housing (commonwealth-state-northern territory … · death of mr alexander v ale the hon. j. h....

Housing Bill 30 October 1985 COUNCIL 661

Wednesday, 30 October 1985

The PRESIDENT (the Hon. R. A. Mackenzie) took the chair at 11.3 a.m. and read the prayer.

HOUSING (COMMONWEALTH-STATE-NORTHERN TERRITORY AGREEMENT) BILL

This Bill was received from the Assembly and, on the motion of the Hon. J. H. KENNAN (Attorney-General), was read a first time.

AUSTRALIA ACTS (REQUEST) BILL This Bill was received from the Assembly and, on the motion of the Hon. E. H.

WALKER (Minister for Agriculture and Rural Affairs), was read a first time.

DEATH OF MR ALEXANDER V ALE The Hon. J. H. KENNAN (Attorney-General)-With the Leader of the House, I sadly

announce to the House that Mr Alex Vale, Chief Stipendiary Magistrate, died this morning. I take this opportunity of making some remarks about Mr Vale and recording my gratitude to him for his service. I know that that gratitude will be expressed by the Government generally, members of this Parliament and members of the legal profession who have had contact with Mr Vale.

Mr Vale had been a clerk of courts for many years. I think he was one of the first magistrates to be appointed as a magistrate with a law degree. He always had a sense of fairness in the expedition of running his court. He was always prepared to make decisions as he saw fit without regard to pressures of any kind. His promotion to the magistracy and to the rank of Chief Stipendiary Magistrate may have been smoother had he not been so much his own man. His independence as a magistrate is and was a model for all magistrates.

Especially since I have been Attorney-General, I have had the great privilege of working closely with Mr Vale. He presided over historic changes in the magistracy. Last year the magistracy was removed for the first time from the ranks of the Public Service, and the qualifications needed to perform in the magistracy were raised to the requirement that the person be admitted to practice as a barrister and solicitor. Happily, in that Bill we were able to reappoint all the existing magistrates but, none the less, it was a substantial change and an upheaval in the old system whereby people like Mr Vale who had become clerks of courts worked their way through the system. This new change was, in some respects, a denial of opportunities that hitherto existed for people who started in the way in which Mr Vale had started. Opportunities are still open to some extent, but they have become more difficult.

Throughout all of this change ~fr Vale was enormously supportive. He always placed the independence of the magistracy and the higher qualifications for the magistracy at the forefront without regard to what might have been thought to be peer group pressure in some ways. In that respect he was a man of great principle, a man prepared to stand out for what he saw was right and the independence and higher qualifications of the magistracy must be seen by all to be paramount. He fought for that principle.

He did not always make himself popular with all those around him because of the independent and principled attitude he took, but he did it. But he was generally a popular and well-loved man.

In addition the magistracy has also entered a period of regionalization and considerable change, as honourable members are aware. Recently Mr Vale was instrumental in establishing a council of magistrates under his chairmanship. He has served in that position

662 COUNCIL 30 October 1985 Death a/Mr Alexander Vale

and last night attended a meeting with the Chief Judge and Chief Justice on various matters relating to the administration of the whole court process. The view of the Chief Justice was that Mr Vale should be, as chief magistrate, included in re~ular discussions with the Chief Justice and Chief Judge of the County Court to see the judIciary as a whole. This is the first time that that sort of thing has happened and it speaks volumes for the progress of the magistracy under Mr Vale's leadership.

In addition the recently established Courts Advisory Council, under the chairmanship of the Chief Justice, had Mr Vale as a member. He could have retired two weeks ago when he turned 60 years of age. Ironically, my last conversation with him last week concerned the prospect of his retirement some time before June next year and the necessary arrangements to be made.

It is a shattering loss to all who have been involved in these developments. We feel very deeply about it. Mr Dugan, who had worked closely with him, will act as Chief Stipendiary Magistrate for the time being. I place on record my great gratitude for Mr Vale's presence as Chief Stipendiary Magistrate and extend my sympathy to his family, to his friends, to his fellow magistrates and to all of the staff who knew him and loved him. We will miss him very much indeed.

The Hon. A. J. HUNT (South Eastern Province)-The Attorney-General was visibly moved by the sad and sudden loss of a Chief Magistrate for whom he clearly had the deepest of respect. I share that respect in every way. I knew Alex Vale personally. I agree with the Attorney-General's description of him; that independence of mind and spirit reinforced his impartiality and made it absolutely clear that he was not going to be influenced by extraneous pressures of any kind in the performance of his duty. That is in the best of judicial traditions and Alex Vale certainly led the way there.

It can properly be said that one of Alex Vale's great qualities was that he was a good listener. He listened and gave the unrepresented a very fair go. He was able to listen and to take the time to do so. He would not tolerate anybody deliberately wasting the time of the court, and he knew the difference between the two: the need for a fair go on the one hand and the need to stop those who were abusing that fair go on the other hand.

Alex Vale had another quality that does not always necessarily exist in all members of the judiciary at every level. He had a flair for or~anization. He organized his courts well as a magistrate and the system well as a Chief Magistrate. He organized his own time in court so that business. flowed smoothly and he helped the system as a whole gradually to progressively eliminate delays.

It is a sad loss, and members of the Liberal Party share the feelings of the AttorneyGeneral at that shattering loss and extend our sympathy to the late Mr Vale's family.

The Hon. W. R. BAXTER (North Eastern Province)-I associate the National Party with the remarks made by the Attorney-General and by Mr Hunt. I was not privileged to know Mr Vale personally but I know him by reputation, and that is a very high reputation.

The magistracy in Victoria is held in high regard by the community and in great respect and that is due to the work of magistrates like Mr Vale and particularly his leadership in this time of change in the system to which the Attorney-General referred. Magistracy is the level of justice in the community with which most people come into contact. They are not often in the higher courts, but most people from time to time are in magistrates courts for one reason or another.

The high reputation of that level of the judiciary in the State is due to people such as Mr Vale. We can ill afford to lose such people in these circumstances. I record the condolences of the National Party to Mr Vale's family.

The Hon. H. R. WARD (South Eastern Province )-Alex Vale was known to me personally over a number of years, during which time I had cause to write about his deeds as a

Questions without Notice 30 October 1985 COUNCIL 663

sportsman. He would always attend court before attending to one of the main pleasures in his life, which was playing sport.

He was a highly regarded sportsman and, in 1984, with his colleague in the Doncaster Bowling Club, won three major championships as pairs bowlers: the group, the metropolitan and the State pairs championship. He never played singles because he did not have the time; his court work took precedence over that.

Last season he had the honour of being a member of the Doncaster premiership team. Sportsmen who knew Alex Vale in the Doncaster district and throughout Victoria will sadly miss him. He was a most pleasant and modest man at all times. I know that he will be missed in the courts because he was a man of deep feeling and a great human being. I join in expressing my condolences to his family on this sad occasion.

The Hon. HADDON STOREY (East Yarra Province)-I wish to associate myself with the expressions of regret that have been made in the House. I was shocked to hear the news of the death of Alex Vale. During the time in which I was Attorney-General I had a good deal to do with Mr Vale, whom I found to be a tremendous asset to the Bench. His organizing abilities and his drive and determination were critical to the work and development of the role and standing of Magistrates Courts.

I do not wish to add to what other honourable members have said, other than to say I am deeply sorry to hear of the news of his death. I express my condolence and sympathy to his relatives.

QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

PROPOSED NATIONAL TENNIS CENTRE The Hon. N. B. REID (Bendigo Province)-I direct a question to the Minister for

Conservation, Forests and Lands. The Government made available to the Opposition some files on the proposed National Tennis Centre. A Freedom of Information request for a letter from the former Minister for Conservation, Forests and Lands, the Honourable Rod Mackenzie, to the Premier written on 19 July 1984 regarding a tennis centre, was refused. Would the current Minister for Conservation, Forests and Lands make that letter available to the Opposition prior to debate on the National Tennis Centre Bill and will the Government also make available any petitions on this matter?

The Hon. J. E. KIRNER (Minister for Conservation, Forests and Lands)-The letter from the former Minister for Conservation, Forests and Lands, the Honourable Rod Mackenzie, to the Premier is regarded as part of a Cabinet submission and, therefore, was refused on that basis. With regard to petitions, I have no problem in making those available.

MEA T INSPECTION SERVICES The Hon. B. P. DUNN (North Western Province)-I refer the Minister for Agriculture

and Rural Affairs to a letter that he wrote to the Federal Minister for Primary Industry, Mr Kerin, on 16 September this year regarding the transfer of Victoria's meat inspection services. That letter states, inter alia:

I confirm that State Cabinet has agreed to the transfer of Victoria's meat inspection services to the Commonwealth with effect from 1 January 1986. On 22 August 1985, I made a public announcement of the Government's decision.

It is essential that before the Victorian Government approves the draft transfer legislation and introduces it into Parliament, it is fully aware of the terms and conditions upon which the transfer will take place.

664 COUNCIL 30 October 1985 Questions without Notice

I ask the Minister whether lie considers that that letter indicates that the Government did not have all the facts and details finalized at the time it made this decision and that the decision of Cabinet was based on principle only. I ask the Minister whether he has received a response to the fourteen questions he raised with Mr Kerin in this matter and whether he will provide me with the answers that Mr Kerin has given to him on each of those points before proposed legislation proceeds in the House.

The Hon. E. H. WALKER (Minister for Agriculture and Rural Affairs)-I make it very clear that the Government was fully informed before the decision was made. However, as Mr Dunn would understand, a formal agreement must follow; the questions, therefore, that I put in my letter to the Federal Minister were for specific and detailed responses. I have received those responses and I shall be happy to make the letter available to Mr Dunn.

DEVELOPMENT OF SELF-HELP GROUPS The Hon. JEAN McLEAN (Boronia Province)-Can the Minister for Community

Services inform the House what the Government is doing to support the development of self-help groups, which are an essential component of the community service support structures?

The Hon. C. J. HOGG (Minister for Community Services)-It is true that the self-help group movement has really proliferated over the past few years and the Collective of Self Help Groups Resources Directory now identifies more than 400 self-help groups in Victoria. It was with this in mind that the Collective of Self Help Groups and the Victorian Council of Social Services-VCOSS-began the comprehensive task of planning for a building that would be the central base and home for many of the small community based organizations in this State. For many years, the majority of these groups have found it difficult to obtain suitable accommodation and could not afford physical resources such as photocopying machines, typing facilities and so on.

During 1980 and 1981 the Collective of Self Help Groups, VCOSS and the R. E. Ross Trust developed the concept of a building for small organizations. The R. E. Ross Trust had approached VCOSS for advice on how to allocate an amount of money.

In July 1982 the Victorian Community Foundation-VCF-was formed as a body which would allow money to be donated to a building fund.

In June 1983 an Interim Management Committee-l~fC-was formed to provide advice on the purchase and renovation of a building and to develop management, financial and tenancy policies, all of which are fairly complicated. A building advisory group was also established to provide the IMC with advice on building matters.

In Feburary 1984 consultants were employed to write an architectural brief for the building.

In early 1985 VCOSS wrote to the Premier advising that Royston House, which is situated at 247-251 Flinders Lane-once used by the State Electricity Commission of Victoria-had been purchased with a contribution of $1· 3 million from the Victorian Community Foundation. VCOSS requested that the Government provide $850 000 towards the renovation cost. It is estimated that the total cost of purchase, renovation and equipment will be $2·2 million.

In the 1985-86 Budget, the Government provided a once-off capital grant of $425 000, through my department, as a new policy, stating that this amount was part of a commitment to assist VCOSS with the renovation of new premises in Flinders Lane which will be used as a resource centre for community based and self-help organizations.

A great deal of work is being done on the building. It is a good symbol of the partnership between the Government, the self-help groups and philanthropic trusts. Honourable members will be given more details as the project proceeds. At this stage it is expected that the


actual construction of renovations will begin in February 1986 with the total completed some time later in that year.

McCLELLAND REPORT The Hon. M. A. BIRRELL (East Yarra Province)-My question directed to the Minis

ter for Health is in the interests of more informed community debate. Given that regional directors of health are now selectively releasing part of the second McClelland report, will the Minister reverse his previous decision to deny me public access to the second McClelland report on the capital works needs of public hospitals?

The Hon. D. R. WHITE (Minister for Health)-I shall give consideration to that request.

SMOKING IN RESTAURANTS The Hon. K. I. M. WRIGHT (North Western Province)-My question is also directed

to the Minister for Health. I hope he will make the McClelland report available to the National Party as well as to Mr Birrell.

My question relates to smoking in restaurants in voluntarily designated areas. I understand that the six-month trial period expires this month. I ask the Minister whether he will comment to the House on the scheme and, also, will the designation of smoking and non-smoking areas in restaurants continue?

The Hon. D. R. WHITE (Minister for Health)-As honourable members should be aware, the Government has entered into voluntary proposals with restaurant owners and their co-operation has been excellent. I look forward to meeting with a group of restaurant owners in the near future to discuss the impact of the proposals. The Government would prefer to continue with a voluntary campaign as opposed to regulation. It will consider regulation only if it is shown that the voluntary campaign is having no effect.

GIARDIASIS IN HAMILTON The Hon. M. J. ARNOLD (Templestowe Province )-Could the Minister for Health

please advise the House of the current situation regarding the apparent outbreak of giardiasis in the Hamilton district?

The Hon. D. R. WHITE (Minister for Health)-As Mr Chamberlain would be aware, there has been an increase in the number of patients with giardiasis in Hamilton this year.

Giardiasis is a protozoan infection, principally of the upper small intestine, associated with a variety of symptoms such as chronic diarrhoea, abdominal cramps, bloating, fatigue and weight loss. Children are infected more frequently than adults.

The protozoan is carried in the intestines of man and other animals, both domestic and wild. These carriers may show no sign of disease but are still able to contaminate food and water supplies. If personal hygiene is poor, there can be hand to mouth transfer of infection. Humans and wild animals in the catchment area may contaminate a town's water supply and, unless this water is treated in some way, the cysts of giardia can enter the reticulation system and so reach our homes. Cysts of giardia are believed to be able to survive in water for two to three months.

Officers of the Department of Health are currently conducting a study in an effort to discover the source or sources of the present outbreak. Due to technical difficulties of isolating the cysts from food or water, the study is likely to be protracted. Overseas experience suggests that untreated water supplies are a major source of infection and, for this reason, as a short-term measure, water used for domestic purposes should be boiled before use.


The department has made such a request that the people of Hamilton boil all drinking water before consumption.

HOSPITAL DISPUTE

The Hon. J. G. MILES (Templestowe Province)-Can the Minister for Health inform the House of the terms of settlement of last week's dispute by members of the Hospital Employees Federation, with particular reference to cleaning staff at the Royal Melbourne Hospital?

The Hon. D. R. WHITE (Minister for Health)-With respect to the nauseous allowance dispute, the terms of settlement were 7 hours with some allowance for retrospectivity. With respect to the application of that issue for other hospitals where there is not currently a nauseous allowance, that is a matter that is before the Full Bench of the Industrial Relations Commission this morning.

YARRA RIVER ENVIRONS

The Hon. B. W. MIER (Waverley Province)-I direct a question to the Minister for Planning and Environment. I was delighted to notice recently that extensive environmental improvement work has been carried out along the central city stretch of the Yarra River. Could the Minister advise the House whether the Government is responsible for any aspect of that?

The Hon., E. H. WALKER (Minister for Planning and Environment)-It is a pleasure to answer something positively. Mr Mier is an extremely observant person. Honourable members will be interested to know that work has begun on a riverside pedestrian promenade which will take people who wish to walk along the river from Batman A venue under Princes Bridge past the Flinders Street station to Queens Bridge.

It will be possible to achieve access to that walkway down a stairway from Swanston Street. That work is under way. It will provide access to a part of the river that people have never been able to enjoy before.

As honourable members know, Flinders Street station has been upgraded and incorporates a restaurant that overlooks the walkway and aspects to the south side of the city. The whole southern edge of Flinders Street station is to be enclosed and glazed.

This will ensure that people walking along the river bank will not get tangled up with railway trains. These improvements go along with what has now been achieved and in the next month people will see great activity along the south bank. Two major private developers are involved on the other side of the river, namely the Jennings company and Costain Australia Ltd. All in all I am delighted that Mr Mier asked the question because all honourable members will be delighted to think that we are making the best of the Yarra River. It has been there for so long, unused and unloved.

Finally, work on Banana Alley is nearly finished. It will be possible to come into the area by boat and to have a cup of coffee or morning tea at the Banana Alley vaults. That will make that part of the river one of the most enjoyable stretches of the river rather than what it was as a result of treatment in the past.

Honourable members interjecting.

The Hon. E. H. WALKER-It seems to be a matter of some levity but, in answer to the question, the Government is involved in the project, and $3·2 million has been spent. The funds have come from the Ministry for Planning and Environment and from the Commonwealth Government's bicentennial program.


FARM FORESTRY SCHEME The Hon. F. S. GRIM WADE (Central Highlands Province)-My question to the Min

ister for Conservation, Forests and Lands concerns the farm forestry scheme whereby loans are made available to farmers to offset the cost of planting trees. Is the scheme part of the land protection incentive scheme that the Minister recently spoke of in the House? Is the Minister satisfied with the Government's ability to fund loans to farmers to undertake tree planting, having regard to the long waiting list that exists? Will the Minister examine this scheme to ascertain whether it can be improved to really make an impact on tree growing in Victoria?

The Hon. J. E. KIRNER (Minister for Conservation, Forests and Lands)-The tree growing assistance scheme will become part of the general land protection incentive scheme. It is true that funds have been inadequate in the past not only in terms of achievement but also in meeting the demands on the scheme. There is more money in the scheme this year and it is currently under examination in terms of how it best fits into the total sc~eme, how it relates to other programs run by the private sector such as the Potter Foundation, and how it relates to the Victorian Garden State Committee activities. I shall be pleased to supply the honourable member with the report of the review when it is available.

PROPOSED BARWON CORRECTION CENTRE The Hon. W. R. BAXTER (North Eastern Province)-Will the Attorney-General advise

whether the Government has accepted a tender for the building of the proposed Barwon correction centre and, if so, at what tender price and when is work scheduled to commence?

The Hon. J. H. KENNAN (Attorney-General)-I cannot give all details except to say that the proposed Barwon correction centre is going ahead. The earthworks tender has been let and earth works for the prison are under way. The earthworks for the officers' training college should be started within the next few weeks. I shall have to take the rest of the question, about the total cost, on notice at this stage.

URBAN FORESTS The Hon. G. R. CRAWFORD (Jika Jika Province)-One of the Government's major

initiatives in its first term was the introduction of a concept of urban forests. Will the Minister for Conservation, Forests and Lands advise the House of any further developments of that concept and of any proposed program to develop the concept?

The Hon. J. E. KIRNER (Minister for Conservation, Forests and Lands)-The concept of urban forests is important for the area represented by Mr Crawford and for the areas represented by Mrs Coxsedge and me. The urban forest concept is fairly new and is directed towards ensuring that the western and northern suburbs also benefit from the value of forests.

The previous Minister for Conservation, Forests and Lands, the Honourable Rod Mackenzie-with whom you would be familiar, Mr President-established an urban forest development committee in 1982 and since then a number of activities have taken place to further develop the concept.

The development is important because it is a co-operative development between local municipalities, the Ministry for Planning and Environment and the Federal Ministries. The support, especially in the western region, for the Kororoit Creek Valley urban forest proposal has been excellent.

I have recently arranged in the Melbourne conservation, forests and lands region salaries for staff to take over the unit and have also approached philanthropic organizations and the private sector seeking their co-operation. Initially, the group's efforts will be concen-


trated in the western and northern suburbs. In the western suburbs, planning is well under way for two sites-Laverton North and Hoppers Crossing-and in the northern suburbs the Broadmeadows site is also well under way.

The Laverton North site, which as honourable members might know is in the centre of the offensive industrial zone, will incorporate planning on roadsides and industrial land with the existing important 120-hectare native grasslands reserve.

I am pleased to say that the Sunshine City Council, the Werribee City Council and the industrial groups around that area have been supportive of the project. At Broadmeadows, the scheme is even further advanced and the city council has now set aside an allocation for works on the trial and development ofa 4-hectare urban forest in the Yuroke Valley.

At Hoppers Crossing there has been overwhelming public support for the concept, which will involve schools, churches and shopping centre sites. These projects are indicative of the genuine partnership between all groups.

The Department of Conservation, Forests and Lands is waiting hopefully for considerable Community Employment Program funding for the staffing of some of these projects. We will employ eleven youth guarantee workers in these and other related projects and the three demonstration sites will act as incentives to other parts of Melbourne, particularly the inner suburbs, which have been disadvantaged by the lack of resources.

HOSPITAL BOARD APPOINTMENTS The Hon. ROSEMARY VARTY (Nunawading Province)-I direct to the Minister for

Health a question relating to the board of management of Prince Henry's Hospital. In view of the Government's assertions and statements regarding the promotion of equal opportunity, how does the Minister justify the removal from the board of Mrs Janice Bate? Mrs Bate is a highly qualified member of the board. She has been on the board since 1982 and she had been associated with the hospital since 1975. She is the mother of six children and has been deeply involved in community affairs. The removal of Mrs Bate leaves only one female on the twelve member board.

The PRESIDENT -Order! Mrs Varty is debating the question. She should now come directly to the point she wishes to make.

The Hon. D. R. WHITE (Minister for Health)-The process for appointing people to hospital boards involves decisions by the Executive Council, which makes appointments to every board of management of public hospitals. People are invited by way of public advertisement to put forward their names to serve on the relevant boards of management.

The Government then invites the relevant committee of management to decide among the nominees the appropriate order in which those people should be selected. The Government then has the responsibility of taking into account the advice from the relevant committee of management and acting upon that advice.

I should say, having been given this opportunity to respond, that the Government does not believe that this is a sufficient means of selecting people to the boards of management and it looks forward to preparing a paper in the near future, which will examine the question of categorizing members.

I have also advised the presidents of metropolitan hospitals that, where nominations come forward from committees of management, the Government intends to embark on a selection of people different from those nominated by the relevant committee. I shall provide an opportunity for further discussion with the presidents of the hospitals.

Since I have been Minister, more than 500 appointments have been made and of those, four appointments have been subject to further discussion.

There were five vacancies at Prince Henry's Hospital and after discussions with the president of the hospital board about those vacancies, it was agreed that the board should

Personal Explanation 30 October 1985 COUNCIL 669

give further consideration to the issue. Given that it had put forward a proposal to establish a community hospital in Furlong Road, Sunshine, which could be seen to be taking a greater interest in the provision of hospital services in the western suburbs, that should be taken as one of the criteria for selecting appropriate candidates.

The Government, after discussions with the president of the hospital board, agreed with four of the five appointments and agreed to differ on the fifth appointment. The Government looks forward to Mrs Bate continuing in a role with the hospital but not on the board of management.

PERSONAL EXPLANATION The Hon. J. G. MILES (Templestowe Province)-Mr President, I wish to make a

personal explanation involving a debate on road funding in this place on Wednesday, 23 October, on a motion moved by Mr Hallam. With the permission of the President, I checked the Hansard tape of that debate and I have the transcript of the relevant section in front of me.

I claim to have been misrepresented by Mr Arnold in this place as a member representing Templestowe Province. During the contribution ofMr McArthur on the road funding debate, two public functions held in the eastern suburbs were mentioned where, in one instance, a road project was completed and, in another instance, a road project was commenced. Mr Arnold interjected, firstly, that I did not even turn up at the first 'function and, secondly, that I did not turn up at the second function either. He said, thirdly, that all local members were invited.

My personal explanation is, firstly, having checked the records and files, that I was not invited to either of those functions. Secondly, the first project referred to was not even in the province that I represent. Thirdly, I object to public accusations in this House that Liberal members of Parliament are not doing their duty when the Government is not inviting them to important functions in the electorates that they represent.

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

on the table by the Clerk: Coal Corporation-Report for the period ended 30 June 1985. Town and Country Planning Act 1961-Melbourne Metropolitan Planning Scheme-Amendments No. 236,

Part IB (with map); and No. 316, Part 1 (with four maps).

Young Farmers' Finance Council-Report for the year 1984-85.

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

HOW-TO-VOTE CARD IN NUNA WADING BY -ELECTION The Hon. HADDON STOREY (East Yarra Province)-I move: That this House calls upon the Government to make a full frank and honest disclosure of the role of the

Government, its Ministers and Ministerial advisers in the handling and distribution of the bogus nuclear disarmarment cards during the Nunawading re-election.

Over the past two months Victorians have witnessed a massive cover-up by the Labor Party over the use of a bogus how-to-vote card in the Nunawading by-election.

The issue is not the misleading nature of the card, although that is bad enough; the real issue is the deception practiced by the Labor Party. In its desperation to hide the truth about its involvement, the Australian Labor Party has constructed a facade comprised of lies, deceit, evasion and diversion. Cracks have developed in that facade, and the stench has seeped out, slowly engulfing the Labor Party reaching to the very top.

670 COUNCIL 30 October 1985 How-to-Vote Card in Nunawading By-election

The facts that have emerged all point inescapably to the conclusion that the Premier and senior Ministers knew of the plot to issue the bogus nuclear disarmament how-to-vote cards. They have had every opportunity to deny their involvement but had failed to do so.

The Secretary of the Australian Labor Party (Victorian Branch) has lied to the public about the party's involvement in the case. The Premier and his Ministers allowed that lie to stand. It was only after the facts started to come out that Mr Batchelor admitted his involvement. Then the smokescreen started.

The Labor Party threw up every conceivable diversionary tactic that it could to divert attention from the real issue. The Premier descended to hysterical tactics, insulting the Leader of the Opposition and the Leader of the National Party. The Premier draS$ed out every innuendo he could think of to smear the other parties and to evade the questIons he was asked. Every one of the diversionary tactics has been answered-the smokescreen has been dissipated. We are left with the Labor Party~s refusal to come clean over this issue.

I propose to take the House through the evidence, all based on what has appeared in the public arena, the media, showing the Labor Party's involvement in this exercise and showing its desperate attempts to avoid admitting the truth and showing that the plot reached up to the highest levels of the Labor Party.

The Premier and his senior Ministers have had every opportunity to deny what is otherwise the obvious conclusion to be drawn and they have failed to do so. One can only draw one conclusion from that-that they were involved.

I wish to set the scene, because it is fascinating to view all these items that have come out, dribbled out in fits and starts from different places, but have not yet been drawn together. I intend to draw them together and, when seen as a whole, they point to the conclusion I have already given.

On polling day the electors at the Nunawading by-election were confronted with two nuclear disarmament how-to-vote cards. Those cards were being handed out by different people at polling booths. One of them, the official one, gave no preferences. The other card, the Australian Labor Party card, gave preferences. Even that card was designed to mislead voters about the involvement of the Australian Labor Party, because it did not give the second preference to the Australian Labor Party, it gave the second preference to the Australian Democrats and the third preference to the Australian Labor Party-just part of the plot to mislead people.

Voters were misled and I can speak from my own personal observation after seeing what happened when people came to the polling booth and wondered what to do about these two nuclear disarmament cards.

That was polling day. It did not take lon~ for the concerns observed on that day to become public. On the following Monday In the Herald there was a reference to the Nuclear Disarmament Party candidate, Jenny Cotterell, claiming that the ticket was the work of the Australian Labor Party, but the State Secretary of the Australian Labor Party, Mr Peter Batchelor, strongly denied her claim. I quote from the Herald. Other quotes are available from other newspapers of that and the next day. It says:

Mr Batchelor said today the rumor that the dummy ticket was being distributed by the Labor Party had been put around by the Liberal Party on Saturday afternoon.

"It had nothing to do with us". he said.

Mr Batchelor said that the ALP inquiries had revealed the ticket may have been the work of students from Monash University.

From the beginning Mr Batchelor lied. The Labor Party stood by knowing that he had lied and allowed the public to be misled.

People were not put off by that statement and questions commenced to be asked. The first time the matter was raised in Parliament was on 19 September when Parliament resumed and the matter was raised in the debate on the motion for the adjournment of

How-to-Vote Card in Nunawading By-election 30 October 1985 COUNCIL 671

the sitting in the other House and the Deputy Premier simply said that he would refer the matter to the Premier.

The following day in the National Times of 20 September an article appeared revealing Labor Party involvement and that article said that a group of young ALP campaign workers, with a nod and wink from people higher up the political tree, were asked to carry out this exercise. The article said that five Ministerial staff and a Minister's electoral officer had been named in a report to the police. Only one name appeared in that article and that was Mr Henk van Leeuwen, a Labor candidate for the marginal State seat of Prahran and electorate officer for the Minister for Agriculture and Rural Affairs.

Mr van Leeuwen said that he had been questioned by the police about the how-to-vote cards. When asked about the cards Mr van Leeuwen said, "I have been asked questions by the police but I have no comment to make." He said he wanted to seek legal advice and any comment on matters involving the party should come from the State Secretary, Mr Peter Batchelor. That is almost as good as an admission. Mr van Leeuwen did not say, "I don't know what you are talking about. I have nothing to do with this. It has nothing to do with me; it does not involve me." Mr van Leeuwen said, "No comment. I want to seek legal advice, go and see the Secretary of the Labor Party." Already at that stage there was the involvement of a member of a Minister's staff.

