community expectations and demographic trends are placing increasing demands on the provision of essential services by government.

In this difficult Budget context, Mr President, the government has taken strong action to reduce inefficiencies and to improve work practices. Productivity improvement savings will apply to recurrent spending for the fifth year in succession and additional savings will be effected. These savings enable the government to provide for important social, economic and environmental initiatives while keeping the rate of growth in outlays to 3·7 per cent, the lowest recorded during the 29 years for which comparable data are available.

At the same time the Budget protects ordinary families from increased taxes and revenue-raising measures are kept to the bare minimum. It increases services to those in greatest need; it preserves Victoria's position as the leading State in environmental protection; and it sustains the State's superior economic performance. This Budget

Works and Services Bill 11 October 1989 COUNCIL 803

provides for the lowest levels of both public sector borrowing and debt as a share of State non-farm product over the past three decades.

The initiatives introduced in the 1989-90 Budget are described in detail in a comprehensive set of Budget Papers. These papers are provided by the Treasurer to inform honourable members about the Budget context and strategy and the activities of agencies as proposed in the Budget for the 1989-90 financial year.

Turning to the Appropriation Bill itself, subclause (1) of clause 4 provides for the issue and application of the sum of $11·04 billion. This is the total amount requiring appropriation for both recurrent and certain works and purposes from the Consolidated Fund for the 1989-90 financial year. Subclauses (2) and (3) of clause 4 provide authority in accordance with established practice to provide additional appropriation where necessary for wage awards that may be handed down during the year.

Clause 5 terminates the operation of the Supply (1989-90, No. 1) Act 1989, while clause 6 ensures that the total amount that may be expended under the authority of the Bill and the Supply Act does not exceed the amount of the expenditure provided for under this Bill for the 1989-90 financial year.

Clause 7 provides the necessary appropriation authority for the amount of $11·04 billion, while subclause (2) allows for Governor in Council approval of works and services expenditure authority transfers from items 5561 and 5562 in Program No. 726 where the Treasurer considers this necessary. Subclause (3) provides the reporting mechanism for such transfers.

Clause 8 appropriates the expenditure that was charged during the 1988-89 financial year under the authority of section 16 of the Public Account Act 1958, while clause 9 appropriates expenditure from the Advance to Treasurer provided under Program No. 729 in 1988-89.

Oause 10 authorises the Treasurer to allow funds to be reallocated between programs within an agency, but funds cannot be transferred between the recurrent and works and services components of programs. Provision is also made in this clause for reporting such transfers in the Treasurer's annual finance statement.

Consistent with established practice the 1988-89 actual expenditures have been rearranged to conform to the Ministry and program structures in the Appropriation (1989-90, No. 1) Bill. This practice means that the proposed appropriations for 1989-90 and expenditures as indicated in the Bill for the 1988-89 financial year are comparable. I shall endeavour to furnish further information requested of me when the appropriations are considered in detail during the Committee stage.


On the motion of the Hon. HAD DON STOREY (East Yarra Province), the debate was adjourned.

It was ordered that the debate be adjourned until later this day.

WORKS AND SERVICES (ANCILLARY PROVISIONS, 1989-90, No. 2) BILL

This Bill was received from the Assembly and, on the motion of the Hon. D. R. WHITE (Minister Assisting the Treasurer), was read a first time.

The Hon. D. R. WHITE (Minister Assisting the Treasurer)-I move: That the Bill be printed and by leave, the second reading be made an Order of the Day forthwith.

804 COUNCIL 11 October 1989 Concurrent Debate on Bills and Budget Papers

Subject to Mr Long's earlier comments and those I made about the requirements of Standing Orders to have the second reading of the Bills introduced before 10 p.m., and with the leave that Mr Storey so kindly granted earlier, I seek leave to have the Bill read a second time forthwith.


The Hon. D. R. WHITE (Minister Assisting the Treasurer)-I move: That this Bill be now read a second time.

The Bill provides for non-specific appropriation matters, mainly related to works and services expenditure in the Department of Water Resources and the Rural Water Commission, but also includes one section related to education. The clauses in the Bill have the same function as those included in the Works and Services (Ancillary Provisions, No. 1) Bill 1989.

It is appropriate that this Bill and the Appropriation Bill be debated cognately to facilitate consideration of the matters contained in them and cognate debate will, therefore, be proposed.


On the motion of the Hon. HAD DON STOREY (East Yarra Province), the debate was adjourned.

It was ordered that the debate be adjourned until later this day.

CONCURRENT DEBATE ON BILLS AND BUDGET PAPERS The Hon. D. R. WHITE (Minister Assisting the Treasurer)-By leave, I move: That this House authorises and requires the Honourable the President to permit the second-reading

debate on the Appropriation (1989-90, No. 1) Bill and the Works and Services (Ancillary Provisions, 1989-90, No. 2) Bill to be taken concurrently with further debate on the motion to take note of the Budget Papers 1989-90.

The PRESIDENT -Order! Before putting the motion, I remind honourable members of the standard practice which has been followed in the past. It means that honourable members who have not yet spoken on the motion to take note of the Budget Papers will now be speaking on all three items, the Budget Papers, the Appropriation Bill and the Works and Services Bill. Those who have previously spoken on the Budget Papers are not precluded from speaking again. But they should, in accordance with previous rulings, raise issues different from those they raised in speaking on the Budget Papers if they desire to exercise their right to speak again.


APPROPRIATION (1989-90, No. 1) BILL, WORKS AND SERVICES (ANCILLARY PROVISIONS, 1989-90, No. 2) BILL AND BUDGET PAPERS

1989-90

The debates (adjourned from earlier this day) were resumed on the motions of the Hon. D. R. White (Minister Assisting the Treasurer) for the second reading of these Bills and:

That the Council take note of the Budget Papers 1989-90.

The Hon. R. A. MACKENZIE (Geelong Province)-I shall make a contribution to the debate on the appropriations for 1989-90. All honourable members are in

Appropriation and Works and Services Bills 11 October 1989 COUNCIL 805

agreement that we are in a time of economic constraint. I do not think any of us have any argument with the need of the government to endeavour in some way to restrict the spending of government funds-public funds-at this time. Neither side of the House will argue with that. The only difference to be argued is in the areas where the spending reductions should occur. No doubt there have been arguments within the government party over the preceding months where honourable members have given their opinions on where cuts should and should not be made. Now that the Bill is before the House members of the opposition parties will have the opportunity of expressing their views. One can only hope the government will consider what is said at this stage and, if it is not able to alter the present Budget, it will take into account what honourable members say for future Budgets.

I raise several issues which are of concern to me and to which I hope the government will give consideration. One area of concern-and it applies not only to my electorate but also, I am sure, Statewide-is the increasing trend towards violence within the community. We have witnessed a number of serious incidents of violence in the community, including a couple involving innocent citizens being gunned down. As a result, the government-and quite rightly, I believe-gave a brief to the Social Development Committee to examine ways in which the government could react and what it could do to curb this violent trend in our society.

As a result of that committee's investigation, recommendations have been made, and I am pleased that the government has reacted to those recommendations. It will take some time and considerable work by the government and by every one of us to remedy the situation. We want to see our children and the next generation come into a society that is safe, one in which the citizens are protected and all forms of violence are reduced to a minimum.

Violence takes many forms. It is not only violence like the Hoddle Street shootings, but also violence in the home; in the schoolyard; and the form of violence used when we force old people into homes-that is, they are taken out of their residences and are forced into places where tney do not want to go. The exercising of power over people is a form of violence. We are all concerned about the violent trend and from what we read in the newspapers and hear in the media we are becoming an increasingly violent society. We are becoming desensitised to the rights of others. The government has to come to grips with what is occurring in society. We have to look at educating the young; at what necessary controls have to be exercised; what we are doing in regard to our legal system, our law and corrections area; and so on. We· must examine all these areas at a time of financial constraint.

One of the committee's recommendations that has been accepted by the government is the setting up of a Community Council against Violence. That council has been set up under the chairmanship ofMrs Judy Dixon and involves with people of considerable expertise. It is high-powered committee which has the ability to monitor and examine areas of violence and offer recommendations to government. It is a committee where members can put forward ideas and suggestions as to what the government should do to curb that trend.

It is up to us to give that committee support. More funds should be provided for the committee because at present it is operating on a shoestring with only one permanent employee assisting it. To do its job properly, the committee will require more backing from the government.

Geelong has followed suit by holding a public meeting and it is in the process of establishing a regional committee to examine violence. We are concerned about violence, particularly around the nightclubs in Geelong where in the early hours of the morning patrons are being bashed by bouncers and thugs. There has been a strong

806 COUNCIL 11 October 1989 Appropriation and Works and Services Bills

crackdown. Problems are also created because many of these establishments have obtained licences to operate for longer periods. All these areas need to be examined. Violence is a problem that is seriously affecting our society. It concerns and worries me a great deal, and I wonder what sort of society we are bringing up our children in.

An aspect of community violence that tends to be forgotten-we are all guilty of it-is the victims of violence. Much publicity is given to the perpetrators of violence and the work of the police, but the victims are often forgotten. It must also be remembered that a great number of violent crimes go unreported. In fact, a tremendous number of unreported crimes occur, where people have become victims but they do not get publicity in the press and no-one knows about them. Little is being done in this area.

A group in Melbourne known as VOCAL-the Victims of Crime Assistance League-is providing counselling and other help to victims of crime and violence. To its credit the government has provided a compensation scheme for victims of crime, but that area should also be examined because only a small amount of money is paid to victims. There is a need to consider what the victims of violence and crime are going through.

There have been instances recently of some horrific experiences suffered by victims of crime. The government needs to address this matter more seriously and consider what should be done by way of compensation for innocent people who just happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Coupled with this violence is the ever-increasing drug problem, which can lead to violence. People in need of such substances are inclined to carry out violent crimes in an endeavour to obtain sufficient funds to support their habits. This needs to be considered seriously, because drugs and alcohol contribute to violence. When one examines the statistics, it very quickly becomes apparent that much needs to be done in this area.

I have been a little disappointed that the government has not responded to my requests to support the Life Education Centre program. The program has been an enormous success in New South Wales, and the government of that State fully funds the program. I seem to have been unable to convince the Victorian government to embrace the program and to be as supportive as I should like it to be. It seems stran~e to me that the government should be reluctant to support a program such as this, which is aimed at long-term prevention of various social problems. In fact, if it is possible to teach young children to understand fully what looking after their bodies is all about, what harmful substances can do to their bodies, and how they can become potential victims if they do not look after themselves, all efforts should be made to do so.

The opportunity now exists of educating young people so that at least they are aware of the problems that could arise. Of course, they will still occur, but at least if we can save many of the children through proper education that will be a good thing. It seems a tragedy to me that, although the public has responded and provided the money to buy caravans, the Federal government still imposes charges and sales tax on their purchase and the State government imposes charges and payroll tax on the centres. The centres are being charged by the governments to perform an essential duty. I should like the government to give serious consideration to helping the Life Education Centre program.

One caravan operates in Geelong at present and the response from schools and school staff has been tremendous. They have been extremely supportive and they recognise the benefits of the education provided by the caravans. The caravan that


services Geelong will educate approximately 13 000 schoolchildren in the Shire of Corio alone. There are nine municipalities in the Geelong area, which could well do with an additional three or four caravans, but the funds are just not available, and the public cannot be expected to keep raisin~ funds to purchase them. As it is, the public contributed some $4 million Australia-Wide for the program.

I believe prevention is far better than cure, and if it is possible to keep kids off the streets, prevent them from becoming alcoholics and stop them from taking drugs, it will save the government a lot of money in the long run, because the social problems and costs to the community through alcoholism and drug abuse are enormous.

To its credit, the government has effectively tackled the problem of tobacco. It has made tremendous inroads in that regard, for which it should be complimented. In fact, it has attracted world recognition for its actions on tobacco advertising.

When one considers that there are 250 000 alcoholics throughout Australia, that 25 per cent of hospital beds are taken up by victims of alcohol and related diseases, and that some 50 per cent of the accidents that occur on the roads are caused by alcohol-related problems, one realises there is an urgent need to work on prevention and to ensure that as many children as possible are kept away from these substances. It would mean not only saving lives but also saving considerable money in the long run.

I wish to direct attention to three or four issues relating to government cutbacks that are of concern to me. Although I understand why the ~overnment is cutting back, in some instances the cutbacks are creating dangerous sItuations. To illustrate my point, I refer to the recent dispute in the transport industry that resulted from the government's decision to reduce the number of staff on public transport, particularly the number of conductors on trams and the number of staff in the railway system. The government has done away with the guards and inspectors, and it is trying to reduce the number of staff within the system.

An interesting paper was prepared about a similar problem that occurred in Holland. That country experienced the same sort of cost cuttIng, and its government did away with conductors and guards on trains. However, a bold experiment was carried out in Holland. In effect, the situation was reversed, and 1400 unemployed young people were trained and employed to act as guards and ticket collectors in the public transport system. The results of the experiment have been quite amazing. There has been an enormous turnaround; it has been possible to recoup a large amount of money by stopping fare evasion, and it has been possible to prevent vandalism by having these people workin~ in the system. There has also been a reduction in the violence that occurs on pubhc transport.

There is a need to consider what is occurring overseas. Only last week, I read about the awful subway in New York.

The Hon. K. M. SMITH (South Eastern Province)-On a point of order, Mr President, I do not believe Mr Mackenzie has identified the source of the document to which he referred, and I ask him to do so.

The PRESIDENT -Order! Such a request can be made by way of interjection; nevertheless, I ask Mr Mackenzie to identify the source of the document.

The Hon. R. A. MACKENZIE (Geelong Province)-The report is from the Parliamentary Library. It is entitled Crime Prevention at Work: The Care of Public Transport in the Netherlands and it is written by Henk van Andel. I was quoting from page 47.

The awful situation of the New York subway is now improving. In the past there was grafitti everywhere, seats were slashed and it was dangerous to travel on the


subway. However, that trend has now been reversed but it has not happened through cutting back funds. Funds have been increased and more staff have been appointed. Better facilities for the public have been provided, and those measures have made a huge difference. The government must be careful that the cuts it makes do not have an adverse effect.

Another area of concern to me is the MV The Rip, which was commissioned by the government in 1985 at a cost of approximately $4·5 million. MV The Rip is specially designed to do specific jobs. It is large vessel and was built to carry out the maintenance on all shipping buoys not only in Port Phillip Bay but also around Western Port and Lakes Entrance. It is equipped to help vessels that break down and it can carry out rescue operations. It has highly sophisticated equipment to cope with oil spills, and it is also equipped to pick up flotsam and jetsam.

Last year the vessel's crew members became concerned because the port authority had to cut the costs of the operation of the vessel and so decided to reduce its number of days at sea. The authority estimated that it cost $8000 a day for the vessel to be at sea. A couple of crew members who live in the province I represent came to see me about the situation. They had carried out a study and provided me with figures showing that the port authority was wrong and that it did not cost $8000 a day for the ship to be at sea. The highest figure the crew could come up with was $4000 a day. With a reduced number of days at sea, the crew of the vessel had difficulty in carrying out the program of servicing buoys and keeping them operating effectively.

What really upsets me about this is that I went to the Minister for Transport and told him that crew members had come to me in confidence and had asked me to take up the matter with him. I told the Minister that they were nervous about taking action because they were criticising their employer; however, they felt obliged to do so because of the safety factor. I spoke to the Minister and explained the position to him. I asked him to make sure that any action he took did not involve the crew. Unfortunately, that did not happen and, as a result, the crew has been disbanded. The skipper of the ship was given a golden handshake and the first mate was put in charge of a small 40-foot boat and has since had a breakdown. The crew has been ostracised by the port authority. That is hard for me to take because they came to me in confidence. I guaranteed their confidentiality, but that promise was broken by the Minister. As a result those men no longer have jobs.

Last year MV The Rip was tied up for 200 days of the year; that is 200 days when the bay was unprotected. If an oil spill had occurred, nothing could have been done. Honourable members must remember that one does not go down to the dock and turn on the starter motor to take out the ship; it takes more than 24 hours to commission the ship so that it can leave the dock.

There have been complaints about the lights on the buoys not being maintained and there have been problems in other areas. The person now in charge of the vessel does not have sufficient certificates to take the ship beyond the 3-mile limit. The whole situation is a disaster, and the cutting of costs has placed people using Port Phillip Bay at considerable risk.

Earlier today honourable members discussed the closure of some courthouses in Victoria. That is another example of false economy. Although it may reduce the bill of the Attorney-General's Department by some $500000, that cost will be passed on to the people who can least afford it. Solicitors will charge their clients for the additional travelling time. That is another area where cost cutting has had exactly the reverse effect of what it should have. The government cannot go on reducing services of that type.


During the course of the debate honourable members referred to local government rates. Local councils are expected to provide additional services. The government is trying to increase the throughput of hospitals by getting people back to their homes as quickly as possible. The length of time people spend in hospital after undergoing surgery has been reduced considerably. Hospitals have been encouraged to send people home as soon as possible. However, when patients get home, they are entitled to home care provided by local councils. While Health Department Victoria and hospitals may be saving money, the cost is being picked up by local councils.

I should have thought that the government would increase the funding for the Home and Community Care Program to cater for this, but it has reduced the funding. Once again, the wrong people are being victimised. The government is cutting back in the wrong places.

The government is trying to keep elderly people out of institutions for as long as possible. No-one argues with that because the longer elderly people can stay in the comfort of their own homes the better it will be. However, that can happen only through assistance from the Home and Community Care Program, meals on wheels and so on. Councils are being forced to pay for those services but they are not receiving additional funds. The government must look at the overall picture. It is no good for the government to balance its Budget ifit puts someone else's budget through the roof.

The Hon. R. M. Hallam-They have pulled their rabbit out of someone else's hat.

The Hon. R. A. MACKENZIE-That is one way of putting it. The government must look at where it is making the cuts and ensure that it is not creating serious problems that will turn out to be extremely costly.

Honourable members have heard about the visiting child health care nurses pro~, which was a tremendous success in Geelong. That program has now been discontinued by the government, an action that has created many problems in areas around Victoria.

The last issue I raise involves an area where the government could reduce its funding. The government has commenced a massive road-widening program in the forests of the Central Highlands. The idea of the program is to increase the width of many forest roads throughout that area in the hope that they will dry out and allow forest products to be transported. Unfortunately, the program is devastating the environment. In the next twenty years the government proposes to spend $77·9 million on these works, and already $3·1 million has been spent on the project. Unfortunately, the road-widening is having drastic effects.

A technical report produced by the Department of Conservation, Forests and Lands lists "economic viability, environmental sensitivity, sustainability of forest values and public participation in planning" as part of the forest management principles. If one examines what has actually occurred in this area, one notes that there has been little consultation with the public. The environmental destruction that has already taken place in no way resembles "environmental sensitivity". In some areas the Leadbeater's possum could be facing serious problems. The possum is rare enough now, but it is coming under further threat. The government should not have spent that money because it has created environmental problems. It could have saved $3·1 million and the $4·7 million that is proposed to be spent in the next twelve months on this road-widening project.

In conclusion, I point out that all honourable members have different ideas about how the government should allocate its funds, where they should be cut back and where they should be increased, and the debate offers honourable members from both sides of the House the opportunity of doing that. In these tight economic times there must be some pruning, but one hopes that the government listens to what is said in


debates such as this. Earlier today Mr Wright pointed out that in days gone by honourable members who raised matters in debate on the Appropriation Bill would receive replies from Ministers. I hope this debate on the Bud~et Papers is not a useless charade in which the government simply ignores all the pOInts made by honourable members contributing to the. debate.

I ask Ministers in this House to take note of what Mr Wright has said and to consider producing responses from the government to matters raised in the debate.

The Hon. HADOON STOREY (East Yarra Province)-I shall address my remarks to Pro~m No. 144 in the arts budget, which concerns the development of cultural activities, with specific reference to item 2595, which provides for assistance to cultural activities. The arts budget has suffered a cutback, as have bud~ets in many other portfolios. The Minister for the Arts is representing the State of VIctoria at a function this evening, but I know he will read my contribution to the debate with some interest.

Item 2595 providing for assistance to cultural activities is important in the spectrum of the arts budget because it covers all grants made to the some 300 organisations that provide the rich cultural activities enjoyed by Victorians. The Victoria State Opera is the biggest recipient, receiving more than $1 million, but others range through a number of the performing arts, the visual arts and art galleries, and small grants are provided to encourage young artists in a range of fields.

The Minister has issued a number of statements about the extent to which funds have been cut this year. I shall take the House briefly through those statements and explain the failure of the Minister to account for his statements; I shall attack the way in which the government has approached this whole exercise.

Bud$et Paper No. 3, which represents the Appropriation Bill, states that allocation for assIstance to cultural activities has been increased from $8·918 million to $9·695 million this year. That suggests there has been an increase in the Budget, although in real terms that increase is very small. The Minister issued a press release on 11 August 1989 in which he set out the amount of money available through the Arts Development Fund. It showed a break-up between general and special allocations. The amounts set out in that document show a much higher expenditure last year than the figures set out in the Budget Papers. The allocation for this year is the same-$9·695 million. The discrepancy needs to be explained. There is a reduction in money terms in the general allocation of 0·6 per cent, and in real terms the reduction is 8·2 per cent.

In answer to a question without notice asked by Mr Ives on 6 September the Minister, in referring to the Arts Development Fund,. said:

In the calendar year 1990, some $9·5 million will be distributed by allocations ...

He suggested that represented a 6 per cent cash reduction and, in real terms, a 13·5 per cent reduction. So three different sets of figures have been presented to the public, and they are not reconcilable.

The Minister for the Arts has been asked a number of questions about the matter in the past couple of days. To be perfectly frank, he has not given any credible explanation for the discrepancy in the figures that have been mentioned. In the end, the Ministerin answer to three or four questions from honourable members on this side of the House-said that all would be explained in the position paper that would be made available to me and others who asked the questions.

I received that paper and thank the Minister for it. Subsequently, by leave, I had that paper incorporated in Hansard so that it may be seen and studied by everybody in the arts community. The paper fails to explain the 6 per cent reduction that the Minister keeps claiming applies to the Arts Development Fund. The paper sets out


the same figures as those to which I have referred as having been set out in the Minister's press release.

The reality is that sooner or later the advisers to the Minister for the Arts will provide some explanation that clarifies the discrepancy between the 0·6 per cent and the 6 per cent. There is a suggestion in the explanation in the Minister's paper of the' fact that the Arts Development Fund grants are for calendar years as distinct from financial years.

The Hon. D. R. White-It is a bit like Hamlet: "0·6 or not 0.6", as I said earlier.

The Hon. HADDON STOREY-The difference between 0·6 per cent and 6 per cent is of no consequence to the government. A government that can afford to lose some $200 million through the State Bank and $31 billion in a variety of exercises does not have any concern for that amount.

The Hon. D. R. White-It does.

The Hon. HADDON STOREY -Arts organisations who have reasonable expectations of receiving this funding consider there to be a world of difference between a cut of 6 per cent and a cut of 0·6 per cent. The way that the government has handled the matter is totally unwarranted and unfair to those organisations that have been in receipt of grants through the Arts Development Fund. It does not matter whether it is 6 per cent or 0·6 per cent because they will suffer even greater cuts than that.

A spokesman for the Ministry for the Arts has said to people who have been in receipt of these grants can expect to have something like a 20 per cent cut! That is, there is the mythical 6 per cent and then another 14 per cent to be added for new initiatives that the government has decided to undertake.

The government should look closely at this matter. In a time of constraint, when everybody must share the burden created by the government's total mismanagement of the economy so that it is unable to maintain the services it has provided in the past, the government should develop a proper approach in introducing economies to people who have expectations of certain grants because of past government action and promises.

At the last election the government issued an arts policy in which it made some specific promises. It promised to support growth-and I emphasise the word "growth" -to such bodies as the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art, the Victorian Tapestry Workshop, the Meat Market Craft Centre and the Victoria State Opera. Each of those organisations has been told to expect cuts.

The government promised to maximise the potential of the St Martin's Youth Art Centre; it promised to continue support to the Victorian Rock Foundation. It is absolutely fascinating when one considers the government's arts policy and the language used in it. The government was going to support growth in the four organisations I have mentioned and maximise the potential of another organisation. However, for the Victorian Rock Foundation it was just going to continue support.

The Hon. D. R. White-You are not anti-rock are you? You are showing your bias!

The Hon HADDON STOREY-The government is cutting the support for the four organisations whose growth it promised to support. It is cutting assistance to the St Martin's Youth Art Centre after it promised to maximise its potential. However, for the Victorian Rock Foundation, which it said it would simply continue supporting, it has increased its support by 270 per cent in real terms.


The Hon. D. R. White-This is a reflection on the Rolling Stones! Does the Liberal Party not support the rock industry?

The Hon. HADDON STOREY -It is a reflection on the ability of Mr Peter Steedman to affect this government. He has managed to extract a 270 per cent increase in the grant to the Victorian Rock Foundation.

The Hon. D. R. White-And that was just the cost of his motorbike jacket!

The Hon. R. A. Best-And his studs!

The Hon. D. R. White-And his studs. Don't get excited, now!

The Hon. HAD DON STOREY-The first problem for which the government has to account is that it has broken its election promises.

The Hon. R. M. Hallam-Again!

The Hon. HADDON STOREY-Secondly, the government has been absolutely incompetent in the way it has gone about handling these cuts. The government has created expectations; it has caused the companies-particularly the performing arts companies-to plan ahead as they must, sometimes two or three years in advance, to make their arrangements. Now the companies are being confronted with cuts to their budgets.

The Hon. R. M. Hallam-They have not been told there may be cuts.

The Hon. HADDON STOREY-Today the Minister for the Arts waxed eloquent about the worth of the Victoria State Opera. He said it might well be the best opera company in Australia and I think he is correct in that.

The Hon. C. J. Kennedy-How would you know? I have never seen you there!

The Hon. HADDON STOREY-What has the government done?

The Hon. K. M. Smith-The government should move Peter Steedman to the opera!

The Hon. HADDON STOREY-The reputation of the Victoria State Opera has been enhanced this year by the magnificent season it has produced. When did it commence arranging that? Some four years ago!

The Hon. D. R. White-With some support from the Victorian Health Promotion Foundation. .

The Hon. HADDON STOREY-Now the Victoria State Opera has been told it can expect cuts of at least 6 per cent. There has been no consultation.

The Hon. K. M. Smith-Again!

The Hon. HADDON STOREY-Again. There has been no attempt to sit down with these groups and ask, "How can we plan this?" Nobody has said, "Cutbacks will need to be made; how can we go about achieving them?" That would be the proper way of going about it: to develop a staged program for reducing government support for those organisations if the government cannot afford to continue supporting them. Instead, the government sends out what the Minister laughingly calls early warnings but what are in fact an early threat of what is to happen to them, and the government creates disillusionment and lowers morale in the arts community.

This is hardly the time to venture into a lot of new activities. What are the new activities on which the government is going to use the savings from the proposed


14 per cent cuts? The government says that those cutbacks will support new initiatives, but one must ask questions about these initiatives.

At the same time, the government has increased spending on the Melbourne Spoleto Festival, or on what used to be called the Spoleto Festival but will now rejoice in the magnificent title of the Melbourne International Festival of the Arts. Does the name not roll off the tongue? Is it not an eminently forgettable phrase, as my Leader has just reminded me?

There must be 10 000 international festivals of the arts around the world and the "Melbourne International Festival of the Arts" has no ring about it to raise people's interest or to give it any credence. At the same time the government is cutting back on the infrastructure of arts in this State it has increased funding for the Spoleto Festival. I do not begrudge the money for the Spoleto Festival but the government should look at the whole arts spectrum and not just the Spoleto Festival.

The Minister has been indulging in Ministerial hype. He has gone around all over the place talking about the arts precinct. Somebody else has talked about the arts ghetto, and has asked what is an arts precinct. It is a valid question. If the arts precinct suffers the cuts the government has introduced, perhaps it will become the arts ghetto. It is important that the arts be maintained. If we are to put up the best possible bid we can for the 1996 Olympic Games, we must show that we believe in our cultural pursuits and have a vibrant and effective arts culture that presents an image we want the world to see. This is not the time to be cutting funding without consultation, without preparation and without working out how the cuts will affect these companies. If the Minister wants new initiatives he should work out how to achieve them without affecting existing organisations. Perhaps he can go to some of the sponsors he went to for the Spoleto Festival to help out!

The Minister has relied upon his advisory committees. He says that the allocation of funds has gone off to the advisory committees who will be making the decisions; that it has nothing to do with the government. I suggest it has everything to do with the government. The advisory committees act on instructions they receive from the government. They have been told that they must allow for the mythical 6 per cent cut and provide 14 per cent for new initiatives. They have been given a smaller cake; they have been told that the Minister wants new initiatives; they have no room to move. It is entirely the Minister's responsibility.

It is a tragedy that this government has so little concern for the arts in this community that it has handled the Arts Development Fund in this way. If the government had a true beliefin the arts, it would have explained exactly what the Budget is all about and not left it to be dragged out-and it has not been fully dragged out-by questions in this House. The Minister should have sat down with these organisations and explained the problems and worked out with them how to overcome the problems. That is the way a responsible government should have acted and it is a tragedy that this government has not done so. It stands condemned by the promises that have been made and not kept. Those promises have not been fulfilled and the government will be judged accordingly. I look forward to debating many other matters during the Committee stage.

On the motion of the Hon. G. R. CRAIGE (Central Highlands Province), the debates were adjourned.

It was ordered that the debates be adjourned until the next day of meeting.


ADJOURNMENT Housing for blind person-Health fund gap benefit payment-State Emergency Service

payments-Correspondence with Minister for Health-Local government pecuniary interest provisions-Registered nurses award-Radiotherapy services-Brothel by-laws-Victims of crime-Council acquisition powers

The Hon. D. R. WHITE (Minister for Industry, Technology and Resources)-I move:

That the House, at its rising, adjourn until Tuesday, October 24.


The Hon. D. R. WHITE (Minister for Industry, Technology and Resources)-I move:

That the Council do now adjourn.

The Hon. G. R. CRAIGE (Central Highlands Province)-I raise a matter for the attention of the Minister for Housing and Construction. Wayne Whelan, who is blind and is at present living at Lilydale, has been on the Ministry's rental aid waiting list for sixteen months. He went from that waiting list onto the emergency listing for eight weeks and, after lengthy discussion with officers from the Ministry in the outer eastern region, was placed on the priority list. To his dismay he has been informed that he has a further six months to wait for accommodation.

Mr Whelan currently rents accommodation from some very caring people at Lilydale but unfortunately his seeing-eye dog has created a problem and the owner of the house developed an allergy to the dog. The owner is prepared to allow Mr Whelan and his dog to remain there for a little longer until suitable accommodation is found. It is important for Mr Whelan to remain in the Nunawading-Lilydale area as he currently attends the Victorian Baptist Bible College in Kilsyth and needs to be able to attend that institution.

In view of the housin~ policy released before the last State election in which there was a considerable sectlon relating to housing people with disabilities-one of the eight points in the policy refers to developing joint ventures for the design and modification of houses and placing handicapped people on priority listing-I ask the Minister when Mr Whelan and his seeing-eye dog can expect to be provided with accommodation and a roof over their heads.

The Hon. P. R. HALL (Gippsland Province)-I raise with the Minister for Health the matter of gap benefit paid by private health insurances. I shall run quickly through the story of a constituent who came to see me last week. Unfortunately he has a cancer problem and was ordered by his doctor to have a CA T scan, which he did at the local hospital and was charged a fee of $434. The actual benefit paid by Medicare for that service was $320. The large difference was met by his private health insurers because he had received ther treatment as an inpatient in a local hospital.

The doctor ordered another scan several weeks later but on this occasion the scan was undertaken with my constituent being an outpatient at the same hospital. The same charge was made and the same refund provided from Medicare. However, when the gentleman went to see his private health insurer, there was no gap benefit payable. I made inquiries and found that it does not matter which private health insurance company is concerned: they all have the same policy. If the patient is treated as an outpatient, the private health insurer does not pay the gap benefit. Upon making inquiries with several private health insurance companies on this matter I learnt that the Federal government has directed that health insurances companies are not required


to pay that gap benefit for outpatient services but they are required to pay it when the patient is an inpatient at a hospital.

I ask the Minister to take up with her Federal colleague the question of that direction because it has important implications at the State level. If a constituent came to ask my advice I would tell that person to become an inpatient of a hospital, if possible, because then the gap benefit would be payable. Honourable members know the problems in this State associated with hospital beds, waiting lists and so on. It is an important matter in this State that private health insurance companies pay inpatient gap benefits but not outpatient gap benefits.

The Hon. K. M. SMITH (South Eastern Province)-I raise a matter for the attention of the Minister for Industry, Technology and Resources, who in this House represents the Minister for Police and Emergency Services. An article in the Independent News from the Mornington Peninsula indicates that the residents of the Frankston area are gravely concerned that they are paying double for their State Emergency Service.

Many people are concerned that the government's decision to reduce funding to the service is placing a great deal of pressure on local government. Indeed, the Municipal Association of Victoria has advised its members that they should withdraw the funds they provide to the State Emergency Service in an attempt to force the government adequately to fund the service, which is sorely needed and for which Victorians have paid as part of the huge tax burden imposed on them by the government.

Local residents feel they should not have to pay both State government taxes and local government rates to support the service. Government cutbacks in funding for the State Emergency Service will affect local fire brigades and the operations of local police officers who attend emergency scenes-and the government is responsible for the funding of those two services. It is unfair, not only for the people of Frankston but also for all Victorians, that they should have to pay twice for a service that the State government should fund. I ask the Minister what he intends to do to ensure that the State Emergency Service is adequately funded so that it can continue to provide a level of service for which it is much admired by the people of Victoria.

The Hon. G. H. COX (Nunawading Province)-I direct the attention of the Minister for Health to a matter I raised with her some time ago. It concerns Mrs Pat Rooney, whose son was seriously injured in an accident and did not survive the trauma despite critical care. Mrs Rooney wrote to the Minister on 12 September suggesting ways in which the provision of critical care services could be improved. Although I expect the Minister should have received the letter by now, because it was a personal letter sent to the Minister's department, Mrs Rooney is yet to receive a reply.

Recently I spoke to Mrs Rooney on the telephone. She told me that some years ago she enjoyed a tour of Parliament House conducted by a then new member of Parliament who Mrs Rooney felt had a positive vision for the future as well as a sense of perspective and a strong sense of reality. Mrs Rooney had a good deal of confidence in that new member-who is now the Minister for Health. One can understand why Mrs Rooney feels let down by the Minister's lack of response to her letter, especially as she was a critical care nurse for many years.

Some time after sending the letter Mrs Rooney telephoned Health Department Victoria and was told that the letter had been received and the matters she raised would be examined. Mrs Rooney deserves a response to her letter. Despite the trauma involved in losing her son, the night he died Mrs Rooney signed papers allowing her son's organs to be used for critical care transplants, a very difficult decision to make for either a relative or a parent.


I appeal to the Minister to examine her correspondence file to see whether the letter can be found. If it can be, I ask the Minister to do the decent thing and respond to Mrs Rooney's letter, especially taking into account that after the trauma of her son's death she agreed to allow his organs to be used for critical care transplants.

The Hon. W. R. BAXTER (North Eastern Province)-The matter I direct to the attention of the Minister for Local Government concerns pecuniary interests and the members of local council special committees. I make it clear from the outset that I am neither canvassing nor opposing the pecuniary interest provisions that apply to local councillors and certain nominated officers of local councils. However, I am concerned about the apparent impact that the new Local Government Act will have on a number of volunteers-that is, those people who constitute committees of mana$.ement of' various council properties such as public halls, recreation reserves and the hke.

Under the 1958 Act those committees were commonly known as section 241A committees and were charged with the responsibility of managing such properties on behalf of local councils-and pecuniary interest provisions did not apply to them. Under the present Act pecuniary interest provisions will apply to local councillors and members of special committees of council. The recent booklet on pecuniary interests circulated by the Minister and alluded to by her in the House on several occasions makes it clear that the definition of "special committees" has been extended to include committees that were formerly known as committees of management. It seems wrong to me that those provisions will be extended to include the membership of such committees.

I do not believe that is the intention of Parliament; but I am not sure of the government's intentions. If those provisions are to apply to such people, it will be very difficult to find volunteers willing to serve on small voluntary committees. Firstly, such people will be unable to comprehend why it is necessary to comply with the provisions by putting in a primary return as well as an annual return, because the matters they will be dealing with could not by any stretch of the imagination involve them in conflicts of pecuniary interest. Secondly, I am sure volunteers who deal with such small bickies will not appreciate why their private affairs should be made public by inclusion in the register.

If local government is unable to attract such volunteers how will local council properties be managed as efficiently and as cheaply as they have been? I ask the Minister either to amend the Act and to exempt what were formerly known as committees of management from the pecuniary interest provisions or to use what powers she has under the Act to allow such committees to be exempted. Section 80 allows the Minister to grant such exemptions-at least on a liberal interpretation of it. I ask the Minister to inform the House about the government's intentions and whether it will be necessary to legislate to provide for more appropriate exemptions.

The Hon. M. T. TEHAN (Central Highlands Province)-The matter I direct to the attention of the Minister for Health relates to and expands on a question I asked earlier today about whether the Minister had gone outside Victorian Industrial Relations Commission guidelines following a decision brought down by the commission earlier this year.

Because the question may not have contained sufficient detail to enable the Minister to give an adequate reply, I shall supply her with the facts on which it was based. The question concerned the decision of the Industrial Relations Commission on registered nurses professional rates, dated 19 May 1989, a decision of the Full Bench of the commission. In its judgment the commission said that it would award registered nurses a professional rates structure. The decision was to be implemented in two phases, the first of which has already taken place. The second phase is to be

IN D E X

VOLS 395, 396

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

(Bills are listed alphabetically under "Bills")

A

. Abattoirs-Closure of Ballarat, q 193.

Administrative Appeals Tribunal-Regional hearings 256. '

Adoption-Proposed legislation, 742.

Aerospace TechnolOlies of Australia Pty Ltd, q 683.

Aged Senices-General-Elderly person units for Sandringham, 96,

100. Research facilities, q 539. Projects, q 1299. Nursing Homes-Private, 31, 35, 422, 429. Com

monwealth funding, 341, 346. Mount Eliza centre, q 442. Queen Elizabeth Geriatric Centre, Ballarat, 724, 729. Facilities in South Barwon, q 839. Beds, 880. (See also "Pensioners" and "Senior Citizens Centres")

Apiculture and Rural Affairs, Department of-Agri-cultural education, q 1497.

Albert Park Sport Complex, 1280, 1281.

Albury-W odonga Development Corporation, qn 1615.

Alcohol-Task force cooperatives, qn 43, qn 45, qn 887. Availability, 344,48. Treatment services, q 741.

Alpine Resorts Commission-Administration, 1274.

Ambulance Se"ices-In Cranbourne, 92, 99. In Portland, q 440.