The matter was then pursued by way of questions in the other House and in this House, and Ministers and the Premier declined to answer those questions. On 2 October a further bit of information came out. Mr Nick Nikolaidou a surburban solicitor, confirmed that he had authorized the Nunawading how-to-vote card, which was being investigated by the police. This matter was reported in the Age of 2 October. He had put out a statement, which had been handed to a number of people in which he referred to his involvement.

He was then asked about the statement that was circulated on the day of the poll in which it had been said that he was not a member of a political party. The report in the Age of2 October said:

He was asked why, if he was not a member of a political party, he had put out a how-to-vote card which ultimately favored the ALP. He replied: "Who says I am not a member of a political party?" When it was explained his release had said so, he said: "Then I'm not ...

Again, we have the cover-up, the evasion, the attempt to avoid any possible connection with the Labor Party; but the cracks were beginning to show and the facts were coming out.

On the following day the Age had another article on the subject-on this occasion by Mr David Elias. That article claimed that the police investi~atlons into the how-to-vote card had concentrated on twelve left wing members of the VIctorian Labor Party, including three Ministerial advisers. Mr Elias referred to Mr Nikolaidou's involvement with the Labor Party, and to his association with Mr David Gray, who had been a member of Parliament. However, the article said that it was believed Mr Gray was not on the list of twelve socialist left members. Generally, it suggested that the people who had been involved were young activists in the Labor Party. Thus, although it pointed up the involvement of the Labor Party, it did not yet quite link the matter to major figures within that party. However, the pressure was starting to mount and it became obvious that more and more would come out.

The Sun of 4 October finally identified a senior officer of the Labor Party. An article on that day reports that:

One of the most powerful ALP men in Victoria has been linked with, attempts to manipulate voters in the recent Nunawading rerun election.

ALP state secretary, Mr Peter Batchelor, has been identified by witnesses as having passed out fake Nuclear Disarmament Party how-to-vote tickets to volunteers on the morning of the election.

Remember, this is the man who knew nothing about it and thought Monash University students might have been responsible! The same article has Mr Batchelor refusing to say

672 COUNCIL 30 October 1985 How-to- Vote Card in Nunawading By-election

whether he passed out tickets from the Australian Labor Party's Ringwo.od office, whether he had been interviewed by the police or whether he knew of any ALP involvement in the election plot. He was still trying desperately to avoid the Labor Party being associated with this exercise.

That article also points out that Mr Michael Salvaris, an adviser to the Premier, had been interviewed by the police and had refused to co-operate. It stated:

He has told police that all ALP election tactics are confidential and are decided at committee level.

So Mr Salvaris, the Premier's adviser, had refused to comment but had implied that it was a Labor Party election tactic. Still more information dribbled out. On 5 October the Herald reported that:

Detectives investigating the recent Nunawading election have photographs of ALP officials distributing fake Nuclear Disarmament Party how-to-vote tickets, the Police Association claimed today.

Mr Rippon, the Secretary of the Police Association, was saying that there was evidence of Austrahan Labor Party people handing out those how-to-vote cards.

Again on 6 October, Mr Rippon was reported in the Sunday Observer as sayin$ that there was clear-cut evidence available that senior Labor Party people were involved In the Nunawading scandal, and the article, for the first time, referred to it as "Nunagate".

Therefore, slowly, deliberately and inexorably, the story was coming out. The pressure was obviously on the Labor Party and on the Victorian Secretary of the Australian Labor Party. Finally, it was recognized that more would come out and that some admission had to be made.

On 10 October, Mr Batchelor finally admitted his involvement in the Nunawading howto-vote scandal and issued a statement in which he tried to excuse himself. He $ave an extraordinary performance of split personality in a press conference and on televislon and tried to explain that one half of his mind is able to say he knows nothing about it because he is speaking as the Victorian Secretary of the Australian Labor Party, whereas, with the other half of his mind, he is only an individual and he is not, of course, answering as an individual.

Of course, that was all simply distortion because it appeared, as more facts subsequently came out, that Mr Batchelor was involved in the matter all along and was involving Labor Party people.

That was the scene-information being dragged out only through inquiries being persisted with, questions being continually asked and facts leaking out; until, eventually, a confession was made. However, Mr Batchelor took responsibility and said he was doing it as an individual. What did the Premier say? Under the heading, "Cain backs away from Batchelor", an article in the Age of 11 October stated:

The Premier, Mr Cain, yesterday fought to defend the credibility of his Government by distancing himself from the state secretary of the Labor Party.

Mr Cain said repeatedly that he had nothing to do with the tickets and did not involve himself in the running of the party.

I now refer to what has recently come to light regarding the involvement in this exercise by the Labor Party before the election, before 17 August. It is remarkable, if one goes through the files of the different media and puts together all the different statements involved, that evidenced in the media is the involvement of Mr Batchelor; the involvement in the campaign by the Premier himself; the involvement of Mr David Withington of the Premier's staff; the involvement ofMr Hickey, also of the Premier's staff; and the involvement of Mr Salvaris, whom I have mentioned. There has been reference to the Minister for Conservation, Forests and Lands, Mrs Kimer, being on the Nunawading campaign committee; reference to briefings in the office of Mrs Setches, including Ministerial staff; references to the Minister for Community Services, Mrs Hogg, having seen Mr

How-to- Vote Card in Nunawading By-election 30 October 1985 COUNCIL 673

lan Baker on the day of the election; and there has already been reference to Mr van Leeuwen.

I should like to go through all these points because, as the Minister for Conservation, Forests and Lands says by interjection, it is indeed impressive stuff. When taken together, it leads to the inescapable conclusion of an involvement of senior members of the Labor Party, Ministers and the Premier. That could all be set at rest by simple denials. Opportunity after opportunity has been given to those concerned to give those denials, and none has been given.

The Premier said he had nothing to do with the campaign committee; he said he had nothing to do with the campaign for Nunawading. Let us go back and see what was being said before the by-election at Nunawading. As reported in an article headed, "Cain leads his troops into the fray", which appeared in the Age of 9 August 1985, during an interview about the Nunawading election, the Premier is reported as having said:

We are running a good campaign. We are running a good government, taking the tough decisions and the right decisions.

He said, "We are running a good campaign". It is clear that the Premier was running the campaign because later on, four days before pollin$ day, Mr Cain defied the party machine over the Builders Labourers Federation. In explaIning why a pamphlet was being distributed durin~ the Nunawading campaign, although the Administrative Committee did not wish it distnbuted, the Premier is reported in an article of the Age of 13 August as saying:

I am running a campaign and the party is running a campaign and that pamphlet is part of the campaign.

There cannot be the slightest doubt that the Premier was involved in making the decisions in the running of that campaign. An article that appeared in the Australian of the same date, 13 August, stated:

Mr Cain said last night that he would ignore the decision of the Left-dominated committee. He said the pamphlet was an important part of the campaign strategy and would continued to be distributed.

He is determined that a copy of the pamphlet should reach every letterbox in the electorate.

One cannot accept the statements of a Premier who says that he was not involved in this campaign, when his own statements show that he was clearly involved in the campaign and the decisions, and that he was going to make those decisions regardless of the wishes of the administrative committee.

I now refer to the Premier's staff. The Premier's staff member, Mr Withington, was involved for at least the last two weeks of the campaign. He was reported in the Sun of 23 October as saying he had been involved in the Nunawading campai$Il in the last two weeks. The Age of 7 October contained the reference, "Mr David Withlngton, an adviser to Mr Cain, on loan to Mr Ives". Therefore, the Premier's own Ministerial adviser was involved in the campaign for that period; and so, also, was Mr Ken Hickey, the head of the Government Media Unit. An article that appeared in the Herald of3 August contained the following:

From his campaign office, sandwiched between an opportunity shop and an Asian food market in Bank St., Box Hill, his strategy team, including the head of the Government's media unit, Ken Hickey, are doing all they can to ensure Mr Ives gets his new car.

Of course, Mr Hickey is identified as the author of the pamphlet that the Premier was determined would be distributed during the campaign. Therefore, a fortnight before the poll, Mr Withington was involved. .

Ten days before the poll, Mr Batchelor got people together to hand out the fake how-tovote cards. That is referred to in an article that appeared in the Age of 11 October, in which Mr David Elias sets out a lot of the background of what occurred with the distribution of that card, stating that inquiries by the Age have suggested that about ten days before the poll the call went out to party members. The article also contained references


to Mr lan Baker, a top public servant who had been a member of the Labor Party; it also contained references to Mr Nikolaidou, and made a clear statement that the Labor Party was involved in the matter for days before the poll.

In the Bulletin of22 October, a statement was made on what happened on the day itself. The article states:

A briefing took place on the morning of the by-election at the Ringwood office ofLabor MLA Kay Setches. At that briefing it became apparent that the ALP was to distribute its own form of nuclear disarmament how-tovote cards. The briefing was attended not just by party members, but also by MPs, ministerial staff and highlyplaced public servants with ALP sympathies.

In the Age of 11 October, it was reported that the Minister for Community Services, Mrs Hogg, had seen Mr lan Baker at the polling booth on election day. There is reference to the meeting at the office of the honourable member for Ringwood in the other place. In the Age of 19 August, reference was made to the Minister for Conservation, Forests and Lands, Mrs Kirner, being a member of the Labor Party's Nunawading campaign committee.

If one puts together the involvement in the campaign of two senior members of the Premier's staff for up to two weeks before polling day, and the involvement ofMr Salvaris, who declined to speak to members of the Police Force because he was not going to talk about Australian Labor Party campaign tactics-so that is a third member of the Premier's staff concealing his knowledge of the campaign tactics-one realizes that the Premier has involved himselfin campaign tactics as expressed on two different occasions before polling day.

One must also consider the presence of the Minister for Conservation, Forests and Lands on the Labor Party's campaign committee and the reference to Mr van Leeuwen, a member of the electorate staff of the Minister for Agriculture and Rural Affairs, as having been interviewed by police about these matters, refusing to answer questions and then seeking legal advice. All those facts would lead anyone to conclude that the action of producing and handing out the how-to-vote cards on polling day was devised by the Labor Party as part of its campaign tactics and such action was known to senior Ministers and to the Premier.

The simplest way of dispelling this matter would be simply to answer the questions that have been asked and state that the matter is untrue. The Premier has repeatedly failed to take the opportunity given to him of denying knowledge of the matter. In this House, Ministers have relied on points of order to avoid answering questions about this matter. Any reasonable, sensible person would have no doubt that, putting all the facts togetherand they have been set out in the media-the Government, including the Premier, was aware of this stunt before polling day.

Even if there were doubt about that, what about polling day itself? Australian Labor Party workers were handing out the how-to-vote cards. Mr lan Baker has been identified as one of those handing out the cards; the Minister for Community Services saw Mr Baker. The Premier went around the polling booths and he must have seen who was handing out the cards. Other Ministers must have seen Mr Baker handing out the cards. On 17 August there could not have been the slightest doubt that the Government, from the Premier down, knew what was happening with the fake how-to-vote cards.

On the following Monday, knowing that Mr Batchelor lied about the Labor Party's involvement with the cards by trying to shift the blame on to some anonymous students from Monash University, the Premier and the Government condoned that lie and coverup and became part of it. The Premier had the opportunity of setting the record straight, but he failed the test and has continued to fail the test ever since.

Any information about this matter has had to be dragged out bit by bit. When it finally gets to the people who must accept ultimate responsibility, they avoid answering questions. They do that in a most despicable manner. The Premier is so hysterical about the


matter that he takes every opportunity of lashing out at anybody and anything rather than answer a question. For a man who sets himself up as having high standards, it is inconceivable that he should respond to the questions with abuse and vilification. However, that is what he has done.

I shall not go throu~ all the questions and answers that have been put in another place, but I shall give some Illustrations. On 24 September, when asked about these matters, the Premier did not answer the question but instead spoke about the Liberal Party's think tank and the Federal Treasurer of the Liberal Party raising $1 million-matters that had nothing to do with the question. When asked about these matters on 1 October, the Premier refused to answer and spoke about the Mountain District Cattlemen's Association and the ticket circulated in the Gippsland South electorate and indicated that he would not interfere in a matter being investigated by the Chief Electoral Officer.

On 3 October when ~sked about these matters, the Premier spoke about the Leader of the Opposition's popularity and alleged Liberal Party slush funds. On 15 October, becoming more and more desperate, the Premier not only again attacked the Leader of the Opposition and said that his position was under threat but he also began to attack the Leader of the National Party and accused him of knocking off George Moss.

The Premier will raise anything; he will make any innuendo to try to lead people away from the fact that he is refusing to answer a question. The Premier is wriggling and writhing; he is worrying about he and his party's involvement in these matters and he is using the tactics I have mentioned.

I shall examine the tactics. The three major smokescreens that have been raised by the Labor Party have involved the Mountain District Cattlemen's Association's how-to-vote card, the Gippsland South how-to-vote card and the Monash Province how-to-vote card relating to Prince Henry's Hospital. Every one of those matters has been shown to be totally unrelated to Nunawading Province. They have been fully answered in a frank, honest and open manner by the people involved. What a contrast with the performance of the Labor Party in answering questions about the Nunawading Province how-to-vote card.

I shall now refer to the issue of the Mountain District Cattlemen's Association of Victoria. When was the complaint first made about the mountain cattlemen's how-to-vote card? The complaint was made on 10 October 1985, two months after the election. What happened on 10 October 1985? That was the day Mr Batchelor was finally forced to come clean and admit his involvement. The classic response of someone who is under threat and knows he is vulnerable is to lash out in some other direction. That is what happened.

The Labor Party alleged that there had been Liberal Party involvement in the handing out of how-to-vote cards by the mountain cattlemen. Even Mrs Caroline Hirsh, the honourable member for Wantirna in another place, was forced to lodge a formal complaint with the Chief Electoral Officer on 10 October 1985. The complaint was about the alleged impersonation of mountain cattlemen by members of the Liberal Party.

The Hon. A. J. Hunt-That was pretty late, wasn't it?

The Hon. HADDON STOREy-It was a diversionary tactic; part of the smokescreen thrown up by the Labor Party. The complaint was answered directly and simply on the same day by Mr Graeme Stoney, the liaison officer for the Mountain District Cattlemen's Association of Victoria. The incredible part is that even though Mr Stoney answered this allegation the day after this complaint was made, the Premier, the Minister for Police and Emergency Services and other members of the Labor Party still trotted out the same allegations.

On 11 October Mr Stoney released a statement that received publicity in the media. The statement pointed out that the how-to-vote cards were handed out on polling day by cattlemen, their associate members and friends. He said that the Liberal Party did not see


the how-to-vote card until it had arrived at the Nunawading polling booths on the Saturday. Mr Stoney said:

We had no wish or need to ask the Liberals for help because people from our group were falling over themselves to help and we manned the booths in an easy canter.

I know for a fact that the team handing out our cards included members of all the major political parties including the Labor Party. On the day they were representing and supporting us ...

That should have been the end of that ridiculous allegation, but, no, the Labor Party scratched and scratched to find something more that it could say. The events became more bizarre as they continued.

The Minister for Police and Emergency Services in another place resorted to quoting from the Knox Standard of 23 October 1985. The Minister quoted from that newspaper a statement that a hall had been invaded by some noisy people dressed as mountain cattlemen and that Mr Stoney had said he did not know who those people were but that he was the only cattleman in the room. The Minister did not say that he was quoting from a letter that had been written to that newspaper on that day. The letter was not a reference to the handing out of how-to-vote cards on polling day but to something that had happened early in the event.

On the same day the same newspaper published a statement made by Mr Graeme Stoney that the Liberal Party was not involved in any way in the handing out of those how-to-vote cards. The Minister for Police and Emergency Services in another place carefully misled the people who heard his statement by not referring to the official statement by Mr Stoney that had been drawn to his attention. That was just another part of the smokescreen.

The second most bizarre incident of this issue is that the Minister for Police and Emer~ency Services attacked in a most extraordinary way the involvement of Mr Phillip Magulfe in the exercise of handing out how-to-vote cards. The Minister accused Mr Maguire of being a Liberal Party stooge, as well as making all sorts of other extraordinary statements, yet Mr Maguire has not only denied that allegation but has also pointed out that Mr Mathews knew of his association with the mountain cattlemen eighteen months ago. Mr Maguire was reported as having made that statement in today's Post. I shall quote part of what Mr Maguire is reported as having said:

The first is that Mr Mathews knew of my association with the cattlemen 18 months ago when he wrote me a letter in support of a project I was planning as part of the celebrations for Victoria's I 50th Anniversary.

The Minister for Police and Emergency Services has an extraordinarily selective memory. The Minister remembers that six years ago Mr Maguire worked for 38 days for the honourable member for Ripon in another place when the honourable member was a Minister, yet the Minister for Police and Emergency Services does not remember that eighteen months ago he knew that Mr Maguire was associated with the mountain cattlemen!

The only conclusion one can draw from what appears in the article in today's Post is that either the Minister has a hopeless memory-that does not say much for him-or he chose not to reveal all the facts. The Minister told untruths about Mr Maguire because Mr Maguire pointed out that he is an associate member of the Mountain District Cattlemen's Association of Victoria and has been for two years.

Mr Maguire was also reported in that article as having said that he is not and never has been a member of the Liberal Party. Again that is a refutation of another desperate attempt to mislead the public and provide a smokescreen over the fact that the Labor Party will still not come clean on its involvement in the exercise.

Not only was Mr Maguire vilified by those false allegations made by the Minister for Police and Emergency Services, but he was also vilified and attacked-not by words alone but possibly in other ways-by a member of this House. Mr Kennedy obviously passed


on some statements to the Minister for Police and Emergency Services because the Minister claimed in another place that Mr Maguire had assaulted Mr Kennedy. Mr Kennedy commented on that incident himself.

What are the facts of this extraordinary incident? I should say that the most extraordinary aspect is the way in which the matter was raised to try to divert attention from the Australian Labor Party's involvement in the fake how-to-vote cards. The facts are that Mr Maguire stated in today's article in the Post that:

I had begun handing out how-to-vote cards for the Mountain Cattlemen at the Ruskin Park booth all day without incident until mid afternoon when I was approached by a man who took my photograph.

When asked for whom he was working he replied that he was a photographer for 'The Age' newspaper.

I realised immediately that the man was not working for "The Age" because he was using a Canon camera instead of a Nikon which is exclusively used by Age photographers.

I challenged him about this and he became insulting.

He shouted that I was guilty of "politicking" or something equally as obscure, and said the police had been called.

At that stage I began to suspect that I was being set up for allegations of something dishonest and I again challenged him to reveal his identity.

He refused and I followed him back to his car.

I told him that I was unhappy about being photographed by someone who lied about whom they represented and asked him to surrender the film.

He refused, opened the boot of his car and put the camera in.

He then closed the boot, climbed into his car and attempted to drive off. At no time did I attempt to assault him.

In the car I noticed a large quantity of ALP how-to-vote cards and realised that the bogus Age photographer was in fact working for the ALP.

As a result ofthis I challenged him to remain at the booth until the police arrived, bearing in mind that he had already told me they had been called.

He refused and attempted to drive off so I positioned myself beside the car so that he could not leave without running into me.

He was obviously frantic to escape the scene because he began shouting.

At that moment two men walked out of a nearby garden and came up behind me.

One grabbed me by the throat from behind and forced me away from the car.

I grappled with the man and was able to throw him offbut in the meantime the photographer had driven away.

That statement appears in a newspaper that has been published today, openly and honestly setting out the circumstances that occurred on that occasion. It indicated that the person whom Mr Maguire did not know, the person who has identified himself as being the Honourable Mr Cyril Kennedy, lied to Mr Maguire. He falsely said he was an Age newspaper reporter and falsely said to this House that he had been assaulted, whereas he had not been assaulted. It is extraordinary that it took ten weeks after the election for this information to come out.

The Hon. M. A. Birrell-That is fast for Cyril!

The Hon. HADDON STOREY -It is certainly another illustration of the Australian Labor Party now groping around in the slime and mud to find out anything it can to try to throw at the Liberal Party to divert attention from the real issue. Why does not the Labor Party be as frank and honest and bring out as many facts about its involvement in Nunawading as it purported to do with the other issues, such as South Gippsland, which obviously are not sustained by the evidence?


The South Gippsland issue is another exercise that has been raised by the Labor Party to hide its involvement in Nunawading. When was the complaint about the South Gippsland election made?

The election was held early this year, yet the complaint was made to the Chief Electoral Officer on 25 September by the Labor Party. It was months after the incident and only after the Australian Labor Party's involvement in the Nunawading how-to-vote cards scam was beginning to seep out. It was yet another diversion.

What are the true facts? The true facts are that the local Australian Labor Party branch in South Gippsland knew about the how-to-vote card. The branch had no complaints about it. The local branch in South Gippsland wanted to give its second preferences to the Liberal Party.

The Yarram Standard News of27 February stated: The subject of the distribution of ALP preferences has become a very sore point in Gippsland South and the

issue received plenty of comment at the Yarrum political forum last Thursday night.

The situation is that whilst Gippsland ALP supporters want preferences directed to Neil McInnes, the State ALP organization has directed second preferences to Mr Wallace.

The branch always wanted to give its preferences to Mr McInnes, and was not concerned about the card. It was reported after the debate came out in the Australian of 11 October 1985 that prominent members of the local Labor Party branch had perused the card put out by the Liberals and made no objection. That is the answer. I shall also quote from a letter written by Mr David Farrer to Mr R. Fordham, Deputy Premier. The letter states:

Dear Comrade,

Re Preferences Gippsland South & Gippsland East in forthcoming State election.

As co-ordinator for the Gippsland elections I feel it necessary to convey to you the desire of the members in this area.

No doubt you are aware that the Gippsland FEA carried a unanimous resolution last year that ALP preferences not be given to sitting Nationals in this area.

Further at a meeting of21 ALP campaign members at Baimsdale last night, including Mr Barry Murphy, Reg Smith and Cliff ...

I cannot read the surname-a unanimous motion was passed directing me to request from the Administration Committee that preferences in this FEA, at the forthcoming election go to the Democrats first, Liberals second and National Party last.

Further I feel that Reg Smith has an excellent chance of being elected whilst it is most likely that in Gippsland South our preferences would determine the seat.

Yours Sincerely,

David Farrer.

The Hon. B. W. Mier-Who wrote the letter?

The Hon. HADDON STOREY -Mr David Farrer, co-ordinator of the Gippsland elections. to the Deputy Premier, Mr Fordham. It is evident from the letter and from what appeared in the media before the election that local members of the Labor Party wanted the how-to-vote cards to direct preferences to the Liberal Party. An advertisement was circulated by the Liberal Party before the election calling on Australian Labor Party voters to give their second preferences to the Liberal Party.

Since this matter was raised, frank and honest statements have been made by Liberal Party representatives on what had occurred in that area. Offers were made to assist the police in every way possible. There was complete and open honesty about what had occurred during that election campaign. What a contrast with what is happening with the Labor Party. I am delighted to observe from interjections that Mr David Farrer is well known to members of the Labor Party.

Finally, in their desperation, members of the Labor Party tried to drag in the Monash


Province election by directing attention to a card concerned with the Save Prince Henry's Hospital Committee. Apart from anything else, these matters were raised months after the State election on 27 October by way of an answer to a question in the Legislative Assembly, again searching for a further smokescreen. This was such a desperate attempt that as soon as Mr Reg Macey obtained a statutory declaration from the founder of the Save Prince Henry's Hospital Committee stating that it was untrue that the committee's members had in any way censured or rebuked or criticized Mr Macey, the matter was dropped and nothing more has been heard about it from the Labor Party. Obviously, the Labor Party cannot sustain what it said.

Evidence was appearing in the media-both before and after the Nunawading byelection-of the Premier's involvement in the campai~n; the involvement of the Minister for Conservation, Forests and Lands with the campaIgn committee; the involvement of three members of the Premier's staff in the campaign leading up to the by-election date; the fact that the Victorian State Secretary of the Australian Labor Party was working on these cards for at least ten days before the by-election; the involvement of numbers of members of the Labor Party In the handing out and distribution of the cards and the sighting of such people as Mr lan Baker and the Minister for Community Services on polling day itself. The web of facts, if put together, would lead any reasonable person in the absence of any contradiction to conclude that the Premier and senior Ministers were aware of those fake how-to-vote cards and the plot to hand them out before the Nunawading by-election. Also, one must conclude that on polling day itself it was self-evident to members of the Labor Party, including the Premier and senior Ministers, that the fake how-to-vote cards were being handed out by members of the Labor Party.

Despite that, the Premier and senior Ministers have stood to one side and have allowed the Secretary of the Victorian Branch of the Australian Labor Party to deceive the people of Victoria on the Labor Party's involvement in this matter. When finally the proof was forced out about Mr Batchelor's involvement, the Premier and senior Ministers, by refusing to answer questions about these instances, by not taking the repeated opportunity given to them of denying their involvement and, instead, by casting aspersions and allegations all over the place, have tried to divert attention from the Labor Party cover-up about this exercise.

The Labor Party has talked about the Mountain District Cattlemen's Association's ticket, about the Gippsland ticket and about the Monash Province ticket in attempts to muddy the waters and to divert attention from their own involvement. I have shown that in each case there has been a complete answer given by the people involved and by responsible officers involved in the organizations, and each case has been shown to be a smokescreen. Also, I have shown that in each of those three cases, the Liberal Party has welcomed the opportunity of being honest and frank and of explaining every aspect of the party's involvement in this exercise. Each of those cases has been raised at the last minute-months after the last minute, I should have thought-simply as a desperate bid to sully the waters.

Of course, all that only adds to the conclusion one must reach that the Labor Party, including the Premier and senior Ministers, were involved in the Nunawading scandal because, if they were not, why would they be trying to create this smokescreen? Why would they try to avoid answering questions? Why would they evade questions and try to throw mud as far and wide as they can on other issues? That is what guilty people do. That is what people who want to avoid telling the truth do. The people of Victoria simply want honest answers to the questions that have been raised repeatedly in this House and in the other place so that they will know what really happened.

The Hon. W. R. Baxter-The Leader of the Government in this place told the truth about the Governor's secret document-perhaps he will tell the truth on this issue now.

The Hon. HADDON STOREY-The Minister for Agriculture and Rural Affairs was good enough to tell the truth about the secret agreement between the Government and the Governor; unfortunately, he has not applied the same standards to the Nunawading case


because he took points of order when questions were asked in the House, which is another way of avoiding answering questions and another way of avoiding the embarrassment of either having to tell the truth or of evading telling the truth. I hope the Leader of the Government in this place today will comply with the standards that he set on the issue of the Governor's agreement and give the House full, honest and complete answers to the questions that have been raised.

I plead with the Leader of the Government to recognize that ifhe does not tell the truth about these matters now, the Government's credibility will be in tatters. The community is entitled to answers. It is entitled to direct answers. It is entitled to be spared the attempts to avoid the issue and the muddying of the waters, and it is entitled today to be told what the full truth is about the involvement of the Premier and senior Ministers in the Nunawading scandal.

The Hon. B. P. DUNN (North Western Province)-The National Party is pleased that Mr Storey has placed on the record the series of events surrounding this whole sordid affair. The logical sequence of events that he took the House through has clearly justified the case that both the Opposition and the National Party have put for a complete disclosure by the Government on its involvement in the bogus how-to-vote cards in the Nunawading by-election.

In order for a Government, a Premier or a Minister to continue in office, the major criterion is that they must have the confidence of the people to uphold the law; to be frank and open when under question and to disclose answers when a case has been made out against them.

The Government and its organization has been shown, over a period of months now, to have failed the test in this case. The Government does not have the confidence of the people of Victoria. The community believes the Government has been involved in a shadowy action in regard to the Nunawading by-election. That is the public perception of the Government and, unless it can restore public confidence, it is not entitled to hold office.

Even if the Government does come clean now, its credibility has sunk to the bottom of the barrel in the eyes of the community. Piece by piece the Opposition and the National Party have had to extract from the Government the truth of its involvement in the Nunawading by-election.

The Government has been shown to be guilty of great untruths in regard to this issue. Some members of its organization have clearly been shown to have lied in regard to their involvement in the how-to-vote card issue.

The Hon. W. R. Bu:ter-Senior members too!

The Hon. B. P. DUNN-Senior members too. Australian Labor Party members have also tried to justify their attitude of not co-operating with members of the Police Force who are involved in a legitimate inquiry into this issue. Some Labor Party members have sought to avoid questioning by the police.

Both the Labor Party and the Government are guilty of covering-up the truth and of diverting frank questions that seek answers by attacking individuals and their characters. The Government has involved itself in some of the most bitter and misdirected attacks on individuals, such as the Leader of the National Party in another place, that I have noted in the Farliament. Those individuals have not had an opportunity to defend themselves and to have demonstrated that their involvement has been above board.

The Government has also been shown to have used its Ministerial advisers-people on the public pay-roIl-in internal party political skullduggery in the Nunawading by-election.

The Labor Party has failed to dismiss its State secretary, who has admitted to deceiving and to lying to the people of the State on his involvement in this issue. How can Victorians


trust the Government and its organizational wing when such people remain in office. Not one of the individuals involved has been stood aside; not one of the individuals has been sacked. Victoria faces a future in which these people will remain in office running the Labor Party yet the Government has asked Victorians to have confidence in it.