AMECON Ltd-Frigate project, q 8, q 57, q 269.

Animals-Hunting code of practice, 423, 429. Companion, 1279.

Antarctica-Mining convention, 7.

Apprentices-Collegeplacements, 95, 99, 421, 429,725, 728. State Additional Apprenticeship Scheme, q 104, 723, 728, 877, 885. Outer Eastern Group Training Ltd, 725, 728. Employment in hospitals, 877,885. (See also "State Training Board")

Arts, The-Funding, q 186. Melbourne Spoleto Festival 1989, q 351, q 533, q 682. Film and television production, q 439. Arts Development Fund, q 680, q 685, q 686, q 688, 721, 724, 727, 728, q 737, q 738, 898, q 1031, q 1032, q 1034, q 1206, 1275, 1281. Victorian Rock Foundation, q 686. St Martin's Youth Art Centre, q 688, 724, 728. Victoria State Opera, q 738. Promotion of Arts City grant, q 890. Athenaeum Theatre, q 1034. Equality of opportunity measures, q 1092. St Martin's Theatre, q 1206. Heide Park and Art Gallery, 1275, 1281. Funding for the disabled, q 1301.

Asbestos-Removal, q 12. Incident at Health Department Victoria, qn 43. Use in buildings, q 1496.

Asc:ot Vale Public Housing Tenants Group, q 58.

Ashman, Hon. G. B. (Boronia Province) Accident Compensation (General Amendment) Bill,

450,470,611,612,613,617,619,622,623,625, 628,630,631,632,633,636,639,640,648,649, 650,655,659,660,661,663,670,671.

Arts, The:""'Arts Development Fund, q 686. Victorian Rock Foundation, q 686.

Budget for 1989-90-Papers, 713. Business and Commerce-Air fare concessions for

small business, 1077. Education, Ministry of-WorkCare payments,

qn 734.

(2) INDEX

Ashman, Hon. G. B.-continued

Environment-Toxic waste and pollution of Lakewood Estate, Knoxfield,29,q 740,q 1299,q 1371.

Planning-Rezoning application in Knox, 876. Public Bodies Review Committee-Report on Vic

torian Dairy Industry Authority, 112. Public Transport-Noise emission standards, 93.

Boronia railway station, 1274. Road Safety (Amendment) Bill, 1229, 1436. Skateboards, 259. Victoria Police-Stations in Boronia Province, 427,

qn 1288. Victorian Rock Foundation-Funding, q 686.

Attorney-General's Department-Rights of victims of crime, 819. Return of stolen goods, q 897.

Australian Electronics Development Centre, q 1294.

Australian Newsprint Mills Pty Ltd-Proposed recycling plant, q 534.

B

Bathing Boxes-At Brighton, 964.

Baxter, Hon. W. R. (North Eastern Province) Accident Compensation (General Amendment) Bill,

482,611,612,613,615,617,620,622,625,626, 627, 628, 630, 633, 638, 646, 648, 649, 652, 655, 656,657,659,669,670.

Business of the House-Hours of sitting, 1208. Chiropodists (Amendment) Bill, 1262. Christmas Felicitations, 1599. Corrections (Amendment) Bill, 1019, 1156. Crimes (Blood Samples) Bill, 1353. Dandenong City Council-Statements of Minister

for Local Government, q 265. Deaths-Hon. Sir John Bloomfield, 3. Hon. K. S.

Gross, 675. Hon. R. C. Dunstan, DSO, 826. Environment Protection (Scheduled Premises and

Exemptions) (Amendment) Regulations, 1168. Health (Amendment) Bill, 1269. Health Department Victoria-Funds of deceased

institutionalised persons, 340. Appointrpent of chief general manager, q 438.

Health (General Amendment) (Amendment) Bill, 1341.

Historic Buildings (Amendment) Bill, 1054. Hospitals-Public waiting lists, q 8. Emergency and

critical care services, q 185. Wodonga District, 255, q 971. Wangaratta Base, 255, q 836. Annual reports, q 889. Bush nursing, q 1027, q 1201.

Law Courts-Closure of courthouses, 752. Legal Aid Commission (Amendment) Bill, 123. Macquarie Resources Ltd, q 106.

Baxter, Hon. W. R.-continued

Medical Services-Accreditation for intern training positions, 255.

Medical Treatment (Enduring Power of Attorney) Bill, 146,243,247,251,252, q 1292.

Mental Health (General Amendment) Bill, 842. Mining-Operations at Benambra, q 106. Ministry, The-Minister Assisting the Treasurer,

q 1493. Municipalities-Pecuniary interests of councillors,

816. Ombudsman (Amendment) Bill, 128, 137, 139. Parliamentary Committees (Amendment) Bill. 1605. Penalty Interest Rates (Amendment) Bill, 80. Planning and Environment (Amendment) Bill, 1506,

1523. Points of Order-Relevancy of remarks, 617, 658.

Answers to questions without notice. 1494. Privileges Committee-Establishment, 1110. Public Transport Corporation-V/Line staff, 176. Questions on Notice-Answers, 1105. Road Safety (Amendment) Bill. 1235. Roads Corporation-Roadworks in north-eastern

Victoria. q 106. Wodonga office. 882. Sessional Orders. 1097. Social Development Committee-Membership,

1035. Standing Orders Committee-Questions on notice,

1105. State Bank Victoria, q 736. Subdivision (Further Amendment) Bill, 1535. Supermarkets-Trading hours, 1275. Very Fast Train (Route Investigation) Bill, 1171. Water Bill, 1400. 1452, 1454, 1457, 1458, 1463, 1464,

1465, 1466, 1469. Water (Consequential Amendments) Bill, 1400.

Bayside Project, 97, 99, q 1027.

Bendigo Mining NL, 28, 33.

Best, Hon. R. A. (North Western Province) Accident Compensation (General Amendment) Bill,

520. Aged Services-Commonwealth funding of nursing

homes, 341. Agriculture Acts (General Amendment) Bill, 1532. Apprentices-College placements, 421. Budget for 1989-90-Papers, 702. Caravan Parks and Movable Dwellings (Amend

ment) Bill, 1242, 1252, 1254, 1255, 1256, 1257. Hospitals-Mount Alexander, 341. Housing-Public waiting lists, q 11, q 353. Room

ing houses, q 49. Mortgage relief, q 49, q 536. Public rental: increases, 93; arrears and evictions, q 1501. Home loan interest rates, q 685. Starts, q 891.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (3)

Best, Hon. R. A.-continued

Kew Cottages-Funding, 878. Lands-Purchase of Crown land in Calivil, 179. Martial Arts Control (Amendment) Bill, 85, 88. Medical Services-IVF program, q 1365. Medical Treatment (Enduring Power of Attorney)

Bill, 171, 173. Mental Health Services-Assessment of prisoners,

q 1203. Mining-Investment in Victoria, q 1091. Racing (TAB Surplus) Bill, 1443. Road Safety (Amendment) Bill, 1436. Roads Corporation-Road funding, 1127. State Training Board-Apprentice placements, 421.

BiIIs-Accident Compensation (General Amendment) BiII

Received from Assembly and first reading, 437; second reading, 446, 470, 577; second-reading motion agreed to by absolute majority, 600; Committee, 611; third-reading motion agreed to by absolute majority, 672.

Adoption (Amendment) Bill-Received from Assembly and first reading, 1348; second reading, 1390, 1420; Committee and remaining stages, 1427.

Agricultural Industry Development Bill-Received from Assembly and first reading, 1604.

Agriculture Acts (General Amendment) BiI/Received from Assembly and first reading, 1144; second reading, 1222, 1531; third reading, 1533.

Appropriation (1989-90, No. 1) Bill-Received from Assembly and first reading, 802; second reading, 802, 804, 848; concurrent debate, 804; Committee, 933,987; remaining stages, 1011.

Bayside Project (Amendment) Bill-Introduction and first reading, 688; second reading, 776, 1070; second-reading motion agreed to by absolute majority, 1076; third-reading motion agreed to by absolute majority, 1076. Assembly amendments: dealt with, 1593; agreed to by absolute majority, 1595.

Business Franchise (Tobacco) (Amendment) BiIIReceived from Assembly and first reading, 962; second reading, 985, 1037; Committee, 1041. Assembly amendment dealt with, 1575, 1603. Remaining stages, 1603.

Caravan Parks and Movable Dwellings (Amendment) Bill-Received from Assembly and first reading, 1197; second reading, 1220, 1240; secondreading motion agreed to by absolute majority, 1251; Committee, 1251; third-reading motion agreed to by absolute majority, 1260.

Chiropodists (Amendment) Bill-Introduction and first reading, 1210; second reading, 1261; remaining stages, 1266.

Classification of Films and Publications Bill-Introduction and first reading, 841; second reading, 979.

Bills-continued

Conservation. Forests and Lands Acts (Amendment) Bill-Received from Assembly and first reading, 1291; second reading, 1373, 1583; Committee, 1605; second-reading motion agreed to by absolute majority, 1613; third-reading motion agreed to by absolute majority, 1613.

Control of Weapons Bill-Introduction and first reading, 842; second reading, 986, 1379.

Corrections (Amendment) Bill-Second reading, 1019; instruction to Committee, 1024; Committee, 1025, 1150; remaining stages, 1160.

Crimes (Blood Samples) Bill-Introduction and first reading, 1036; second reading, 1147, 1348; Committee, 1356; remaining stages, 1362. Assembly amendments dealt with, 1595.

Cultural and Recreational Lands (Amendment) BiIISecond reading, 1011; second-reading motion agreed to by absolute majority, 1017; Committee, 1017; third-reading motion agreed to by absolute majority, 1019.

Education (Amendment) Bill-Introduction and first reading, 689; second reading, 778, 1061; third reading, 1068.

Environment Protection (General Amendment) BiIIReceived from Assembly and first reading, 1493; second reading, 1535, 1544; Committee, 1556, 1564; remaining stages, 1564.

Film Victoria (Amendment) Bill-Introduction and first reading, 688; second reading, 777. Withdrawn, 1188.

Financial Institutions Duty (Amendment) BiIIReceived from Assembly and first reading, 962; second reading, 985, 1048; remaining stages, 1051.

Fire Authorities (Contributions) Bill-Received from Assembly and first reading, 1439; second reading, 1569, 1576; Committee, 1579; third reading, 1582.

Fisheries (Abalone Licence Charges) Bill-Received from Assembly and first reading, 1197; second reading, 1219.

Fisheries (Amendment) Bill-Received from Assembly and first reading, 1168; second reading, 1218, 1525; Committee, 1529; remaining stages, 1530.

Forests (Laminex Industries Agreement) BiIlRe.ceived from Assembly and first reading, 1540; second reading, 1558; remaining stages, 1562.

Forests (Victree Forests Agreement) Bill-Received from Assembly and first reading, 1540; second reading, 1564; Committee, 1582; remaining stages, 1583.

Government Employee Housing Authority (Amendment) Bill-Received from Assembly and first reading, 1493; second reading, 1525.

Health (Amendment) Bill-Introduction and first reading, 1210; second reading, 1266; Committee 1271; remaining stages, 1272.

(4) INDEX

Bills-continued

Health (General Amendment) (Amendment) BillIntroduction and first reading, 1210; second reading, 1273, 1334; Committee, 1347; third reading, 1348.

Historic Buildings (Amendment) Bill-Received from Assembly and first reading, 833; second reading, 847, 1051; Committee, 1068; remaining stages, 1070.

Intellectually Disabled Persons' Services (Amendment) Bill-Received from Assembly and first reading, 6; second reading, 22, 113; third reading, 120.

Legal Aid Commission (Amendment) Bill-Received from Assembly and first reading, 6; second reading, 24, 122; third reading, 124.

Martial Arts Control (Amendment) Bill-Received from Assembly and first reading, 49; second reading, 83; Committee, 86; remaining stages, 88.

Medical Treatment (Enduring Power of Attorney) Bill-Second reading, 140; Committee, 242; third reading, 255.

Melbourne Cricket Ground Trust Bill-Received from Assembly and first reading, 1362; second reading, 1392, 1427; second-reading motion agreed to by absolute majority, 1433; third-reading motion agreed to by absolute majority, 1433.

Mental Health (General Amendment) Bill-Introduction and first reading, 842; second reading, 978.

Murray Valley Citrus Marketing Bill-Received from Assembly and first reading, 49; second reading, 120, 233; third reading, 242.

Ombudsman (Amendment) Bill-Received from Assembly and first reading, 49; second reading, 81, 125; Committee, 134; remaining stages, 139.

Parliamentary Committees (Amendment) BillReceived from Assembly and first reading, 1604; second reading, 1604; Committee and remaining stages, 1605.

Penalties and Sentences Bill-Introduction and first reading, 977; second reading, 1144.

Penalty Interest Rates (Amendment) Bill-Received from Assembly and first reading, 7; second reading, 25, 79; third reading, 80.

Petroleum (Submerged Lands) (Amendment) BiIIIntroduction and first reading, 273; second reading, 396, 690; third reading, 698.

Planning and Environment (Amendment) BillReceived from Assembly and first reading, 1348; second reading, 1376, 1475, 1506; second-reading motion agreed to by absolute majority, 1518; Committee, 1518, 1562; third-reading motion agreed to by absolute majority, 1563; consequential amendments agreed to by absolute majority, 1563.

Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Leghold Traps) Bill-Introduction and first reading, 776.

Bills-continued

Prices Bill-Received from Assembly and first reading, 265; second reading, 274, 450, 600.

Public Authorities (Contributions) (Amendment) Bill-Received from Assembly and first reading, 1530; second reading, 1540; remaining stages, 1544.

Racing (TAB Surplus) Bill-Received from Assembly and first reading, 1363; second reading, 1393, 1439; remaining stages, 1449.

Road Safety (Amendment) Bill-Introduction and first reading, 743; second reading, 982, 1224; Committee, 1434, 1436; remaining stages, 1438.

Rooming Houses Bill-Introduction and first reading, 776; second reading, 844.

Stamps (Motor Vehicles) Bill-Received from Assembly and first reading, 969; second reading, 987, 1044; third reading, 1048.

Subdivision (Amendment) Bill (No. 2)-Introduction and first reading, 1475.

Subdivision (Further Amendment) Bill-Second reading, 1534; third reading, 1535.

Very Fast Train (Route Investigation) Bill-Introduction and first reading, 689; second reading, 779, 1168; second-reading motion agreed to by absolute majority, 1188; third-reading motion agreed to by absolute majority, 1188.

Water Bill-Received from Assembly and first reading, 1197; concurrent debate, 1330; second reading, 1330, 1395; second-reading motion agreed to by absolute majority, 1420; Committee, 1449; third-reading motion agreed to by absolute majority, 1474.

Water (Consequential Amendments) Bill-Received from Assembly and first reading, 1197; concurrent debate, 1330; second reading, 1330, 1395; secondreading motion agreed to by absolute majority, 1420; Committee, 1475; third-reading motion agreed to by absolute majority, 1475.

Works and Services (Ancillary Provisions. 1989-90, No. 2) Bill-Received from Assembly and first reading, 803; second reading, 804, 848; concurrent debate, 804; third reading, 1011.

Birrell, Hon. M. A. (East Yarra Province) Accident Compensation (General Amendment) Bill,

598. Arts, The-Melbourne Spoleto Festival 1989, q 533,

q 682. Asbestos-Incident at Health Department Victoria,

qn43. Bayside Project, q 1027. Bayside Project (Amendment) Bill, 1070, 1594. Bogong National Park, qn 733. Budget for 1989-90-Papers, 69. Business of the House-Hours of sitting, 59, 1207.

Availability of reports, 1504.


Birrell, Hon. M. A.-continued

Christmas Felicitations, 1597. Conservation, Forests and Lands Acts (Amend

ment) Bill, 1606, 1610. Control of Weapons Bill, 842. Corporate Affairs-Investigation of Task Force

Young Volunteers Cooperative Ltd, qn 45. Dandenong City Council-Statements of Minister

for Local Government, 194, 230. Deaths-Hon. Sir John Bloomfield, 2. Hon. K. S.

Gross, 673. Hon. R. C. Dunstan, DSO, 824. Education-Royal Melbourne Institute of Techno

logy, q 836. Environment-Recycling, 372. Environment Pro

tection (Scheduled Premises and Exemptions) (Amendment) Regulations, 1164.

Environment Protection (General Amendment) Bill, 1545,1557.

Freedom of Information Act-Application to local government, q 265. Information brochures, qn 733.

Health Department Victoria-Volunteer health workers, qn 37. Asbestos powder hazards, qn 43. Grants to youth projects, qn 43. Bilingual counselling services, qn 1284.

Historic Buildings (Amendment) Bill, 1051, 1059. Hospitals-Private, q 9. Public waiting lists, q 52,

q 105, 256, 339, qn 731. Prince Henry's, q 352. Labour, Department of-Workers Health Action

Group, qn 433. Major Projects-Victoria Harbour Project, 89, 1189.

Health facilities, q 352. Queen Victoria hospital site, q 889. Bayside Project, q 1027. World Congress Centre, 1077. Museum of Victoria redevelopment, q 1197.

Medical Services-Fees for WorkCare patients, q 971.

Medical Treatment (Enduring Power of Attorney) Bill, 154.

Melbourne-Olympic Games 1996 bid, 89. Spoleto Festival, q 533, q 682.

Mental Health Services-Mont Park Psychiatric Hospital, q 439.

Ministry, The-Censure of Minister for Local Government, 194, 230.

Municipalities-Freedom of information in local government, q 265.

Museum of Victoria-Redevelopment, q 1197. National Safety Council of Australia-Losses,

q 1363. Olympic Games I 996-Melbourne bid, 89. Planning and Environment (Amendment) Bill, 1475,

1519. Points of Order-Reference to notes, 711. Printing Committee-Membership, 16, 140. Privileges Committee-Establishment, 1109, 1112. Queen Victoria Hospital Site, q 889. Questions on Notice-Answers, 1102.

Birrell, Hon. M. A.-continued

Sessional Orders, 1097. Standing Orders Committee-Questions on notice,

1102. State Bank Victoria, q 1363. State Finance-Government policies, 542, 575. State Library-Funding, q 1496. Subdivision (Further Amendment) Bill, 1534. Task Force Cooperatives, qn 43, qn 45, qn 887. Transport Accident Commission-Treatment of

patients, q 971. Universities-Proposed amalgamations, q 836. Pro-

posed establishment in western suburbs, q 836. Victoria Harbour Project, 89, 1189. WorkCare-Treatment of patients, q 971. World Congress Centre, 1077.

BLF Custodian-Reports: No. 7, 16; No. 8, Ill.

Bloomfield, The Late Hon. Sir John, 1.

Brothels-Council by-laws, q 443,818,820,964,967, 1083, 1085.

Budget for 1989-90-Papers, 17, 60, 279, 398, 698, 781, 804, 848.

Building and Construction Industry-Housing starts, q 891. Employment of subcontractors, q 1028, q 1094, 1097.

Business and Commerce-Air fare concessions for small business, 1077. Second-hand dealers and pawnbrokers licences, 1081, 1085. Small Business Development Corporation, q 1366.

Business of the House-Hours of sitting, 59, 1207. Availability of reports, q 1504.

C

Capital Punishment, 841.

Caravan Parks-Pensioner fuel concessions, q 13.

Cemeteries-Eltham, 94, 99.

Centre for International Research on Communication and Information Technologies, q 1365, q 1501.

Chairman of Committees, The (Hon. K. I. M. Wright) Rulings and Statements-Debate-Relevancy of remarks, 618. Leave for

honourable member to sit at table, 1451, 1455, 1456.

Rulings and Statements as Deputy PresidentDebate-Interjections, 75. Dissent of honourable

member from Bill, 173. Unparliamentary expressions, 219. Use of correct titles, 590.

(See also ··Wright, Hon. K. I. M. (North Western Province")

(6) INDEX

Chamberlain, Hon. B. A. (Western Province) Accident Compensation (General Amendment) Bill,

614,618,620,642, 643, 644, 645, 646, 656, 662, 671.

Albury-Wodonga Development Corporation, qn 1615.

Alcohol-A vailability, 344. Appropriation (1989-90, No. I) Bill, 1001. Arts, The-Arts Development Fund, 905. Attorney-General's Department-Return of stolen

goods, q 897. Budget for I 989-90-Papers, 327. Caravan Parks and Movable Dwellings (Amend

ment) Bill, 1240, 1252, 1255, 1256, 1259. Centre for International Research on Communica-

tion and Information Technologies, q 1365, q 1501. Churchill Fisheries, Portland, 1484. Control of Weapons Bill, 1379. Corrections (Amendment) Bill, 1150, 1151, 1152,

1154,1157,1158,1160. Crimes (Blood Samples) Bill, 1348, 1358, 1361, 1595. Deaths-Hon. K. S. Gross, 675. Drugs-Trading in illicit, q 438. Dying with Dignity-Recommendations of Social

Development Committee, 27. Exhibition Buildings-Trustees grant, qn 1615. Exports-Crayfish, 1484. Fire Authorities (Contributions) Bill, 1571, 1579,

1580, 1581. Gas and Fuel Corporation-Premises at Princes

Gate, qn 47. Activities of chairman, q 1090, q 1095. Hospitals-Portland and District, q 11, 425. St

Andrew's, q 839. Industry, Technology and ResourcesDepartment-Approved schemes of assistance and

related expenditure, qn 1613. Assistance for strategic regional firms, qn 1614. Latrobe and Geelong regional commissions, qn 1614. Trade development and investment recruitment, qn 1614.

Resources-Mining: operations at Benambra, q 110, 525; trading in claims, q 438.

Technology-Centre for International Research on Communication and Information Technologies, q 1365, q 1501.

Law Courts-Closure of courthouses, 744, 929. Local Government Department-Legal costs,

qn 434. Macquarie Resources Ltd, q 110, 525. Medical Treatment (Enduring Power of Attorney)

Bill, 162, 244, 246, 248, 251, 254. Melbourne-Closure of inner city streets, q 270. Members-Use of computers in Chamber, 394. Mining-Operations at Benambra, q 110, 525.

Trading in claims, q 438. National Companies and Securities Commission

Report on Trustees Executors and Agency Ltd, qn 1086.

Chamberlain, Hon. B. A.-continued

Penalties and Sentences Bill, 1147. Petroleum (Submerged Lands) (Amendment) Bill,

690. Planning-Central business district development,

q 270. Points of Order-Scope of debate, 570. Leave for

honourable member to sit at table, 1456. Port of Portland-Transport of petroleum, 880. Public Authorities (Contributions) (Amendment)

Bill, 1543. Public Transport-Sale of alcohol on country trains,

344. Very Fast Train project, q 355. Roads Corporation-Benambra mining project, 525.

B-double petrol tankers, 880. Social Development Committee-Dying with dig

nity recommendations, 27. Standing Orders Committee-Use of computer

equipment in Chamber, 394. State Electricity Commission-Comparison of elec

tricity tariffs, q 974. Victorian Economic Development Corporation

West Wimmera Grains, 89, 257. Water Bill, 1395, 1450, 1451, 1452, 1454, 1455, 1456,

1458, 1459, 1460, 1461, 1462, 1463, 1464, 1465, 1467, 1470, 1472.

Water (Consequential Amendments) Bill, 1395. West Wimmera Grains, 89, 257. WorkCare-Premiums, 174.

Children (See "Community Services Victoria")

Christmas Felicitations, 1596.

Churchill Fisheries, Portland, 1484, 1489.

Coal Corporation of Victoria-Review of operations, q 107. Brown coal liquefaction, q 837.

"Common Ground" Publication, qn 1086.

Commonwealth-State Housing Agreement-Lease arrangements, qn 531. Negotiations, q 739.

Community Services Victoria-Children-Child health nurse service, 30, 273, 1304. General-Home and community care program,

q 1089. North Eastern Regional Advisory Council,1189.

Intellectual Disability Services-Maroondah Social Health Centre, 29,35. Community living support schemes, 260, 263. Yarra Curative Home, 343, 347. Interchange Southern Region, 344, 347. Transport, 422. Kew Cottages, 878. Alkira Centre, 1082. Moonya Centre, 1192, 1194.

Connard, Hon. G. P. (Higinbotham Province) Aged Services-Nursing homes: private, 31; beds,

880.


Connard, Hon. G. P.-continued

Appropriation (1989-90, No. 1) Bill, 954. Arts, The-Arts Development Fund, q 688, 724,

q 1206. St Martin's Youth Art Centre, q 688, 724. St Martin's Theatre, q 1206.

Bathing Boxes-At Brighton, 964. Business of the House-Availability of reports, 1504. Chiropodists (Amendment) Bill, 1263. Conservation, Forests and Lands, Department of-

Publication Common Ground, qn 1086. Deaths-Hon. R. C. Dunstan, DSO, 829. Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Act

Regulations, 345. Education-Moorabbin College ofT AFE, qn 184. Health (Amendment) Bill, 1270, 1272. Health Department Victoria-Publications, qn 38.

Inner South District Health Planning Group, qn 46. Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Act Regulations, 345.

Health (General Amendment) (Amendment) Bill, 1342.

Hospitals-Annual reports, 1191, 1280. Housing-Elderly person units for Sandringham, 96.

Hampton High School site, 96. Lands-Acquisition of land on Phillip Island, 1081. Law Courts-Closure of courthouses, 771. Library Services-Funding, 260. Medical Services-Radiotherapy, 818. Medical Treatment (Enduring Power of Attorney)

Bill, 169. Pharmacies-Remuneration of pharmacists, 178.

Needle exchange program, 426. Stolen prescription pads, 528. Non-proprietary medicines, 1487.

Planning-Bathing boxes at Brighton, 964. Points of Order-Leave for honourable member to

sit at table, 1451, 1455. Premier and Cabinet, Department of the-Publica-

tion Update, qn 41. Prices Bill, 278, 450. Questions on Notice-Answers, 1108. Royal Australasian College of Radiologists-Radio-

therapy services, 818. St Martin's Theatre, q 1206. St Martin's Youth Art Centre, q 688, 724. Social Development Committee-Membership,


1108. Victorian Women's Consultative Council-Mem

bership, qn 44.

Conservation, Forests and LandsDepartment-Publication Common Ground,

qn 1086.

Conservation, Forests and Lands-continued

Lands-Extraction of roadmaking materials, 177, q 1294. Purchase of Crown land in Calivil, 179. Aerial spraying of noxious weeds, 258, 264. Acquisition on Phillip Island, 1081. At Ballarat South, 1191, 1195.

Consultative Council on Obstetric and Paediatric Mortality and Morbidity-Report for 1987, 1372.

Consumer Affairs-Recall of soup product, 90, 99.

Corporate Affairs-Investigation of Task Force Young Volunteers Cooperative Ltd, qn 45.

Corrections, Office of-Women prisoners, 16.

Cox, Hon. G. H. (Nunawading Province) Aged Services-Private nursing homes, 422. Appropriation (1989-90, No. 1) Bill, 866. Budget for 1989-90-Papers, 866. Community Services Victoria-Community living

support schemes for intellectually disabled, 260. Alkira Centre, 1082.

Deaths-Hon. R. C. Dunstan, DSO, 828. Environment-Recycling, 381. Handicapped Persons-Transport, 1082. Hospitals-Alfred, q 109. Austin, q 357. Emergency

and critical care services, 526, 815. Box Hill, q 539. Peter MacCallum Cancer Institute, 1190, q 1499.

Housing-Maintenance of public housing, 93, 176. Rooming houses, 343. Ministry units in Box Hill South, 719. Park Street railway reserve, q 1291, q 1369.

Medical Services-Acute pain clinics, 29. Nursing shortage in intensive care units, q 357. For cancer, 1190, q 1499.

Melbourne City Council-Housing redevelopments on public land, q 896.

Personal Emergency Service-Funding, 879. Points of Order-Answers to questions without

notice, 1300. Victorian Council of Residential Associations for

Persons with Intellectual Disability, 260. Works and Services (Ancillary Provisions, 1989-90,

No. 2) Bill, 866.

Coxsedge, Hon. Joan (Melbourne West Province) Accident Compensation (General Amendment) Bill,

589. Arts, The-Equality of opportunity measures,

q 1092. Christmas Felicitations, 160 I. Drugs-Treatment services, q 741. Equal Opportunity-Government initiatives, q 1092. Housing-Project partnership scheme, q 443. Low-

cost design, q 896.

(8) INDEX

Coxsedge, Hon. Joan-continued

Medical Services-Cervical Cytology Registry, q 106. Palliative care, q 1368.

Municipalities-Efficiency measures, q 271. Victoria Police-Resources and powers, q 1504.

CRA Ltd-Mineral sands project, q 838.

Craige, Hon. G. R. (Central Highlands Province) Adoption (Amendment) Bill, 1420. Alpine Resorts Commission-Administration, 1274. Appropriation (1989-90, No. 1) Bill, 848. Arts, The-Arts Development Fund, q 1034. Ath

enaeum Theatre, q 1034. Budget for I 989-90-Papers, 848. Community Services Victoria-Intellectual disabil

ity services: Yarra Curative Home, 343. Child health nurse service, 1326.

Handicapped Persons-Public housing, 814. Hospitals-Proposed Whittlesea site, q 55,525, 1481. Housing-Public waiting lists, 175. For handi-

capped persons, 814. Intellectually Disabled Persons' Services (Amend

ment) Bill, 116. Law Courts-Closure of courthouses, 767. Public Transport Corporation-V/Line land trans-

action in Shire of Yea, 92. Euroa rail service, 1079. Roads Corporation-Road funding, 1134. Senior Citizens Centres-Wallan, 963. Works and Services (Ancillary Provisions, 1989-90,

No. 2) Bill, 848.

Crawford, Hon. G. R. (Jika Jika Province) Accident Compensation (General Amendment) Bill,

595,613,615. Aged Services-Mount Eliza Centre, q 442. Dental Services-Public, q 975. Housing-Priority home finance scheme, q 1205.

Land allotments, q 1370. Industry-Shipbuilding, q 269. Mental Health Research Institute, q 53. Resources-Brown coal liquefaction, q 837.

D

Davidson, Hon. B. E. (Chelsea Province) Budget for I 989-90-Papers, 413. Caravan Parks and Movable Dwellings (Amend-

ment) Bill, 1244. Education-Rural, q 1199. Health-Central Health Interpreter Service, q 1498. Mars Confectionery of Australia, q 972. Mental Health Services-Psychiatric facilities on

Mornington Peninsula, q 191. Municipalities-Boundaries, q 108. State-Local

Government Consultative Council meeting, q 840.

Davidson, Hon. B. E.-continued

Points of Order-Matters raised on motions for adjournment of sittings to be urgent, 1277. Answers to questions without notice, 1297.

Port Phillip Bay-Bayside clean-up day, q 1095. Street Works Coordination Committee-Under

ground services, q 444. Victorian CoHege of Agriculture and Horticulture,

q 1199.

de Fegely, Hon. R. S. (BaUarat Province) Abattoirs-Closure of BaHarat, q 193. Aged Services-Queen Elizabeth Geriatric Centre,

BaHarat, 724. Agriculture Acts (General Amendment) Bill, 1531. Appropriation (1989-90, No. 1) Bill, 862. BaHarat, Shire of-Availability of land at BaHarat

South, 1191. Budget for I 989-90-Papers, 862. Capital punishment, 841. Community Services Victoria-Child health nurse

service, 30, 273, 1304. Conservation, Forests and Lands Acts (Amend-

ment) Bill, 1609. Deaths-Hon. K. S. Gross, 677. Education-Transport for school excursions, 424. Environment-Municipal waste disposal, 179. Fire Authorities (Contributions) Bill, 1574. Forests (Victree Forests Agreement) Bill, 1566. Handicapped Persons-Public housing, 1276. Housing-Commonwealth-State Housing Agree-

ment, qn 531. Home opportunity loan scheme, qn 532. Sale of government land, qn 532. For handicapped persons, 1276. Park Street railway reserve, q 1296. Crisis accommodation in Ararat, 1483.

Industry-Australian-made preference scheme, q 893, 963.

Law Courts--Closure of courthouses, 758. Lord Mayor's Children's Camp, Somers-Trans

port arrangements, 424. Murray Valley Citrus Marketing Bill, 233. Petitions-Child health nurse service, Ararat, 273.

Capital punishment, 841. Points of Order-Incorporation of material in Han

sard. 1322. Public Transport-School excursions, 424. Corpo

ration: V/Line staff, 881. Racing (TAB Surplus) Bill, 1448. State Electricity Commission-Purchase of protec-

tive clothing, q 893, 963. Water Bill, 1410. Water (Consequential Amendments) Bill, 1410. Works and Services (Ancillary Provisions, 1989-90,

No. 2) Bill, 862.


Deaths-Hon. Sir John Bloomfield, I. Hon. K. S. Gross, 673. Hon. R. C. Dunstan, DSO, 735, 823.

Dental Senices-Advanced dental technicians, q 687. Public, q 975.

Disd ..... ished Visiton-Member, House of Lords, 576.

Divisions-Accident Compensation (General Amendmentl Bill,

615,639,648,662. Arts, The-Arts Development Fund, 921. Censure of Minister for Local Government, 231. Corrections (Amendment) Bill, 1153, 1159. Law Courts-Closure of courthouses, 932. Prices Bill, 610. State Finance-Government policies, 576.

Drugs-Task force cooperatives, qn 43, qn 45, qn 887. Marijuana, q 109,878,885. Needle exchange program, 426, 431. Trading in illicit, q 438. Treatment services, q 741. Disposal of syringes, 882, 886.

Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Act Regulations, 345, 347.

Dunstan, The Late Hon. R. C., DSO, 735.

Dyinl with Dilnity-Recommendations of Social Development Committee, 27, 34.

E

Economy, The-Government strategy, q 1201.

Education-General-Life education mobile vans, 257, 263.

WorkCare payments, qn 734. Zoning of schools, q 1034. Regional major works, 1190.

Post-Secondary-Higher education: Commonwealth contribution scheme, qn 46; in outer eastern suburbs, q 890, 1281, 1282, q 1502. Physiotherapy training, q 51, 542, q 833, q 1198. T AFE colleges: staff employment, 88, 98; Dandenong, 89, 98; Newport, 174, 180, 1488, 1489; Footscray, 174, 180, 1488, 1489; Moorabbin, qn 184; Loddon Campaspe, 421, 429, 720, 728; nominations to boards, q 538; Yallourn, 720, 728; Wodonga, q 742; Western Institute, q 835, q 836; Gordon, q 1030. Placements for apprentices, 95, 99, 421, 429, 725, 728, q 1030. Proposed amalgamations: of colleges, 174, 180, 1488, 1489; with universities, 426, 429, q 742, q 835, q 836, q 890, q 1364. David Syme Business School, 426, 429. Institutes of technology: Chisholm, 426, 429, q 1364; Footscray, q 835, q 836; Royal Melbourne, q 835, q 836; Swinburne, q 890, 1281, 1282, q 1502. Administration, q 534. Rural, q 1199.

Schools, Other-Diamond Valley Special Developmental School, 1480.

Education-continued

Schools, Post-Primary-Warragul Technical, 1279. Students-Transport, 180,424,431,1279,1480. Post

secondary: compulsory union membership, 428; accommodation for TAFE country, 728.

Teachers-Award restructuring, 1210.

Environment (See "Planning and Environment")

Equal Opportunity-Government initiatives, q 1092.

Ethnic Affairs-Local Government and Ethnic Affairs Ministerial Advisory Council, q 192. Bilingual health counselling services, qn 1284. Central Health Interpreter Service, q 1498.

Evans, Hon. D. M. (North Eastern Province) Accident Compensation (General Amendment) Bill,

636. Arts, The-Arts Development Fund, 903. Asbestos-Use in buildings, q 1496. Australian Newsprint Mills Ltd-Proposed recy

cling plant, q 534. Bayside Project (Amendment) Bill, 1074. Conservation, Forests and Lands Acts (Amend

ment) Bill, 1584, 1611, 1612. Education-School bus service, 180. Regional major

works, 1190. Environment-Recycling, 360, 393, q 1032.

Environment Protection (Scheduled Premises and Exemptions) (Amendment) Regulations, 1099, 1102.

Environment Protection (General Amendment) Bill, 1549, 1557, 1558.

Fire Authorities (Contributions) Bill, 1576. Fisheries (Amendment) Bill, 1526. Forests (Laminex Industries Agreement) Bill, 1560. Forests (Victrec Forests Agreement) Bill, 1566. Freedom of Information Act-Report of Legal and

Constitutional Committee, 1372. Health-Immunisation certificates for preschool

children, 1083. Hospitals-Chiltern and District Bush Nursing, 342.

Public waiting lists, q 442. Funding, q 683. Housing and Construction, Ministry of-Use of

plastics in building materials, q 1032. Law Courts-Closure of courthouses, 773. Legal and Constitutional Committee-Reports pre

sented: fifteenth report on subordinate legislation, 112; Public Service (Amendment) Regulations, 359; sixteenth report on subordinate legislation, 843; freedom of information in Victoria, 1372.

Melbourne Cricket Ground Trust Bill, 1428. Municipalities-Boundaries, q 188, q 894. Costs of

immunisation certificates, 1083. National Safety Council of Australia-Firefighting

services, qn 45. Optometry-Advertising of services, 528.

(10) INDEX

Evans, Hon. D. M.-continued

Petroleum (Submerged Lands) (Amendment) Bill, 694.

Plastics-Recycled packaging material, q 1032. Public Service (Amendment) Regulations, 359. Road Toll-Hume Freeway, 726. Roads Corporation-Roadworthiness regulations,

884. Road funding, 1137. Shepparton, Shire of-Victoria Grants Commission

allocations, q 355. Woodchipping-East Gippsland harvest, 1486.

Exhibition Buildings-Trustees grant, qn 1615.

Exports-Victorian wine, q 892. Crayfish, 1484, 1489.

F

Films and Television-Production, q 439.

Food-Recall of soup product, 90, 99.

Freedom of Information Act-Application to local government, q 265, 342, 349. Information brochures, qn 733. Requests, 1277, 1283. Report of Legal and Constitutional Committee, 1372.

G

Gas and Fuel Corporation-Pensioner concessions, q 13. Premises at Princes Gate, qn 47. Agency in Richmond, 723, 727. Charges, q 1090. Activities of chairman, q 1090, q 1095.

Government Departments and Instrumentalities-In Geelong, 1278, 1282.

Green Triangle Council for Regional DeTelopment Ltd, 1276, 1282.

Gross, The Late Hon. K. S., 673.

Guest, Hon. J. V. C. (Monash Province) Arts, The-Arts Development Fund, 912, q 1032. Library Services-Funding, q 1503. St Kilda City Council-Activities, 32. Standing Orders Committee-Use of computer

equipment in Chamber, 395, 1209. Universities-Funding, q 535.

H

Hall, Hon. P. R. (Gippsland Province) Adoption (Amendment) Bill, 1424. Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Department of

Agricultural education, q 1497. Budget for 1989-90-Papers, 331. Coal Corporation of Victoria-Review of opera

tions, q 107.