The Hon. G. A. Sgro-Yes!

The Hon. B. P. DUNN-Mr Sgro interjects and says, "Yes". It is well known that it was the socialist left who acted to keep the State secretary in office. The power of the socialist left is well demonstrated by its role in keeping the State secretary, Mr Batchelor, in office. I am not afraid of the socialist left mob. I will fight the socialist left as lon~ as I can stand up in this House, Mr President, because the socialist left is a scourge on Vlctoria, and Mr Sgro knows that is so. The socialist left is vocal now because I have identified its power within the Government and the role it has played in keeping Mr Batchelor in office.

All the offenders are still in place. Even if the Government comes clean on this issue, Victorians can no longer trust the Labor Party while its Premier remains in office and the State secretary remains in control of the organizational wing of the party.

The persistent questioning by the Opposition has been justified by the facts that have gradually come to light on this issue. The Premier was given an opportunity to deny involvement and knowledge in this. On 23 October in another place the Leader of the National Party asked the Premier whether he was aware of the existence of the bogus howto-vote cards prior to the by-election on 17 August. The Premier, given the opportunity of denying his knowledge of the existence of the how-to-vote cards, completely evaded the question and made no clear statement. The National Party can only deduce that the Premier knew of the existence of the how-to-vote card because if he did not know of its existence, why did he not say so? Why did he not say to the House, "I do not know about this and I did not know prior to the by-election"? The Premier knew of the existence of the card and he could have told the House then and there and killed the issue at that point by saying that he did not know of its existence. There is absolutely no doubt in the minds of members of the National Party that the bogus how-to-vote card involves the Premier; senior Ministers of his Government; advisers of the Government and the Labor Party organization. The Premier had the opportunity of denying that involvement but he did not do so. The National Party can only deduce from the evasion of the Premier that he knew of the existence of the how-to-vote card. That is the only interpretation the National Party can put on the answer that was given by the Premier in another place.

Earlier, in September, the Premier was asked a question by Mr Richardson on whether he knew of the distribution of the how-to-vote cards. The Premier used a tactic, which he stuck to for some weeks until, under the greatest of pressure, he had to abandon it. The Premier replied to that question that he would not comment on it; that it was a matter for the Chief Electoral Officer and police inquiry. For a week or two the Premier doggedly stuck to that tactic in trying to avoid further questioning and the right of the Opposition and the community to have the facts.

The Premier has to come clean. When questioned the Premier had an opportunity of putting all of the accusations to rest once and for all but he did not do that. The Premier proceeded to try to protect the people who had been caught redhanded. The Premier attempted to protect Mr Batchelor by saying, "Why should we sack a good man? Why should we sack a man who has done a lot of good work and who has made one major indiscretion?" The Premier did not say that about Mr Landeryou and he was shown clearly to have a double standard.

As recently as this week, the Premier, Mr Cain, said that he had not inquired in detail about this issue. Today's Age reports that the Premier stated yesterday it was not until four or five weeks ago when the matter began to take on some sinister overtones that he inquired in detail about what had been done with the how-to-vote card. In other words, the Premier thought the issue could be swept under the carpet; it would all go away and no one would know any more about it. It was only when questions were asked and the

Session 1985-24


pressure was put on that the Premier apparently decided to inquire into this matter in detail.

The sitting was suspended at 1.1 p. m. until 2.2 p. m.

The Hon. B. P. DUNN-Prior to the suspension of the sitting I was outlining the concern of the National Party about the fact that the credibility of the Government, and the confidence of the people of Victoria in it, has been completely shattered by the coverup that the Government has tried to implement regarding the Nunawading bogus how-tovote card issue.

I was pointing out how the Premier had initially denied the existence of the card and since that time had tried to cover up for his own Government by attacking other innocent people.

It is of benefit to repeat the answer given by the Premier to a question asked by Mr Ross-Edwards, the Leader of the National Party in another place, when the Premier was asked if he knew about the existence of the card prior to the election. The Premier did not say, "No", he did not know it existed, nor did he say, "Yes." He completely ignored the question. In my view, that is the action of a person who is trying to cover up.

The Premier could have set the matter to rest then and there but he failed to do so and, until he lays the matter to rest the Government and the senior people in the Australian Labor Party, including the Premier, are guilty of an involvement.

The Hon. M. J. Sandon-It can be seen to be so.

The Hon. B. P. DUNN-Yes, it can be seen to be so. The Premier has been given the opportunity of making the matter clear to the people but he has failed to do so and, until he does, one can only believe he has something to hide on his own behalf and on behalf of the Government.

One of the alarming features of this sad affair is that it has brought the electoral system into disrepute.

The Hon. B. W. Mier-That is a strange comment coming from Cocky's Corner.

The Hon. B. P. DUNN-We play the game fairly in the community. There are people who see the electoral system as having some faults and the people in whom they should have confidence, the people who are running the political parties and the State, who should do the right thing, are seen as having an involvement in a deliberate attempt to mislead the voters. That has done the electoral system a lot of harm.

We have a clear responsibility to restore the faith of the people in the electoral system but we cannot do that while people who have taken this action in the Nunawading byelection still hold office in the Labor Party organization and still govern Victoria. The fact that Mr Batchelor has retained his position, despite a clear admission that he attempted to mislead the people of Victoria, is in my view damning evidence of the failure of the Government to come to grips with the problems in its own organization and to face up to its responsibilities for ensuring that the people of Victoria have confidence in the electoral system.

I wish to examine some of the comments made by Mr Batchelor in a statement that was virtually forced out of him because of the continuing controversy. Prior to then, people like the State President of the Australian Labor Party, Mr Gerry Hand, denied he had heard anything of the involvement of the Australian Labor Party in the scheme. Late in September he denied any involvement.

The Hon. M. J. SANDON (Chelsea Province)-On a point of order, the Leader of the National Party is now engaging in matters well beyond the motion before the House. The motion refers to the Government and Government Ministers and does not refer to the Leader of a political party, who is not even a member of this House. As such, that aspect ofMr Dunn's submission should be ruled out of order and should not be heard.

H ow-to- Vote Card in Nunawading By-election 30 October 1985 COUNCIL 683

The Hon. HADDON STOREY (East Yarra Province)-On the point of order, the motion is so worded that it invites the opportunity of discussing all of the circumstances surrounding the use of the how-to-vote card and the attempt to elicit information about it, to conceal information about it, and to divert attention from it. It is submitted that the Leader of the National Party is in order in the comments he is making.

The PRESIDENT -Order! There is no point of order.

The Hon. B. P. DUNN (North Western Province)-In late September the Government and the Premier were refusing to comment on or to indicate any knowledge of the situation; the Australian Labor Party President, Mr Gerry Hand, had not heard about it and all sorts of people were claiming nothing existed, including Mr Batchelor, who had told the people of Victoria publicly of no involvement by the Australian Labor Party in the bogus how-to-vote card in the Nunawading by-election. Some days later, due to pressure, Mr Batchelor had to come clean and admit that he had lied to the people of Victoria and that although the Australian Labor Party had not been involved, he, as a person, had been involved in the production and distribution of this card. It is an unbelievable situation. I quote Mr Batchelor who was reported in the Australian-and all the newspapers-on 10 October 1985 as stating that some people have wrongly implied that illegal or improper practices have occurred.

If Mr Batchelor does not call an attempt to mislead the voters in a vital and important by-election improper, what regard does he have for the electoral system? He said:

The ALP was not officially involved in the issuing of the how-to-vote cards authorized by Mr N. Nikolaidou.

The Australian Labor Party was not officially involved! Yet, the State secretary of the party, Mr Batchelor, goes on to admit that he had discussions with Mr Nikolaidou, that he sought legal advice on the issue, that he had decided that certain Labor Party volunteers who were not required for the official Australian Labor Party activities that day-they had a surplus-should be given the option to hand out these cards.

That is the same person who only days earlier was denying any knowledge of involvement in or even the existence of a card. Then he says it was not the Labor Party which issued the card, it was he. He clearly admits that he undertook that responsibihty. The National Party cannot accept that explanation, neither should the people of Victoria.

Mr Batchelor goes on to say: People may ask why I did not make a statement earlier.

We certainly do ask why he did not make his statement earlier. There is one reason for it; he thought it would blow over and the cover-up would work and he would not be forced into making the situation clear. He states:

I was always confident, as I am now, that the NDP complaint has no basis in law. I was confident on this basis that the complaint would be quickly resolved. At that stage, it was not necessary for me to divulge details about the distribution of the card, or the individuals concerned, or to reveal information which might be exploited by our political opponents.

Mr Batchelor clearly thought that it would blow over. He was flushed into the open by the continuing controversy. Then the State Secretary of the Australian Labor Party, which forms the Government in this State, went on to make another serious claim which I consider to be one of the most important. It relates to the Victoria Police Force. I was shocked that a senior member of a political organization would say the following:

I believe that senior police are disturbed about the un stated agenda of these investigations. There is a view that the real purpose behind the intensity and protracted nature of the police investigation in this case is to establish a bargaining position to get the State Government to back off on the discount airline tickets investigation.

I was shocked that a senior official of a political party made such an accusation about the Victoria Police Force. I am sure that the Leader of the Government in this House and


other responsible members of this party would want to completely distance and dissociate themselves from any such statement.

I bring these issues about Mr Batchelor forward so as tp go back to my earlier comments that the people of Victoria need to have some degree of confidence in the Government, its Ministers and leading people in the political system or they cannot have faith in either the electoral system or in Parliament. So long as a person like Mr Batchelor continues to hold his position, the integrity of the Government can be called into question.

Mr Batchelor was quite clear in what he thought. He thought he had done nothing wrong and that it was above board to print bogus how-to-vote cards. The Herald on 11 October states:

The State secretary of the ALP, Peter Batchelor, refused to give information to police investigating the Nunawading poll card inquiry.

Mr Batchelor said today police had asked him to confirm whether certain individuals were members of the ALP.

He did not comply with the police request, which was made soon after the August 17 poll.

"It is not my belief that I should give detailed information as to who are ALP members" Mr Batchelor said.

A senior member of a political organization is publicly admitting that he is not prepared to co-operate with the police in investigations to try to establish the truth about the whole affair.

We then have to rely on a person like the Premier, Mr Cain, a man of integrity and a person who maintains cast iron standards for his own political party and his own Ministers. The Premier has been proved to have double standards when it comes to the people on his side of the arena as against those on the other side. The Premier is reported in the Age of 11 October, in relation to Mr Batchelor as saying that it was a very bad judgment. He also described Mr Batchelor's action as silly and unwise. The Premier said repeatedly that he had nothing to do with the tickets and did not involve himself with running the party. That is incredible. The Premier of Victoria, to whom the people turned to try to sort this issue out, ran away from tackling it. Perhaps he knew the socialist left had him under its thumb. We know it has. If the Premier had said that Mr Batchelor would have to be sacked, he could not have achieved that because he does not have the numbers. He does not have the numbers when it comes to a vote in the back rooms of the Australian Labor Party.

The Premier went on to say in the Australian that it was not for him to say whether Mr Batchelor remained secretary or not. He said that in his judgment, one transgression-if that is what it was-over two years does not warrant Mr Batchelor being removed from office. What an incredible statement! The Premier admits that, because Mr Batchelor made just one transgression such as printing thousands of bogus how-to-vote cards to mislead people at the Nunawading by-election, he should be excused from it; one mistake should not mean that that person should be sacked. I do not want to dwell on it, but the double standards--

The Hon. W. A. Landeryou interjected.

The Hon. B. P. DUNN-Mr Landeryou knows as well as I do that some people did not get a second chance. The Premier refused to undertake the responsibility that he had for the people of Victoria to deal with the echelons of his party, to deal with the organization, and he had to run for cover because the socialist left knew, and Mr Batchelor knew, that Mr Batchelor was safe. Mr Batchelor was quite confident from the word go when speaking about moves to have him replaced. He said on 11 October:

I don't believe it will be proceeded with-

He was referring to the attempts to have him sacked. I don't believe that they--


His detractors ... will be successful and I'd be surprised.

We know what happened; the socialist left then came out into the open and, at a key meeting of seventeen socialist left unions, it was reported that there were more than 200 people present at these socialist left meetings--

The Hon. W. A. LANDERYOU (Doutta Galla Province)-On a point of order, Mr President, perhaps the Leader of the National Party should advise the source of the document from which he is quoting.

The Hon. B. P. DUNN-I am quoting from the Age of 12 October, which reports on a meeting of the socialist left and states:

Earlier, a key meeting of 17 Socialist Left unions warned that any attempt to remove Mr Batchelor from office would be "vigorously opposed".

We know that they were warning the Premier and the Government and we know that the socialist left has control of the Government. That is why Mr Batchelor remains in office today. That is why this person, who attempted to deceive the voters and admitted he had lied about the situation, is the person leading the Australian Labor Party organization. We are expected to go to future elections with people like that controlling the Labor Party.

The National Party is deeply concerned about the fact that Ministerial advisers appear to have been involved in the Nunawading campaign issue and also the bogus how-to-vote card issue. I am speaking about people from the Premier's own office, and they have been named. I refer to Mr Ken Hickey, Mr Michael Salvaris and Mr Withington.

The Hon. W. A. Landeryou-What are you quoting from now? It could not be your own words.

The Hon. B. P. DUNN-It is reported everywhere, as well as in Hansard, as Mr Landeryou would be aware. The two latter persons are advisers to the Premier and operate within his office. The National Party finds it hard to believe that throughout this affairthis is the key aspect-Ministers and Leaders of the Government claim they did not know about the bogus how-to-vote card. We are supposed to believe that people such as the Minister for Conservation, Forests and Lands, who was on the campaign committee, were not involved. The National Party finds it hard to believe that the Minister for Conservation, Forests and Lands was not aware of the bogus how-to-vote card. The National Party certainly finds it impossible to believe that the Premier did not know about its existence when advisers and senior people from his office were working in the field. Surely they must have reported back to him?

The Government must move quickly to clarify this sad affair. It must make a clear statement to the community to try to restore its confidence in our electoral system and in the Government. As I said earlier, the Government must present the truth; it has been found guilty of untruths.

Members of the party organization have admitted lying to the public of Victoria. They have failed to co-operate fully with police and sought to exercise a right so that they would not have to co-operate with the police. The Premier and the Government have admitted to covering up the truth by diverting questions and responding by attacking individuals and other political organizations.

The Premier and the Government have failed to dismiss the Australian Labor Party State secretary, who has clearly done a great injustice to the electoral system, and they have used internal staff in political affairs in the Nunawading by-election whom the National Party believes they should not have used. All these officers still hold their positions; they are still running the Government and they are still running the organizations that keep them in office.


The people of Victoria deserve a frank and open disclosure and answers to all the questions. On that basis, the National Party strongly supports the motion moved by Mr Storey.

The Hon. E. H. WALKER (Minister for Agricultural and Rural Affairs)-Do not be fooled by the obsequious, hand-wringing manner of Mr Storey. Do not be fooled by the mealy-mouthed Leader of the National Party, a party that is nothing less than a whorish carbuncle on the backside of reactionary conservatives. Do not be fooled; this is nothing less than a grubby, sleazy exercise from a morally bankrupt Opposition. This is absolute shameless hypocrisy from the opposition parties.

I am personally most disappointed that Mr Storey would associate himself with this type of material. He spoke about high standards and lampooned the Premier, who holds high standards. Mr Storey is a person who we thought, over the years, held high standards, but today he was at an all-time low.

The Liberal Party continues to grasp at straws. It bandies around names; it uses smear and innuendo to damn innocent persons within the cover of this place and it does so with shades of McCarthyism and Menzies that goes back 30 years. It is a despicable approach. It leads to the depths of degradation in the use of this House. It is degrading the use of this House and all its privileges.

The Hon. M. A. Birrell interjected.

The Hon. E. H. W ALKER-The smart alec from the eastern suburbs is doing very nicely! This is the most degrading time we have had in this place for many years. I have said again and again with respect to the matter that has repeatedly been brought forward by the Opposition, and I say it again, that due processes must be maintained. For how long do I have to say it? Two official inquiries are proceeding: one by the Chief Electoral Officer and the other by the police. Due processes are in hand. It does the previous speakers no credit to try to start digging to try to bring up material and to use the cover of this House to name the people and to slander and slur them. Why do they not wait when there are two official and proper investigations under way?

The Government does not intend to dignify the shoddy use of this place by taking part in a trumped-up debate. The Government will continue to allow the proper procedures to be completed and when they are completed the Government may then be in a position to deal with the facts rather than the shoddy smear and innuendo that has been given today. I despise those who have offered it and I reject entirely the implication of the motion and the total approach being taken.

The Hon. M. A. BIRRELL (East Yarra Province)-The Cain Government has been trying to cover up the dirty tricks campaign it ran during the Nunawading election. T.oday the chickens are coming home to roost.

Confronted with the facts, there has been no reply from the Leader of the Government and no attempt to answer the questions. The Leader of the House leaves the Chamber when confronted with the accusation that there were no answers to the serious complaints and the valid questions asked by Mr Storey. Not a single answer was given.

At least one can give the Labor Party ten out of ten for consistency because today honourable members saw a new chapter written in the cover-up-and, once again, there was no answer, no reply, no detail, no facts and no rejection of the allegations. There was only the claim that, "We will not say anything because we are hurt by the stinging criticism. We are hurt by it. We are not going to say anything at all".

All members of the Government have their chance. They can stand up, one by one, every one of them, and make the simple plea, "I did not know about the fake card. I was not involved in the scam. I did not know that there was a potential breach of the law." Every Government member can stand up, one by one, from the left to the right-and how appropriate that is-but they will not.


The Hon. J. H. Kennan-Reg has already pleaded guilty!

The Hon. M. A. BIRRELL-Perhaps the Attorney-General, as chief law officer of Victoria, will be the first to stand up and put it on the record; but what have we instead? We have the Labor Party facade, the lies, the distortions, the misinformation, the catalogue of smears. My colleague, Mr Storey, has completely destroyed the smokescreen thrown up by the Labor Party and he has done so effectively.

I do not need to comment on the smokescreen; what I want to talk about is the Tammany Hall politics in which this Government is involved and which the Opposition has exposed in Parliament today.

Quite clearly, the Premier and his Ministers knew about the Nunawading ticket scam before it occurred. Quite clearly, they knew that Peter Batchelor, secretary of the Labor Party, was a principal architect in that shoddy scheme. Quite clearly, the Premier personally knew of a plot that involved a potential breach of the Electoral Act and now he is trying to run away when the Opposition proves that he was involved.

The story does not involve just the potential breach of the law, it is the ongoing day-byday, hour-by-hour, minute-by-minute cover-up of the truth by the Labor Party. The Cain Government is trying to hide the facts and distort the truth. It is doing everything it can to create other arguments to throw the media and the public off the track.

That will not happen. This story, this scam, will haunt the Government until it loses and that time is not far away.

On polling day, 17 August 1985, the voters of Nunawading Province were offered two how-to-vote cards for the Nuclear Disarmament Party. The Australian Labor Party produced one of them but it did not have the honesty, the integrity or the normal sense of decency to tell those voters, of its true author; so they were deceived by taking that card.

The card was designed to deceive, and it did; the card was designed to mislead, and it did. The authors and the production team behind it were from the Premier down, including his senior advisers, senior Ministers and senior members of the organizational wing of the Australian Labor Party. That card bore no reference to the Australian Labor Party. It was designed to make people think it had been put out by an independent group when it had not.

The Nuclear Disarmament Party, not surprisingly, was extremely annoyed at the presentation of this card in the Nunawading by-election. Its candidate, Jenny Cotterell, made the only legitimate complaint arising out of the Nunawading campaign and she made it promptly to the Chief Electoral Officer. She said it was the Australian Labor Party that had put out this bogus card, designed to deceive.

What did Peter Batchelor say? True to his form, he lied through his teeth, when he was confronted by a member of the media and asked to put his case. In the Herald of 19 August 1985 he had an opportunity of--

The Hon. B. W. Mier interjected.

The PRESIDENT -Order! I shall not warn Mr Mier again. He will have an opportunity of contributing to the debate later, ifhe so desires.

The Hon. M. A. BIRRELL-And I shall look forward to it, too. Perhaps he will say he was not involved in this scam.

The Herald asked Peter Batchelor whether he had been involved with the dummy ticket and the article stated:

Mr Batchelor said today the rumor that the dummy ticket was being distributed by the Labor Party had been put around by the Liberal Party on Saturday afternoon. "It had nothing to do with us", he said.


Caught! The liar was caught! He was lying on behalf of his party, lying on behalf of his Premier, lying on behalf of the senior Ministers and Ministerial advisers who were also caught and who we are going to catch publicly because they cannot keep this cover-up going for ever.

Peter Batchelor, a principal architect, had to come out later on and admit that he had been involved, but it took until 10 October for him to place on the record the facts rather than the disgusting trail of lies he had sought to put into the minds of the media for the weeks and months beforehand.

Of course, Peter Batchelor was well and truly involved earlier on and has been identified by witnesses as being one of many at the Ringwood office of the Labor member of Parliament, Mrs Kay Setches. Who are the other ringleaders in the affair? I shall get to the Premier last.

Mr David Withington is a key adviser to the Premier. Of course, the Premier says publicly, "I have to set high standards. I have to ensure that all people involved in the Public Service or in public life have those high standards". Surely those standards apply also to senior personal advisers to the head of the political wing of the State. Mr David Withington was clearly a central player in the scam and he deserves to be exposed. Of course, he was one of those who was ensuring that the Premier was involved in every level of the ALP election campaign.

It was David Withington who, if no one else did, certainly told the Premier about their deliberate attempt to mislead voters by using the fake card. Mr Withington himself confirmed this. I refer to the Sun newspaper of Wednesday, 23 October, where Mr Withington is reported as having said:

The job I was doing-

That is, the job in the Nunawading election campaign-... was liaising with the Premier and co-ordinating his involvement in the Nunawading campaign-I was the front man letting him know what was going on and where he was required ...

They are the words of David Withington, " ... letting the Premier know everything that was going on in the campaign." Of course he did; one would expect him to. No one would be surprised by that.

The point is that the Australian Labor Party is denying it, as if the Premier was somehow not armed with the knowledge that the central committee of the Australian Labor Party, the administrative committee, and the central electoral body of the Australian Labor Party, the campaign committee, on which some of the senior Ministers sat, were dealing with, planning and trying to implement this scam.

The Premier knew; he was central to it. But it was not just one adviser who was involved, not just one person employed at the public's expense who was doing the dirty political deeds, there were many others. Mr Ken Hickey, the head of the infamous media unit, was also involved.

The Hon. A. J. Hunt-The disinformation unit.

The Hon. M. A. BIRRELL-As my Leader says, the disinformation unit. What was his role? Was he writing press releases on how well the trams are run? Was he writing press releases on how one should not waste water or on some other Government program or service? No; he was helping plan the deception of voters in Nunawading. He, of course, should be central to any police investigation as to potential breaches of the law. And one more--

The Hon. C. F. Van Boren interjected.

The Hon. M. A. BIRRELL-Mr Van Buren, you are standing up next to speak, are you? I hope you speak on behalf of the socialist left.


The Hon. C. F. Van Buren-You must be dreaming of the socialist left. You're dreaming of them all the time.

The PRESIDENT -Order! Mr Birrell will ignore the interjections.

The Hon. M. A. BIRRELL-I shall ignore the interjections for the moment. The next person is Mr Michael Salvaris.

The Hon. G. A. Sgro-Who is he?

The Hon. M. A. BIRRELL-He is an insi~nificant person, but you employ him, Mr Sgro. He is one of your Government's key advIsers. He had his finger well and truly in the barrel.

Mr Salvaris, Mr Hickey and Mr Withington are close personal associates of the Premier; but what are we trying to argue?

The Premier knew nothing about the matter! Does he not talk to Mr Withington? Does he not talk to Mr Hickey? Does he not talk to Mr Salvaris? Perhaps one could argue that the Premier does not talk to anyone. He should be given the benefit of the doubt!

I wonder whether the Premier speaks to the Minister for Conservation, Forests and Lands, because she was certainly involved in the whole process. Mrs Kirner is a Minister of the Crown and a member of the Australian Labor Party campaign committee. That campaign committee was responsible for issuing a fake Australian Labor Party how-tovote card as a central part of its dirty tricks campaign to win the Nunawading by-election at any cost. The idea was developed by the campaign committee, and the Minister was involved. She reported regularly to the Premier on how the committee was working.

Honourable members know the links and know that the staffwere dreaming of ways to breach the Electoral Act, despite not being able to gain 50 per cent of the popular vote. Honourable members know that the Minister for Conservation, Forests and Lands was on the campaign committee and that other members of the Australian Labor Party were involved.

Mr Henk van Leeuwen is on the staff of the Government Leader in this House. Mr lan Baker is a public servant in charge of Work Care and is a well-known member of the Labor c3;use. He. has also been involved in the Nunawading scheme. Ms Solange Shapiro, the VIce-PresIdent of the Australian Labor Party, is another Ministerial adviser who was involv~d. So we know a,bout Batchelor, Hickey, van Leeuwen, Baker, Shapiro; how many more lInks to the PremIer do we need before he owns up to the truth and admits that he knew about it for months and was part and parcel of this scam?

Another name that has been thrown up is Nick Nikolaidou. I feel sorry for him because he received the initial blame. He was conned into putting his name on the fake Australian Labor Party ticket.

Mr Nikolaidou has been a well-known member of the Labor Party from university days. When I attended Monash University it was no secret that he had an allegiance to the Labor cause. He was set up as a "patsy" in the hope that the tull matter would not be investigated. It was Mr Batchelor's lie that Monash University students were involved and did it on a whim. However, they appeared to "find" 200 people to hand out how-tovote cards and thousands of dollars to pay for them! Nick Nikolaidou is a close friend of a former Labor member of Parliament in another place, Mr David Gray, but he has now been sacrificed, has lost his job and has been thrown to the wolves.

This should be a lesson to members of the Labor Party if they are asked to do a favour. They should say, "No", because if they are caught they will have no mates in the Labor Party. Mr Nikolaidou has been allowed to ruin his life and destroy his career and is now forced to fade off into the distance.

Where are all the Mr Bigs, Mrs Bigs and Ms Bigs in the Labor organization hiding? Every one of those people has the opportunity of clearing his or her name. All members of


Parliament whom I have named, all Ministerial staff and senior members of the Australian Labor Party can now clear their names. I hope they will do so immediately.

I throw out the challenge to them this afternoon to make a statement in statutory declaration form saying that they had no involvement in, or prior knowledge of, the fake nuclear disarmament ticket distributed by the Australian Labor Party.

The Hon. D. E. Henshaw-Y ou write out a statutory declaration and I will sign it.

The Hon. M. A. BIRRELL-I shall take up Mr Henshaw on that. I have one Labor volunteer-there are only a few to go. What about Mr Crawford, sitting next to Mr Henshaw; would he like me to do that?

The PRESIDENT-Order! Mr Birrell should continue the debate in the proper fashion and not have cross-conversations with members of the Government back bench.

The Hon. M. A. BIRRELL-I am sorry, Mr President; I was distracted. There is an opportunity for all of these people to clear their names, but I doubt whether they will because they were part and parcel of the whole campaign.

What do they have to hide? The answer is, "A lot". The failure of members of the Government to answer questions asked by Mr Storey in this place and the Leader of the Opposition in another place is tantamount to admitting guilt. They do not want to try to clear themselves because they know that they cannot. They do not want to say to the media that they were not involved because the first person who did that, Mr Batchelor, showed himself to be a bare-faced liar. Honourable members know that Mr Batchelor tried to mislead the media. Therefore, with that knowledge, members of the Labor Party have decided to say nothing. It is now up to the Opposition to do something about this matter.

The Hon. A. J. Hunt-They would not even tell the police!

The Hon. M. A. BIRRELL-That is correct; members of the Labor Party would not tell the police.

Who is the central person involved in this campaign? The Opposition is not interested in the small fish. The central person is the Premier, John Cain. He knew about the matter from its earliest days. He agreed, quite happily, with the techniques of the campaign and did nothing about it. The Premier was told about the bogus how-to-vote card by the campaign committee comprising the Minister for Conservation, Forests and Lands, Mr Salvaris and Mr Batchelor, but he did notlling to stop it.

The Hon. A. J. Hunt-He did not stop it on the day.

The Hon. M. A. BIRRELL-On the day of the by-election the Premier visited the polling booths. The Premier would have known, just as my colleagues in the Liberal Party knew, what was happening on polling day. However, John Cain did nothing to stop this campaign trick, even at that late stage.

There is no doubt about the Premier's personal involvement in the decision-making process of the campaign committee. There is no doubt that he knew of, and oversaw, the production of the fake how-to-vote card and that he knew it would be distributed and would mislead voters on 17 August. The Premier was party to an alleged breach of the law, but he runs like the devil when asked to clear himself of such an allegation.

The Premier's response is a cacophony of abuse, rude language, distortion and deliberate evasion. I cannot say in this Chamber that the Premier is a liar, but he has deliberately not told the truth. John Cain is a person one simply cannot trust. If this is the Premier of this State in whom we are to have faith, he must be exposed as having standards far lower than anyone would expect of a Premier of Victoria in these modern days.