Hall. Hon. P. R.-continued

Community Services Victoria-Child health nurse service, 1310.

Education-Commonwealth higher education contribution scheme, qn 46. Accommodation for T AFE country students, 720. Physiotherapy training, q 1198.

Education (Amendment) Bill, 1064. Health-Funds gap benefit payment, 814. Hospitals-Central Gippsland, Traralgon, q 10. Insurance-Health, 814. Home purchase premiums,

q 834. Intellectually Disabled Persons' Services (Amend-

ment) Bill, 113. Lands-Aerial spraying of noxious weeds, 258. Law Courts-Closure of courthouses, 761. Medical Services-Nursing positions in public hos-

pitals, q 1030. Municipalities-Superannuation schemes, q 268. Pensioners-Rate rebates, 177. Road Safety (Amendment) BiII, 1225, 1434, 1435. State Electricity Commission-Loy Yang plant,

q 737. Superannuation-For local government employees,

q 268. Technology-Multifunction polis proposal, q 1296. Very Fast Train (Route Investigation) Bill, 1178. Victorian College of Agriculture and Horticulture,

q 1497.

Hallam, Hon. R. M. (Western Province) Administrative Appeals Tribunal-Regional hear-

ings, 256. Ambulance Services-In Portland, q 440. Brothels-Council by-laws, 964. Budget for 1989-90-Papers. 301. Business and Commerce-Second-hand dealers and

pawnbrokers licences, 1081. Business Franchise (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill,

1039,1044. Chiropodists (Amendment) Bill, 1265. Community Services Victoria-Home and com

munity care program, q 1089. Conservation, Forests and Lands Acts (Amend

ment) Bill, 1589. Control of Weapons Bill, 1382. Cultural and Recreational Lands (Amendment) Bill,

1012. Financial Institutions Duty (Amendment) Bill, 1050. Fire Authorities (Contributions) Bill, 1573, 1581. Green Triangle Council for Regional Development

Ltd,1276. Hospitals-Wimmera Base, 27. Hunting-Code of practice, 423. Industry-Regional development, 1276. Lake Bolac, 256.


Hallam, Hon. R. M.-continued

Lands-Extraction of roadmaking materials from Crown land, 177, q 1294.

Marine (Vessels) Regulations, 59. Medical Treatment (Enduring Power of Attorney)

Bill, 155. Ministry, The-Censure of Minister for Local Gov

ernment, 204. Municipalities-Pecuniary interests of councillors,

q 52,91. Victoria Grants Commission allocations, q 103. Dandenong: statements of Minister for Local Government, 204. Colac: request for investigation, q 267. Dundas: funding, q 680. Camberwell: brothels by-laws, 964. Superannuation schemes, 877. WorkCare premiums, q 969.

Prices Bill, 600. Public Authorities (Contributions) (Amendment)

Bill, 1543. Resources-Mineral sands project, q 838. Roads Corporation-Road funding, 1112. Stamps (Motor Vehicles) Bill, 1046. State Bank Victoria, q 351, q 1363. State Finance-Government policies, 558. Superannuation-For local government employees,

877. Tricontinental Corporation Ltd, q 1363. WorkCare-Premiums, q 969.

Handicapped Persons-Community living support schemes, 260, 263. Interchange Southern Region, 344, 347. Public housing, q 356, 814, 820, 1276, 1282. Transport, 422, 1082, 1192, 1194. Arts funding, q 1301. (See also "Community Services Victoria")

Health-Department Victoria-Volunteer workers, qn 37.

Publications, qn 38. Asbestos powder hazards, qn 43. Grants to youth projects, qn 43. Inner South District Health Planning Group, qn 46. Funds of deceased institutionalised persons, 340, 346. Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Act Regulations, 345, 347. Appointment of chief general manager, q 438. Pamphlets on marijuana, 878, 885. Freedom of information requests, 1277, 1283.

Diseases-Proposed comm unicable diseases research centre, q 14. AIDS, q 265, 426, 431. Childhood, q 541. Immunisation certificates for preschool children, 1083, 1084.

General-Tarwin Lower and District Community Health Centre, 340, 346. Home and community care program, 527, 530. Alcohol and drug treatment services, q 741. Funds gap benefit payment, 814. Sudden infant death syndrome, 963, 967. Bilingual counselling services, qn 1284. Central Health Interpreter Service, q 1498.

Health Computing Services-Victoria Ltd-Report for 1988-89, 1371.

Heide Park and Art Gallery, 1275,1281.

Henshaw, Hon. D. E. (Geelong Province) Budget for 1989-90-Papers, 781. Caravan Parks and Movable Dwellings (Amend

ment) Bill, 1254. Education-Post-secondary training courses, q 1030.

Gordon Technical College, q 1030. Housing and Construction, Ministry of-Commu-

nication technology, q 839. Mining-Practices of industry, q 188. Municipalities-Social justice partnerships, q 14. Petitions-Geelong radiotherapy centre, 444. Small Business Development Corporation, q 1366. Technology-Aerospace industry development,

q 683.

Historic Buildings-Box Hill brickworks, 90, 100. Montsalvat, 94, 99. Facades, q 976. Geelong wool store, 1483, 1489.

Historic Projects-Polly Woodside. 259, 261, q 681, q 1204.

Hogg, Hon. C. J. (Melbourne North Province) (Min-ister for Health)

Adoption (Amendment) Bill, 1348, 1390, 1427. Aged Services-General-Research facilities, q 539. Nursing Homes-Private, 35, 429. Commonwealth

funding, 346. Mount Eliza Centre, q 442. Queen Elizabeth Geriatric Centre, Ballarat, 729. Facilities in South Barwon, q 839. Beds, 886.

Alcohol-Treatment services, q 741. Ambulance Services-In Cranbourne, 99. In Port

land, q 440. Apprentices-Employment in hospitals, 885. Asbestos-Incident at Health Department Victoria,

qn 43. Use in buildings, q 1496. Cemeteries-Eltham,99. Chiropodists (Amendment) Bill, 1210, 1261, 1265. Community Services Victoria-Intellectual disabil-

ity services: Maroondah Social Health Centre, 35; community living support schemes, 263; Yarra Curative Home, 347; Interchange Southern Region, 347; Moonya Centre, 1194.

Consultative Council on Obstetric and Paediatric Mortality and Morbidity-Report for 1987, 1372.

Consumer Affairs-Recall of soup product, 99. Dental Services-Advanced dental technicians,

q 687. Public, q 975. Drugs-Marijuana, q 110, 885. Needle exchange

program, 431. Treatment services, q 741.

(12) INDEX

Hogg, Hon. C. J.-continued Hogg, Hon. C. J.-continued

Drugs, Poisons a·nd Controlled Substances Act Regulations, 347.

Dying with Dignity-Recommendations of Social Development Committee, 34.

Education-Life education mobile vans, 263. Ethnic Affairs-Bilingual health counselling ser

vices, qn 1285. Central Health Interpreter Service, q 1498.

Food-Recall of soup product, 99. Freedom ofInformation Act-Requests, 1283. Handicapped Persons-Interchange Southern

Region, 347. Transport, 1194. Public housing, 1282.

Health-Department Victoria-Volunteer health workers,

qn 38. Publications, qn 38. Asbestos powder hazards, qn 43. Grants to youth projects, qn 43. Inner South District Health Planning Group, qn 46. Funds of deceased institutionalised persons, 346. Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Act Regulations, 347. Appointment of chief general manager, q 438. Freedom of information requests, 1283.

Diseases-Proposed communicable diseases research centre, q 15. AIDS, q 266, 431. Childhood, q 541. Immunisation certificates for preschool children, 1084.

General-Tarwin Lower and District Community Health Centre, 346. Alcohol and drug treatment services, q 741. Funds gap benefit payment, 820. Sudden infant death syndrome, 967. Bilingual counselling services, qn 1285. Central Health Interpreter Service, q 1498.

Health (Amendment) Bill, 1210, 1266, 1271, 1272. Health Computing Services-Victoria Ltd-Report

for 1988-89, 1371. Health (General Amendment) (Amendment) Bill,

1210, 1273, 1348. Historic Buildings-Montsalvat, 99. Hospitals-Public waiting lists, q 7, q 8, q 49, q 52,

q 105,263,345, q 442, qn 731, q 836. Private, q 9, q 1497. Central Gippsland, Traralgon, q 10. Portland and District, q 11, 430. Alfred, q 13, q 109. Fairfield, q 15. Ballarat Base, 33. Wimmera Base, 34. Royal Melbourne, 34, q 838. Proposed Whittlesea site, q 55, 529, 1490. Emergency and critical care services, q 103, q 109, q 185, q 441, 530,820. Bed closures, q 107. Bush nursing, q 189, q 1027, q 1201. Prince Henry's, q 192. Wodonga District, 263, q 972. Wangaratta Base, 263, q 836. Box Hill, 263, q 539. Mount Alexander, 346. Chiltern and District Bush Nursing, 347. Austin, q 357. Peter MacCallum Cancer Institute, 430, 1194, q 1499. Funding, q 683. St Andrew's, q 839, q 1301. Epworth, q 840. Employment of apprentices, 885. Annual reports, q 890, 1194, 1283. Mildura Base,

q 973. St Vincent's, q 1203. Geelong, q 1205. Fire safety measures, 1489.

Insurance-Health, 820. Intellectually Disabled Persons' Services (Amend-

ment) Bill, 6, 22. Maroondah Social Health Centre, 35. Medical Services-General-For cancer, q 13, 1194, q 1499. Proposed

communicable diseases research centre, q 15. Acute pain clinics, 35. Cervical Cytology Registry, q 106. Optometry, 530. Radiotherapy, 820, q 840. Palliative care. q 1298, q 1368. IVF program, q 1365.

Medical Practitioners-Accreditation for intern training positions, 263. Fees for WorkCare patients, q 895, q 969, q 971, q 973, q 1089.

Nursing-Home nursing services, q 10. Shortage in intensive care units, q 357. Registered nurse professional rates, q 741, 820. Positions in public hospitals, q 1030. Bush nursing services, qn 1284.

Medical Treatment (Enduring Power of Attorney) Bill, 244, 245, 246, 247, 248, 249, 250, 251, 252, 253, 255, q 1292.

Mental Health (General Amendment) Bill, 842, 978. Mental Health Research Institute, q 53. Mental Health Services-General-Mental Health Awareness Week, q 688.

Personal Emergency Service, 729, 885. Psychiatric services: in outer south-eastern suburbs, q 838~ for inner Melbourne area, q 896~ in Latrobe Valley, q 1033. Assessment of prisoner, q 1203.

Hospitals and Centres-On Mornington Peninsula, q 191. Mont Park, q 440.

Mosquitoes-Plagues, 429. Breeding control, q 1094. Municipalities-Disposal of syringes, 886. Costs of

immunisation certificates, 1084. National Research Institute of Gerontology and

Geriatric Medicine, q 539. Optometry-Advertising of services, 530. Personal Emergency Service-Funding, 729, 885. Pharmacies-Security of premises, 35. Remunera-

tion for pharmacists, 181. Government policies, q 351, q 538. Needle exchange program, 431. Stolen prescription pads, 530. Non-proprietary medicines, 1490.

Royal Australasian College of Radiologists-Radiotherapy services, 820, q 840.

Senior Citizens Centres-Wallan, 966. Social Development Committee-Dying with dig

nity recommendations, 34. Task Force Cooperatives, qn 43, qn 888. Transport Accident Commission-Treatment of

patients, q 895, q 971, q 973. Women-Cervical Cytology Registry, q 106. WorkCare-Treatment of patients, q 895, q 969,

q 971, q 973, q 1089.


Hospitals-Public waiting lists, q 7, q 8, q 49, q 52, q 105, 256, 263, 339, 345, q 442, qn 731, q 836. Private, q 9, q 1497. Central Gippsland, Traralgon, q 10. Portland and District, q 11, 425, 430. Alfred, q 13, q 109. Fairfield, q 14. Ballarat Base, 26,33. Wimmera Base, 27, 34. Royal Melbourne, 27,34, q 837. Proposed Whittlesea site, q 55, 525, 529, 1481, 1490. Emergency and critical care services, q 103, q 109, q 185, q 441, 526, 530,815, 820. Bed closures, q 107. Bush nursing, q 189, q 1027, q 1201. Prince Henry's, q 192, q 352. Closures, 194. Wodonga District, 255, 263, q 971. Wangaratta Base, 255, 263, q 836. Box Hill, 258, 263, q 539. Willsmere, q 267, q 352. Mount Alexander, 341, 346. Chiltern and District Bush Nursing, 342, 347. Austin, q 357. Peter MacCallum Cancer Institute, 425, 430, 1190, 1194, q 1499. Geelong, 444, q 1204. Funding, q 683. St Andrew's, q 839, q 1301. Epworth, q 840. Employment of apprentices, 877, 885. Annual reports, q 889, 1191, 1194, 1280, 1283. Mildura Base, q 973. St Vincent's, q 1203. Fire safety measures, 1480, 1489. (See also "Medical Services")

Housing-Estates-Lakewood, 29, 35, q 740, q 1299, q 1371. General-Government assistance: mortgage relief,

q 49, q 536, q 1292; home opportunity loan scheme, qn 532; low-start loans, q 739; to public and private sectors, q 1096, q 1292; priority home finance scheme, q 1205. Elderly person units for Sandringham, 96, 100, 178, 182. Hampton High School site, 96, 100, 178, 182. Energy-efficient, q Ill. Crisis accommodation, q 190, 1483. Commonwealth-State Housing Agreement, qn 531, q 739. Sale of government land, qn 532. Common equity rental cooperatives, q 538. Kensington ordnance site,. q 540. Starts, q 891. Low-cost design, q 896. RegIOnal Housing Council Review Steering Committee, q 976. Land allotments, q 1370. Tenants Rights Handbook, 1482.

Ministry of Housing and Construction-Asbestos management, q 12. Communication technology q 839. Building contractors, q 1028, q 1094, 1097: Use of plastics in building materials, q 1032. Park Street railway reserve, q 1291, q 1293, q 1296, q 1369. Urban renewal in inner Melbourne, q 1500.

Private-Home loan interest rates, q 685. (See also "Housing-Genera")

Public-Waiting lists, q 11, 175, 182, q 353, q 357. Rooming houses, 31, 36, q 49, q 272, 343, 347. Ascot Vale tenants group, q 58, q 190, q 735. Rental: increases, 93, 100; arrears and evictions, 174, 181,261,264, q 685, q 1501. Maintenance, 93, 100, 176, 182. For handicapped persons, q 356, 814, 820, 1276, 1282. Project partnership scheme, q 443. Units in Box Hill South, 719, 729. Home purchase insurance premiums, q 834.

Hunt, Hon. A. J. (South Eastern Province) (See "President, The (Hon. A. J. Hunt)")

Hunting-Code of practice, 423, 429.

I

Industrial Supplies Office (Victoria) Ltd, q 1031.

Industry, Technol~gy and Resources-Department-Approved schemes of assistance and


Industry-Frigate project, q 8, q 57, q 269. Goulburn Valley food processing industries, q 110. Shipbuilding, q 269. Assistance to Kodak (Australasia) Pty Ltd, q 440, q 1092. Australian Newsprint Mills Ltd, q 534. Building and construction, q 891, q 1028, q 1094, q 1097. Wine exports, q 892. Australian-made preference scheme, q 893, 963, 966. Expansion of confectionery plant, q 972. Import replacement program, q 1031. Government initiatives, q 1201, 1278, 1282. Regional development, 1276, 1282.

Resources-Mining: Antarctic convention, 7; in Maryborough district, 28, 33; at Benambra, q 106, q 110,525,529; practices of industry, q 188; trading in claims, q 438; mineral sands project, q 838; investment in Victoria, q 1091. Coal, q 107, q 837. Methane gas, 176, 181. Solar energy, q 738. Electricity generation from environmental waste, q 1496.

Technology-Multifunction polis proposal, 260, 262, 527, 529, q 1296. Aerospace industry development, q 683. Electronics, q 1294. Centre for International Research on Communication and Information Technologies, q 1365, q 1501.

Insurance-Health, 814, 820. Home purchase premiums, q 834.

Ives, Hon. R. S. (Eumemmerring Province) Arts, The-Funding, q 186, q 1301. Education-Physiotherapy training, q 51. Environment-Recycling, 377. Handicapped Persons-Arts funding for the dis

abled, q 1301. Law Courts-Closure of courthouses, 921. Melbourne City Council-Extortion allegations,

q 1495. Mental Health-Psychiatric services in outer south-

eastern suburbs, q 838. Museum of Victoria, q 681. Polly Woodside. q 681. Public Transport-Very Fast Train project, q 1034.

(14) INDEX

Ives, Hon. R. S.-continued

Roads Corporation-Road funding, 1141. State Electricity Commission-Overseas contracts,

q 537.

J

Joint Sittings of Parliament-Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Board, 232, 396, 432. Deakin University, 1260, 1435, 1491.

K

Kennedy, Hon. C. J. (Waverley Province) Appropriation (1989-90, No. I) Bill, 946. Doncaster and Templestowe City Council-

Development projects, qn 42. Film and Television-Production, q 439. Housing-Energy-efficient, q Ill. Local Government Act-Review, q 15. Melbourne Cricket Ground-Southern Stand, q 970. Municipalities-Rate increases, q 736. Human

resource management, q 1206. Points of Order-Extension of time, 792.

Kew Cottages-Funding, 878.

Knowles, Hon. R. I. (Ballarat Province) Accident Compensation (General Amendment) Bill,

450,614. Budget for I 989-9Q-Papers, 76. Conservation, Forests and Lands Acts (Amend

ment) Bill, 1583, 1610, 1612. Dandenong City Council-Statements of Minister

for Local Government, 229. Deaths-Hon. K. S. Gross, 677. Environment Protection (Scheduled Premises and

Exemptions) (Amendment) Regulations, 1161. Fisheries (Amendment) Bill, 1525, 1530. Forests (Laminex Industries Agreement) Bill, 1560. Forests (Victree Forests Agreement) Bill, 1568. Hospitals-Ballarat Base, 26. Intellectually Disabled Persons' Services (Amend

ment) Bill, 119. Major Projects-Architectural design competition,

q 1200. Medical Treatment (Enduring Power of Attorney)

Bill, 163. Melbourne Cricket Ground Trust Bill, 1427. Ministry, The-Censure of Minister for Local Gov

ernment, 229. Points of Order-Relevancy of remarks, 460. Scope

of debate, 570. Prices Bill, 278, 279. Standing Orders Committee-Use of computer

equipment in Chamber, 1209.

KocIak (Australasia) Pty Ltd, q 440, q 1092.

Kokocinski, Hon. Lida (Melbourne West Province) Accident Compensation (General Amendment) Bill,

505, 628, 630. Aged Services-Projects, q 1299. Budget for I 989-9Q-Papers, 709. Caravan Parks and Movable Dwellings (Amend

ment) Bill, 1248. Community Services Victoria-Child health nurse

service, 1316. Housing-Urban renewal in inner Melbourne,

q 1500. Industrial Supplies Office (Victoria) Ltd, q 1031. Industry-Import replacement program, q 1031. Local Government and Ethnic Affairs Ministerial

Advisory Council-Establishment, q 192. Medical Treatment (Enduring Power of Attorney)

Bill, 150. Mental Health Awareness Week, q 688. Municipalities-Victoria Grants Commission allo

cations, q 56. Human resource management, q 540. Qualifications of officers, q 894.

Points of Order-Members to address Chair, 227. Incorporation of material in Hansard. 1322.

Victorian Health Promotion Foundation, q 1299.

L

Labour, Department of-Workers Health Action Group, qn 433. Former premises, qn 434.

Landeryou, Hon. W. A. (Doutta Galla Province) Education-Royal Melbourne Institute of Techno

logy, q 835. Environment Protection (Scheduled Premises and

Exemptions) (Amendment) Regulations, 1101. Gas and Fuel Corporation-Increases in charges,

q 1090. Hospitals-St Vincent's, q 1203. Industry-Frigate project, q 8. Points of Order-Conduct of member, 1167. Offen

sive remarks, 1167. Motion of independent member,1181.

Questions on Notice-Answers, 1107. Roads Corporation-Road funding, 1131. Standing Orders Committee-Questions on notice,

1107. State Electricity Commission-Brunswick-

Richmond powerline, q 354. Universities-Proposed amalgamations, q 835. Pro

posed establishment in western suburbs, q 835.

Law Courts-Closure of courthouses, 744, 921.


Lawson, Hon. Robert (Higinbotham Province)

Accident Compensation (General Amendment) Bill, 523.

Animals-Companion, 1279. Apprentices-College placements, 95. Appropriation (1989-90, No. I) Bill, 941. Arts, The-Arts Development Fund, 920. Brothels-Council by-laws, 818. Budget for 1989-90-Papers, 799. Christmas Felicitations, 1602. Community Services Victoria-Intellectual disabil

ity services: Interchange Southern Region, 344. Education-Placements for apprentices, 95. David

Syme Business School, Chisholm Institute of Technology, 426.

Environment-Recycling, 386. Environment Protection (General Amendment) Bill,

1555. Fire Authorities (Contributions) Bill, 1579, 1580. Gas and Fuel Corporation-Agency in Richmond,

723. Handicapped Persons-Interchange Southern

Region, 344. Historic Buildings (Amendment) Bill, 1056. Housing-Hampton High School site, 178. Labour, Department of-Former premises, qn 434. Medical Treatment (Enduring Power of Attorney)

Bill, 171. Moorabbin, City of-Superannuation schemes for

employees, 879. Natural Resources and Environment Committee

Report on south-western region water management strategy, 1302.

Ombudsman (Amendment) Bill, 133. Pharmacies-Security of premises, 31. Points of Order-Use of computer equipment in

Chamber, 54. Answers to questions without notice, 269, 1294. Admissibility of motion, 372. Quoted documents, 400.

Prices Bill, 468. Public Transport-Sandringham-Brighton rail

service, 1083. Road Safety (Amendment) Bill, 1224, 1434, 1436,

1437, 1438. Roads Corporation-Road funding, 1124. Superannuation-For local government employees,

879. Technology-Multifunction polis proposal, 260, 527. Universities-Proposed amalgamations, 426. Mon

ash, 426. Very Fast Train (Route Investigation) Bill, 1168. Water-South-western region management strategy,

1302. Water Bill, 1413. Water (Consequential Amendments) Bill, 1413.

Legal and Constitutional Committee-Marine (Vessels) Regulations, 59. Reports presented: fifteenth report on subordinate legislation, 112; sixteenth report on subordinate legislation, 843; freedom of information in Victoria, 1372. Public Service (Amendment) Regulations, 359.

Library Services-Funding, 260, 261, q 1503. (See also "State Library")

Local Authorities Superannuation Act-Application, 529,530.

Local Government (See "Municipalities")

Local Government Act-Review, q 15.

Local Government and Ethnic Affairs Ministerial Advisory Council-Establishment, q 192.

Local Government Department-Legal costs, qn 434.

Long, Hon. R. J. (Gippsland Province) Accident Compensation (General Amendment) Bill,

619,629, 658. Adoption (Amendment) Bill, 1426. Appropriation (1989-90, No. 1) Bill, 802. Budget for 1989-90-Papers, 793. Deaths-Hon. K. S. Gross, 676. Environment Protection (Scheduled Premises and

Exemptions) (Amendment) Regulations, 1163. Law Courts-Closure of courthouses, 765. Medical Services-Bush nursing, qn 1284. Points of Order-Interjections, 75. Road Safety (Amendment) Bill, 1438. Water Bill, 1454, 1462, 1464.

Lord Mayor's Children's Camp, Somers-Transport arrangements, 424, 431.

Lyster, Hon. M. A. (Chelsea Province) (Minister for Local Government)

Aged Services-Projects, q 1299. Brothels-Council by-laws, 820, 967, 1085. Business and Commerce-Second-hand dealers and

pawnbrokers licences, 1085. Caravan Parks and Movable Dwellings (Amend

ment) Bill, 1197, 1220, 1251, 1252, 1255, 1256, 1257, 1258, 1259.

Cultural and Recreational Lands (Amendment) BilJ, 1017,1018,1019.

Deaths-Hon. R. C. Dunstan, DSO, 827. Freedom of Information Act-Application to local

government, q 265, 349. Government Employee Housing Authority

(Amendment) Bill, 1493, 1525. Lands-At Ballarat South, 1195. Extraction ofroad

making materials, q 1294.

(16) INDEX

Lyster, Hon. M. A.-continued

Local Authorities Superannuation Act-Application, 530.

Local Government Act-Review, q 15. Local Government and Ethnic Affairs Ministerial

Advisory Council-Establishment, q 192. Local Government Department-Legal costs,

qn 434, qn 435. Ministry, The-Censure of Minister for Local Gov

ernment, 209. Municipalities-Ballarat-A vailability of land at Ballarat South,

1195. Box Hill-Social justice partnership project, q 358. Camberwell-Brothel by-laws, q 443,820,967,1085. Colac-Request for investigation, q 267. Dandenong-Statements of Minister for Local Gov-

ernment, 209, q 265, q 267, q 444. Doncaster and Templestowe-Development pro

jects, qn 42. Acquisition powers, 431, 820. Finance-Victoria Grants Commission allocations,

q 56, q 103, q 268, q 355, q 680. Geelong-Planning powers, q 271. General-Social justice partnership projects, q 14.

Pecuniary interests of councillors, q 52, 101, 820, 1490. Boundaries, q 108, 183, q 188, 542, q 894, q 1093. Pensioner rate rebates, 183. Local Government and Ethnic Affairs Ministerial Advisory Council, q 192. Freedom of information in local government, q 265,349. Superannuation schemes, q 269, 530, 730, 886. Efficiency measures, q 271. Electricity undertakings, q 272. Underground services, q 444. Home help services, 530, q 1089. Human resource management, q 540, q 1206. Training and employment projects, q 687. Rate increases, q 736. State-Local Government Consultative Council meeting, q 840. Qualifications of officers, q 895. WorkCare levies, q 969. Status, q 1367.

Heidelberg-Conservation strategies, 530. Maldon-Staffing, q 974. Melbourne-Housing redevelopment, q 896. Extor-

tion allegations, q 1495. St Kilda-Activities of council, 36. Shepparton-Funding, q 355. Walpeup-Proposed extension, q 55. Pensioners-Rate rebates, 183. Home help services,

530, q 1089. Personal Explanations-Statement in debate, 542. Planning-Central business district development,

q 270. In Geelong, q 271. Port Phillip Bay-Bayside clean-up day, q 1095. Prices Bill, 265, 274. Public Transport-Very Fast Train project, q 1034. Skateboards, 264. Street Works Coordination Committee-Under

ground services, q 444.

Lyster, Hon. M. A.-continued

Superannuation-For local government employees, q 269, 530, 730, 886.

Victorian Health Promotion Foundation, q 1299. Water Bill, 1197, 1330, 1450, 1451, 1452,1453, 1455,

1456, 1458, 1460, 1461, 1462, 1463, 1465, 1466, 1467, 1468, 1470, 1471, 1472, 1474.

Water (Consequential Amendments) Bill, 1197, 1330, 1475.

M

MaceYt Hon. Rea (Monash Province) Bayside Project, 97. Bayside Project (Amendment) Bill, 1075. Cultural and Recreational Lands (Amendment) Bill,

lOll, 1018. Dandenong City Council-Statements of Minister

for Local Government, 225. Freedom of Information Act-Application to local

government, 342. Hospitals-Prince Henry's, q 192. Closures, 194. Local Authorities Superannuation Act-Applica

tion,529. Ministry, The-Censure of Minister for Local Gov

ernment, 225. Municipalities-Dandenong: statements of Minis

ter for Local Government, 225. Victoria Grants Commission allocations, q 268. Freedom of information in local government, 342. Superannuation schemes, 723. Pecuniary interests of councillors, 1485. .

Petitions-Public hospital closures, 194. Roads Corporation-Western bypass, 33,426,883.

Proposed Beach Road closure, 97. Truck speed limits, 1080.

State Finance-Government policies, 571. Superannuation-For local government employees,

723. Victoria Harbour Project, 1192, 1278. World Congress Centre, q 1029.

Mackenzie. Hon. R. A. (Geelong Province) Accident Compensation (General Amendment) Bill,

437,577,617,637,653 .. Adoption-Proposed legislation, 742. Aged Services--Research facilities, q 539. Nursing

home facilities in South Barwon, q 839. Apprentices-State Additional Apprenticeship

Scheme, 723. Appropriation (1989-90, No. I) Bill, 804, 948. Attorney-General's Department-Rights of victims

of crime, 819. Bendigo Mining NL, 28. Budget for 1989-90-Papers, 801, 802,804. Caravan Parks-Pensioner fuel concessions, q 13.


Mackenzie, Hon. R. A.-continued

Caravan Parks and Movable Dwellings (Amendment) Bill, 1246.

Community Services Victoria-Transport for intellectually disabled persons, 422. Child health nurse service, 1314.

Conservation, Forests and Lands Acts (Amendment) Bill, 1586.

Control of Weapons Bill, 1387. Corrections (Amendment) Bill, 1021, 1155, 1157,

1158. Crimes (Blood Samples) Bill, 1354, 1359, 1362. Dandenong City Council-Statements of Minister

for Local Government, 227. Dental Services-Advanced dental technicians,

Q 687. Drugs-Marijuana, Q 109, 878. Education-Life education mobile vans, 257. Zon

ing of schools, Q 1034. Environment-Recycling, 382. Environment Pro

tection (Scheduled Premises and Exemptions) (Amendment) Regulations, 1168.

Fisheries (Amendment) Bill, 1528. Food-Recall of soup product, 90. Forests (Laminex Industries Agreement) Bill, 1561. Forests (Victree Forests Agreement) Bill, 1567, 1582. Geelong City Council-Planning powers, q 270. Government Departments and Instrumentalities-

In Geelong, 1278. Health-Sudden infant death syndrome, 963. Historic Buildings-Geelong wool store, 1483. Historic Buildings (Amendment) Bill, 1058, 1059,

1069. Hospitals-Geelong, q 1204. Industry-Government initiatives, 1278. Law Courts-Closure of courthouses, 757. Medical Treatment (Enduring Power of Attorney)

Bill, 166, 243. Mining-In Maryborough district, 28. Ministry, The-Censure of Minister for Local Gov

ernment, 227. National Research Institute of Gerontology and

Geriatric Medicine, Q 539. Ombudsman (Amendment) Bill, 131, 137. Pensioners-Home help services, 527. Petitions-Adoption (Amendment) Bill, 742. Petroleum (Submerged Lands) (Amendment) Bill,

697. Planning-In Geelong, q 270. Planning and Environment (Amendment) Bill, 1516,

1519, 1520, 1522, 1523, 1524. Points of Order-Reference to notes, 712. Motion

of independent member, 1181. Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Leghold Traps)

Bill, 776. Prices Bill, 466. Privileges Committee-Establishment, 1110.

Mackenzie, Hon. R. A.-continued

Questions on Notice-Answers, 1106. Road Safety (Amendment) Bill, 1232. Social Development Committee-Membership,


1106. State Electricity Commission-Maintenance ser-

vices in South Barwon, 1080. Vandalism, 341. Very Fast Train (Route Investigation) Bill, 1181. Victims of Crime Assistance League-Submissions

on rights of victims, 819. Water Bill, 1456, 1458, 1461, 1470, 1471. Works and Services (Ancillary Provisions, 1989-90,

No. 2) Bill, 804.

McLean, Hon. Jean (Boronia Province) Arts, The-Melbourne Spoleto Festival, Q 351. Education-Wodonga College of TA FE, q 742.

Higher education in outer eastern suburbs, q 1502. Swinburne Institute of Technology, Q 1502.

Major Projects-Health facilities, q 267. Medical Services-Palliative care, q 1298. Mental Health Services-Psychiatric services: for

inner Melbourne area, q 896; in Latrobe Valley, q 1033.

Nursing-Home nursing services, Q 10.

Macquarie Resources Ltd, q 106, q 110,525,529.

Major Projects-Victoria Harbour, 89, 98, 1189, 1192, 1193, 1278, 1281. Bayside Project, 97, 99, q 1027. Museum of Victoria redevelopment, 259, 261, Q 681, q 1197. Health facilities, Q 267, q 352. Queen Victoria hospital site, q 889. Melbourne Cricket Ground Southern Stand, q 970, q 1202. World Congress Centre, q 1029, 1077, 1083. State Library redevelopment, q 1197, q 1367. Architectural design competitions, q 1200. Report of Victorian Government Major Projects Unit, 1210. Albert Park sport complex, 1280, 1281.

Marine (Vessels) Regulations, 59.

Maroondah Social Health Centre, 29, 35.

Mars Confectionery of Australia, q 972.

Medical Services-General-For cancer, q 13, 1190, 1194, Q 1499. Pro

posed communicable diseases research centre, q 14. Acute pain clinics, 29, 35. Cervical Cytology Registry, Q 106. Optometry, 528, 530. Radiotherapy, 818, 820, q 840. Palliative care, q 1298, q 1368. IVF program, Q 1365. (See also "Hospitals" and "Mental Health Services")

(18) INDEX

Medical Services-continued

Medical Practitioners-Accreditation for intern training positions, 255, 263. Fees for WorkCare patients, q 895, q 969, q 971, q 973, q 1089.

Nursing-Home nursing services, q 10. For aged persons in Mildura, 16. Child health nurse service, 30, 273, 1304. Shortage in intensive care units, q 357. Registered nurse professional rates, q 741, 816, 820. Positions in public hospitals, q 1030. Bush nursing services, qn 1284.

Medical Treatment (Enduring Power of Attorney) BillDissent of member, 173. Passage, q 1292.

Melbourne-Olympic Games 1996 bid, 89, 98, 1481, 1488. Closure of inner city streets, q 270. Spoleto Festival, q 351, q 533, q 682.

Melbourne Cricket Ground-Southern Stand, q 970, q 1202.

Members-Naming of member, 205. Use of com-puters in Chamber, 394, 1208.

Mental Health Awareness Week, q 688.

Mental Health Research Institute, q 53.

Mental Health Services-General-Mental Health Awareness Week, q 688.

Personal Emergency Service, 719, 729, 879, 885. Psychiatric services: in outer south-eastern suburbs, q 838; for inner Melbourne area, q 896; in Latrobe Valley, q 1033. Assessment of prisoner, q 1203.

Hospitals and Centres-On Mornington Peninsula, q 191. Mont Park, q 439.

Mier, Hon. B. W. (Waverley Province) Accident Compensation (General Amendment) Bill,

614,615,637,638,641. Building and Construction Industry-Employment

of subcontractors, q 1028, 1097. Commonwealth-State Housing Agreement-Nego

tiations, q 739. Education-Higher education in outer eastern sub

urbs, q 890. Chisholm Institute of Technology, q 1364. Proposed amalgamations of post-secondary colleges and universities, q 1364.

Environment-Recycling, 379. Health-AIDS, q 265. Housing-Asbestos management, q 12. Common

wealth-State Housing Agreement, q 739. Building contractors, q 1028, 1097. Government assistance to public and private sectors, q 1292.

Personal Explanations-Statement in debate, 1097. Points of Order-Interjections, 199. Admissibility

of motion, 371. Relevancy of remarks, 460. Absolute majority, 1188.

Mier, Hon. B. W.-continued

Prices Bill, 459. State Training Board-Operations, q 534. Universities-Proposed amalgamations, q 1364.

Monash, q 1364.

Miles, Hon. J. G. (Templestowe Province) Albert Park Sport Complex, 1280. Appropriation (1989-90, No. I) Bill, 871. Budget for 1989-90-Papers, 407, 871. Cemeteries-Eltham, 94. Doncaster and Templestowe City Council-Acqui-

sition powers, 423, 819. Education (Amendment) Bill, 1067. Historic Buildings-Montsalvat, 94. Martial Arts Control (Amendment) Bill, 83, 86, 87,

88. Melbourne Cricket Ground-Southern Stand,

q 1202. Melbourne Cricket Ground Trust Bill, 1431. Planning and Environment (Amendment) Bill, 1508,

1519,1520,1521. Points of Order-Matters raised on motions for

adjournment of sittings: principles, 1481. Racing (TAB Surplus) Bill, 1439. Roads Corporation-Eastern Freeway extension,

1486. Sport and Recreation-South Melbourne Cricket

Club,1280. Works and Services (Ancillary Provisions, 1989-90,

No. 2) Bill, 871.

Mining-Antarctic convention, 7. In Maryborough district, 28, 33. At Benambra, q 106, q 110, 525, 529. Practicesofindustry,q 188. Trading in claims, q 438. Mineral sands project, q 838. Investment in Victoria, q 1091.

Ministry, The-Censure of Minister for Local Government, 194. Minister Assisting the Treasurer, q 1493.

Monash Association of Students, 421, 428.

Mosquitoes-Plagues, 424, 429. Breeding control, q 1094.

Municipalities-Ararat-Lake Bolac rubbish tip, 256. Ballarat-A vailability of land at Ballarat South,

1191,1195. Bellarine-Socialjustice p.l.rtnership project, q 14. Box Hill-Social justice partnership project, q 358. Camberwell-Brothel by-laws, q 442,818,820,964,

967, 1083, 1085. Colac-Request for investigation, q 267. Dandenong-Statements of Minister for Local Gov

ernment, 194, q 265, q 266, q 443.


M unicipalities-cont inued

Diamond Valley-Planning, 96. Doncasler and Templestowe-Development pro

jects, qn 42. Acquisition powers, 423, 431, 819, 820.

Finance-Victoria Grants Commission allocations, q 56, q 103, q 268, q 355, q 680. Funding: for library services, 260, 261, q 1503; for roads, 1112.

Geelong-Planning powers, q 270. General-Social justice partnership projects, q 14,

q 358. Pecuniary interests of councillors, q 52, 91, 101, 816, 820, 1485, 1490. Roadworks in northeastern Victoria, q 106. Boundaries, q 108, 178, 183, q 188, 542, q 894, q 1093. Pensioner rate rebates, 177, 183. Waste disposal, 179. Electricity undertakings, q 187, q 272. Local Government and Ethnic Affairs Ministerial Advisory Council, q 192. Freedom of information in local government, q 265, 342, 349. Superannuation schemes, q 268, 529, 530, 723, 730, 877, 879, 886. Efficiency measures, q 271. Vandalism, 341. Underground services, q 444. Home help services, 527, 530, q 1089. Human resource management, q 540, q 1206. Training and employment projects, q 687. Rate increases, q 736. State-Local Government Consultative Council meeting, q 840. Disposal of syringes, 882, 886. Qualifications of officers, q 894. WorkCare levies, q 969. Cost of immunisation certificates, 1083, 1084. Status, q 1367.

Heidelberg-Conservation strategies, 527,530. Maldon-Staffing, q 974. Melbourne-Housing redevelopment, q 896. Extor-

tion allegations, q 1495. SI Kilda-Activities of council, 32, 36. Shepparton-Funding, q 355. Walpeup-Proposed extension, q 55.