The stunt, the trick, the very clever, crooked idea that was thought up to mislead nuclear disarmament voters in Nunawading, backfired. The plan did not work. Mrs Varty won, and won handsomely.

Worse still for the Labor Party was the cover-up that followed. Ifmembers of the Labor Party cleared themselves on the day and said, "We did it; it was an error of judgment and we apologize", it might have been different. If they had said, "Yes, we were heavily involved and deeply regret our action", they may have got away with it. People would have said that it was a breach and the matter would have been dealt with at that level.

However, the real indignity of this whole situation is not the alleged initial breach of the law but the cover-up that has followed. There has been interest in the allegation for that reason, not simply because of what occurred on the day.

The plot and subsequent cover-up have been exposed, but there is a final chapter that has to be written-and that is when the Premier comes clean.

The Victorian public deserves to be told the truth. The Premier must put on the record his precise involvement in this dirty tricks campaign from the first day that he became aware of it. That is a simple task and it is a nonsense to su~est, as he has, that he will not say anything because an investigation is going on. The Premier did not silence the Minister for Police and Emergency Services or Mr Kennedy when they passed comment on the investigations. Therefore, the Premier has set a standard of saying that other people can comment but he will not.

The Opposition calls on the Premier to clear his name, if he can. Members of the Opposition doubt whether the story he tells will be accepted as valid or appealing by the Victorian community.

In addition to that, Peter Batchelor should immediately be :;acked from his position for being the ringleader and leading official of a party involved i~l an act that cut at the very heart of good electoral practice and proper democracy.

The Premier should stand down those Ministerial staff who were apparently involved in the whole scheme until the police investigations have finished.

What the Opposition has to do in the debate-and the public has every right to knowis to detail the Premier's clear links to the Nunawading saga. This debate serves a single purpose, in that it focuses attention and interest on the actions of the Leader of the Government in another place, his duplicity, secrecy and dishonesty.

If the Opposition can, by throwing extra facts into this debate, bring an answer from the Premier that provides details of his activities, it would do a great service to the State and shed some real light on the corruption that surrounds the bogus how-to-vote cards.

The Hon. G. P. CONNARD (Higinbotham Province)-I support Mr Storey in this motion, which is most important and serious. I shall briefly discuss the activities of the Premier in association with Mr Batchelor. The facts really came to the attention of people on 10 October this year when the State Secretary of the Australian Labor Party, Mr Peter Batchelor, drew to the attention of the citizens of Victoria, in a long statement substantiating his activities, just what his role was in the distribution of the bogus how-to-vote cards.

In that long statement on 10 October, Mr Batchelor, in trying to divest himself of responsibility as an Australian Labor Party member and claiming that he was acting as a private citizen, said:

The ALP was not officially involved in the issuing of the how-to-vote card authorized by Mr N. Nikolaidou. Action was taken by people who are members of the ALP was taken in their own personal capacity, and was not authorized by the ALP Campaign Committee, the Government or any official body.

Mr Batchelor went on to state: The card was designed and intended to ensure an effective and formal vote on nuclear issues. It was not

intended to mislead or deceive voters.

692 COUNCIL 30 October 1985 H ow-to-Vote Card in Nunawading By-election

He subsequently showed his involvement in viewing the card and arranging for Labor Party members to hand out the cards at polling booths.

Mr Storey set out the facts surrounding the deception of the bogus how-to-vote card.

Subsequent to that statement, Mr Batchelor was summonsed to appear before the Administrative Committee of the Australian Labor Party and it was reported in the newspapers that the committee resolved that, in view of the fact that complaints were being considered by the Chief Electoral Officer, consideration of this matter should be adjourned. I cannot understand how the Premier, who is a member of that committee, can escape his obligations.

I shall read to the House the pledge that all Labor Party members must take when they renew their membership. I remind honourable members that Mr Batchelor is a signatory to this pledge:

I hereby pledge myself to the Australian Labor Party to faithfully uphold to the best of my ability its Constitution and Platforms and to work and vote for the Selected Labor Candidates. I am not a member of any other organization which pledges its members to support candidates for public office.

The constitution of this once great and honest party, at paragraph 2.4 of the Victorian Branch Constitution, revised in June 1984, states:

Membership and Organization

Membership of the Australian Labor Party is open to all residents of Australia who are prepared to accept its objectives and who have associations with no other political party.

By Mr Batchelor's own admission, he was associated with another political party for political gain, the Nuclear Disarmament Party, because he actively supported that political party and, therefore, is in breach of the constitution of the Australian Labor Party. Accordingly, his membership should be suspended or cancelled.

An honest Premier of this State who was a member of the administrative committee and who attended that meeting of the committee would have demanded the resignation ofMr Batchelor. The Premier has deceived his party and the community in not behaving according to the rules of the organization to which he belongs. The Premier is not to be trusted. The obvious deception that Mr Birrell and Mr Storey have outlined to the House is, indeed, a saga of dishonesty and corruption. How can the people of Victoria continue to support a man who does not even follow the constitution of his party?

The Hon. N. B. REID (Bendigo Province)-I am shocked that there are no speakers from the Government side who are prepared to say that what Mr Storey, Mr Birrell and Mr Connard have said is not correct.

Mr Landeryou, who sits in the corner, is the only Government member who has had the courage to say that he did not know what was happening at the Nunawading byelection with the bogus how-to-vote card. The front bench of the Government is deserted. The Minister for Agriculture and Rural Affairs, the Leader of this House, is not present, nor are any, but one, of the other Ministers. The Minister for Conservation, Forests and Lands has deserted the House and is not prepared to come back and defend herself. I give full marks to the Minister for Community Services for having the courage to stay in the kitchen when the heat is turned on, but the Minister has been deserted by her colleagues. There is no murmur from the corner bench on the Government side and the only comment that was heard was from Mr Sandon, who tried to cut off the debate.

Members of the Australian Labor Party are up to their necks in deception in this matter. They know it, we know it and it will not be long before the whole community knows it. The community understands what is going on. It knows that the secretary of the Australian Labor Party in Victoria, Mr Peter Batchelor, has admitted that what the Australian Labor Party set out to do was to deceive the voters of Victoria. When officials of the Government start tampering with the electoral system, everyone knows what happens. Honourable members know; Mr Landeryou knows; as does the community.


Mr Batchelor admitted in the Age newspaper of 10 October 1985 that the Labor Party, which was in Government, set out to deceive the State. He had no Qualms about it because he knew his position was safe.

The Government not only set out to deceive the voters of Victoria but it also put down a certain order of preference with which it tried to influence the voting pattern because it was so desperate to win the seat of Nunawading Province. Fortunately, Mrs Rosemary Varty won the election and stopped any futher interference in the electoral system of the State.

I am delighted to see that the Minister for Conservation, Forests and Lands has returned to the Chamber. I invite the Minister to respond to the facts put by Mr Storey today. Ministers in this House have been given the opportunity of answering the claims that were made on 16 October 1985 when Mr Connard and I asked two Questions of the Minister regarding her involvement, as a member of the campaign committee, for the Nunawading Province by-election.

I do not accept that the Minister would be a token woman member on that committee. I am sure if she was on the campaign committee she would know exactly what was happening. She would know that the Nuclear Disarmament Party card was to be printed and she would know who would be distributing it. The matter would have been discussed at several of those campaign meetings. I am sure the matter would have been reported back to the Premier, and I invite the Minister to respond and to accept the facts that Mr Storey has put before the House. Let the Minister or any other member of this House deny it, if it is incorrect. Obviously, because there is silence, the matters put to the House are correct.

Not only did the campaign committee know but also the Premier and the Ministers in this House knew about the matter. Honourable members have heard a pathetic response from the Minister for Agriculture and Rural Affairs who was endeavouring to make some sort of show of it. I have respect for the Minister as he is the one who had the integrity and courage to admit an agreement had been made between the Premier and the Governor.

I challenge members of the Government to deny what Mr Storey has said today. It is obvious that what Mr Storey and Mr Birrell have had to say is absolutely true and factual. Mr Landeryou has been the only one who has denied involvement in the matter.

When Mr Batchelor admitted being involved in the Nuclear Disarmament Party ticket he said that he did it as a private individual. I shall canvass that idea because Mr Batchelor is the secretary of the Australian Labor Party. Even though it is riddled with factions, it is the Government and the secretary of the party who attend all important meetings within the party and obviously Peter Batchelor has close contact with the Premier and Ministers of the Crown and members of the Australian Labor Party who constitute the Government. He organizes Labor Party conferences; he is a member of the campaign committee for the Nunawading Province, he directed that campaign and attended committee meetings along with the Minister for Conservation, Forests and Lands and other party members.

What did they do at those meetings? They planned the strategy and worked out the tactics for the by-election, and yet Mr Batchelor says that he did that as a private citizen. There is absolutely no way that Mr Batchelor can escape the fact that he is an integral part of the Government. He is secretary of the party that forms the Government and there is no way that he can deny his involvement in this episode and claim that he did not know all about the bogus campaign tickets.

Some of those meetings were held at the office of Mrs Setches, the honourable member for Ringwood in another place. The Minister for Conservation, Forests and Lands has been given an opportunity of saying whether she has been in attendance at that office for any meeting to discuss the disarmament party ticket. The Minister said that she had not been in attendance at that office.


Mr Connard asked whether she had been in attendance at meetings elsewhere on this matter. The Minister denied that also. I am convinced that the Minister must have attended meetings of that campaign committee. I am sure she would have had a close involvement and in fact I understand that other Ministers were involved on that campaign committee. The Minister for Employment and Industrial Affairs was also involved on that campaign committee and surely when it was discussing the strategy and tactics of the Nunawading Province by-election obviously it would have discussed all the tactics and strategies and all of the dirty tricks it was to play during that by-election.

Fortunately those strategies and tricks did not work because 15 500 people turned away from the Australian Labor Party between the time of the general election and the byelection which led to the result that put Mrs Rosemary Varty into the Legislative Council.

A number of serious facts have been presented to the House by my colleagues and the Government should answer them. There is no excuse for Government members not standing up and answering the points that have been raised today. If they do not stand up and answer those points, one can only assume, and rightly assume, that the facts presented are 100 per cent correct.

The Minister for Conservation, Forests and Lands obviously wishes to respond. I shall round off my comments with an invitation and challenge to the Government members to deny the facts that have been placed before the House today.

The Hon. HADDON STOREY (East Yarra Province)-By way of reply, I am deeply disappointed by the contribution of the Minister for Agriculture and Rural Affairs this afternoon for a number of reasons. The first reason is that he issued a torrent of abuse against Mr Dunn and myself without any factual analysis or attempt to deal with the real issues I raised. I shall remind the House of the simple factual matters I raised and the conclusion to be drawn from them which calls for an answer.

All the evidence points to the Premier having known and being involved in the Labor Party's use of bogus nuclear disarmament how-to-vote cards on polling day in the Nunawading Province by-election on 1 7 August. The evidence showed that the plot reached the highest levels of the Labor Party. The Premier and the senior Ministers have had every opportunity to deny what is otherwise an obvious conclusion to be drawn and they have failed to do so. One can draw only one conclusion and that is that they were involved. That is simply based on the factual material that I presented to the House and the obvious conclusion that one could draw from that.

Instead of taking the opportunity to deny the facts, the Minister for Agriculture and Rural Affairs engaged in attacking the Liberal Party for having raised these matters and attacking the National Party also for having done so. That is entirely consistent with what I have pointed out to the House: that over the past two months Victoria has witnessed a massive cover-up by the Labor Party over the use of bogus how-to-vote cards in the N unawading Province by-election.

The issue is not the misleading nature of the card, although that is bad enough. The real issue is the deceptioB. practised by the Labor Party. The facts that have emerged all point inescapably to the conclusion that the Premier and senior Ministers knew of the plot to issue the bogus nuclear disarmament cards. They have had every opportunity of denying their involvement and have failed to do so. The Secretary of the Australian Labor Party lied to the public about the party's involvement in the matter, and the Premier and his Ministers allowed that lie to stand. It is simple enough for the Leader or his Ministerial colleagues to stand up and say that these are not the facts or that these conclusions do not logically flow from all the available evidence, but they have failed to do so.

The Leader of the Government said that the due process of the law has to be complied with; that two inquiries are proceeding and that we must await the outcome of those inquiries. If a person has not done something but a set of facts suggests that he has, the simplest way of resolving the issue is for him to say that he did not commit the act. That

How-to- Vote Card in Nunawading Ry-election 30 October 1985 COUNCIL 695

does not interfere with the due process of any investigation. That does not stop a conclusion from being reached as to what actually happened; in fact, it speeds up the process and brings it to an end. There is no reason at all why the Premier or his senior Ministers cannot answer the questions that have been raised by simply stating the facts, but they have declined to do so. That only adds to the concern in the community about the matter.

The Leader of the Government accused Mr Dunn and me of shoddy smear and innuendo. All we have done is state the facts and the conclusions that flow from the facts. The smear and innuendo that have occurred have resulted from the Premier and the Leader of the Government casting aspersions on other people over all sorts of other matters in order to avoid answering the questions that have been raised.

The only clear illustration of double standards involved has resulted from the fact that the Premier has allowed the Minister for Police and Emergency Services to make all sorts of statements about people involved in other matters being Inquired into by the Chief Electoral Officer and the police of this State. If the Premier's statement and that of the Leader of the Government are correct, the Minister for Police and Emergency Services has completely failed the standards set by the Premier, but the Premier has not taken action to stop the Minister from doing that. The Government has completely failed to answer the case that has been made today, and the motion ought to be supported overwhelmingly.

The House divided on the motion (the Hon. R. A. Mackenzie in the chair).

Ayes Noes

Majority for the motion

AYES Mr Baxter Mr Birrell Mrde Fegely MrDunn MrEvans MrGuest MrHallam MrHunt MrKnowles MrLawson MrMacey MrMiles MrReid Mr Storey Mrs Varty MrWard MrWright

Tellers: Mr Chamberlain MrConnard

MrGranter MrGrimwade MrLong

PAIRS

I

19 18

NOES Mr Arnold MrCrawford MrsDixon MrHenshaw MrsHogg MrKennan Mrs Kirner Mrs Lyster MrMcArthur MrsMcLean MrMier MrSandon MrSgro MrVanBuren MrWalker MrWhite

Tellers: MrKennedy Mr Landeryou

MrMurphy MrPullen Mrs Cox sedge

696 COUNCIL 30 October 1985 Mountain District Cattlemen's Association

MOUNTAIN DISTRICT CATTLEMEN'S ASSOCIATIONATTENDANCE OF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AT THE BAR

The Hon. A. J. HUNT (South Eastern Province)-I move:

That the Executive Officer of the Mountain Cattlemen's association be invited to attend at the Bar of the Council at 11 a.m. on Thursday, 31 October 1985, to give evidence concerning the role of the association and its supporters in the election for Nunawading Province held on 17 August 1985 and upon matters raised in the Parliament in connection therewith, and to answer such questions as may be put to him by the President arising from that evidence; and that Standing Orders be suspended to extent necessary to enable the foregoing.

This is an unusual motion, a motion of quite extraordinary character. It is sixteen years since any private citizen was brought to the Bar of this House, and then in very different circumstances indeed. The Opposition is forced to take this action because of the abuse of the power in another place.

The Leader of the House has today talked of the abuse of Parliamentary procedure. In another place, we have seen the Government cover up its own involvement in the Nunawading bogus how-to-vote card scandal, and yet when the actions of any other persons can be brought into question in any way whatever, by the most slanderous means available, those persons are mercilessly defamed; the wildest allegation is treated as fact, with no opportunity for reply at all.

With a Government that has the numbers in another place, there is no way that the Assembly can deal with the disgraceful conduct that has been taking place there. There is no way in which the Premier of this State can be made to answer for the actions of himself, his Ministers, his Ministerial advisers and his party. All he says all the time is, "There is an inquiry on". I should have thought that the most important thing of all was to demonstrate the integrity of government, and the only way that that can be demonstrated, when it is brought into question, is by the Premier openly and honestly stating the facts.

. What does the Premier do? He avoids and evades every question by simply saying there IS an inquiry in progress. How is that inquiry dealt with? Why, the Labor Party personnel are asked not to co-operate, not to talk, not to tell the facts!

. The Hon. W. A. Landeryou-What has that to do with this monstrous proposition? It IS outrageous.

The Hon. A. J. HUNT-I shall tie it in. We have seen here dishonesty, evasion and a deliberate cover-up. That is like Watergate. In the case of Watergate, the original allegations were serious enough, but what really brought the President of the United States of America undone was the cover-up, the evasion and the deceit; and that evasion and deceit has been compounded in this case by the way in which the Premier and his Ministers have sought to create diversions.

In respect of those diversions, the standards that the Government claims for itself in saying, "There is an investigation on", are thrown aside.

The Premier's double standards are again apparent, while the Minister for Police and Emergency Services and others make the most vicious attacks on individuals.

The Hon. E. H. Walker interjected.

The Hon. A. J. HUNT-Did I hear the Leader of the House say that they were successful?

Mountain District Cattlemen's Association 30 October 1985 COUNCIL 697

The Hon. E. H. Walker-They must have hurt.

The Hon. A. J. HUNT-"They have been successful" is the interjection of the Leader of the House.

The Hon. E. H. Walker-Do not be so pompous. You did not want to do this in the first place; you are doing it only because you are forced to.

The Hon. A. J. HUNT-What happens is that there are diversionary attacks on others, diversionary attacks on members of the Mountain District Cattlemen's Association, who everybody knows were out there supporting a strongly held view. There was no secret about their position; there was no duplicity, and no deceit. They opposed the Government on a single issue. They let their opposition be clearly known; and they supported that opposition in the Nunawading by-election in the most effective way they could.

The Government, in trying to sweep its own deceit under the carpet, alleges fraud against the mountain cattlemen. Honourable members know that, if it is good enough for the Premier to refuse to answer-and I suggest it is not good enough-on the ground that there is an inquiry on the way, then it ill-behoves him to allow his Ministers, the very same Ministers who are covering up on that question, to make accusations themselves and treat them as if they were facts on other issues that are the subject of inquiry at the same time.

The Premier and the Government cannot have it both ways. What the Government has been doing is despicable, dishonest, and dishonourable. It is disgraceful, it is duplicity, and it involves double standards. The Opposition has only one way to demonstrate the double dealing of the Government, and that is to use the forms of this House to let the truth be known. Part of that process has taken place in debate on the motion moved by Mr Storey, which has already been heard. Part of it is to call the representatives of the group that has been most maligned to the Bar of this House-at least to invite them to the Bar of this House--

The Hon. W. A. Landeryou-Y ou are not inviting them; you are calling them.

The Hon. A. J. HUNT-The motion invites them to the Bar of the House and asks them to comment in a way in which they have not had the opportunity of doing. They have had to stand by while being maligned in another place. The Opposition now proposes that they have the opportunity of answering the allegations here in this House. In other words, the institution of Parliament can provide protection for them and can be used at the same time to show the Government's smokescreen for what it is, to dissipate that smoke screen and to show it up as the diversionary tactic it has been.

If persons use Parliament in the way it has been used in another place, they can hardly complain if, to provide protection for those who are maligned and to provide an answer for the dishonesty of the Government, the forms of this House are used in return. Those are the purposes of the motion.

We trust this process will give an opportunity to remedy the great injustice done to the mountain cattlemen, who were honest in their purpose, which they made known to everybody in advance.

The Hon. G. A. Sgro-Do you want Norm Gallagher to come in here, Mr Hunt?

The Hon. A. J. HUNT-Members of this House were present at the booths in Nunawading on election day, 17 August. I personally visited every one of those booths. I met the mountain cattlemen at every one of those booths. There was no doubt whatsoever about their sincerity and honesty. It was patent; it was open. They made their position clearly known to everyone.

I also saw the confusion caused by the nuclear disarmament card, where some of the Liberal Party polling booth assistants were confused as to who was handing it out and, in other areas, where they recognized Labor Party people handing out those cards. However,


there was no doubt at all about the genuineness of the mountain cattlemen. This motion gives them an opportunity of putting their case before the House tomorrow.

I turn to the question of mechanics. On the last occasion when persons came before the Bar of this House, the President of the day met the Leaders of the parties or their representatives in his Chambers and prepared some draft questions. Some disappeared and some were varied in the light of the statements that were made by those who came to the Bar of the House.

The Hon. W. A. Landeryou-Do not expect co-operation with this move. That is definitely not on.

The Hon. M. J. Arnold-Kangaroo court! It is a disgrace to you as a lawyer!

The Hon. A. J. HUNT-Interjections from the Government side of the House indicate a process of non co-operation.

The Hon. D. R. White-We happen to be the Government.

The Hon. A. J. HUNT-It is a Government which has acted disgracefully in another place. I invite you, Mr President, to invite the Leaders of the parties, or their nominees, to your chambers to discuss procedures. It will be a matter for you, as President, to decide whether the evidence to the House is given on oath or by way of statement. When witnesses appear before Parliamentary committees, either course is adopted at the discretion of the Chair, depending on the circumstances. That will be a matter for you, Mr President.

I invite you to call in the representatives of the parties to discuss the details of the procedure. Tomorrow, honourable members will have the opportunity of setting this issue in its proper perspective; hearing the representative of the mountain cattlemen and of learning what the facts are in place of the wild allegations that have been made.

The Hon. D. M. EVANS (North Eastern Province)-My position as a strong supporter of the mountain cattlemen and their cause is known to this House. If the motion is passed, the mountain cattlemen will be given the opportunity of answering, in person, cowardly attacks on their integrity made under Parliamentary privilege. They will be able to answer those criticisms as strangers in a strange place with the same courage displayed by their forebears 150 years ago when they settled the high country of Victoria.

The sin of the mountain cattlemen, if there is a sin, in the eyes of the Government is that they are the best lobby group that the country has seen in ten or twenty years because they are genuine people WIth whom others can identify because they are genuine.

The Hon. W. A. Landeryou-He will have to bring all his records with him if he is genuine.

The Hon. D. M. EV ANS-They are genuine. After years of fighting to protect their heritage against an often irrational, frequently selfish conservation lobby, on 4 September 1984, the cattlemen and their horses took their case to the streets of Melbourne and to Parliament-and they won. Colourful, courteous and genuine, they attracted Australiawide media attention and they got their case across. People understood their case and the "greenies" were in full retreat. .

The cattlemen feared that the declaration of the huge additional areas of national park would be another step in the continuing reduction of grazing in the high country. The Nunawading Province by-election became crucial to the fate of the alpine parks.


The PRESIDENT-Order! I ask Mr Sandon and Mr Dunn to come to order. There is too much finger pointing and yelling.


The Hon. D. M. EV ANS-The National Parks (Alpine National Park) Bill was feared by the mountain cattlemen. The conservationist movement challenged all candidates on their views on the issue of the national park and asked whether they would vote for it or whether they would vote against the proposed legislation. The conservationist movement, not the cattlemen, made the alpine park a major issue in the Nunawading Province byelection.

In press comments made prior to the by-election, the conservationist movement warned all candidates that unless they supported the National Parks (Alpine National Park) Bill, their chances of winning would be substantially reduced. All honourable members remember the comments made in the press at that time; that it was a major issue and could be a winner for the party that espoused the cause of the conservationists.

On 21 July at Box Hill, long before the cattlemen said anything at all on this issue, a meeting was held and was called "Forests or Woodchips". The meeting was called by the Australian Conservation Foundation and the Wilderness Society. The meeting was dealing with woodchips, but it involved the conservation issue.

The meeting was addressed by Mr Bob Brown-honourable members have heard of Graeme Stoney but have not heard much of Bob Brown-Mr Don Chipp, Leader of the Australian Democrats, Mr Bob Ives, Labor MLC for Nunawading Province-I am not certain that the MLC title is quite correct-and Roger Smith of the Australian Conservation Foundation. That meeting was the beginning of the challenge of the conservationist movement on the issue of alpine areas and the National Parks (Alpine National Parks) Bill-the winning move, so far as the movement was concerned, for the Nunawading Province by-election.

Because they had a major stake in this issue, the cattlemen also sought assurances from all candidates. Because of the clear tie up between the pro-alpine group, the Australian Democrats and Australian Labor Party candidates-honourable members must remember the meeting at Box Hill on 21 July-the cattlemen decided that, for their own protection, it was necessary to support the Liberal Party candidate, Mrs Varty.

The cattlemen did what everybody normally does, particularly a lobby group, at the time of an election campaign. They sought to win converts to their cause among the voters. That is a legitimate action to take within the Australian democratic system, there is nothing wrong with it. The cattlemen distributed how-to-vote cards and pamphlets and they rode through the streets of Ringwood. In case anyone wants to ask, I indicate that I went along in a truck. I did not go on a horse because the cattlemen did not want politicians on horses. My views on the matter are clear, and I make no secret of them. I am not a mountain cattleman; my grandfather was 100 years ago and my father was 50 years ago, but I am not. However, I went along to show my support for what the cattlemen were doing as they are friends of mine.

On the Saturday of the by-election, the cattlemen distributed their how-to-vote cards. It was a clear, simple card and, with your permission, Mr President, I seek leave of the House to have the how-to-vote card incorporated in Hansard.

The PRESIDENT-Order! I have examined the card mentioned by Mr Evans. I take it that he has distributed it to honourable members.

The Hon. D. R. White-No, we have not seen it.

The PRESIDENT -Order! The how-to-vote card has now been distributed. So far as the technicalities of having the card incorporated in Hansard, I indicate that it can be done except for the sketch of the mountain cattleman. Mr Evans has shown me the card and I have accepted it as being able to be incorporated in Hansard.

The Hon. D. R. WHITE (Minister for Health)-Leave is refused.

700 COUNCIL 30 October 1985 Mountain District Cattlemen IS Association

The Hon. J. V. C. GUEST (Monash Province)-On a point of order, Mr President, if Mr Evans would renew his application 5 minutes later consideration might be given in the meantime to granting leave.

The Hon. D. R. WHITE (Minister for Health)-On the point of order, Mr President, no attempt has been made by Mr Evans to communicate to either the Government or the Opposition the document that he is seeking to have incorporated in H ansard. Leave is not granted, and I look forward to Mr Evans giving an appropriate opportunity for the Government to consider what he wants incorporated and, in turn, for me to have the opportunity of discussing it with the Leader of the House. That opportunity has not been forthcoming.

The Hon. D. M. EVANS (North Eastern Province)-I am happy to give the Government the necessary time to peruse this document because I believe it is relevant to the debate. I understand that the issue concerns the distribution of how-to-vote cards. I assure the House that there is nothing particularly sinister about the card. It is available in many households in the Nunawading Province and was freely available on the day. I shall be happy in a few minutes time to bring the matter before the House once again. The howto-vote card is simple.

More importantly, the card was produced by the Mountain District Cattlemen's Association of Victoria; it was decided on and sanctioned by that organization. It is no fake and there is no trickery involved. The card is nothing like the Australian Labor Party's Batchelor/Cain card, the fake Nuclear Disarmament Party card, which was not sanctioned in that case by the Nuclear Disarmament Party. That card was clearly and cleverly designed to deceive.

The mountain cattlemen's how-to-vote card said: Vote 1 Varty

Mountain cattlemen care for the high country

Please support the fight to stop more public restrictions in the Alps.

Minor parties cannot win this election, so if they get your first preference please give your second preference to VARTY to safeguard moderate conservation and your heritage.

The how-to-vote card was authorized by S. Silvers of 28 Cityview Road, North Balwyn, and was printed by Bizprint of 1/50 Barry Street, Bayswater. I am not sure who picked up the cards but I can find that out ifit is necessary.

The card represents a simple and normal proposition put forward by people who believe in something in particular. That card sparked an irrational, guilty, angry, jealous and whingeing reaction under privilege from people such as Mr Kennedy, who has the grace not to be in the House during the debate; Mrs Hirsh, the honourable member for Wantirna in another place; Mr Norris, the honourable member for Dandenong in another place; and the Minister for Police and Emergency Services.

On Wednesday 23 October, as honourable members may recall, Mr Kennedy admitted in this place that he had invaded the privacy of an individual-reportedly a Mr Maguireby photographing him without his permission. Mr Kennedy then informed the House that Mr Maguire had chased him-probably believing he had met a genuine cattleman-and, fearful of his integrity, Mr Kennedy fled. I do not blame him; I guess it is years since Mr Kennedy has been chased. Certainly mountain cattlemen are certainly after him.

Mr Kennedy then made some incredible statements in this House that Mr Maguire had posed as a mountain cattleman and that he was "a violent impostor". Mr Kennedy has no proof of that; he just made wild accusations under privilege. In another place the honourable member for Wantirna reportedly objected to Drizabone raincoats. I have owned a Drizabone for more than 30 years and the one I use at present is my fourth. It is not an

Mountain District Cattlemen's AssociatIon 30 October 1985 COUNCIL 701

aegis, not a goatskin cloak and the symbol of the absolute authority of Zeus. It is an ordinary oilskin coat to keep the water offin the high country.

However, the honourable member for Wantirna in another place objects to those coats because they appear to automatically indicate that a person who wears one is a mountain cattleman, or so she believes. If she attended some of the sales at the cattle and sheep markets, she would see thousands of Drizabones being worn on wet days. Perhaps she would then come back to Parliament and suggest that there should be a uniform for all such workers.