Museums-Museum of Victoria, q 57, 259, 261, q 681, q 1198. Melbourne Maritime, 259, 261, q 681, q 1204.

N

National Companies and Securities CommissionReport on Trustees Executors and Agency Ltd, qn 1086.

National Research Institute of Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, q 539.

National Safety Council of Australia-Firefighting services, qn 45, 841. Losses, q 1363.

Natural Resources and Environment CommitteeReport on south-western region water management strategy, 1302.

o Olympic Games 1996-Melbourne bid, 89, 98, 1481,

1488.

Optometry-Advertising of services, 528, 530.

P

Parks-Bogong National, qn 733.

Parliament-Derivation of prayer, 437. Departmental reports for 1988-89, 1302.

Pensioners-Fuel concessions, q 13. Rate rebates, 177, 183. Home help services, 527, 530, q 1089.

Personal Emergency Service, 719, 729, 879, 885.

Personal Explanations-By Mrs Lyster, 542. By Mr Pullen, 841. By Mr Mier, 1097.

Petitions-Women prisoners, 16. Nursing staff, Mildura, 16. Public hospitals closure, 194. Child health nurse service, Ararat, 273. Geelong radiotherapy centre, 444. Physiotherapy education, 542. Adoption (Amendment) Bill, 742. Capital punishment, 841. Teaching Service award restructuring, 1210.

Pharmacies-Security of premises, 31, 35. Remuneration for pharmacists, 178, 181. Government policies, q 351, q 537. Needle exchange program, 426, 431. Stolen prescription pads, 528, 530. Nonproprietary medicines, 1487, 1490.

Planning and Environment-Environmenl-Toxic waste and pollution of Lake

wood Estate, Knoxfield, 29, 35, q 740, q 1299, q 1371. Noise emission standards, 93,100. Municipal waste disposal, 179. Aerial spraying of noxious weeds, 258, 264. Recycling, 360, q 1032. Environment Protection (Scheduled Premises and Exemptions) (Amendment) Regulations, 1099, 1160.

Planning-Land transaction in Shire of Diamond Valley, 96. Central business district development, q 270. In Geelong, q 270. Plenty corridor, 428. Rezoning application in Knox, 876. Bathing boxes at Brighton, 964.

Plastics-Recycled packaging material, q 1032.

"Polly Wood side", 259, 261, q 681, q 1204.

Port Phillip 8ay-Bayside clean-up day, q 1095.

Portland Smelter Joint Venture Project-Report for 1988-89, 1595.

Ports-Portland-Transport of petroleum, 880. Western Port-Development, 726, 727.

(20) INDEX

Premier and Cabinet, Department of the-Publication Update, qn 41.

President, The (Hon. A. J. Hunt) Rulings and Statements-Accident Compensation (General Amendment)

Bill-Absolute majority, 600, 672. Antarctica-Mining convention, 7. Bayside Project (Amendment) Bill-Absolute

majority, 1076. Business of the House-Availability of reports,

q 1505. Caravan Parks and Movable Dwellings (Amend

ment) Bill-Absolute majority, 1250. Christmas Felicitations, 1603. Conservation, Forests and Lands Acts (Amend

ment) Bill-Absolute majority, 1612. Cultural and Recreational Lands (Amendment)

Bill-Absolute majority, 1016. Deaths-Hon. Sir John Bloomfield, 5. Hon. K. S.

Gross, 678. Hon. R. C. Dunstan, DSO, 830. Debate-Interjections, 197, 198, 199,201,202,299,

324. U nparliamentary expressions, 201, 218. Relevancy of remarks, 216, 460. Members to address Chair, 227. Imputations against members, 227. Admissibility of motion, 372. Quoted documents, 400, 401, 402, 406, 587, 807, 1184. Conduct of members, 404, 1167. Reading of speeches, 405. Use of correct titles, 405. Scope, 570. Reference to notes, 711, 712. Matters raised on motions for adjournment of sittings: rules, 884; urgency, 1277, 1279; principles, 1481. Offensive remarks, 1167. Motion of independent member, 1181, 1567.

Distinguished Visitors-Member, House of Lords, 576.

Environment-Recycling, 393. Film Victoria (Amendment) Bill-Absolute major

ity, 1188. Hansard-Incorporation of material, 1322, 1388. Joint Sittings of Parliament-Victorian Curriculum

and Assessment Board, 232, 396. Deakin University, 1260, 1435, J492.

Melbourne Cricket Ground Trust Bill-Absolute majority, 1433.

Members-Naming of member, 205. Planning and Environment (Amendment) Bill-

Absolute majority, 1518. Prayer-Derivation, 437. Printing Committee-Membership, 16. Questions without Notice-Audible conversation,

53. Use of computer equipment in Chamber, 54. Answers: scope, 191, I ~94; length, 270, 1300; audibility, 1294. Interjections, 358.

Standing Orders Committee-Use of computer equipment in Chamber, 1208.

Universities-Deakin, 1260, 1435, 1492.

President, The (Hon. A. J. Hunt}-continued

Victorian Curriculum and Assessment BoardMembership, 232, 396.

Water Bill-Absolute majority, 1419. Water (Consequential Amendments) Bill-Absolute

majority, 1419.

Primary IndustriesFishing-Crayfish, 1484, 1489. Timber-Woodchipping, 1486.

Printing Committee-Membership, 15, 140.

Privileges Committee-Establishment, 1109.

Public Bodies Review Committee-Report on Victorian Dairy Industry Authority, 112.

Public Service (Amendment) Regulations, 359.

Public Transport":'" Corporation-Land transaction in Shire of Yea, 92.

V/Line staff, 176, 881. General-Noise emission standards, 93, 100. Sale of

alcohol on country trains, 344, 348. School excursions, 424, 431. Boronia railway station, 1274.

Rail Services-Very Fast Train project, q 355, q 1034 .. Euroa, 1079. Sandringham-Brighton, 1083.

Pullen, Hon. B. T. (Melbourne Province) (Minister for Housing and Construction)

Alcohol-A vailability, 348. Asbestos-Removal, q 12. Ascot Vale Public Housing Tenants Group, q 58. Bogong National Park, qn 733. Building and Construction Industry-Housing starts,

q 891. Employment of subcontractors, q 1028, q 1094.

Common Ground Publication, qn 1086. Commonwealth-State Housing Agreement-Lease

arrangements, qn 531. Negotiations, q 740. Conservation, Forests and Lands Acts (Amend

ment) Bill, 1291, 1373, 1605, 1609. Environment-Noise emission standards, 100.

Recycling, 392. Environment Protection (General Amendment) Bill,

1493, 1535, 1556, 1557, 1558, 1564. Fisheries (Abalone Licence Charges) Bill, 1197, 1219. Fisheries (Amendment) Bill, 1168, 1218, 1529, 1530. Forests (Laminex Industries Agreement) Bill, 1540,

1558. Forests (Victree Forests Agreement) Bill, 1540, 1564,

1582. Handicapped Persons-Public housing, q 356, 820. Historic Buildings-Box Hill brickworks, 100.

Facades, q 976. Historic Buildings (Amendment) Bill, 833, 847, 1069,

1070.


Pullen, Hon. B. T.-continued

Housing-Estates-Lakewood, q 740, q 1299, q 1371. General-Government assistance: mortgage relief,

q 50, q 536, q 1292; home opportunity loan scheme, qn 532; low-start loans, q 739; to public and private sectors, q 1096, q 1292; priority home finance scheme, q 1205. Elderly person units for Sandringham, 100. Hampton High School site, 100, 182. Energy-efficient, q Ill. Crisis accommodation, q 190. Commonwealth-State Housing Agreement, qn 531, q 740. Sale of government land, qn 532. Common equity rental cooperatives, q 538. Kensington ordnance site, q 541. Starts, q 891. Low-cost design, q 897. Regional Housing Council Review Steering Committee, q 976. Land allotments, q 1370.

Ministry of Housing and Construction-Asbestos management, q 12. Communication technology, q 840. Building contractors, q 1028, q 1094. Use of plastics in building materials, q 1033. Park Street railway reserve, q 1291, q 1293, q 1296, q 1369. Urban renewal in inner Melbourne, q 1500.

Private-Home loan interest rates, q 685. (See also «Housing- Genera!")

Public-Waiting lists, q 11,182, q 353, q 357. Rooming houses, 36, q 50, q 272,347. Ascot Vale tenant group, q 58, q 190, q 735. Maintenance, 100, 182. Rental: increases, 100; arrears and evictions, 181,264, q 686, q 735·, q 1501. For handicapped persons, q 356, 820. Project partnership scheme, q 443. Units in Box Hill South, 729. Home purchase insurance premiums, q 834.

Lands-Aerial spraying of noxious weeds, 264. Lord Mayor's Children's Camp, Somers-Trans

port arrangements, 431. Martial Arts Control (Amendment) Bill, 49,83,87. Melbourne Cricket Ground Trust Bill, 1362, 1392,

1433. Members-Use of computer equipment in Cham

ber,395. National Safety Council of Australia-Firefighting

services, qn 45, 841. Personal Explanations-Statement in debate, 841. Planning and Environment (Amendment) Bill, 1348,

1376, 1519, 1520, 1521, 1522, 1523, 1524, 1562, 1563,1564.

Points of Order-Scope of debate, 570. Public Transport-Noise emission standards, 100.

Sale of alcohol on country trains, 348. Racing (TAB Surplus) Bill, 1363, 1393. Road Safety (Amendment) Bill, 743,982, 1434, 1435,

1437, 1438. Road Toll-Hume Freeway, 730. Roads Corporation-Western bypass, 37.

Rooming Houses Bill, 776, 844.

Pullen, Hon. B. T.-continued

Standing Orders Committee-Use of computer equipment in Chamber, 395.

State Finance-Government policies, 573. Subdivision (Amendment) Bill (No. 2), 1475. Subdivision (Further Amendment) Bill, 1534, 1535. Very Fast Train (Route Investigation) Bill, 689, 779.

Q

Queen Victoria Hospital Site, q 889.

Questions on Notice-Answers, 1102.

R

Road Toll-Hume Freeway, 726, 730.

Roads Corporation-General-Speed limits: reduction on Hume High

way, 726, 730; for trucks, 1080. B-double petrol tankers, 880. Wodonga office, 882. Roadworthiness regulations, 884.

Roads and Highways-Western bypass, 33, 37, 426, 883. Greensborough bypass, 96. Proposed Beach Road closure, 97, 99. In north-eastern Victoria, q 106. Benambra mining project, 525, 529. Funding, 1112. Eastern Freeway extension, 1486.

Royal Australasian College of Radiologists-Radiotherapy services, 818, 820.

Rural Finance Corporation-VEDC, 89, 257, 261.

S

St Martin's Theatre, q 1206.

St Martin's Youth Art Centre-Funding, q 688, 724.

Second-hand Dealers and Pawnbrokers Act-Admin-istration oflicences, 1081, 1085.

Senior Citizens Centres-Wallan, 963, 966.

Sessional Orders, 1097.

Sewerage-Services on Mornington Peninsula, 525.

Sgro, Hon. G. A. (Melbourne North Province) Arts, The-Arts Development Fund, 918. Australian Electronics Development Centre, q 1294. Housing-Crisis accommodation, q 190. For hand-

icapped persons, q 356. Government assistance to public and private sectors, q 1096.

Industry-Frigate project, q 57. Assistance to Kodak (Australasia) Pty Ltd, q 440. Electronics, q 1294.

Maldon, Shire of-Staffing, q 974. Municipalities-Training and employment pro

jects, q 687. Petitions-Women prisoners, 16.

(22) INDEX

Sgro, Hon. G. A.-continued

Points of Order-Use of computers in Chamber, 54. Quoted material, 315.

Women-Prisoners, 16.

Skateboards, 259, 264.

Skeggs, Hon. B. A. E. (Templestowe Province) Accident Compensation (General Amendment) Bill,

592. Appropriation (1989-90, No. 1) Bill, 960. Arts, The-Arts Development Fund, q 685. Budset for 1989-90-Papers, 698. Camberwell City Council-Brothel by-laws, 1083. Community Services Victoria-North Eastern

Regional Advisory Council, 1189. Control of Weapons Bill, 1389. Crimes (Blood Samples) Bill, 1359. Deaths-Hon. K. S. Gross, 678. Hon. R. C. Dun

stan, DSO, 828. Education-Diamond. Valley Special Develop

mental School, 1480. Student transport, 1480. Heidelberg City Council-Conservation strategies,

527. Hospitals-Epworth, q 840. Medical Services-Proposed communicable dis

eases research centre, q 14. Radiotherapy, q 840. Planning-Land transaction in Shire of Diamond

Valley, 96. Plenty corridor, 428. Racing (TAB Surplus) Bill, 1445. Roads Corporation-Greensborough bypass, 96. Victoria Police-Reclassification of police districts,

881. Doncaster station, 1278.

Small Business Development Corporation, q 1366.

Smith, Hon. K. M. (South Eastern Province) Accident Compensation (General Amendment) Bill,

582. Ambulance Services-In Cranbourne, 92. Appropriation (1989-90, No. 1) Bill, 987. Budget for 1989-90-Papers, 783. Building and Construction Industry-Employment

of subcontractors, q 1094. Community Services Victoria-Moonya Centre,

1192. Education-Teaching Service award restructuring,

1210. Student transport in country areas, 1279. Warragul Technical School, 1279.

Footscray Football Club, 963. Handicapped Persons-Transport, 1192. Housing-Rooming houses,- 31. Ascot Vale Public

Housing Tenants Group, q 58, q 190, q 735. Ministry rental arrears and evictions, 174,261, q 735. Public waiting lists, q 357. Kensington ordnance

Smith, Hon. K. M.-continued

site, q 540. Regional Housing Council Review Steering Committee, q 976. Building contractors, q 1094. Park Street railway reserve, q 1293. Tenants Rights Handbook, 1482.

Law Courts-Closure of courthouses, 768. Petitions-Teaching Service award restructuring,

1210. Points of Order-Answers to questions without

notice, 191. Unparliamentary expressions, 219. Conduct of members, 404. Reference to notes, 711, 712. Quoted documents, 807, 1183. Offensive remarks, 1167.

Sewerage-Services on Mornington Peninsula, 525. State Emergency Service-Funding, 815. State Training Board-Traineeships in country areas,

341. Very Fast Train (Route Investigation) Bill, 1186. Water-Services on Mornington Peninsula, 525. Western Port-Development, 726.

Social Development Committee-Dying with dignity recommendations, 27,34. Membership, 1035.

Sport and Recreation-Footscray Football Club, 963, 965. South Melbourne Cricket Club, 1280, 1281. Albert Park complex, 1280, 1281.

Standing Orders Committee-Use of computer equipment in Chamber, 394, 1208.

State Additional Apprenticeship Scheme, q 104, 723, 728,877,885.

State Bank Victoria, q 351, q 736,.q 1363.

State Electricity Commission-Charges-Pensioner concessions, q 13. Comparison

of tariffs, q 974. General-Generation of electricity by methane gas,

176, 181. Municipal electricity undertakings, q 187, q 272. Brunswick-Richmond powerline, q 354. Overseas contracts, q 537. Loy Yang plant, q 737. Purchase of protective clothing, q 893, 963, 966. Mildura office, 1078, 1084. Maintenance in South Barwon, 1080, 1084.

State Emergency Service-Funding, 815.

State Finance-Government policies, 542. State Library-Closure, q 57. Redevelopment project,

q 1367. General manager, q 1493. Funding, q 1496. (See also "Library Services")

State Training Board-Staff employment in T AFE colleges, 88, 98. Apprentice placements in postsecondary education, 95, 99, 421, 429, 725, 728. State Additional Apprenticeship Scheme, q 104, 723, 728, 877, 885. Traineeships in country areas, 341, 345. Operations, q 534, q 538. Minutes of board meetings, 1079, 1084. (See also "Appren tices")

LEGISLA TIVE COUNCIL

Storey, Hon. Haddon (East Yarra Province) T

(23)

Appropriation (1989-90, No. 1) Bill, 810. Arts, The-Arts Development Fund, q 680, 721,

q 737, 898, q 1031, 1275. Promotion of Arts City grant, q 890. Heide Park and Art Gallery, 1275.

Budget for 1989-90-Papers, 801,810. Conservation, Forests and Lands Acts (Amend

ment) Bill, 1608. Dandenong City Council-Statements of Minister

for Local Government, 219, q 266, q 443. Deaths-Hon. Sir John Bloomfield, 4. Hon. K. S.

Gross, 676. Hon. R. C. Dunstan, DSO, 827. Education-Post-Secondary-Staff employment in T AFE col

leges, 88. Footscray and Newport colleges ofT AFE, 174, 1488. Physiotherapy training, 542, q 833. Proposed amalgamations, 1488.

Students-Compulsory union membership, 421. Education (Amendment) Bill, 1061. Heide Park and Art Gallery, 1275. Hospitals-Bed closures, q 107. Legal Aid Commission (Amendment) Bill, 122. Members-Naming of member, 205. Ministry, The-Censure of Minister for Local Gov

ernment, 219. Monash Association of Students, 421. Museums-Museum of Victoria, q 57. Melbourne

Maritime, 259, q 1204. Ombudsman (Amendment) Bill, 125, 137, 138, 139. Parliamentary Committees (Amendment) Bill, 1604,

1605. Penalty Interest Rates (Amendment) Bill, 79. PetitionS-Physiotherapy education, 542. Points of Order-Relevancy of remarks, 216.

Unparliamentary expressions, 218. Quoted documents, 402. Use of correct titles, 405.

Polly Woodside. 259, q 1204. Prices Bill, 279. Questions on Notice-Answers, 1109. Standing Orders Committee-Questions on notice,

1109. State Library-Closure, q 57. Redevelopment pro

ject, q 1367. General manager, q 1493. State Training Board-Staff employment in T AFE

colleges, 88. Minutes of board meetings, 1079. Works and Services (Ancillary Provisions, 1989-90,

No. 2) Bill, 810.

Street Works Coordination Committee-U nderground services, q 444.

Superannuation-For local government employees, q 268, 529, 530, 723, 730, 877, 879,886.

Supermarkets-Trading hours, 1275.

Task Force Cooperatives, qn 43, qn 45, qn 887.

Tehan, Hon. M. T. (Central Highlands Province) Accident Compensation (General Amendment) Bill,

501,617. Adoption (Amendment) Bill, 1425. Apprentices-Employment in hospitals, 877. State

Additional Apprenticeship Scheme, 877. Appropriation (1989-90, No.1) Bill, 933. Budget for 1989-90-Papers, 60. Chiropodists (Amendment) Bill, 1261. Freedom oflnformation Act-Requests, 1277. Health-Tarwin Lower and District Community

Health Centre, 340. Health (Amendment) Bill, 1266. Health Department Victoria-Freedom of inform a

tion requests, 1277. Health (General Amendment) (Amendment) Bill,

1334, 1347. Hospitals-Public waiting lists, q 7, q 49. Royal

Melbourne, 27, q 837. Emergency and critical care services, q 103, q 185, q 441. Peter MacCallum Cancer Institute, 425. Employment of apprentices, 877. St Andrew's, q 1301. Fire safety measures, 1480. Private, q 1497.

Medical Services-Registered nurse professional rates, q 741, 816. Fees for WorkCare patients, q 895, q 969, q 1089.

Medical Treatment (Enduring Power of Attorney) Bill, 140,242,243,245,246,247,249,251,252, 253.