The honourable member for Dandenong in another place apparently believes that a person with a talent cannot use that talent for the benefit of a particular cause. For example, in another place, he attacked Mr Tom Burlinson, an actor, and Mr Jim Brown, who I understand works as a technician in a television studio. He attacked them because according to him he believes that they gave assistance to a particular group of people. For Heaven's sake, when are they going to stop trying to prevent people from standing up and saying out loudly, honestly and fairly that they believe in something in particular?

The Minister for Police and Emergency Services, that pin striped, pointing gentleman from over yonder, also took every opportunity under privilege of attacking people who could not answer back. He attacked sincere, honest people who were working openly for their legitimate beliefs and interests.

If this motion is passed, those people will have the opportunity of approaching the Minister for Police and Emergency Services in his place of business and of speaking to this House. They will have the opportunity of putting forward their case before Parliament.

Perhaps the whole trouble in this issue is that the Government backed the wrong mountain pony. The mountain cattlemen were too successful. The conservation lobby backed the Australian Democrats and successfully halved their vote. However, the Minister for Conservation, Forests and Lands stated a day or so before the election that the mountain cattlemen would have no effect and that they could react against the Labor Party. That was reported in the press. What was she worried about if, indeed, it helped the Labor Party? What is she grizzling about? In fact, the Labor Party could have lost that seat by more votes if it had not been for the mountain cattlemen-that is, if one believed her!

What are the facts of the role played by the mountain cattlemen in the Nunawading Province by-election? If the motion is passed today, Mr Stoney, the liaison officer for the Mountain District Cattlemen's Association of Victoria, will have the opportunity of speaking to the House in person tomorrow. In the meantime perhaps honourable members should consider some of the election material. At this stage, Mr President, I again seek leave to have incorporated in Hansard the how-to-vote card. I have just been handed a note that indicates that leave will be refused.

The Hon. D. R. WHITE (Minister for Health)-Leave is refused.

The Hon. D. M. EVANS (North Eastern Province)-It is my intention to move later that that card be incorporated in H ansard. The card is of public interest and I can see nothing about which the Government need be fearful, nor any members of this House, if it were printed in Hansard. I have just read part of that card to the House and honourable members should understand that it is innocuous. Yet the Government is afraid to face a little piece of paper with some printing on it!

The Hon. D. R. WHITE (Minister for Health)-On a point of order, Mr President, I know and understand the forms of the House, which are that if an honourable member wishes to have a document incorporated in H ansard, the document is made available to the Government party before the honourable member gets to his or her feet. I know and understand that that procedure had been made known to Mr Evans.

If Mr Evans shows the Government the courtesy of speaking with the Leader of the Government about this matter when he has finished speaking, leave will be granted for


Mr Evans to have the document incorporated in Hansard. Mr Evans should have done that prior to speaking to the motion. Leave will not be granted until Mr Evans respects the forms of the House.

Mr Evans has been a member of this House for nine years and he should know the forms of the House. Moreover, the forms were brought to his attention before he got to his feet today. After the matter was brought to his attention, he did not see fit to respect those forms.

The Hon. D. M. EVANS (North Eastern Province)-On the point of order, Mr President, I certainly regret the fact that I may have shown some discourtesy to the Government. Mr President, you would be aware that I discussed the matter with you today and with the Clerks. I believe that I followed all the forms necessary. I have never previously tabled a document in Parliament and I certainly was not aware, nor was I informed by any member of the Government, that I should have let the Government know beforehand. I regret any discourtesy that I might have shown the Government.

I was fully informed of the conventions of the House and all the forms necessary to have the document incorporated in Hansard. I believe I have conformed with those necessary forms.

The PRESIDENT-As Mr Evans said, he spoke to me about the matter, and gave me a copy of the card. I informed him of the fact that it had to be distributed and that he would need copies of it to distribute. There seems to be a misunderstanding as to whether he believed copies should be distributed before or after the material is incorporated. The normal procedure is for honourable members to have some warning prior to the honourable member concerned asking for the document to be incorporated in Hansard.

I accept that there is a misunderstanding. The point raised by the Minister for Health is that the Government is refusing leave at this stage until the Leader of the Government has the opportunity of seeing the card for himself and, if he agrees to incorporate it, Mr Evans may ask to incorporate it at the conclusion of his remarks.

The Hon. W. R. BAXTER (North Eastern Province)-On a further point of order, without wishing to transgress or contradict your ruling, Mr President, I indicate that my advice to Mr Evans prior to his speaking when he sought your advice, was to show the material to you as the President and see whether it was possible to have it incorporated. I did not indicate to him that he should show it either to the Opposition or the Government. I was relying on a document headed, "Incorporation of material in Hansard, Guidelines as to procedure to be observed-Mr Presidenfs announcement to House, 30 September 1980." Paragraph 4 states:

Ifleave is given by the House, it is the member's responsibility to provide copies so that subsequent speakers may have the opportunity to comment on or challenge the information that has been incorporated.

Mr Evans has done that. He has copies available for members of the House. Nothing in the guidelines indicates that it is mandatory upon the honourable member proposin~ to incorporate material in Hansardto give it to the Government beforehand, even ifit might have been done by way of convention on occasions in the past. I simply wanted to place on record the fact that I gave Mr Evans that advice.

The Hon. A. J. HUNT (South Eastern Province)-On the general issue, there is no doubt that both Mr Baxter and the Minister for Health are right. Both of them are speaking from slightly different perspectives. There is a difference between the rules and the conventions. Mr Baxter has referred to the formal rules. The rules have been complied with. The convention is normally that, where leave is required, parties seeking it consult with the other parties. That applies on Bills without leave as well.

The Minister for Health will be well aware that sometimes there is an inadvertence on the part of a Minister to carry out this task. We normally wait, although it can be used as a ground to take it up and can be used as a ground for refusal ot leave. When it is


inadvertent and caused by pressure of business we normally do not resort to the tactic of refusing leave. Mr Evan's failure was simply through lack of knowledge.

The Hon. D. R. White-That is not true.

The Hon. A. J. HUNT - I have not finished. The President said it was a misunderstanding. Mr Evans has made it clear that he was not aware of it. I should like the Acting Leader of the House, the Minister for Health, to show a little grace and to allow the House to dispense with the strict need under the conventions to show the document before it is incorporated, just as sometimes we dispense with the requirement for consent to approach us.

The Hon. D. R. WHITE (Minister for Health)-I am not sure whether honourable members heard the President clearly. He clearly said that Mr Evans had been to see him and that he had informed Mr Evans that he should inform the other parties. The misunderstanding that has occurred in Mr Evans's mind is about when he should do that. The facts are that the opportunity was available to him.

This debate is on a sensitive issue. I have indicated that the Government will consider his request if, on the conclusion of his having spoken, he makes some attempt, which he has not done but has had the opportunity of doing today when the Leader of the Government was in the House presiding over the debate, to contact the Leader of the Government so that leave can be considered. Either the custom and practice of this House will be adhered to, or not. There is an expectation on the part of the National Party that the Government will meet this request, as it goes to considerable lengths to meet other requests. Mr Evans has been a member of the House for nine years. Ignorance is not a defence. He has seen the practice of this House for nine years.

The Hon. F. S. GRIMWADE (Central Highlands Province)-On the point of order, it seems this matter should not be debated. Leave was requested and refused. There should be no argument about that. It is the right of the Government to refuse leave if it wishes. I do not believe we should proceed with debate on this point.

The Hon. W. A. LANDERYOU (Doutta Galla Province )-On Mr Baxter's point of order, I put to the House a different view and dimension from what has so far been put forward. As a former member of the National Party, Mr Bradbury, would have demonstrated to honourable members now sitting in the corner party on a number of occasions, regardless of what Leaders might have agreed to in private, and regardless of what arrangements have been made, each and every member of this House has rights as a member of it. Therefore, when a matter is presented to you, Mr President, for you to check whether it is eligible for incorporation in H ansard, that is for you to rule upon. It is up to each individual member of this House to consider the question of leave. That is a different dimension on the point of order raised, but in my view it is still not a valid point of order.

The Hon. D. M. EVANS (North Eastern Province)-Further on the point of order, my clear understanding of the advice that you, Mr President, gave to me when I handed you a copy of the card and asked for your concurrence for it to be incorporated in Hansard was that I was to have copies of the card available for distribution in the House-I understood that to mean at the time at which I requested leave to incorporate the card in Hansard, and those cards were available and were distributed at that time. Mr Baxter has clearly pointed out that that was all the procedures of the House required. I had already indicated that if I have inadvertently transgressed in that I have not informed the Opposition and Government parties of my intention to do so, I apologize for that fact. I accept that any member of this House, be he or she, Government, Opposition or third party, has the opportunity of refusing leave ifhe or she wishes to do so. That is what has been done.

The PRESIDENT -Order! I think there have already been ten points of order too many on this matter. The issue is very simple to resolve. I believe there has been a misunderstanding. Mr Evans came to me, as I have said. I explained the guidelines to him and checked whether he had complied with those guidelines, which I believed he had. It


was subsequently found that a sketch on the card could not be incorporated in Hansard but, apart from that, it was in order. At that stage Mr Evans had only several copies of the document so I told him to have enough copies available for distribution to the House. He assured me he knew the normal convention that is followed, but I think that is beside the point.

The Minister for Health has exercised his right to object and has not given leave because his Leader was not present. Secondly, Mr Evans has failed to prewarn by distributing copies. I do not think it is worth carrying on further debate. The Minister for Health has clearly indicated that if Mr Evans likes to refer again in his closing remarks to the document the Government will make a decision on whether to grant leave. I suggest Mr Evans continues his speech.

The Hon. D. M. EV ANS (North Eastern Province)-Thank you, Mr President, for your guidance. What are the facts regarding the mountain cattlemen in the Nunawading byelection process? As I indicated a few moments a$o if the motion is carried by the House Mr Stoney will have the opportunity of giving his version of the facts before this place tomorrow. It is worth while referring to some of the election material put out by the Mountain District Cattlemen's Association.

In the initial stages the association put out a document that was a black-and-white roneoed sheet under the headlines, "Why we should oppose the extension to the Government park by voting Liberal.". It advanced a number of reasons for consideration of people in the Nunawading Province, especially people entitled to vote at the election, as to why they should take that particular course. It was legitimately and properly authorized by S. Silvers, of Cityview Road, North Balwyn, and distributed by mountain cattlemen riding horses through the streets ofNunawading Province before the by-election.

In the week prior to the election, a very handsome, coloured brochure was produced by the mountain cattlemen. Obviously, it was professionally done. Some skilled people, either within the organization or available to the organization, perhaps paid-I am not sure how all political parties do these things-or perhaps produced it on an amateur basis. It is a very attractive colour brochure. Underneath the photograph of twelve cattle it states:

Why must the mountain cattlemen and the magnificent high country be destroyed after 150 years of living beautifully together?

In another part of the document it is stated: Nunawading voters: Your choice is simple:

If Labour wins: Alpine Parks will be doubled, extreme conservationists will then agitate to lock people out, and the living heritage ofthe famous Mountain Men will be destroyed.

If the Liberals win: The mountain cattlemen and their families will be safe-guarded in the Upper House from radical conservation pressure and the beautiful high country will remain as it is today.

Anyone can challenge the words used. Everyone is entitled to an opinion. This is what the mountain cattlemen have said. In extensive detail, they have put their case for the consideration of the voters of the Nunawading Province and ask:

How can the Labor Government get the facts so wrong?

Today the Alpine high country is so beautiful because of previous careful and caring management-

Further, the brochure states, and I am certain that many people who support the Government Party either have missed it or have chosen to ignore it:

This brochure was made possible by the efforts of hundreds of supporters living in Melbourne who care for the high country.

This is who put the brochure out. That is what they did at Nunawading. The Minister for Conservation, Forests and Lands said it would not have any effect and would lose votes for the Liberal Party. She was mistaken.


Who are the mountain cattlemen? There are 120 mountain cattlemen, whose families have grazed in the high country for 150 years, since 1835. They were the first white people there, apart from Hume and Hovell. Certainly, the mountain cattlemen are making a living in the high country. They are not working there out of pure altruism. There is nothing wrong with that. They are working for a living. They are working with nature. Until recently, they were working under the control of the Soil Conservation Authority.

The mountain cattlemen have a great love of the high country. They will drop what they are doing to help other people, particularly other people who are in trouble. Above all, they are part of a diminishing heritage of this nation. That is the one major reason for them capturing the imagination of the people of Melbourne and of Australia and of the Australia-wide media. It is why I have called them the best lobby group this country has seen in many years.

The mountain cattlemen have friends. Who are they? They have at least 60 000 friends in the N unawading Province because they voted for the mountain cattlemen and showed that they wanted to support the mountain cattlemen. In addition, last October at the Exhibition Buildings, not far away and just up the road, 400 people or thereabouts gathered to support the mountain cattlemen. Among the 400 people were Parliamentary members of the Liberal Party and Parliamentary members of the National Party.

The Hon. J. E. Kirner-Shame!

The Hon. D. M. EV ANS-I advise the Minister for Conservation, Forests and Lands that there were Parliamentary members of the Labor Party there, too. There was also Mr Murphy, the honourable member for Gippsland Province. Worse than that, and speaking at the meeting and giving some support to the mountain cattlemen, believe it or not, was a member of the Government Media Unit, Mr Steven Guest, who writes press releases for the Minister for Conservation, Forests and Lands. He spoke in favour of the mountain cattlemen and what they were trying to achieve. What heresy!

Right across the board, not only in Nunawading, the members of the Mountain District Cattlemen's Association have friends. It is not because of politics. It goes beyond a basis of politics. It is because these people believe in the things that mountain cattlemen believe in. Tomorrow, the mountain, to coin a phrase, will come to Mohammed in the place of all wisdom-I welcome him here.

The Hon. M. J. ARNOLD (Templestowe Province)-The motion will re-open a wound of the Victorian Parliamentary system that openly gaped in this State for nine long years. For nine long years this House stood in disrepute arising out of the last time people were to attend at the Bar of the House. This House has suffered immeasurably because of the matters that were taken up in 1969 and for that period in which the House refused to acknowledge its mistake. Tomorrow, the House will move down a course which could once again put this House in the same state of disrepute that existed in the past.

Members of the House know the feelings of a large sector of the community about the operations of this place already, about its privileged position and about the conditions ~n which it operates. To consider taking the course of action suggested for tomorrow WIll bring the House further into the sorry state in which it existed during the years 1969 and 1978. That motion of the House was long regretted, as this motion will be long regretted.

In May 1969, this House called before it two members of the press, Mr Henry Alfred Gordon and Mr Douglas Wilkie. They were called before the House on the basis that there had been a breach of privilege in as much as the journalists had written and produced articles that reflected on the operations of the Chamber. They were dragged up to the Bar of the House; they were given approximately 12 hours' notice, and they were required to stand at the Bar of the House unrepresented and were attacked by people sitting in privileged positions.

The Hon. Robert Lawson-That was fifteen years ago.


The Hon. M. J. ARNOLD-People like Mr Lawson, who is sitting in his privileged position, attacked those two men. Members of the opposition parties are now willing to have this House go down that course again. Having called those two men before the House, the President took the course that Mr Hunt suggests that the present President should take. He is to ask a series of Questions prepared by the Oppostion-and if the Government wants to be involved, a series of Questions prepared by the Government. The President is to address the person Mr Hunt suggests should be called before the Bar of the House.

That other President, in 1969, asked those two gentlemen Questions. They did not have the right to refuse to reply and they did not have the right of representation. This House, having gone through that courageous procedure, then gave a verdict.

The House said they were guilty of scurrilous and cowardly behaviour. The people who were guilty of scurrilous and cowardly behaviour were the members of this House.

That was acknowledged in 1978, when this House, realizing the error of its ways, moved to remove from the record for all time the sentence that it handed out to those two men. With your leave, Mr President, I should like to Quote at length from Hansard of 12 December 1978, dealing with privilege, commencing at page 7675. The ubreach of privilege" is opened up by the Honourable A. J. Hunt, then the Minister for Local Government, who is reported as having stated; inter alia:

I move-

That the adjudgnient of this House on 1st May, 1969, that Douglas Wilkie and Henry Alfred Gordon were each guilty ofa breach of the privileges of the House be now expunged.

The presentation of this motion coincides with the transfer to Brisbane of a distinguished Victorian and a distinguished Australian journalist, Mr Henry Alfred Gordon, whose great career in journalism and service to sport and public life is marred only by the mark that this motion seeks to remove.

I say at the outset that the motion of 1 st May, 1969, arose in the best traditions of Parliament, not from any desire to protect the dignity of a member of Parliament or even the institution itself, but from recognition of the need to protect a witness appearing before a Parliamentary inquiry whose integrity was unjustifiably impunged in a newspaper article.

The Hon. A. J. Hunt-Impugned.

The Hon. M. J. ARNOLD-It says "impunged". I am Quoting from Hansard. The report continues:

Criticisms have been made of some of the proceedings that took place in this Chamber, but it would be highly improper for me to associate myself in any way with a criticism of a past House.

This is critical-All I need to say is that, if the matter were being dealt with today, after the debate and the re-examination of

procedure that has taken place in other Houses throughout the Westminster system, I have no doubt that we would proceed in a manner different from that which was adopted at that time.

One now has a comparable situation that could, it is suggested, occur here tomorrow. Mr Baxter interjects by saying there is a world of difference in the wording, in as much as this motion is framed so that the executive officer of the Mountain District Cattlemen's Association of Victoria be invited to attend at the Bar of the House, whereas the motion in 1969 was to call them before the House.

Realistically speaking, is there any other option that people in the State have if they are invited to attend this place or are called to attend? It may be all right for we lawyers in this place, and Mr Baxter as the bush lawyer representing the National Party can say that he can discern the difference between those words, but somebody else out there could not. If somebody out there is summoned to attend this place, so far as they are concerned they are summonsed to be here unrepresented; they are summonsed to have Questions put to them without any warning of the nature and the type of Questions.


What happens if a question, prepared by either the Opposition or the Government, is put through you, Mr President, and that man gives an answer which puts him in breach of the privileges of this House? Such a situation would not be impossible; witnesses give evidence in court and are found to be in contempt and then face the punishment of that court. Why could this man not be put in a similar position?

What does the House then do? Does the House then make a judgment on that man? Do honourable members then sit in their privileged positions and sentence this person who has been called to this House? Is this man then found guilty of scurrilous and cowardly behaviour for refusing to give the answers that either Mr Hunt or Mr Storey required because the Opposition has the numbers and it can pass some motion in relation to this person? What recourse does that person have? He has none, of course.

One will then have a situation similar to that which existed in this State for nine years during which time eminent lawyers spoke about the powers, the future existence and the future relevance of this House. .

I refer honourable members to a letter that was reproduced in the Age on 6 May 1969 following the actions taken by the then Legislative Council. The letter IS written by a Mr Tom Wodak of East Malvern and it is headed, "Poor respect for Legislative Council" and states, inter alia:

The three separate motions unamimously carried by the Victorian Legislative Council on 1st May, 1969, concerning breach of Parliamentary privilege by two journalists do not reflect proudly on that Chamber.

Democratic government certainly requires that its Parliament be enabled to carry out its functions freely. At the same time, the Parliamentary institution is the servant of the democracy in which it exists.

It is an abuse of democracy for a legislature to summarily arrogate, for itself, unrestricted powers, and to exercise such powers entirely within its own unfettered discretion.

Although the Legislative Council chose to clothe its actions in the guise of Parliamentary privilege, one cannot escape the thOUght that the Chamber was exercising the powers of tyranny rather than the conscience of democracy.

As there can be no recourse to challenge, such parliamentary action, save for the conscience oftbe legislators, the very foundations of democracy assume an uneasy precariousness.

The sentiments expressed in that letter are similar to those that will be felt in the community if this House takes the action that is proposed before it today. Each honourable member should dwell on that carefully because there is always a delicate balance in the way in which the community believes Parliamentary democracy works; and actions such as this, in my mind, tip that balance.

I shall go further. Having dealt with the danger that this man could be placed in by the proposed actions of the Opposition here today, one asks: where does it end, once the House has again resurrected this procedure that should have been long removed from a House of this nature?

Does the House then go through the records of the press reports of what has happened in this House and what has happened in relation to the questioning of this man by this star chamber and if those press reports do not suit the House, does it then summons those journalists to appear before the Bar of the House and take them to task because they are not producing the result that the House wants?

The Labor Party has been elected to Government and the Liberal Party has been elected to Opposition and that is the basis on which the House acts. This House is not a kangaroo court or a Star Chamber.

The Hon. W. R. Baxter-A moment ago you just said we are.

The Hon. M. J. ARNOLD-This House is not meant to be a Star Chamber or a kangaroo court. Mr Hunt may like to turn this place into one, but it is not one and honourable members should remember that. I should have thought, from the experience


of this House in that period between 1969 and 1978, that that would be etched into the memories of all honourable members.

Where does it finish? It may be that the House will not want to call up journalists and take them to task because they are not reporting in the way that the House wants them to report. One could have newspaper headlines similar to those that appeared in the days when Gordon and Wilkie were tried, sentenced and punished by this court. One could have newspaper headlines such as, "MLCs rebuke editor". Is that the sort of newspaper headline honourable members want to see emanating from this place? By sheer chance the Opposition has the numbers in this place, but ifit was based upon ability, the Opposition would have only four members.

Does it become tit for tat? Should the Government in another place start using its numbers and haul people to the Bar of that House and put them through the wringer, so to speak?

Would the Government then be justified in saying that it was not satisfied with the way the Opposition had been using this House, so it was going to use the Bar of another place or is that a different issue?

The issue is no different and honourable members opposite know that; it is a question of principle and of the manner in which this House operates. Mr Hunt knows that is true because he participated in the debate in 1978 which led to the striking from the record of the sentence and conviction of the journalists involved at that time.

Mr Miles may interject but he knows we are talking about this House and the way it operates. One has to see beyond the question of the short-term political gain. Honourable members opposite have been strong in debating the privileges and operations of this House. Mr Hunt and Mr Chamberlain have made statements about the tradition, history, and the rights of Parliament so they cannot, because the Opposition has the numbers in this House, use the House for political gain because that will not work; it will react on the Opposition; it will react badly on this House; it will react on the Parliamentary system, and it will react on the people of Victoria.

Mr Miles asks, by interjection, about Mr Mathews, the Minister for the Arts. Both Houses of Parliament have a question time during which members of the Opposition are provided with the opportunity of directing questions to the Government and of receiving answers to those questions.

Members of this House have that right and, if honourable members are not satisfied with the answers they receive, they can make a personal explanation in the House and get the publicity they want in the newspapers.

A person who receives a demand to appear before the Bar of the House does not have those rights and privileges. It does not matter whether one uses the phrase, "invited to attend," "called to attend" or any other expression, a person put in that position does not have any say.

What procedure should be followed? Mr Hunt has suggested a procedure that might be used. I refer to May's Parliamentary Practice, twentieth edition, Chapter 26, under the heading, "Mode of securing attendance" and the sub-heading, "Summons of witnesses by the Lords" which states:

Witnesses summoned to give evidence before the House of Lords or any Committee of the whole House are ordered to attend at the bar on a certain day, to be sworn; and they are served with the order of the House, signed by the Clerk of the Parliaments. If a witness be in the custody of a keeper of a prison, the keeper is ordered to bring him up in custody, in the same manner. If the House has reason to believe that a witness is purposely keeping out of the way to avoid being served with the order, it has been usual to direct that the service of the order at his house shall be deemed good service. If, after such service ofthe order, the witness should not attend, he is ordered to be taken into custody; but the execution of this order is sometimes stayed for a certain time. If the officers of the House do not succeed in taking the witness into custody by virtue of this order, the last step taken is to address the Crown to issue a proclamation with a reward for his apprehension.

Mountain District Cattlemen IS Association 30 October 1985 COUNCIL 709

Do all of these provisions come into play if this gentleman cannot make up his mind, if he feels he needs legal advice; and what if he does not turn up, do we issue a warrant of apprehension and take action in respect of that person? These matters have not been considered because, fortunately, this power has been rarely used and should never be used. Once the flood gate is open no one knows what the result will be.

There is no argument against the suggestion that if, in the other House where the Government is in control, the Government decides it should call a person before the Bar of the House to question him-unrepresented, without the opportunity properly to defend himself-measures such as this reflect upon the operation of the House both now and when we, as members, are long gone. Ten years after what may happen tomorrow, a person in the position of Mr Hunt may get up in the House and move a withdrawal motion, make an apology, and reflect yet again on this issue, perhaps in the year 2010, unless we adopt a responsible attitude to the way this House and its privileges are used. They are privileges and as such must be used with the sense of responsibility that all honourable members are supposed to have.

A range of matters were addressed by Mr Hunt and Mr Evans who believe the matter is important enough to justify this action. I do not intend to go into specific issues because they are irrelevant. The principle is what counts. As honourable members are aware, those that happen to have the numbers in the House at the time will always find a way to justify the need to take action, which is completely contrary to the principles that should control the Westminster system.

I wish to refer to an article that appeared in the Sun on Friday, 9 May 1969 written by Douglas Wilkie who had been through the process of standing before the Bar of the House as a branded man, of being forced to give an explanation and being asked questions by a person such as yourself, Mr President. Mr President, if the motion is carried, I presume that you will be forced into the invidious position of directing questions to this person. I do not know whether you have any discretion on the matter or whether the Opposition has turned its mind to the discretion you, Sir, may have in the matter.

The next person might not be "invited" to appear before the Bar of the House, but will be "called", and you, Mr President, will again have to question that person who will not have any real opportunity of protecting himself. That is a matter to which you have to address yourself

I return to the quotation from the Sun article written by Douglas Wilkie on 9 May 1969 under the headline, "Down the Parliamentary drain". That is where the Opposition is going to take the Parliament if we follow that course tomorrow. The article begins:

If PARLIAMENTS are the finest symbols of democracy at work, then Australia, with seven Parliaments, should be the most democratic place on earth, its politicians the most finely tuned and responsive to public opinion.

But many Australians don't agree.

The article concludes: It now only remains for the words "scurrilous" and "cowardly", as applied to this writer, to be repeated in

circumstances where the uses of the law could replace the uses of Parliamentary privilege.

I am sure that Mr Hunt will leap to defend the motion on the basis that the issue of Parliamentary privilege is something different from a man being called before the Bar of the House to explain a position. Mr Hunt knows that is humbug and he knows he is misusing his power to have a person called before the Bar of the House for political reasons. Mr Hunt also knows that he is, once again, reopening the opportunity for a House such as this to misuse its privileges. He knows he is reopening what was a very serious wound to our Parliamentary system in Victoria.

I urge the House to reflect very seriously on the motion. I believe Mr Dunn and Mr Evans are aware of the status of this House because they made it clear that its continuance is of significant importance.


They should reflect on the disrepute that is likely to be brought to this House. They should also reflect carefully on any motion that may be carried by the Opposition that will necessitate you, Mr President, deciphering questions put to any person, tomorrow, whom the Opposition might want to call before the Bar of this House.

The Hon. W. A. LANDERYOU (Doutta Galla Province)-Clearly this is a disgraceful and shameful political stunt by the Leader of the Opposition. It has no foundation in terms of his own personal beliefs on how this Chamber should be used and it represents the most outrageous abuse of the procedures and forms available to the Opposition that I can remember in the nine years that I have been a member of this Chamber. In fact, I do not believe there has been any event in the history of this Chamber that has reeked with the same degree of hypocrisy as does this proposal.

Mr Hunt knows that once this motion is carried, he loses control of it. He knows that once some poor, innocent person comes into this Chamber, no matter how well-meaning Mr Hunt may be in defence of his organization, its policies or its activities, and no matter how well-meaning some members in this Chamber may be in their support of that organization, that poor person is liable to be subjected to questioning by any member of the Chamber, through you, Mr President.

It cannot be put by even a majority in this House that a minority of one in this Chamber can have his rights ridden over roughshod. This is a stunt by Mr Hunt to get some character here on a horse-and I hope the housekeeper has a broom and a bit of strawto answer questions put to him by this Chamber. Mr Hunt does this because the Liberal Party is on the run. After starting the brawl, throwing mud and sewerage slime and getting caught up, Liberal Party members want to reverse the trend by organizing a range of Star Chamber questions. Those questions will be decided in secret in your Chamber, Mr President-according to the Leader of the Opposition. Everyone will then come into the House and conduct this charade of putting these questions to the poor, innocent person who is being summonsed, completely unrepresented and with no right whatsoever. Through you, Mr President, we will ask questions that will have been agreed in another place.

No one can ride roughshod over the rights of individual members of this Chamber. If someone is called before the Bar, any member of this House is entitled to ask questionsthrough you, of course, Mr President-in terms of the wording of the resolution.

I have many questions that I want to ask this gentleman if he is brought before the Chamber, but not because I want to be identified publicly with the disgraceful charade being played by the Liberal Party. Even in the past when a member of this House offended Mr Hunt, the then Leader of the Government, he did not go through the charade of bringing that person before the Bar; he referred the matter to a committee that he had hand-picked to examine his rights. Even the person who was accused in the Chamber was not called before the Bar to answer questions because the Chamber was still living in the shadow of the day of shame when this Chamber called two journalists before it.