Personal Emergency Service-Funding, 719. Pharmacies-Government policies, q 351, q 537. Points of Order-Reading of speeches, 405. Road Safety (Amendment) Bill, 1238. Transport Accident Commission-Treatment of

patients, q 895. Very Fast Train (Route Investigation) Bill, 1176. WorkCare-Treatment of patients, q 895, q 969,

q 1089.

Theatres-Athenaeum, q 1034. St Martin's, q 1206.

Theophanous, Hon. T. C. (Jika Jika Province) Accident Compensation (General Amendment) Bill,

627,662. Apprentices-State Additional Apprenticeship

Scheme, q 104. Box Hill City Council-Social justice partnership

project, q 358. Budget for 1989-90-Papers, 398. Economy, The-Government strategy, q 1201. Health-Childhood diseases, q 541. Historic Buildings-Facades, q 976.

(24) INDEX

Theophanous, Hon. T. C.-continued

Medical Treatment (Enduring Power of Attorney) Bill, 159.

Olympic Games 1996-Melbourne bid, 1481. State Finance-Government policies, 566. Victorian Solar Energy Council-Activities, q 738.

Trading Hours-Retail, 1275.

Transport Accident Commission-Treatment of patients, q 895, q 969, q 971, q 973.

Tricontinental Corporation Ltd, q 1363.

Trustees Executors and Agency Ltd-Report on collapse, qn 1086.

U

Unions-Monash Association of Students, 421, 428.

Universities-Monash, 421, 426, 428, 429, q 535, q 1364. Proposed amalgamations, 426, 429, q 742, q 835, q 836, q 890, 1281, 1282, q 1364, q 1502. Funding, q 535. La Trobe, q 742, q 890,1281,1282, q 1502. Proposed establishment in western suburbs, q 835, q 836. Deakin, 1260, 1435, 1491. (See also "Education-Post-Secondary")

v Van Buren, Hon. C. F. (Eumemmerring Province)


Budget for 1989-90-Papers, 318. Dandenong City Council-Statements of Minister

for Local Government, 222. Education-Dandenong College ofT AFE, 89. Environment-Recycling, 384. Exports-Victorian wine, q 892. Goulburn Valley Food Processing Industries, q 110. Housing-Rooming houses, q 272. Common equity

rental cooperatives, q 538. Public rental arrears and evictions, q 685.

Ministry, The-Censure of Minister for Local Government, 222.

Mosquitoes-Breeding control, q 1094. Points of Order-Quoted documents, 587. Rele

vancy of remarks, 617, 1556. Resources-Electricity generation from environ

mental waste, q 1496. State Electricity Commission-Generation of elec-

tricity by methane gas, 176. Very Fast Train (Route Investigation) Bill, 1175. Water Bill, 1409. Water (Consequential Amendments) Bill, 1409.

Vandalism, 341.

Varty, Hon. Rosemary (Nunawading Province)

Accident Compensation (General Amendment) Bill, 510,612.

Appropriation (1989-90, No. 1) Bill, 994. Arts, The-Arts Development Fund, q 738. Victoria

State Opera, q 738. Budget for 1989-90-Papers, 280. Business Franchise (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill,

1037,1044. Education-Placements for apprentices, 725. Higher

education in outer eastern suburbs, 1281. Financial Institutions Duty (Amendment) Bill, 1048. Forests (Victree Forests Agreement) Bill, 1568. Historic Buildings-Box Hill brickworks, 90. Hospitals-Alfred, q 13. Box Hill, 258. Industry-Assistance to Kodak (Australasia) Pty Ltd,

q 1092. Maroondah S~ial Health Centre, 29. Medical Services-For cancer, q 13. Municipalities-Electricity undertakings, q 187,

q 272. Camberwell: brothel by-laws, q 442. Disposal of syringes, 882.

Points of Order-Quoted documents, 400, 406. Relevancy of remarks, 460. Use of correct titles, 590.

Prices Bill, 462. Public Authorities (Contributions) (Amendment)

Bill, 1540. Stamps (Motor Vehicles) Bill, 1044. Transport Accident Commission-Treatment of

patients, q 973. Victoria State Opera-Funding, q 738. WorkCare-Transport Accident Commission

patients, q 973. Youth-Ringwood refuge, 965.

Victims of Crime Assistance League-Submissions on rights for victims, 819.

Victoria Harbour Project, 89, 98, 1189, 1192, 1193, 1278, 1281.

Victoria Police-General-Reclassification of districts, 881. Resources

and powers, q 1504. Stations-In Boronia Province, 427, qn 1288. Don

caster, 1278.

Victoria State Opera-Funding, q 738.

Victorian College of Agriculture and Horticulture, q 1199, q 1497.

Victorian Council of Residential Associations for Persons with Intellectual Disability, 260.

Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Board-Membership, 232, 396, 432.

Victorian Dairy Industry Authority-Report of Public Bodies Review Committee, 112.


Victorian Economic Development Corporation, 89, 257, 261.

Victorian Health Promotion Foundation, q 1299.

Victorian Rock Foundation-Funding, q 686.

V~ctorian Solar Energy Council-Activities, q 738.

Victorian Women's Consultative Council-Member-ship, qn 44.

W

Walker, Hon. E. H. (Melbourne Province) (Minister for the Arts, Minister for Major Projects, and Minister responsible for Post-Secondary Education)

Albert Park Sport Complex, 1281.


Agricultural Industry Development Bill, 1604.

Agriculture Acts (General Amendment) Bill, 1144, 1222,1533.

Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Department ofAgricultural education, q 1497.

Animals-Hunting cod~ of practiCe, 429.

Apprentices-College placements, 99, 429, 728. State Additional Apprenticeship Scheme, q 104, 728. Outer Eastern Group Training Ltd, 728.

Arts, The-Funding, q 186. Melbourne Spoleto Festival, q 351, q 533, q 682. Film and television production, q 439. Arts Development Fund, q 680, q 685, q 687, q 688, 727, 728, q 737, q 739, q 907, q 1031, q 1032, q 1034, q 1206, 1281. Victorian Rock Foundation, q 687. St Martin's Youth Art Centre, q 688, 728. Victoria State Opera, q 739. Promotion of Arts City grant, q 890. Athenaeum Theatre, q 1034. Equality of opportunity measures, q 1092. St Martin's Theatre, q 1206. Heide Park and Art Gallery, 1281. Funding for the disabled, q 1301.

Attorney-General's Department-Return of stolen goods, q 898.

Bayside Project, 99, q 1027.

Bayside Project (Amendment) Bill, 688, 776, 1594.

BLF Custodian-Report No. 8, Ill.

Business of the House-Hours of sitting, 60, 1207. Availability of reports, 1505.

Christmas Felicitations, 1596.

Churchill Fisheries, Portland, 1489.

Classification of Films and Publications Bill, 841, . 979. Corporate Affairs-Investigation of Task Force

Young Volunteers Cooperative Ltd, qn 45.

Walker, Hon. E. H.-continued

Crimes (Blood Samples) Bill, 1036, 1147, 1357, 1360, 1361,1362, 1595.

Deaths-Hon. K. S. Gross, 673, 679. Hon. R. C. Dunstan, DSO, 735, 823, 833.

Education-General-WorkCare payments, qn 734. Zoning of

schools, q 1034. Post-Secondary-Higher education: Common

wealth contribution scheme, qn 46; in outer-eastem suburbs, q 890, 1282, q 1502. Physiotherapy training, q 51, q 833, q 1198. T AFE colleges: staff employment, 98; Dandenong, 98; Footscray and Newport, 180, 1489; Moorabbin, qn 184; Loddon Campaspe, 429, 728; nominations to boards, q 538; Yallourn, 728; Wodonga, q 742; Western Institute, q 835, q 836; Gordon, q 1030. Placements for apprentices, 99, 429, 728, q 1030. Proposed amalgamations: of colleges, 180, 1489; with universities, 429, q 835, q 836, q 890, q 1364. David Syme Business School, 429. Institutes of technology: Chisholm, 429, q 1364; Footscray, q 835, q 836; Royal Melbourne, q 835, q 836; Swinburne, q 890, 1282, q 1502. Administration, q 534. Rural, q 1199.

Students-Post-secondary: compulsory union membership, 428; accommodation for TAFE country, 728.

Education (Amendment) Bill, 689, 778, 1068. Environment Protection (Scheduled Premises and

Exemptions) (Amendment) Regulations, 1160. Equal Opportunity-Government initiatives, q 1092. Exports-Crayfish,1489. Film and Television-Production, q 439. Film Victoria (Amendment) Bill, 688, 777, 1188. Forests (Victree Forests Agreement) Bill, 1569. Freedom of Information Act-Information bro-

chures, qn 733. Handicapped Persons-Arts funding for the dis-

abled, q 1301. Heide Park and Art Gallery, 1281. Historic Buildings-Geelong wool store, 1489. Historic Buildings (Amendment) Bill, 1058, 1059. Hospitals-Willsmere, q 267, q 353. Prince Henry's,

q 353. Hunting-Code of practice, 429. Joint Sittings of Parliament-Victorian Curriculum

and Assessment Board, 233. Deakin University, 1260.

Legal Aid Commission (Amendment) Bill, 6, 24, 124. Legislative Council Department-Report for

1988-89, 1302. Library Services-Funding, 261, 1503. Major Projects-Victoria Harbour, 98, 1193, 1281.

Bayside Project, 99, q 1027. Museum of Victoria redevelopment, 261, q 681, q 1198. Health facilities, q 267, q 353. Queen Victoria hospital site,

(26) INDEX


q 889. Melbourne Cricket Ground Southern Stand, q 970, q 1202. World Congress Centre, q 1029, 1083. State Library redevelopment, q 1197, q 1367. Architectural design competitions, q 1200. Report of the Victorian Government Major Projects Unit, 1210. Albert Park sport complex, 1281.

Melbourne Cricket Ground-Southern Stand, q 970, q 1202.

Melbourne Spoleto Festival, q 351, q 533, q 682. Murray Valley Citrus Marketing Bill, 49, 120,242. Museums-Museum of Victoria, q 57, 261, q 681,

q 1198. Melbourne Maritime, 261, q 681, q 1204. National Companies and Securities Commission

Report on Trustees Executors and Agency Ltd, qn 1087.

Olympic Games 1996-Melbourne bid, 98, 1488. Ombudsman (Amendment) Bill, 49, 81, 134, 137,

139. Parliamentary Committees (Amendment) Bill, 1604,

1605. Parliamentary Departments-Reports for 1988-89,

1302. Penalties and Sentences Bill, 977, 1144. Penalty Interest Rates (Amendment) Bill, 7,25, 80. Polly Woodside, 261, q 681, q 1204. Portland Smelter Joint Venture Project-Reports for

1988-89, 1595. Premier and Cabinet, Department of the-Publica-

tion Update, qn 41. Prices Bill, 278, 279. Printing Committee-Membership, 140. Privileges Committee-Establishment, 1111, 1112. Queen Victoria Hospital Site, q 889. Questions on Notice-Answers, 1108. Roads Corporation-Proposed Beach Road closure,

99. Rural Finance Corporation-VEDC, 261. St Martin's Youth Art Centre-Funding, q 688, 728. Sessional Orders, 1097. Social Development Committee-Membership,

1035. Sport and Recreation-Footscray Football Club, 965.

South Melbourne Cricket Club, 1281. Standing Orders Committee-Questions on notice,

1108. State Library-Closure, q 57. Redevelopment pro

ject, q 1367. General manager, q 1493. Funding, q 1496.

State Training Board-Staff employment in T AFE colleges, 98. Apprentice placements in post-secondary education, 99, 429, 728. State Additional Apprenticeship Scheme, q 104, 728. Traineeships in country areas, 345. Operations, q 534, q 538.

Task Force Young Volunteers Cooperative Ltd, q 45. Theatres-Athenaeum, q 1034. St Martin's, q 1206. Unions-Monash Association of Students, 428.


Universities-Proposed amalgamations, q 429, q 835, q 836, q 890, q 1364. Monash, 429, q 535, q 1364. Funding, q 535. La Trobe, q 742, q 890. Proposed establishment in western suburbs, q 835, q 836. Deakin, 1260.

Victoria Harbour Project, 98, 1193, 1281. Victoria Police-Resources and powers, q 1504. Victoria State Opera-Funding, q 739. Victorian College of Agriculture and Horticulture,

q 1199,q 1497. Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Board, 233. Victorian Economic Development Corporation, 261. Victorian Rock Foundation-Funding, q 687. Victorian Women's Consultative Council-Mem-

bership, q 44. West Wimmera Grains, 261. WorkCare-Payments in Ministry of Education,

q 734. World Congress Centre, q 1029, 1083.

Water-Services on Mornington Peninsula, 525. Southwestern region management strategy, 1302.

West Wimmera Grains, 89,257,261.

Western Mining Corporation Ltd-Mining investment in Victoria, q 1091.

White, Hon. D. R. (Doutta Galla Province) (Minister for Industry, Technology and Resources, and Minister Assisting the Treasurer in Budget Expenditure)

Abattoirs-Closure of Ballarat, q 193. Accident Compensation (General Amendment) Bill,

437, 446, 450, 611, 612, 613, 614, 617, 618, 619, 620, 621, 622, 624, 625, 627, 629, 631, 632, 633, 635, 639, 642, 643, 644, 645, 646, 647, 649, 650, 651, 652, 655, 656, 657, 658, 659, 660, 661, 669, 670,671,672.

Aerospace Technologies of Australia Pty Ltd, q 684. Albury-Wodonga Development Corporation,

qn 1615. AMECON Ltd-Frigate project, q 8, q 57, q 269. Appropriation (1989-90, No. 1) Bill, 802, 804. Australian Electronics Development Centre, q 1294. Australian Newsprint Mills Ltd-Proposed recy-

cling plant, q 534. Bendigo Mining NL, 33. BLF Custodian-Report No. 7, 16. Budget for 1989-90-Papers, 17,801,804. Business Franchise (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill,

962,985,1042,1044,1576. Caravan Parks-Pensioner fuel concessions, q 13. Coal Corporation of Victoria-Review of opera

tions, q 107. Brown coal liquefaction, q 837. Control of Weapons Bill, 842, 986.


White, Hon. D. R.-continued

Corrections (Amendment) Bill, 1024, 1150, 1151, 1153,1154,1156,1159,1160.

CRA Ltd-Mineral sands project, q 838. Dandenong City Council-Statements of Minister

for Local Government, 216. Deaths-Hon. Sir John Bloomfield, 1. Drugs-Trading in illicit, q 438. Economy, The-Government strategy, q 1201. Exhibition Buildings-Trustees grant, qn 1615. Exports-Victorian wine, q 892. Financial Institutions Duty (Amendment) Bill, 962,

985. Fire Authorities (Contributions) Bill, 1439, 1569,

1579, 1580, 1581. Gas and Fuel Corporation-Pensioner concessions,

q 13. Premises at Princes Gate, qn 47. Agency in Richmond, 727. Charges, q 1090. Activities of chairman, q 1090, q 1095.

Government Departments and InstrumentalitiesIn Geelong, 1282.

Green Triangle Council for Regional Development, 1282.

Industrial Supplies Office (Victoria) Ltd, q 1031. Industry, Technology and ResourcesDepartment-Approved schemes of assistance and


Industry-Frigate project, q 8, q 57, q 269. Goulbum Valley Food Processing Industries, q 110. Shipbuilding, q 269. Assistance to Kodak (Australasia) Pty Ltd, q 440, q 1092. Australian Newsprint Mills Ltd, q 534. Wine exports, q 892. Australian-made preference scheme, q 893, 966. Expansion of confectionery plant, q 972. Import replacement program, q 1031. Government initiatives, q 120 I, 1282. Regional development, 1282.

Resources-Mining: in Maryborough district, 33; at Benambra, q 106, q 110, 529; practices of industry, q 188; trading in claims, q 438; mineral sands project, q 838; investment in Victoria, q 1091. Coal, q 107, q 837. Methane gas, 181. Solar energy, q 738. Electricity generation from environmental waste, q 1496.

Technology-Multifunction polis proposal, 262, 529, q 1297. Aerospace industry development, q 684. Electronics, q 1294. Centre for International Research on Communication and Information Technologies, q 1365, q 1501.

Intellectually Disabled Persons' Services (Amendment) Bill, 120.

Kodak (Australasia) Pty Ltd, q 440, q 1092. Labour, Department of-Grants to Workers Health

Action Group, qn 433. Former premises, qn 434.

White, Hon. D. R.-continued

Macquarie Resources Ltd, q 106, q 110,529. Mars Confectionery of Australia, q 972. Members-Naming, 205. Mining-In Maryborough district, 33. At Benam

bra, q 106, q 110, q 529. Practices of industry, q 188. Trading in claims, q 438. Mineral sands project, q 838. Investment in Victoria, q 1091.

Ministry, The-Censure of Minister for Local Government, 216. Minister Assisting the Treasurer, q 1493.

National Safety Council of Australia-Losses, q 1363.

Petroleum (Submerged Lands) (Amendment) Bill, 273,396,698.

Points of Order-Interjections, 75. Unparliamentary expressions, 201. Relevancy of remarks, 657. Answers to questions without notice, 1494.

Printing Committee-Membership, 15. Public Authorities (Contributions) (Amendment)

Bill, 1530, 1540. Public Transport-Very Fast Train project, q 355. Roads Corporation-Roadworks in north-eastern

Victoria, q 106, 529. Small Business Development Corporation, q 1366. Stamps (Motor Vehicles) Bill, 969, 987, 1048. State Bank Victoria, q 351, q 736, q 1363. State Electricity CommissionCharges-Pensioner concessions, q 13. Comparison

of electricity tariffs, q 974. General-Generation of electricity by methane gas,

181. Municipal electricity undertakings, q 187. Brunswick-Richmond powerline, q 354. Overseas contracts, q 537. Lay Yang plant, q 737. Purchase of protective clothing, q 893, 966. Mildura office, 1084. Maintenance in South Barwon, 1084.

Tricontinental Corporation Ltd, q 1363. Victoria Police-Stations in Boronia Province,

qn 1288. Victorian Solar Energy Council-Activities, q 738. Western Mining Corporation Ltd-Mining invest

ment in Victoria, q 1091. Western Port-Development, 727. Works and Services (Ancillary Provisions, 1989-90,

No. 2) Bill, 803, 804, 1011.

Women-Prisoners, 16. Consultative council, qn 44. Cervical Cytology Registry, q 106.

Woodchipping-East Gippsland harvest, 1486.

WorkCare-Levies, 174, q 969. Payments in Ministry of Education, qn 734. Treatment of patients, q 895, q 969, q 971, q 973, q 1089.

World Congress Centre, q 1029, 1077, 1083.

(28) INDEX

Wright, Hon. K. I. M. (North Western Province) Wright, Hon. K. I. M.-continued

Budget for 1989-90-Papers, 796. Education-Nominations to T AFE boards, q 538. Historic Buildings (Amendment) Bill, 1059. Hospitals-Bush nursing, q 189. Mildura Base, q 973. Housing-low-start loans, q 739. Mosquitoes-Plagues, 424. Municipalities-Boundaries, 178, q 1093. Status,

q 1367. Murray Valley Citrus Marketing Bill, 235. Petitions-Nursing staff, Mildura, 16. State Electricity Commission-Mildura office, 1078.

State Training Board-Operations, q 538. Walpeup, Shire of-Proposed extension, q 55. Water Bill, 1417. Water (Consequential Amendments) Bill, 1417. (See also "Chairman of Committees, The (Hon.

K. I. M. Wright)")

Y

Youth-Task force cooperatives, qn 43, qn 45, qn 887. Ringwood refuge, 965. St Martin's art centre, q 688, 724,728.

death of the honourable kenneth samuel gross

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