I had a lot to thank the Liberal Party and the Chamber for at that time because I lived for years on Doug Wilkie's quite hilarious and rhetorical writings about the role of this Chamber.

Nevertheless, the facts are that even on that occasion, when a member of this Chamber was judged Ly a majority vote on party lines to have offended, there was no suggestion that we should call any person before the Bar but rather we referred it for consideration by an all-party committee selected by the then Leader of the Government.

One cannot envisage the sort of politics being played at the level that Mr Hunt wants us to play. What we should do in another place is call the holder of the so-called "Kennett tapes" to the Bar and request him to bring all material evidence in his possession with him. We are not calling Miller alias Maguire to the Bar to answer for his actions, we are calling someone else.


Where does this type of gutter politics finish? It will finish where it should be, in the gutter, because that is where the Liberal Party is trying to drag this Chamber.

The Hon. J. V. C. Guest-It depends how you behave when it happens.

The Hon. W. A. LANDERYOU-Mr Guest cannot have it both ways. The newest member of the Liberal Party showed his thin skin this morning. However, the way I see it is that if one hands it out, one must expect to get it back. If the Liberal Party wants to use this Chamber to perform political stunts to assist its cause, it will get caught with it. In the end, politics being what it is, unfortunately, one ends up findin$ the lowest common denominator. Just as the Liberal Party has mad Morrie Williams In the other place, the Labor Party has a few who can hand it out, too.

The Liberal Party can dominate the Chamber temporarily because ofits majority, it can use its numbers to force this issue but, in the end, it will be hoist with its own petard because, in the future, either Mr Hunt or someone representing the Liberal Party will have to move that we apologize for the actions taken yet again by this Chamber.

A person should not be called before this Chamber without being provided with the necessary details on what he is to be examined or cross-examined. At this stage it is only the vagaries of Mr Hunt's motion about evidence concerning the role of the association and its supporters in the Nunawading by-election and matters raised in the Parliament in connection therewith. That raises the aspects of the variety and dimension of the problems that have been associated with the Nunawading by-election.

In the past, this device could have been used by men of honour when consumers were taken down by rip-off merchants. No one took any action-neither the Government, any Minister or any member of this Chamber-to bring those rip-off merchants before the Bar.

The Hon. J. V. C. Guest-You were in opposition, you could have moved it.

The Hon. W. A. LANDERYOU-I am surprised, given the reputation Mr Guest claims to have with his knowledge of the law, that he would allow any citizen, friend or foe, to be called before this Chamber and to be questioned by members of this highly paid sheltered workshop. It is extraordinary that people who have been blackguarded by Mr Guest and others, such as Norm Gallagher and Wally Curran, have never been called before the Bar. Mr Guest would not be game to ask them Questions.

Mr Guest is expressing the sort of hypocrisy that is inherent in this motion. How on earth can the Liberal Party pretend to the outside world that in the interests of justice and in the interest of gathering information-and I think the expression used was "let the smokescreen disappear" -someone is to be called before the House and a Star Chamber is to be conducted with a set of agreed questions to be put to that witness.

The claim is that the person being brought before the Bar will be given the opportunity of responding to and answering questions to clear up the matter. However, in case the game gets out of hand, the questions will be pre-arranged. No one has the right to take my privilege away from me as a member of this Chamber. If the Liberal Party wants to politically point score at 11 o'clock tomorrow morning, it should stand back and wait for the counter-revolution because it will get plenty from me and from other members of the Government on the activities of certain people for whom the witness can answer.

The Liberal Party has the numbers and it can make this move. However, it should not be surprised if, further down the track on this or some other related or unrelated issue, a devious, dirty, gutter tactic is not used against the Liberal Party because of a majority in another place.

At some future time, perchance when the Government has a majority in this Chamber, that same tactic may be used. I hope I am not here and forced to vote on it. I would have difficulty, as a person, voting for such a Star Chamber technique being used against any individual.


If this Chamber is to have any justification for its existence, it must stand as a board in defence of the liberty of individual citizens in this country. If what we are about to do is embark on a course that is uncharted and to throw into doubt the rights of any individual citizen who can, on the whim of the majority Leader for the time being summons the individual before the Bar of the House and ask whatever questions can be dreamt up, without representation and without notification of details and proof about what is required other than the vagaries that the Clerks and the Leader of the Opposition have worked out with respect to the motion, then justice is threatened.

I have sat through one of the most shameful days in the history of the Chamber. I have heard the Premier referred to as a liar, a hypocrite and a cover-up merchant and suggestions that he is misleading and so on.

It seems that this Chamber has been abused in the basest way for the basest political reasons. Ifanyone is guilty of hypocrisy, being misleading and lying to the Chamber, it is the Leader of the Opposition, who pretends this motion spnngs from his heart, and honourable members know this to be absolute nonsense.

The Hon. D. R. WHITE (Minister for Health)-It is clear that what we are embarking upon here is not only a misuse of the forms of this House but also the setting ofa precedent in the Westminster system. No other Parliament deems that a member or members should be held accountable to an outside group. Every honourable member in this place reflects from time to time on an individual or an organization.

During this sessional period I have heard honourable members reflect on Norm Gallagher and Wally Curran. I have heard the Leader of the Opposition reflect on Hartog Berkeley. I have heard the Attorney-General reflect on Daryl Dawson. I have heard honourable members reflect on Bill Hartley.

Are honourable members opposite saying that, as a result of the precedent that they are embarking upon, each of the those individuals ought to have the right to be invited before the Bar of the House to state their case? The answer is, "No".

When I reflected on a Mr Robinson, the Government of the day set up a Parliamentary committee to make me accountable to the House. Mr Robinson was not brought before the Bar of the House; he was brought as a witness before a commitee charged with examining the evidence I presented in the House and to attest to its validity.

The committee reported back to the House and the House dealt with me as it saw fit. That was a fit and proper process and that is the precedent. Individual members are accountable to the House and the House is accountable to the people at the time of the elections. The House is not accountable in its day-to-day operations to any individual or organization.

The precedent being sought means we will have to invite any and every person-if we are to do justice to the precedent set-who is reflected upon by any honourable member in the House. This is not done anywhere else in the Westminster system.

The lesser point I want to make is that the Government has not reflected on the Mountain District Cattlemen's Association. The Government has reflected on the Opposition's misuse of that organization. However, the substantial point the Government wants to make today-and it urges caution on the part of the Opposition and the National Party-is for the debate to be adjourned and for them to reflect, during the next fortnight, before the vote is taken, on the precedent that is being set.

An abuse occurred in 1969 regarding Douglas Wilkie and Harry Gordon. No one denies that. The Opposition is trying to get around that by saying it is inviting somebody who can come or who cannot come. The House is not accountable to that or any other organization.

Once one invites the Mountain District Cattlemen's Association and/or its representative, any other individual who feels that he or she has been aggrieved can do the same. I


shall mention the people who have been spoken about by honourable members during this sessional period. Does anyone deny that Daryl Dawson has a case? Does anyone deny that Hartog Berkeley and Norman Gallagher have a case to come before the Bar of the House or that they should have the opportunity of doing so? Does anyone deny that Wally Curran and Bill Hartley have been reflected upon? Clearly they have been.

If it is good enough for the Mountain District Cattlemen's Association to state its case and for the Government in turn to be held accountable to that assocation, I put it to the Opposition that from time to time honourable members may get up-especially the thin skinned ones-and reflect upon what the media has had to say about them. That being the case, the media ought to have the opportunity of being invited to the Bar of the House to state its case. Where does it end? It does not end because that is not the purpose of the House.

I t is a total misuse and abuse of the forms of the House. The Government has not reflected on the Mountain District Cattlemen's Association. The Government has said that the Liberal Party has abused the organization. However, if I were to reflect on the association today-and if I were to reflect on Norm Gallagher or Daryl Dawson-I want to make it clear that I am not accountable to it and nor is anyone else. I am accountable to the House itself and to the honourable members who make up the House, and they can deal with me as they see fit.

I am not accountable to the Mountain District Cattlemen's Association or to any other Tom, Dick or Harry who wants the opportunity of being invited to put his or her case before the Bar of the House because he or she feels reflected upon.

The reason why the Government will not co-operate and the reason why it will not join and accept the invitation to prop up the question is that it does not want to embark on a precedent that will be a precedent in the Westminster system and the world-a precedent that ,no other Parliament will contemplate. They will not contemplate it because it is a misuse of the Parliamentary system. It is a misuse of the forms of the House and it is not an appropriate mechanism.

If anyone feels aggrieved about what has been said and what has not been said about the association, the appropriate course is to deal with the individual, if appropriate, before a committee and to invite the relevant organization to appear as a witness and then to deal with the individual in the context of the House and to reflect upon the individual and to deal with the individual as the House sees fit.

It is not the purpose of this House, and it is not the purpose of either the Government or the Opposition, to use the forms of the House to provide the opportunity for any individual to come before the Bar of the House or to be invited to do so.

Once the precedent has been established, one provides for any other party that feels aggrieved a prima facie case for saying they should be called before the Bar of the House. The House will be inundated with requests for individuals to appear before the Bar of the House to clear their names. There are plenty of people in the community as thin skinned as Mr Miles, who seeks to make a personal explanation every day of the week. The appropriate course to take before such a precedent is set, which is unique in the Westminster system and unique to the forms of the House, is to adjourn the debate and take the opportunity, during the next two weeks, of considering the position before calling a witness before the Bar of the House. Once the course upon which the Opposition embarks is commenced there is no reason, as Mr Landeryou said, why it should cease. There is no reason why other parties or their members should not use that opportunity. Once the precedent is established one cannot argue against other parties doing the same for whatever purpose. That is not the purpose of this House of Parliament.

The Opposition may have the numbers and it may seek to use them today for a purpose tomorrow. It will be a pyrrhic victory-a short lived course that will haunt the Opposition because it is a total misuse of Parliament. Every other person who has been reflected upon Session 1985-25


during this sessional period-and the Leader of the Opposition no doubt recalls what he said about the Solicitor-General-will then have the right to come before the Bar of the House. I am sure we will receive requests from Mr Gallagher, Mr Curran, Mr Hartley and other aggrieved parties. We are not accountable to them. That is not the purpose of Parliament and it is not a proper use of the forms of the House. We are accountable as members to each other and to the House itself and the electorate.

To call a representative of the association before the Bar of the House is a misuse of the forms of the House. The Government opposes the motion and will not---in the most constructive sense-in the interests of the forms of the House, be co-operating in the calling of the witness tomorrow. Therefore, I move:

That the debate be. now adjourned.

The House divided on Mr White's motion (the Hon. R. A. Mackenzie in the chair). Ayes 19 Noes 20

Majority against the motion

AYES MrArnold Mrs Cox sedge MrCrawford MrsDixon Mrs Hogg MrKennan MrKennedy MrsKirner Mr Landeryou MrMcArthur MrsMcLean MrMier MrSandon MrSgro MrVan Buren MrWalker MrWhite

Tellers MrHenshaw Mrs Lyster

MrMurphy MrPullen

PAIRS

I

NOES MrBaxter Mr Birrell Mr Chamberlain MrConnard MrDunn MrEvans MrGuest MrHallam MrHunt MrKnowles MrLawson MrMacey MrMiles MrReid MrStorey Mrs Varty MrWard MrWright

Tellers Mrde Fegely MrGrimwade

MrLong MrGranter

The Hon. A. J. HUNT (South Eastern Province)-The debate has shown the Government in its true colours. What we have been hearing for the last half hour have been veiled threats that, if this motion passes, in another place the Government will seek to use its numbers, whenever it suits, on whatever pretext.

The Government makes those threats on the basis of a false representation of what is being decided here today and the reason on which it is being decided.

A by-product of this motion is that a group who have been falsely defamed without any opportunity of reply in another place will have an opportunity for reply, an opportunity that they wish to have. They come voluntarily and at their own wish. That is a by-product. The real purpose of the motion, as the House well knows, is to call the Government to account for its conduct, for its double standards.

Again and again and again I have pointed out to the House, I have pointed out to the public of this State in speeches, in articles, in responses through the media that there is no


hope of calling the Government adequately to account in the House where it has the numbers.

This House is a safeguard. It enables some check on arbitrary government. This House enables some check on the attacks on Parliamentary procedure that have occurred in another place where two different standards of integrity are applied.

What could be more important than upholding the integrity of government by honest answers, when government itself is impugned? And what happens? The real issues are all thrust aside while others are attacked and impugned as a diversionary tactic. That is the setting in which the Opposition proposes to give the people of Victoria a chance to judge the nature of the diversionary tactics undertaken by the Government.

These are the circumstances in which we invite a person to come to the Chamber and rebut the false allegations made, tongue in cheek, whilst the Government will not even talk about the allegations against itself, whilst it will not even let the people of Victoria know the truth, whilst it brushes all those questions aside. The Government applies two standards, just as the Premier applied double standards in relation to the Governor.

The purpose of the motion is to enable the Opposition and the National Party, through the only means at their disposal, to display to the Victorian public the Government's double standards and the charade that has been going on. That is the only way the Opposition can provide the people of Victoria with the safeguard they deserve.

I turn to the analogy raised of the proceedings involving Gordon and Wilkie. Those persons had allegations made against them of breach of the privilege of Parliament. They were called here to answer that by what has been described on the Government benches today as a kangaroo court. Yet that is what members of the Government are threatening to turn the proceedings into tomorrow.


The PRESIDENT-Order! I will not have continual interjections.

The Hon. A. J . HUNT-The motion is deliberately worded to avoid any possibility of a kangaroo court. The motion finishes with the words: ... and to answer such questions as may be put to him by the President arising from that evidence.

The motion clearly contains the words "by the President", not by Mr Landeryou or his colleagues who want to turn this place into a kangaroo court. The motion specifically confines the right of questioning to you, Mr President, and it goes on to state: ... and that Standing Orders be suspended to the extent necessary to enable the foregoing.

That means the questioning will be yours, Mr President, and yours alone, and that attempts to turn this place into a kangaroo court will fail.

The motion will give the opportunity to the Mountain District Cattlemen's Association of Victoria to state its response to the allegations made against it in another place. It will also give Victorians the opportunity of judging the diversionary tactics and smokescreen of the Government for what they are.

The House divided on the motion (the Hon. R. A. Mackenzie in the chair). Ayes 19 Noes 18


Mr Baxter Mr Birrell

AYES

Mr Chamberlain MrConnard

NOES MrAmold Mrs Coxsedge MrsDixon MrHenshaw

716 COUNCIL 30 October 1985

AYES Mrde Fegely MrDunn MrEvans MrGrimwade MrHallam MrHunt MrLawson MrMacey MrMiles MrReid MrStorey Mrs Varty MrWard

Tellers MrGuest MrWright

PAIRS

Motor Car (Further Amendment) Bill

NOES MrsHogg MrKennan MrKennedy MrsKimer Mr Landeryou Mrs Lyster MrMler MrSandon MrSgro MrVanBuren MrWalker MrWhite

Tellers MrMcArthur MrsMcLean

Mr Granter I Mr Crawford Mr Knowles Mr Murphy Mr Long Mr Pullen

The PRESIDENT (the Hon. R. A. Mackenzie)-Order! I shall consider the matter that has been resolved in the last motion and undertake to look at the procedures that will be required as a result. I shall report to the House later this day when I have decided on how these procedures should take place.

MOTOR CAR (FURTHER AMENDMENT) BILL This Bill was received from the Assembly and, on the motion of the Hon. J. H. KEN

NAN (Attorney-General), was read a first time.

ESTIMATES COMMITTEES The debate (adjourned from September 25) was resumed on the motion of the Hon. J.

V. C. Guest (Monash Province): That until the end of the Session-

(a) There shall be appointed two Estimates Committees to be known as Estimates Committees A and B.

(b) Unless otherwise ordered, each Estimates Committee shall consist of not less than six and not more than eight members of whom not more than half shall be Government members nominated by the Leader of the Government. The Leader of the third party shall have the right to nominate one member and the balance of the membership shall be nominated by the Leader ofthe Opposition.

(c) The annual estimates as contained in the papers presenting the particulars of proposed expenditure and any additional or supplementary estimates shall on motion be referred to the Committees for examination and report.

(d) Each committee may proceed to the despatch of business notwithstanding that all members have not been appointed and notwithstanding any vacancy.

(e) Each committee shall elect a non-government member as chairman.

(f) The chairman may from time to time appoint another member of the committee to be deputy-chairman and the member so appointed shall act as chairman of the committee at any time when the chairman is not present at a meeting of the committee.

(g) In the event of an equality of voting, the chairman, or the deputy-chairman when acting as chairman, shall have a casting vote.

(h) Three members of a committee shall constitute a quorum.

(i) A member of the Council, though not a member of a committee, may attend and participate in its deliberations and question witnesses, unless the committee orders otherwise, but shall not vote.

Estimates Committees 30 October 1985 COUNCIL 717

(j) The committees shall sit in open session, unless otherwise ordered, may sit during any adjournment or suspension of the Council, and may adjourn from time to time.

(k) A committee shall not meet while the Legislative Council is actually sitting, unless by special order of the Council.

(I) In considering the Estimates the chairman shall, without motion, call on divisions of expenditure in the order decided upon and declare the proposed expenditure open for examination.

(m) The committees may ask for explanations from Ministers of State in the Legislative Council, or officers, relating to the items of proposed expenditure.

(n) The report of a committee shall be presented to the Council by the chairman and, if considered necessary, may propose the further consideration of any particular items. A reservation by any member of a committee may be added to the report.

(0) The reports from the committees shall be received by the Council without debate and their consideration deferred until consideration of the Appropriation Bills.

(P) A Hansard report of committee proceedings shall be circulated, in manner similar to the daily Legislative Council Hansard. as soon as practicable after each day's proceedings.

(q) In the event of any inconsistency between this order and the Standing Orders the provisions of this order shall prevail.

The Hon. D. E. HENSHAW (Geelong Province)-I speak on this motion without any great degree of erudition on the matter of Estimates Committees, nor with a great deal of enthusiasm. My little knowledge of Estimates Committees is based on Estimates Committees of the United Kingdom Parliament, the Australian Senate and the South Australian State Parliament.

The United Kingdom Parliament has Estimates Committees that, as I understand, operate on the basis of one committee for each department. The Estimates Committees in the United Kingdom Parliament meet on a year-round basis and establish a constructive interaction with departmental officers and Ministers of the department. Under those conditions it could well be that such Estimates Committees make a worth-while contribution to the operation of Parliament on behalf of the people.

I have some reservation about their operation in the Australian system, primarily arising out of our comparatively small number of Parliamentarians. The United Kingdom Parliament has approximately 600 members so there is scope for a number of members to have the time and the expertise to devote to particular Estimates. That is not the case within the Australian system.

The motion moved by Mr Guest would structure the Estimates Committees on the total membership of the Chamber-44 members-but I suggest that few members of the House would have the time to devote to an adequate appraisal of Estimates, as should take place in an Estimates Committee.

In addition, I point out that there are some concerns about the resources that would be required to be devoted to an Estimates Committee. Departmental officers would be required to prepare explanatory notes, which notes have to be printed and circulated; proceedings of the committee would have to be reported by Hansard, printed and circulated. It is my impression, as I have said, perhaps on an inadequate knowledge of the Estimates Committee operation, that where such committees do operate-in the Australian Senate and in the South Australian Parliament-the degree to which they interact with and investigate Estimates and matters arising from the Budget and Supply Bills tends to be superficial. That is a concern I have.

There is a tendency for honourable members to follow particular concerns arising out of their own electorates and to pursue matters on a superficial basis in terms of a comparison of the expenditure on a particular item in one year's Estimates with the expenditure of the previous years, without going into the underlying reasons of why expenditure exists in the first place or the philosophic objectives of the department whose Estimates are being investigated.

718 COUNCIL 30 October 1985 Appropriation (1985-86, No. 1) Bill

Any move on the part of the Chamber to set up an Estimates Committee should be given careful consideration. If there is such a move, it should be an evolutionary move, the establishing of one Estimates Committee, reviewing carefully its method of operation and so on.

I also point out that, in my role as Chairman of the Economic and Budget Review Committee, I have another concern, that a joint Parliamentary committee with its resources of highly qualified and competent research staff, is in a better position, if it has a mind to, to investigate and make constructive contributions to the operation and use of departmental expenditure.

The Economic and Budget Review Committee has, of its own volition, in recent weeks set up what it terms a public accountability committee. It sees the role of that committee as being to investigate in depth the operations of the department and I personally have an expectation arising from this proposal. There is a degree of objectivity and expertise available as a resource from the Economic and Budget Review Committee which could be useful and make a valuable contribution.

I see some benefits arising from the establishment of Estimates Committees, but I stress the need to proceed with caution. Mr Guest's motion for the establishment of two comndttees, is relatively precipitate and I believe the House should establish initially just one committee. The House should establish its guidelines and restrict that committee to investigating one or two departments. The Chamber could then assess the results of that committee's work and determine whether it wanted to go further.

As I have indicated, my position is one of caution and I believe the motion should be treated with some care.

The Hon. B. P. DUNN (North Western Province)-I move: That the debate be adjourned until later this day.

The Hon. J. V. C. GUEST (Monash Province )-On the adjournment motion, I have had constructive conversations with a number of Government members including with the Leader of the House, the Minister for Health, the Treasurer, Mr Henshaw, Mr Arnold and others who have indicated that the motion will be seriously considered by Cabinet if further leave is granted. As the mover of the motion, I naturally find it regrettable that the Government has other preoccupations and that Cabinet has not yet considered this important matter.

I understand from Government Leaders that the matter will be considered at the next Cabinet meeting. It is a matter of some importance and I believe discussion has reached a point where an Estimates Committee could and should be established before the end of this sessional period. I rely on the good faith of the Government, particularly the Minister for Health, who has always taken a constructive interest in committees of this House. I do not oppose the adjournment, but I hope it will not be for too long a period.

The motion was agreed to, and it was ordered that the debate be adjourned until later this day.

APPROPRIATION (1985-86, No. 1) BILL The Hon. D. R. WHITE (Minister for Health)-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 insofar as they require appropriation for the 1985-86 financial year. It appropriates the sums required for the services of that financial year, including the amount previously appropriated under the Supply (1985-86, No. 1) Act 1985.

Appropriation (1985-86, No. 1) Bill 30 October 1985 COUNCIL 719

The Treasurer, in his Budget Speech, indicated that the fiscal strategy of the 1985-86 Budget complemented the strategic emphasis begun last year. The expenditure initiatives and tax cuts which have been adopted will continue to facilitate economic growth and support the economic strategy, while also addressing the major social needs of the Victorian community as a whole.

Priority has been given to increasing employment and Training opportunities for youth. The youth guarantee policy of the Government embodied in the Budget, together with funding for additional places in technical and further education and tertiary institutions, demonstrates the resolve of the Government to tackling the problems of youth unemployment.

Another major priority of the Government is related to health, particularly public hospitals, and the Budget includes a ran~e of strategies aimed at upgrading the State's health services and reducing hospital waIting lists for elective sur~ery. These strategies include a major effect to encourage nurses back into the public hOSPItal area.

The Government has made a commitment that, during its current term of office, there would be no overall increase in the real tax burden for Victorians. A significant factor in the implementation of this strategy has been the development of program budgeting and the exercise of tight control of recurrent expenditure. In addition, the Government has introduced in this Budget the concept of productivity gains, that is savings from improvements in the efficiency and effectiveness in providing services. This means that in general, agencies are expected to achieve efficiencies in operations of one per cent in the cost of delivering a given volume of service in 1985-86. In future years, productivity gains of a further 1·5 per cent per year will be assumed in calculating base levels of expenditure in the Budget sector.

The achievement of this strategy is dependent on the performance of the improved management systems implemented by the Government in its first term, and the Government is confident that the strategy will be successful.

I now turn to deal with specific matters relating to this Appropriation Bill. Sub-clause 1 of clause 4 provides for the issue and application of the sum of$8 377 686030. This is the total of amounts requiring appropriation for both recurrent services and for certain works and purposes from the Consolidated Fund for the 1985-86 financial year.

Sub-clauses 2 and 3 of clause 4 provide authority in accordance with established practice to cope with wage awards which may be handed down during the course of the year and which may require additional appropriation.

Clause 5 terminates the operation of the Supply (1985-86, No. 1) Act 1985 and clause 6 ensures that the total amount that may be expended under this Bill and that Supply Act for both recurrent services and certain works and purposes does not exceed the amount of the expenditures requiring appropriation from the Consolidated Fund for the year.

Clause 7 provides the necessary appropriation authority for the amount of$8 377 686 030 whilst sub-clauses 2, 3 of clause 7 relate to works and services expenditure and are in line with similar clauses included in the 1984-85 Appropriation Act. Clauses 8 to 16 relate to matters associated with expenditure within the water resources portfolio.

Clause 17 appropriates expenditure which was charged during the 1984-85 financial year under the authority of section 16 of the Public Account Act 1958.

Clause 18 relates to expenditure from the advance to Treasurer under Program No. 729 in 1984-85.

Clause 19 of the Bill provides the Treasurer with authority to allow resources to be reallocated between programs within an agency. However, funds cannot be transferred between the recurrent and works and services sectors of a program.

720 COUNCIL 30 October 1985 National Mutual Building Society Bill

These transfers between programs are reported in the Annual Statement of Expenditures which is presented each year to Parliament together with the Auditor-General's report.

A number of changes in appropriation were made in Supply (1985-86, No. 1) Act 1985 to reflect changes in administrative arrangements. At that time program changes were not made except insofar as they were transferred between portfolios to reflect the administrative changes. A review of programs in the light of these changes was carried out and further changes have been incorporated in this Bill.

The major changes incorporated in this Bill are as follows:

Pre-school child development has been introduced as a new program, No. 186, in community services and covers pre-school activities transferred from Health.

The programs contained within consumer affairs have been reviewed and whereas four programs were previously utilized the appropriation in this Bill relates to two programs only.

Previous Program No. 284 in education, 'student services' has now been included in Program No. 286 'equal educational opportunities'.

A new Program No. 333 has been introduced in employment and industrial affairs to provide for expenditures relating to the Youth Guarantee Program.

The most significant changes have been made in the program definitions within health. Department of Health pro~ams were originally structured on a State-wide regional basis. The financial adminIstration of health has been examined and the program definition in this Bill reflects the new arrangement of appropriation by State-wide service delivery programs; This change has been made to provide more meaningful data for both management and information purposes.

The machinery of Government changes in respect of industry, technology and resources provided for the amalgamation of this department and the Office of Minerals and Energy. The appropriation relating to this Ministry have been recast to reflect this amalgamation. In addition, it should be noted that tourism has now been included under the appropriations relating to industry, technology and resources to reflect the ministerial responsibility for this activity.

It should be noted that in respect of each of the above changes, the 1984-85 expenditure has also been rearranged to conform with these new arrangements. Thus the proposed appropriations for 1985-86 and the actual expenditure for the 1984-85 financial year are comparable.

I will endeavour to furnish any further information requested of me when the appropriations are considered in detail during the Committee stage. I commend this Bill to the House.

On the motion of the Hon. J. V. C. GUEST (Monash Province), the debate was adjourned.

It was ordered that the debate be adjourned until Tuesday, November 12.

NATIONAL MUTUAL PERMANENT BUILDING SOCIETY BILL For the Hon. J. H. KENNAN (Attorney-General), the Hon. D. R. WHITE (Minister

for Health)-I move: That this Bill be now read a second time.

The purpose of the Bill is to provide a mechanism by which the National Mutual Permanent Building Society may become a savings bank.

As honourable members would be aware the Royal Bank of Canada and the National Mutual Life Association of Australasia Ltd are involved in a joint venture to create the

National Mutual Building Socieiy Bill 30 October 1985 COUNCIL 721

National Mutual Royal Bank Ltd. It is anticipated tha! this new banking group will include a trading bank and a savings bank.

The Bill will enable the National Mutual Permanent Building Society to become registered under the Companies (Victoria) Code. It is anticipated that following such registration the company will be authorized by the Reserve Bank to carry on business as a savings bank.

The creation of a new Melbourne-based bank is of immeasurable importance to Victoria. The development has been strongly supported by the Government and is, of course, in accordance with the objectives outlined in the economic strategy document.

The Bill provides for the mechanism whereby the National Mutual Permanent Building Society may become registered as a public company under the Companies (Victoria) Code. It requires, as a prerequisite to registration, a special resolution to be passed by the building society and the adoption of the memorandum and articles of association for the company.

The Bill provides that the legal identity of the corporation will not be affected by this registration. Such registration should facilitate the subsequent authorization of the corporation as a bank. During the interim period between being a building society and becoming a bank, the Bill provides that the prospectus provisions of the Companies (Victoria) Code will not apply. I commend the Bill to the House.

The PRESIDENT-I have examined this Bill, and am of the opinion that it is a private Bill.

For the Hon. J. H. KENNAN (Attorney-General), the Hon. D. R. WHITE (Minister for Health)-I move:

That this Bill be dealt with as a public Bill, except in relation to the payment offees.

The motion was agreed to.

For the Hon. J. H. KENNAN (Attorney-General), the Hon. D. R. WHITE (Minister for Health)-I produce herewith a receipt showing that a sum of$1000 has been paid into the Treasury for the public uses of the State to meet the expenses of this Bill.

On the motion of the Hon. N. B. Reid, for the Hon. F. J. GRANTER (Central Highlands Province), the debate was adjourned.

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

FORESTS AND COUNTRY FIRE AUTHORITY (PENALTIES) BILL The debate (adjourned from the previous day) on the motion of the Hon. J. E. Kirner

(Minister for Conservation, Forests and Lands) for the second reading of this Bill was resumed.

The Hon. F. J. GRANTER (Central Highlands Province)-The Bill is an important measure. Although it may not seem so important to some honourable members, I believe all honourable members are fire conscious and realize the problems and the destruction that fires cause in Victoria, which is a fire prone State and regularly has large fires in February and March each year. As a country member, I trust we will not have fires in the coming fire season.

The Government has seen fit to increase penalties for the illegal lighting of fires. In my opinion, the increases are very steep. However, no doubt the Government has investigated the penalties and the increases and believes they are justified. They are maximum penalties and, no doubt, the courts will determine the precise amount of the fines to be levied on people who are found guilty of lighting fires illegally.

A number of people unfortunately do light fires and most of the destruction results from fires lit by people. However, some very serious fires have resulted from lightning strikes in

722 COUNCIL 30 October 1985 Forests and Country Fire Authority Bill

the north-eastern area of the State, especially around the township of Bright, which has suffered severely from fires that have resulted from such causes.

The Opposition believes the penalties should be severe, but it does not believe innocent people should have imposed upon them the severe penalties prescribed in the Bill. No doubt the Minister will tell me that that matter is for the courts to judge. I wonder whether severe penalties are the answer to the control of fires. As a former Minister of Forests and a former Minister for Police and Emergency Services, I have always believed education plays a large part. With the co-operation of the media, it is possible to educate people on a cost-free basis through radio, television and newspaper advertisements. The Minister is aware of that avenue, having recently issued a press release stating that, with the purchase of some new vehicles, Victoria is probably the best equipped State to fight fires. Country members are always pleased to hear that new fire-fighting equipment has been provided.

One person who was always most co-operative with me when I was the Minister responsible was Mr Ron Casey, the General Manager of Channel 7. All television and radio station personnel were co-operative, but Mr Casey was perhaps a little more cooperative than the others. That might have been because of his having been in charge of a television station for longer than other people. Country radio and television stations were always most co-operative, realizing that it was in their interests to have as few fires as possible.

Mr Reid will no doubt refer to the Maryborough fires that occurred last year with enormous destruction of homes, sheds, pasture and stock. I cannot quote the numbers, but they were considerable.

I pose one or two questions to the Minister. One matter may be a little amusing. It relates to penalties in respect of fires started by gas producers. I thought gas producers went out after the second world war, but I see that the penalty for causing those fires has been increased from $4000 to $10 000. Perhaps the Minister can tell me what gas producers are and where they are used now.

Another question relates to clauses 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 of the Bill-clause 7, in particular, which amends section 5 (2) of the Forests (Bowater-Scott Agreement) Act 1971 to increase the penalty from $200 to $1500 for the contravention of any regulation made under that Act. The other clauses I have referred to make similar adjustments to penalties in respect of the Forests (Softwood Holdings Agreement) Act 1975, the Forests (Softwood Timber Agreement) Act 1969 and the Forests (Wood Pulp Agreements) Act 1974. Can the Minister inform the House whether any of the companies concerned, which extract softwood, have deviated from their agreements, thus rendering necessary an increase in the penalties? I always found them to be very responsible companies that did not deviate from the agreements that were reached and subsequently ratified by Act of Parliament.

Clause 3 U) of the Bill amends section 77 (3) of the Forests Act 1958 to increase the penalty from $500 to $5000 for the unauthorized destruction, cutting or damaging of trees on roads.

In some cases, it is quite an advantage-and it could be a life-saving act-to cut a dry tree from the road; but there may not be a forest officer in the vicinity who can provide the permission required. Some dry trees lean over and hang on other trees and, if they are left there, they can well cause loss of life. I have seen that take place after a serious wind storm. I should hope if a person has cut a dry tree that he would not be penalized to the same extent as set out in the clause.

The Liberal Party has some reservations about the high penalties being levied by the Bill, but it acknowledges that the Government has a responsibility and must act responsibly in levying increases in penalties. The Liberal Party has no objection to the Bill; it will support the measure, and trusts that the penalties will have the desired effect in preventing the lighting of fires and the damage fires cause in Victoria.

Forests and Country Fire Authority Bill 30 October 19~5 COUNCIL 723

The Hon. N. B. REID (Bendigo Province)- I should like to make a few comments in support of the remarks of Mr Granter who, as honourable members know, has been a Minister of Forests and a Minister for Police and Emergency Services. Therefore, he a vast knowledge of the matters contained in the Forests and Country Fire Authority (Penalties) Bill. The knowledge Mr Granter has accumulated over many years comes from his very close contact with the Forests Commission and the Country Fire Authority.

The Opposition has consulted with the Country Fire Authority and the Victorian Rural Fire Brigades Association on the Bill. I have a high regard for both those organizations which, although they expressed a little concern at the high increase in some of the penalties, are quite convinced that it is necessary to have strict penalties because of the high fire danger that exists in this part of the State and country.

As honourable members know, Victoria is one of the most fire-prone areas in the world, and it is therefore necessary to make people aware of the danger, not only through high penalties but also through educational means. I was pleased that the Minister for Conservation, Forests and Lands participated in the activities that took place during fire prevention week, which concluded a week ago, and that the Government is aware of the need for fire prevention.

Fire prevention is important to the rural communities, as it is to many others close to Melbourne, particularly those in the Dandenong Ranges.

I also consulted with the Victorian Sawmillers Association, which plays a vital role because of the fine work it does in providing fire tracks and access to many forest areas throughout Victoria. It is a responsible organization and it performs that task extremely well. I took the trouble of also consulting with the paper and pulp industry, which has a significant role to play in regard to the provisions of the Bill and the amendments to the Forests (Bowater-Scott Agreement) Act and the Forests (Softwood Holdings Agreement) Act. Therefore, it was necessary to consult with that organization.

The industry certainly does not oppose the penalties, although it expressed some concern that they are being increased to such an extent-and Mr Granter has mentioned a couple of instances-there have been significant increases in the penalties.

My main reason for commenting on the measure results from some recent claims in the media that many fires are caused as a result of the activities of sawmillers in the alpine regions. I took the trouble of checking out those claims and found that apparently only 0·4 per cent of fires that have occurred in those areas in the past eight years have been caused by chain saw exhaust problems or the like. Therefore, a minute portion of fires has been created as a result of the activities of sawmillers.

In fact, most of the fires that occur in forested areas of the State are caused by wild fire lightning strikes. The fire that occurred in north-eastern Victoria earlier this year was caused by lightning strikes, and it took some considerable time for the Department of Conservation, Forests and Lands, the rural fire brigades and the Country Fire Authority, to extinguish that fire.

Mr Granter also mentioned the fires that occurred at A voca and Maryborough, which destroyed a large amount of country and created much damage earlier this year. I know the residents of those areas are still recovering from many of the effects of the fire, and it will take some years before they recover fully. I do not wish to carry on about the lack of support provided by the Government to those people in their time of need. The people of those areas are attempting to recover, but the heat from the fire was so intense that much of the grass that was burnt has not grown again. In fact, a large proportion of the soil has become sterile.

Recently, I visited the areas in the company of the Minister for Agriculture and Rural Affairs and inspected some of the areas that were affected. It is obvious that it will be some years before a beneficial rural crop can be produced.

724 COUNCIL 30 October 1985 Forests and Country Fire Authority Bill

As a result of the experience of the Macedon bush fires that occurred on Ash Wednesday, I have become acutely aware of the need for substantial penalties and deterrents. It must be understood that not only are penalties deterrents, but also that other deterrents exist. Perhaps the message of education must begin right down at school level. I know that in this instance the Minister has been involved with some of the schools in promoting fire prevention in schools.

I am aware that the Country Fire Authority does an excellent job with its fire prevention programs. In fact, it has recently completed its fire prevention programs throughout rural Victoria, which were extremely well received and attracted extensive media coverage.

It is important that people be made aware that we are approaching a fire danger period and that Victoria is one of the most fire-prone areas in the world. We must all be very careful and take particular note of fire prevention measures. I am happy to support the Bill. I just wanted to raise a couple of i~sues that cause concern.

Mr Granter raised for the attention of the Minister the question relating to clause 3 (}), which increases from $500 to $5000 the penalty for unauthorized destruction, cutting or damaging of trees on roads. I should like the Minister to comment on that aspect in particular. The Opposition does not oppose the Bill.


The Bill was read a second time.

The Hon. J. E. KIRNER (Minister for Conservation, Forests and Lands)-By leave, I move:

That this Bill be now read a third time.

In so doing, I shall respond to a number of points raised by honourable members. I thank honourable members for their support of the Bill and for their careful consideration of the various clauses. As usual, Mr Granter, with his experience in the areas offorests and police and emergency services raised some important questions.

The Government shall take on board the question that was also raised by Mr Evans and Mr Reid about whether severe penalties are the answer. Clearly, they are not the complete answer; there is probably no complete answer to lighting bush fires either by intent or carelessness. However, the matters raised by the honourable members on education in fire prevention are being addressed not only by the Department of Conservation, Forests and Lands but also by all the groups associated with fire prevention and suppression.

In many ways the most important aspect of the Bill is that it establishes an agreed position with the various groups responsible for the prevention and suppression of fire. There are now agreed and comparable penalties between the Department of Conservation, Forests and Lands and the Country Fire Authority.

Mr Granter mentioned the use of television for fire awareness education. That is important, although some psychological analyses suggest that overemphasis of fire awareness can promote fires rather than cause people to be careful. However, that may only be a question of timing and the type of program as much as anything else.

Fire Awareness Week, in which the three major groups associated with the suppression and prevention of fires are involved, has been a great success in achieving a public appreciation of the need for fire awareness and fire fight~g.

I admit to Mr Granter, as the former Minister of Forests, that the present Minister does not know who or what are gas producers and who or what gas producers are left. I will take up that matter with the department.

Points were raised by Mr Evans and Mr Granter on the increase in penalties under clause 3 U ) in the notes on clauses regarding unauthorized destruction, cutting or damaging of trees on roads. I make the general remark that decisions will be made by the court

Motor Car (Further Amendment) Bill 30 October 1985 COUNCIL 725

with the penalties listed being the maximum amount of the penalty. The issue of unauthorized destruction, cutting or damaging trees on roads is important. The key word is "unauthorized". If someone needs to cut down a damaged tree or something that is likely to cause a loss of life or limb, authorization can be obtained. However, the wanton destruction of road side trees, which are an important part of conservation, cannot be allowed and the penalties should be appropriate.

Mr Granter raised a question relating to clauses 4 to 9 on the matter of to whom were the penalties directed under agreements such as the Forests (Pulpwood Agreement) Act, the Forests (Wood Pulp Agreement) Act and the Forests (Softwood Timber Agreement). The penalty is not directed to bad behaviour by companies but to behaviour on land that comes within the definition of those Acts. There is no criticism of companies in the provisions, although they simply place the same expectations on all people using that land.

I was not in the Chamber to hear the points raised by Mr Evans, but I understand that he also raised the question of clause 3 (f) in the notes on clauses. That paragraph uses the phrase "when a conditon of acute fire danger exists". In his examination of the Bill, the Forests Act and the Country Fire Authority Act, Mr Evans did find that term used as a definition. We now use different terms to refer to days of total fire ban. However, I shall be happy to take up the matter of definition with the department to ascertain whether it has any implication for the Bill.

Mr Reid also raised the issues of education and fire awareness; he acknowledged the general support for the Bill from the various involved groups. Mr Reid also mentioned his consultation with the position of the Victorian Sawmillers Association, which makes an important contribution to fire fightin~ when fires occur in State forests. My previous remarks have covered most of the pOInts raised by Mr Reid, and it remains for me to thank honourable members for their co-operation.

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

MOTOR CAR (FURTHER AMENDMENT) BILL For the Hon. J. H. KENNAN (Attorney-General), the Hon. D. R. White (Minister for

Health)-I move: That this Bill be now read a second time.

The main purposes of the Bill are-(a) to control speed trials on highways; (b) to empower police to detain a person who has undergone a preliminary breath test

at a police station for up to 2 hours after driving for the purpose of furnishing a sample of breath for analysis by a breath analysing instrument;

(c) to abolish minimum fines for certain offences; and (d) to increase motor registration fees from 1 January 1986 by approximately 7 per

cent.

At present, it is an offence under section 83 (2) of the Motor Car Act for a motor car to be used on a highway for motor racing or speed trials. The offence is committed by the driver or the person in charge of the car.

An Order in Council can be obtained in respect of particular races or speed trials exempting these from the operation of section 83 (2). The makin~ of such an order is only recommended where the police and other relevant traffic authonties are satisfied that the race or speed trial can take place without danger to the public. Where an order is made, a separate regulation must also be made so that the provisions of the Transport (Road Traffic) Regulations 1984 do not apply to those participating in the race or speed trial.

There are a number of difficulties with these arrangements. Honourable members will be aware that in 1984, an event known as the "Australian Cannonball Cup" was held. A

726 COUNCIL 30 October 1985 Motor Car (Further Amendment) Bill

number of participants in this event were charged in one or more of the three States through which they passed with the offences of speeding and dangerous driving. In Victoria speeds as high as 163 kilometres per hour were detected during the "race". The severity of accidents occuring at these speeds would be more than double that at the present speed limit. Moreover, such accidents are more than likely to involve innocent road users and not only the offending driver.

It is an established fact that speed is a major contributor to the road toll. The response of the driver and the vehicle on public roads are brought into serious question at high speeds, particularly when emergency situations develop. As evidence of the effects of speed on road accidents, in 1974, the year after the 100 kilometres per hour speed limit was introduced, road fatalities fell by 14 per cent and personal injuries by 12 per cent. Safety experts concerned about saving lives are alarmed at the irresponsibility of speed trials such as the "Cannonball Cup".

The police will be greatly assisted in controlling these types of event, with the obvious dangers which they pose to the travelling public, if action can be taken against the organizers as well as those actually participating. The Bill provides for this by extending the offence currently provided for in section 83 (2) to the organizers of motor races or speed trials. In addition, the Bill specifically empowers police to apprehend drivers or organizers without warrant where apprehension is seen by the police as an effective way of controlling these events. These amendments will ensure that the existing prohibition against motor racing and speed trials on highways can be more effectively enforced.

In strengthening the enforcement provisions relating to speed trials and races the opportunity is being taken to review the procedures for obtaining the necessary approvals for bona fide speed trials and races. The present procedures are lengthy and involve undue expense because of the need for a separate regulation to be made for each speed trial or race for which approval is to be given and because each such regulation is in force only for the duration of the speed trial or race.

Accordingly, the Bill provides for an Order in Council to be made which will suspend the application of all except specified regulations of the Transport (Road Traffic) Regulations 1984 to the particular speed trial or race, thus avoiding the need for a regulation to be made for each speed trial or race authorized to be held.

These amendments will ensure that unauthorized speed trials or races do not take place to the detriment of public safety. The amendments simplify the processes associated with obtaining approvals for speed trails or races with resulting cost savings through administrative efficiencies and benefits to those seeking approvals, through the expedited processing of applications.

In relation to the second main purpose of the Bill, section 80F (6) of the Motor Car Act currently gives the police power to require a person who has undergone a preliminary breath test, or who is believed to be driving under the influence, to provide a sample of breath for analysis by a breath-analysing instrument. For that purpose, the police may require the person to accompany police to a police station.

Section 80F (6), however, does not give the police power to ensure a person stays at the police station until a breath-analysing instrument is available. From an operational point of view, it is not possible for the police to have a breathalyzer and an authorized officer available at all times at all police stations. Consequently, the intention of section 80F (6) that the police be able to require certain persons to undergo a breathalyzer test can be avoided if a breathalyzer is not immediately available at a police station and the persons refuse to wait.

The Bill amends section 80F (6) to provide for a person who has been required to accompany a member of the Police Force to a police station to remain at the police station for a period of up to 2 hours for the purpose of furnishing a sample of breath for analysis by a breath-analysing instrument.


The period of 2 hours has been selected as being the maximum period within which a person may be obliged to provide a breath sample.

The proposed amendments will prevent the intended operation of section 80F (6) from being avoided where a breathalyzer and authorized operator are not immediately available at a police station to which a person is taken and it is necessary to arrange for the equipment to be brought to the police station.

In relation to the third main purpose of the Bill, the Government has received a number of representations from legal aid services requesting amendments to the Motor Car Act to remove minimum fines. The Act currently provides for minimum fines for the offences of driving unregistered or uninsured vehicles, the offence of failing to comply with the acquisition of vehicle provisions of the Act, and the offences of failing to pay a licence surcharge, driving without a licence and failing to stop after an accident where a person has been injured.

The rationale for minimum fines is related to the seriousness of the offence. The rationale, however, is applied haphazardly in that there are many other offences in the Motor Car Act which are serious and which do not have minimum fines associated with them.

In practice, the minimum fine provisions operate to impose undue financial hardship on defendants with little or no financial resources. They can also be self-defeating in that they sometimes lead to magistrates imposing a bond to avoid financial hardship, or else lead to imprisonment for fine default, which is not what the proposed legislation intends.

The minimum fine provisions in the Motor Car Act are also now inconsistent with the approach to sentencing provided for in the Penalties and Sentences Act 1981. The basic principle of this legislation is that offenders who are fined by courts for offences should have their means and ability to pay the fine taken into account by the court in imposing a fine. To overcome the problems referred to and to ensure a consistent approach to the imposition of fines, the minimum fine provisions of the Motor Car Act are now being removed.

Finally, honourable members will recall that my colleague the Treasurer, when announcing details of the Budget, referred to an increase in motor car registration fees from 1 January 1986. Registration fees were last increased on 21 November 1981. Between December 1981 and June 1985 the consumer price index has risen 29·3 per cent. The increase in registration fees provided for in the Bill is well below this increase and is also below the consumer price index increase of7·1 per cent between June 1984 and June 1985.

Registration fees currently have two components. The first is the power mass unit of a vehicle multiplied by the rates set out in the second schedule to the Motor Car Act. The second component is the surcharge, introduced in 1971, which is either $2 or $4, depending on vehicle category and purpose.

It is proposed that the rates be increased by 4·3 per cent for private vehicles and 7·1 per cent for other vehicles. It is also proposed that surcharges be increased by $1 in each case. This increase in the surcharge represents an increase of 50 per cent and 25 per cent respectively for private and other vehicles. However, when the increases are taken with the much lower precentage increases in the rates, and in particular the low percentage increase in the rate for private vehicles which constitute the bulk of registerable vehicles, the adjustments to registration fees made by the Bill result in an actual over-all increase of only 6· 72 per cent. I commend the Bill to the House.

The Hon. A. J. HUNT (South Eastern Province)-I wish to indicate at the outset that the Opposition does not propose to delay the Bill in any way. Having said that, I ask the Minister in charge of the Bill in this place to convey to the Premier and to the Cabinet the serious reservations of the Opposition about the procedure adopted in this case. The reservations are genuine and what has occurred here ought never occur again. The Bill has one urgent provision and three that in no way can be described as urgent.


The Hon. W. R. Baxter-One of which I do not like.

The Hon. A. J. HUNT-That may well be, Mr Baxter. Because of the urgent provisions the Government has asked the Opposition to pull out all stops to avoid all the normal safeguards of p!lblic consultation, which so often produces information about some defect or some unintended consequence. The Bill is not urgent, and this has placed the Opposition in a most invidious spot.

There is an urgent aspect in the Bill and the Opposition accepts that fact. However, when the Government wishes a matter to be dealt with urgently, it should present the urgent issue as a separate matter. Who knows whether what has been done has been done for simply administrative convenience or simply to slip the matters through Parliament? The three non-urgent aspects of the Bill have been tacked on to the urgent matter.

I must give notice now that the Opposition will not accept that approach on a future occasion. On a previous occasion the Opposition has drawn attention to the procedure of attaching non-budgetary matters to budgetary Bills. This Bill is really no different when non-urgent matters are tacked on to an urgent Bill and the House is nevertheless asked to pass the whole lot urgently.

The Liberal Party became aware of the contents of the Bill yesterday morning and only because of the extensive work of the shadow Minister for Transport was an urgent party meeting called. The shadow Minister satisfied his party as best he could that it was in a position to deal with the matter. On the urgent aspect, the Opposition supports the Government without any reservations. There needs to be some power of control over the speed trials conducted on highways.

It is intolerable that there is not such a control and it is a clear defect in the law which is now sought to be remedied. The Bill must pass today and receive Royal assent tomorrow if action is to be taken effectively, so we co-operate in that action.

The second issue relates to breath tests. Many members in the community will have objections to the provision that enables people to be detained without charge for up to 2 hours. However, on balance we support that provision. I shall give a personal experience story to indicate the need and support for the provision. Some years ago as a young solicitor in the Mornington area I received an urgent call from a client whose friend, another client of mine, had been involved in an accident and was detained at a police station awaiting a breath test. The breath test could not be given until a breathalyzer arrived from Dandenong.

I was called to the police station and my task was to do the best I could for my client, who certainly did not want to face that breath test if he could avoid it. I asked the policeman, whom I knew well, on what charge my client was being held. He said, "He has not been charged; he is awaiting a breath test". I said "He is here voluntarily". The policeman said, "Yes". The client, who heard this conversation, got the message and said, "Yes, I have waited voluntarily long enough; I think I had better go now". He left about 2 minutes before the breathalyzer arrived. That is not a situation of which anybody oUght to be proud. That was a loophole in the law.

The Hon. C. J. Kennedy-It is either good luck or bad luck.

The Hon. A. J. HUNT-It may be good luck or bad luck, but it may be that the person who gets away with it feels that it is so easy to get away with it that he does it again.

The Hon. W. A. Landeryou-And kills somebody next time!

The Hon. A. J. HUNT-That is right. That is a loophole that my client in that case was entitled to avail himself of, and did. Nevertheless, the story, which I can vouch for personally, does indicate the need for the provision that the Government is placing in the proposed legislation. Without this constraint there is a serious loophole in the law which defeats the purpose of the breathalyzer legislation and the purpose of the provision which enables tests to be taken up to 2 hours after the time of interception.

National Parks Bill 30 October 1985 COUNCIL 729

I have heard misplaced claims that the alcoholic content in the bloodstream of a person may continue to rise during that 2 hours so that a person would have a higher blood count than at the time of the actual driving. If a person is intercepted just after completing drinking, it is true that the blood alcohol content may rise for about 20 minutes more, but thereafter it will decline. In a healthy 12-stone man the effects will disappear at the rate of more than one glass of alcohol an hour.

In fact, if a person is detained for a total of 2 hours from the time of interception, the probabilities are that there will be something like two drinks less in the bloodstream or ·03 per cent less in the bloodstream than at the actual time of driving. There is no real danger that the person will have anything to fear from the detention for that period. It may result in a lower blood alcohol count or breath alcohol count in this case than would otherwise be the case.

The third aspect of the Bill is the abolition of minimum fines. Both this Government and its predecessor have used the device of minimum fines to indicate their disapproval of a number of activities. I would say where minimum fines have been proposed reservations have been expressed. It does take away the discretion of the court to deal with the case, having regard to all the circumstances, and it does mean that where the court believes the imposition of a minimum fine is totally inappropriate, actions are found by the court of evading that provision and avoiding conviction.

I believe the abolition of those minimum fines, which will leave the matter io the court to determine in all the circumstances of the case, will find favour throughout the membership of this House and in the general community and it will certainly be welcomed by the bench. It will certainly avoid the situation where the legislation is by-passed by the device of adjourning without conviction whether on bond, recognisance or otherwise.

The fourth issue in the Bill is to increase motor registration fees by about 7 per cent. Nobody likes increases in registration fess, but the increase is certainly well within the consumer price index increases. In fact, the consumer price index has increased considerably since registration fees were last adjusted. The increase in registration fees is therefore within the assurances that the Government gave at the last elections. In those circumstances we certainly cannot see that we can object to the course proposed, although we object to the procedure adopted in relation to the urgency of this Bill. We have examined the other matters and, to the best of ability in the short time available, we do not oppose the measure.

On the motion of the Hon. D. M. EV ANS (North Eastern Province), the debate was adjourned.

It was ordered that the debate be adjourned until later this day.

NATIONAL PARKS (ALPINE NATIONAL PARK) BILL This Bill was received from the Assembly and, on the motion of the Hon. D. R. White

(Minister for Health), for the Hon. J. E. KIRNER (Minister for Conservation, Forests and Lands), was read a first time.

ADOPTION (AMENDMENT) BILL The Hon. C. J. HOGG (Minister for Community Services)-I move: That this Bill be now read a second time.

The purpose is to amend the Adoption Act 1984. I wish to mention from the outset that the amendments contained in the Bill are only machinery amendments to correct anomalies and deficiencies identified in the Adoption Act 1984, including some identified by judges of the County Court and Parliamentary Counsel. They in no way change the intention of the legislation as it now stands.

730 COUNCIL 30 October 1985 Adoption (Amendment) Bill

The Adoption Act 1984 is not yet fully operational. Priority has been given to proclaiming that part of the Act enabling the operation of adoption information services in the department and in approved adoption agencies. The proclamation on 15 April 1985 only allows access to information and original birth certificates to adult persons adopted in Victoria. I expect to have the remaining provisions relating to information services proclaimed in the near future. The remainder of the Act is not expected to come into operation until the end of the year.

Section 79 of the Act will also be proclaimed in the near future. This allows the Government Statist to give a certificate to an adopted person stating the place of birth. This is especially relevant to people seeking passports. It is desirable, in the meantime, to correct these anomalies so that operation of the Act will not be hampered. The Bill amends sections 6 (1), 23, 59 (2) and 123 (1) of the Adoption Act 1984.

Section 6 (1) of the Adoption Act 1984 provides: The court having jurisdiction to make an adoption order under this act or an order under section 69 shall be

(a) the Supreme Court; or

(b) at the option of the applicant-the County Court

As it stands, section 6 (1) limits the jurisdiction of the County Court to adoption orders and orders recognizing overseas adoption. Other kinds of orders may be made under the Act, such as orders for care and control of a child, orders to discharge adoption orders, and orders for varying a condition attached to an adoption order. The Supreme Court has jurisdiction "in all cases" by virtue of section 85 of the Constitution Act 1975; it was never intended to limit the jurisdIction of the County Court. Clause 4 (a) removes this anomaly.

Section 6 of the Act is further amended in clause 4 (b) by the insertion of a provision giving clear discretion to the County Court to transfer an adoption case to the Supreme Court when it is considered necessary and more appropriate that the matter be dealt with by a superior court.

There appears to be an inconsistency between section 6 (1) of the Act and rule 23 of Chapter IV of the Supreme Court Rules which poses difficulty for the courts. Rule 23 provides that a County Court judge may refuse to make an order on the ground that the application is one which is more appropriate for the Supreme Court. This rule seems inconsistent with section 6 of the Adoption Act 1984 and may be invalid given that the jurisdiction of the County Court is "at the option of the applicant". The Judges of the Country Court wish to have clear discretion to transfer adoption cases to a superior court particularly in cases where Supreme Court orders already exist in relation to children who were made wards of the Supreme Court or where a Supreme Court order exists granting access to a child.

Section 23 of the Act is amended in clause 4 (c) to make reference to prescribed persons or organizations consistent with the words of section 115 (2) of the Act. Section 23 provides for approving a Victorian agency to undertake intercountry adoption arrangements while section 115 complements section 23 by allowing that agency to make adoption arrangements with persons or organizations in other countries.

Section 115 (2) refers to prescribed persons or organizations with the words "a person or organization included in a prescribed class of persons or organizations". However, section 23 only uses the words prescribed persons or organizations. The inconsistency creates difficulty in drafting regulations in that section 23 only allows prescribing individual persons or organizations. In addition, where the names of these persons must be prescribed in regulations, it is administratively inefficient to name individual persons or organizations in every case in the regulations, especially as some countries may have quite a number of individuals or organizations meeting requirements of that country's legislation.

Section 59 (2) of the Adoption Act 1984 is to be amended in clause 4 (d) to overcome an ambiguity which arises because of the words "the child" used in paragraph (a) of


section 59 (2) which could be read as referring to "an Aboriginal child" mentioned in section 59 (I) of the Act. The intention was for section 59 (2) to apply to both Aboriginal and other children. However, as the original intention was for section 59 (2) to stand alone without reference to section 59 (1), section 59 (2) will now become section 59A. In no way does this amendment change the intention of the Act.

Subsequent references to section 59 in section 60 and 61 of the Act required consequential amendments to allow those sections to refer to both section 59 and the new section 59A.

Section 123 provides for a penalty of ten penalty units for an approved agency, other body or person that does not comply within a prescribed period with a request by the Director-General for information. This provision refers to information requested "under this part" meaning Part VII which is incorrect as Part VII deals with miscellaneous provisions. Requests and applications for adoption information are all under Part VI of the Act. Section 123 (1) is amended accordingly in clause 4 (g) otherwise this penalty provision would be ineffective.

The Bill is essential for ensuring that the major significant and innovative changes to adoption laws and practices embodied in the Adoption Act 1984 can be implemented and carried out effectively. I commend it to honourable members.

On the motion of the Hon. H. R. Ward, for the Hon. R. I. KNOWLES (Ballarat Province), the debate was adjourned.


The sitting was suspended at 6.26 p.m. until 8.3 p.m.

MOUNTAIN DISTRICT CATTLEMEN'S ASSOCIATIONATTENDANCE OF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AT THE BAR

The PRESIDENT -With regard to the motion passed earlier today inviting the attendance of the Executive Officer of the Mountain District Cattlemen's Association to appear before the Council tomorrow, I have considered the role of the President in those proceedings.

The motion envisages two things-first that the executive officer give evidence on the role of his association and supporters in the Nunawading election of 17 August last and, second, that he be invited to answer such questions arising from that evidence as may be addressed to him by me. That latter portion, in my view, precludes questions being submitted to me in advance.

Mr Hunt remarked in his reply on the debate that the motion foresaw that questions to the witness would be put by the President. I do not quarrel with that. He appeared to rely on the latter terms of the motion suspending Standing Orders "to the extent necessary to enable the foregoing", however, to hold that no other member should address questions arising from the evidence.

I do not uphold that view. It is inherent in the very nature of the motion that the House have some input in the proceedings and there would, in fact, be little point in the witness attending if that were not so.

During those proceedings I propose to permit honourable members to suggest questions to me to be put to the witness. In doing so I shall have strict regard to their relevancy to the evidence submitted and I ask for the co-operation of the party Leaders and of honourable members in considering the difficult role of the Chair in this matter.

The Hon. E. H. WALKER (Minister for Agriculture and Rural Affairs) (By leave)-By way of clarification, Mr President, will you repeat a question which is verbally offered or will it be sufficient for honourable members to address you as they may the chairman of a

732 COUNCIL 30 October 1985 National Tennis Centre Bill

meeting by saying, "Mr President, through you I would like to ask" and then simply ask the question and the answer would be forthcoming? Is that the method of questioning that you will allow?

The PRESIDENT-Order! In considering this matter I referred to May and the proceedings which have occurred in the House of Commons. Originally the method adopted there was for honourable members to propose the questions, which would be repeated by the Speaker. However, that created too much unnecessary repetition. The circumstances are similar here and honourable members will be allowed to ask their questions directly through the Chair.

The Hon. A. J. HUNT (South Eastern Province) (By leave)-Mr President, the Opposition accepts the ruling you have given, which is obviously carefully considered and which is designed to ensure fairness. As you pointed out in the written ruling, the motion envisages that the questions shall be asked by you. Of course, they may be suggested by others but you have said that you would have regard to their relevance and to the question offairness. Mr President, you are the conscience of the House and you have to make those decisions on the basis of reasonableness, equity and with a view to avoiding oppressiveness or, to use the phrase that was used earlier today, to avoid turning this place into a kangaroo court. I would certainly support the written ruling as given by you and your reasons which envisage that the questions will be put by you after con~idering those aspects.

The Hon. D. M. EVANS (North Eastern Province) (By leave)-Mr President, having listened to your explanation on the way in which proceedings will be conducted tomorrow, assuming that the witness accepts the invitation to attend the House, because he will be here of his own volition and not at the direction of the House, should a question be posed to him that he feels either unable or unwilling to answer, will any coercive measures be applied to ensure that he does answer such question or will he have the right to refuse to answer a question from any member of the House?

The PRESIDENT -Order! All honourable members understand that the witness will be here of his own free will by invitation, which he could have refused. Therefore, in my view, to be fair I would say that if I did not consider it relevant and the witness did not wish to answer it, I would allow him the right to refuse to answer the question.

NATIONAL TENNIS CENTRE BILL The debate (adjourned from October 16) on the motion of the Hon. J. E. Kirner


The Hon. H. R. WARD (South Eastern Province)-This smail Bill constitutes the most powerful piece of proposed legislation, that we have seen for some time. Its aim is to pit sportsmen and women against sportsmen and women because it will make it difficult for them to distinguish between the needs of the natural environment and the public interest. Consideration will be given to commercialism and the needs of sport but not how the venue will fit into the environment.

Debate on the Bill has resulted in pressure being placed on some people and the patterns of choice vary from case to case and from the propoganda put forward. Despite these pressures, the natural environment, must be held on to and preserved.

The Hon. J. E. Kirner-This is alpine national parks stum

The Hon. H. R. W ARD-I shall deal later with the Minister who has no concern for the natural environment. This has been demonstrated by the Hinders Park situation. The chances are that the Minister will say nothing during the debate because she has no respect for conservation.

National Tennis Centre Bill 30 October 1985 COUNCIL 733

The views of the Opposition will not be blurred by imaginary, crucial interactions established by the committee to confuse the public. The proposed National Tennis Centre will not fit into the Flinders Park environment. By her own utterances a moment ago the Minister for Conservation, Forests and Lands has indicated that she does not possess the sort of respect she should have for the environment. Are we to lose respect for the game of tennis because of the economic folly and misrepresentation of the Government? People now laugh and giggle about the situation, are not concerned and do not have to be responsible for the environment.

In spite of the efforts of the Minister for Agriculture and Rural Affairs and the chairman of the committee, Mr Harvey Parker, a tonne of information has been supplied under the Freedom of Information Act. That has not been due to the efforts of the two people I have just mentioned.

The Bill will raid, plunder and commercially rape and violate this nation's heritage to maintain the power of big sport and it will highlight the double standards of two Ministers in this House. The Bill will put the seal on unpardonable vandalism by a Government that purports always to heed the plaintive cry.

The words ofGeorge Bernard Shaw, that great socialist, ring true among this corruption. It is not corruption in the sense of money and bribes, but corruption in the moral sense. George Bernard Shaw said that all he could say was that at places of public entertainment it was far easier and more pleasant to praise everything, to flatter everybody, and to say nothing about shortcomings.

Those words should be noted by two Ministers who should realize there is truth in the words of that great writer. Those words for two Ministers here have not a mere ring of truth; the words are a thunderous litany to be recited by generations of Victorians.

An Honourable Member-Are you in favour of it?

The Hon. J. E. Kirner-In favour of what?

The Hon. H. R. WARD-In favour of handing over the natural environment to an agglomeration of sporting activities.


The Hon. H. R. W ARD-The evidence shows that no action has been taken by two Ministers who, from time to time, have indicated that some action ought to be taken. There has been no strength in their words. One of the Minister's has remained totally mute, except for a few interjections tonight, designed to impress people in this House and suggest that she is interested in the environment.

The Minister for Conservation, ForeSts and Lands and her department are uselessthey cannot withstand anything and the evidence shows that they cannot. From time to time the Minister has talked about "bloody mindedness". This is an example of where the Minister can see what can be done for the city and its natural environment.

The former Minister for "Geelong" when he was here-he now holds an exalted position and is not able to defend himself--

The Hon. B. W. Mier-Tell us about the Minister for Geelong.

The Hon. H. R. WARD-He had nothing to offer, he just queried situations in relation to Crown land and a number of people decided that that Minister ought to be removed from his post.

I now refer to the present Minister for Conservation, Forests and Lands, who has become vocal this evening about handing over land for commercial and economic interests.

The Hon. N. B. Reid-Concrete and steel.


The Hon. H. R. W ARD-That is right, we can watch the pavements and concrete gradually eat into the environment and the Minister applauds that.

Honourable members interjecting

The Hon. H. R. WARD-Much to the disgrace of the Minister, the Government is the harbinger of destruction when it comes to the natural environment. This prime piece of natural environment has now been handed over to a wealthy sport. The Opposition is not going to deny that the sport should receive some attention and assistance, but it is concerned about the effect on the environment. One cannot replace the environment. The land is to be given away; there will be no sale, it will be given away. Other areas could be used for the development of a fine tennis centre.

The Hon. B. W. Mier-What, such as Kooyong?

The Hon. H. R. W ARD-I shall refer to at least two areas that could be used for a National Tennis Centre. The conservationists have been remarkably quiet and have said nothing in defence of the environment of the city.

The files in the Department of Conservation, Forests and Lands would show nothing.

The Hon. J. E. Kirner-What?

The Hon. H. R. WARD-Don't tell me the Minister is hiding more. Those files do not contain any information about conservation. Absolutely nothing has been heard from the famous Democrats who made the comment about "keeping the bastards honest". They have been paid off by the Labor Party. One conservation group made some reference to the problems that exist as a result of taking the land in Flinders Park, that was the Conservation Council of Victoria.

I can remember, not so many years ago, the Minister for Planning and Environment making a long speech in this House about the damage to the environment that would be caused by a water fountain. He carried on about the Coles fountain, a piece of advertising, he said, that was taking up land in the Parliament gardens. However, he has said absolutely nothing to defend the land at Flinders Park. Another point that concerned honourable members was that the Minister for "conservation, lands and general miscellany", unveiled the plaque of Baron Von Mueller; maybe that was acceptable because it was a small piece of sculpture. However, the Minister turned her back on Flinders Park, which is a natural environment and it is all right for it to be destroyed.

The Hon. R. I. Knowles-Perhaps she got rolled!

The Hon. H. R. W ARD-There is no evidence of that. The only evidence is that nothing was said. Perhaps it is contained in those pieces of correspondence that are not on the file.

The Minister for Conservation, Forests and Lands has done nothing to save the environment but she has supported the destruction of the Flinders Park area. She has encouraged an agglomeration of sporting facilities.

The landscape environment of Melbourne has been relentlessly drained of beauty and the sensitivity of the area has been totally numbed. The Minister for Conservation, Forests and Lands has the capacity to either support or destroy the environment. She has elected to destroy it or to allow someone else to destroy it.

The Hon. J. E. Kirner-I have elected to destroy it?

The Hon. H. R. W ARD-The Minister treats the destruction of the natural environment as a total joke.

The Hon. J. E. Kirner-It is your speech. The trouble is you have not got it together.

The Hon. H. R. W ARD-There is nothing wrong with my speech. The problem is that you are treating this matter as a joke. You have no information or evidence of public


comment on the files. The fact is that what will be established at Flinders Park will be a mausoleum for old sportsmen.

The Government has no sympathy for the environment, and the Minister, by her actions tonight, proves that she is in favour of actively destroying the environment. That is what the Opposition regards as happening with the building of the tennis centre in the Flinders Park area.


The Hon. H. R. W ARD-Mr Mier and Mr Kennedy are a couple of stars. One can imagine Mr Mier organizing a strike and not allowing the taps to be turned on; he would not let the plumbers in.

The PRESIDENT-Order! Would the honourable member continue his speech and direct his remarks to the Chair.

The Hon. B. W. Mier-Are you going to use your gold pass to get into the centre?

The Hon. H. R. W ARD-I am sure that Mr Mier has already got a free life ticket to the centre for his support of the project. There is something totally immoral about the whole situation. The political leader of this State, Mr Cain, has decIded that he will give away the environment, that he is prepared to do that is the strangest dichotomy beca~se he says his Government will take action against South Africa. The Premier is not interested In what is happening in Victoria, his interests are somewhere else in the world. He is prepared to give away the environment in the interests of gaining a vote. He is giving away public land for all time because that land camiot be returned to the people. He then makes the misleading statement that the people can have the railway yards. Evidence shows that the railway yards will not be available. The Government also said that Army land belonged to the environment, but that is not so.

The case for retainin~ the land at Flinders Park is imperative because that land belongs to the people of Victona, not to just one section of the community. However, in spite of the efforts to divide people on the issue, the case for a modem tennis centre is indisputable. More than 1 million people play competitive tennis throughout Australia. Australia has approximately 6000 tennis clubs and in Victoria there are at least 1200 tennis clubs with 130 000 to 140 000 registered players. The capital investment for those tennis clubs. in courts and buildings would be approximately $ 50 million.

In some respects, I should defend the Kooyong centre because it has been the tennis club for the State as well as being known nationally and internationally for many years. However, Victoria needs a modem tennis centre. Kooyong has served the State well, as have so many other centres, in providing a venue for world class tennis. However, the game of tennis has changed, as has its style.

It is a tragedy that a difference of opinion exists between the Lawn Tennis Association of Australia and the Lawn Tennis Association of Victoria, a private club. The LT AA has been swayed by the propaganda of the Labor Party on what has become an immoral issue.

It has been an issue that involves the taking over of public land and the ignoring of public interest. Mr Brian Tobin, an international sportsman and a much shrewder political person than one would find in the present Government, must be bemused by their actions and at the same time be ever so grateful that he finds the probability is that he will be able to take up a piece ofland in the centre of Melbourne to build a new tennis centre.

The real position is this-and I repeat it-it is part of our heritage that the natural environment is more important than the necessity for placing the proposed National Tennis Centre in Flinders Park. I hope that in no way was the President of the Lawn Tennis Association of Australia involved in any complexity in getting the proposed National Tennis Centre in that spot.

The Hoo. J. E. Kiroer-That is a bit rough; I hope so too.


The Hon. H. R. W ARD-I would say the Minister for Conservation, Forests and Lands has made more comments about the tennis centre tonight than she has made in the whole period in which she has been Minister. Is that not remarkable? The Bill passed through the other place and there were no comments from the Minister.

The Hon. J. E. Kirner-It is a bit difficult for me to comment in the other place.

The Hon. H. R. WARD-There was no public comment, but the Minister was able to issue all sorts of messages.

The Hon. B. W. Mier interjected.

The Hon. H. R. WARD-Hello, the honourable member for organizing strikes amongst plumbers is speaking up again. He oUght to turn his own tap off.

The Department of Sport and Recreation is a deprived department. Every sport deserves support. One can say, "Well done for tennis-it has been able to convInce the Government of the necessity for providing the funding that will be taken up by this trust." The interesting point is that tennis demands an international standard sporting facility. But it is only one of a number of sports that require exactly the same treatment.

The Hon. B. W. Mier-What about bowls?

The Hon. H. R. WARD-Due to the ignorance of the interjector, he does not realize that bowls has had its fair share of support on two occasions-not just one.

The Hon. B. W. Mier-That is not too hard.

The Hon. H. R. W ARD-The honourable member needs some education. He has water on the brain and he ought to put a tap on it.

Many people will complain that tennis is professional. I can assure the honourable member that those who follow sport would be interested to know that many people who play tennis and receive prize money for playing on modern tennis courts around the world are not in the same league as some of the world athletes.

Some people tonight would have read in the Herald that a couple of ladies spent eight and a half minutes on an athletics track and received $184 300 each. The Opposition does not deny that they should receive that money but it wants the Government to understand that some of the so-called amateur sports are providing tremendous amounts of money to their athletes. One has heard of the incomes received by Coe and Cram, who are lily white amateurs. I had some part in the alteration of the rules that allow for amateur athletes to receive substantial incomes and to operate on some of the finest facilities in the world.

It seems ridiculous in this State-or in Australia-that we should not have an up-todate stadium. The stadium requires the best services and facilities to put on the best entertainment that can be provided in Australia.

The Hon. B. W. Mier-In the best location! .• ,

The Hon. H. R.W ARD-At last Mr Mier has said something sensible. He interjects day after day, hour after hour, and in all his time in Parliament he has made one commendable remark.

There was not a large choice of sites available. I note that the Minister for Conservation, Forests and Lands is again walking about; that is typical of the way in which the Government treats this House with contempt. The Minister decides she will join the other Ministers in the way they behave. Perhaps someone should adjourn the debate on the Bill and, if the Minister will not pay attention, we can go on with matters that were adjourned until 12 November.

The Hon. J. E. Kirner-One can miss every third word you say and still be with it.

The Hon. H. R. W ARD-The Minister is speaking up again.


The Hon. J. E. Kirner-God!

The Hon. H. R. W ARD-The Minister can call me what she likes, but I am not God. Once again, she has her facts mixed up.

The Junction Oval was one of the sites that received a lot of support from the City ofSt Kilda and from the Albert Park committee of management. The decision has really been made to filch the land in Flinders Park. There is really little point in the debate because it was decided upon and efforts are not going to be made to change the decision. Other sites would have been suitable. Why not the Newmarket sale-yards? The area is ample; there is plenty of parking.

The Hon. J. E. Kirner-Y ou could have a bull fight.

The Hon. H. R. WARD-And what comes from the bull? It would help the grass grow and satisfy the environment!

The Hon. J. E. Kirner-What comes from the bull is apparent at the moment.

The Hon. H. R. W ARD-The Minister is at it a$ain. Once again the Minister has decided to speak up, but not in the interests of the envIronment.

As I said before, the Newmarket sale-yards would make a good site. There would be plenty of facilities for parking, once the sale-yards are removed. The site is serviced by trams and good road systems. There is easy access to the Melbourne Airport, Melbourne itself and the western suburbs, which, as honourable members hear from time to time, are so deprived. If that site were chosen, there would be no need to filch public land and there would be no selling off of the environment. As I said before, the area has good transport access. Why should we resort to taking land from within the vicinity of the City of Melbourne.

No real consideration was given to alternative sites. The reports that were received are a smokescreen, and did not receive any support at all. It may be easy to blame certain people for what has taken place, but I should like to say that the person who chaired the committee and investigated all sites was Mr Harvey Parker, the Director-General of the Department of Sport and Recreation. From time to time he drew attention to the public land that might be used, and that should have been taken into consideration by the Minister. I note that the Minister for Conservation, Forests and Lands did not do anything about it.

The whole operation indicated that only Mr Mackenzie, when he was a Minister, had really taken any note of what oUght to be considered.

The Hon. E. H. Walker-Who was that?

The Hon. B. W. Mier-The Minister for Geelong!

The Hon. Robert Lawson-Y ou should have left him there; he was doing a good job.

The Hon. H. R. WARD-That is right. When on 26 June 1984 Mr Mackenzie wrote to the Treasurer and suggested that, because it was public land, he or one of his officers should be represented on the committee, he was advised by the Treasurer that the committee did not want him or any members of his staff on the committee. No doubt the Treasurer was one of the conspirators who decided to remove Mr Mackenzie from the Ministry.

In a letter on that occasion, the Treasurer made three points: the first was that the Department of Conservation, Forests and Lands was not wanted; the second was that the Premier had commissioned the study; and he also made reference to other matters that might be considered during the site selection.

The Minister for Sport and Recreation likewise suggested that the Department of Conservation, Forests and Lands ought to be considered. So, at that stage, the then Minister


for Conservation, Forests and Lands, Minister for Youth, Sport and Recreation, and the Minister for Planning and Environment had also shown that they had some doubts about the area that had been su~ested and the Government had decided that a study should be carried out on the prionties of the committee in assessing what oUght to be done to preserve the land for the public and that it was necessary to be careful.

Despite a further warning by Mr Harvey Parker and other people who made representations, the investigations and the studies were ignored. No comments on the reports appear. That is just typical of the situation.

Rather remarkably, although the Prime Minister was alleged to have been involved in this episode, it appears that the way he found out that he was going to be charged a reasonable amount to help to establish the proposed National Tennis Centre was through a newspaper article. No one had contacted him to find out whether he was prepared to put up any money.

A couple of his letters point out that he thought the $27 million that would be provided for new projects to provide international standard sports facilities was sufficient. When he was Questioned about providing extra money such as the funds being provided for the America's Cup, he said that Perth and Fremantle were deprived centres that had special problems. Of course, at that time the member of Parliament for that area had a special friend in the Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister did mention that there were special factors but he did not mention anything about the destruction of the environment to establish the proposed National Tennis Centre. It was su~ested that these letters ought to go to Mr John Brown, the Minister for Sport, Recreation and Tourism, to see what he might be able to offer from the budget of his department. They were the types of remarks that were made, from time to time, when efforts were being made to discover what could be provided to help in the establishment of the proposed National Tennis Centre.

It was interesting to find that no correspondence had been entered into about the proposed National Tennis Centre between the Treasurer or the Department of Management and Budget with the Federal Treasurer or the Federal Minister for Sport, Recreation and Tourism, the Premier and his department.

The Hon. B. W. Mier-How did you find that out?

The Hon. H. R. WARD-Due to the efforts of Mr Harvey Parker and the Leader of the House, we were able to obtain some information.

The Hon. B. W. Mier-So it is not that secret; there is not all that much secrecy about, is there?

An Honourable Member-And they took three months to get it.

The Hon. H. R. WARD-Not only did we find that it was not being made available readily, it was organized so that, if we wanted to find out anything else under the Freedom of Information Act, time was so short that it could not be obtained.

The Director-General of Sport and Recreation was concerned about the problems involved in the agglomeration of sporting facilities proposed for the area and he suggested, rather strongly, to the Department of Management and Budget that some form of compensation for the Olympic Park Committee of Management would be necessary and, if that were so, it would have to be costed against the proposed National Tennis Centre. We do not know whether that is likely to occur. We have no idea whether that will occur. There is no information to suggest that that might be done and it was on 22 March that that proposition was made. As I said, some people showed concern but, when it came to those who had already committed themselves, no sign of support was available.

What has concerned the Olympic Park Committee of Management-the organization that has served some 28 sports extremely well over a number of years-is the fact that, as


Mr Bert Keddie, the chairman of the committee, said in a detailed letter to Mr Parker on 21 March, there was an accumulated debt of $1·269 million. Is it any wonder that a responsible director-general would take some action?

I understand that similar comments were made by the Minister because it appeared that there would be an operating loss of approximately $230 000, which would occur as a result of a special register.

When it was decided that the Melbourne Sports and Entertainment Centre should be established it was agreed that there should be two objectives: first, to provide Victoria with an indoor sports stadium; and, second, to provide the Olympic Park Committee of Management with an alternative source of revenue to restore its financial position by the incorporation of an entertainment capability.

The present financial position of Olympic Park shows that a progressive reduction of earned income from soccer and greyhound racing in past years has been the major cause of the deterioration, and that is common knowledge.

With the support of the Government, the committee accepted and undertook to repay loans with the support of the Government to maintain the area and support the operations of Olympic Park and all that it stood for. They were guaranteed development loans and, at one stage, they amounted to $1·52 million. in about 1981 the Government's liability was $300000. The make-up of the remaining $1·269 million has been referred to in connection with other matters.

For the first time the Olympic Park Committee of Management was in a position to recover from the many years of financial hardship. It was well known that it was on the road to recovery and that the Government did not have to provide extra funds. However, despite all the work that has been done by the committee of management, it is concerned about the establishment of the proposed National Tennis Centre because it will create enormous difficulties in that area.

The committee of management has put forward some proposals. It has suggested that the transfer of its management function of major headliners, as it calls them, from the Melbourne Sports and Entertainment Centre to the proposed National Tennis Centre will create enormous financial loss. It has stated that approximately 70 per cent of the entertainment now being catered for by the sports and entertainment centre will be lost. It has also pointed out that 52 per cent of the revenue of the sports and entertainment centre for 1983-84 was generated by only six acts.

The people who investigated the financial operations of the proposed National Tennis Centre based their comments and calculations on what has occurred in other cities. The figures for the 1984-85 financial year show that the income of the sports and entertainment centre represented 50 per cent of the total income of the Olympic Park Committe of Management. It is critical that that income be maintained. The sports using those facilities must be subsidized so that they can continue to enjoy some of the best facilities available in the city. Facilities at Olympic Park in a number of areas are not outstanding, but it is crucial that they be allowed to continue to operate with some loss of income.

Other matters besides the loss of income concern me about Olympic Park. I do not believe the people who carried out this investigation took enough evidence from the users of Olympic Park.

If they had I am sure it would have altered their view that the area was the right place for another mass entertainment centre or major international sports facility. It is true that international sports facilities in that area will not be used 365 days of the year and will not cater for 15 000 people every day. Those facilities will be restricted to certain days of the year and only on a few occasions will crowds of that magnitude be entertained. However, those few occasions will cause massive problems in transport, traffic and in the handling of people using the facilities.


Honourable members who attended the Royal reception at the National Gallery on Monday evening would realize the problems that occurred on the corner of Batman A venue and Swan Street at the end of the function.

The Hon. B. W. Mier-There were no problems at the grand final!

The Hon. H. R. W ARD-What has the grand final got to do with it? I did not know that there was a grand final on Monday night. Mr Mier should go back to sleep. The problems that existed with traffic on Monday night were extensive, but no adequate report on the traffic situation has been undertaken for that area. The Minister for Conservation, Forests and Lands is now walking out of the Chamber to see what sort of entertainment she can find there. The Minister has probably gone to collect some notes to try to defend the loss of public land!

The problems experienced on Monday night illustrate the traffic problems that will occur in the Batman A venue-Swan Street area. The reports that have been provided do not indicate that the Government will come to grips with the congestion of traffic problem. However, they indicate that when questions were asked at some of the briefings that were held, no one knew how to handle the traffic problems. When the fate of car parking in Batman Avenue was queried, the person handling the inquiry said that he could not answer the question because he did not know the answer. The same person stated that the proposed tennis stadium would be in some position other than what has been shown in the schedule to the Bill.

I shall return to the need to maintain financial assistance for amateur sport. Mr Rick Pannell, General Manager of the Australian Athletic Union, wrote to me on 24 October and said:

I write in regard to the Government's plan to put a tennis stadium in the area opposite Olympic Park. The decision to put this new complex there is one that appears to have been made without any reference to the users of facilities in the immediate vicinity and will, I believe, be of great harm to Australian and Victorian athletics.

The current situation in regard to traffic in that area when functions are on at the various centres is absolutely chaotic and athletics is not a strong sport in regard to spectators and we are endeavouring to further promote the sport and gain more spectators to our events. Should this new tennis centre go in and the traffic situation gets worse we will have to either take all our major events away from Victoria and conduct them in other cities or be most selective in regard to our dates. This latter alternative is one which would be most difficult to achieve as we must fit into international and national calendars for our sport and this may not give us the flexibility that we desire in regard to the conduct of the event.

I shall highlight the effects the proposed National Tennis Centre will have on the Olympic Park Committee of Management because it is important that they be placed on the record. It has been clearly demonstrated in the layout and outline proposed in the environment effects statement that a disruption of the traditional activities and closure of additional areas throughout the year would be experienced. Soccer training would have to be relocated and. teams would be influenced to move elsewhere. The sports concerned with dislocation were referred to the Melbourne City Council by the Government to see whether other suitable areas could be found. I understand that today the Melbourne City Council has told the Government to find those areas itself.

The two Melbourne City Council car parking areas will be r~stored to parkland and this will place a new burden on traffic flows. I have referred already to the traffic problems in the Olympic Park area. Car parking facilities in tile vicinity of the State Swimming Centre will not be available. . .

The Melbourne Cricket Ground also has problems with the proposed tennis stadium. There will not be enough car parking facilities for the Melbourne Sports and Entertainment Centre,the Moomba organization, the soccer and athletics stadium or the greyhound racetrack. . r

Those are the problems that existed with the establishment of a large carpark at the greyhound racing centre. In correspondence shown to me, the Director-General of Sport


and Recreation referred to those conducting the centre the environment effects statement and the addendum attached to it.

The concept that Australians would prefer to use public transport is totally wrong. That idea has been put about for a long time, but what happens is that the independence of the Australian comes through and he uses his own transport. Governments are not going to change that. Facilities such as exist at Flemington and Newmarket have ample parking space and they cater for people who desire to use their own transport.

Mention has already been made of the support given by the Olympic Park Committee of Management in their defence of retaining the area. That view has also been supported by the State Sports Council, the sports federation and a number of individual sports. Many individual sporting organizations made strong representations through the Olympic Park Committee of Management. In spite of what the Olympic Park Committee of Management has done, its comments have been totally ignored in the interest of providing a facility for one sport.

The Minister for Planning and Environment expressed some doubts about the proposed National Tennis Centre, which have been listed previously. The Minister noted the pressure placed on him and members of his ministry because of the significant problems entailed in the planning requirements of Flinders Park. Those problems have been dis-cussed with me. .

I indicated earlier, and I repeat, that those people and organizations who were concerned about the effectiveness of the review committee had sought a reassessment of certain items, but no answers have been provided to the questions that have been posed.

The report prepared by the Lawn Tennis Association of Australia was typical ofa report by an organization that is endeavouring to support its project. It put forward its propaganda and its own needs. I have supported the association in many matters, indeed, I have gone further. The long-winded statement from the association expressed the view that the development of the proposed National Tennis Centre in a new area that will provide for a modern sport in a modern style is essential. It is undeniable and indisputable that these services are needed.

The suggestion that the Australian Open should remain at Kooyong and that Kooyong should be developed does not hold water. That complex has served tennis well and will continue to serve tennis in a minor sense and cater for people who wish to use it.

The Hon. J. E. Kirner-Who owns it?

The Hon. H. R. WARD-It is a private club.

The Hon. J. E. Kirner-Who will own the new National Tennis Centre?

The Hon. H. R. WARD-The Minister would not know anything about it. The previous Minister for Conservation, Forests and Lands, Mr Mackenzie, was concerned because he was not consulted and no one talked to him about these problems. He probably read about them in a newspaper article. The then Minister was concerned about the financial viability of establishing a modern tennis centre in that area. He was concerned about the use of public land and about problems for the users of Olympic Park.

In summary, as I indicated before, the inter-agency working committee named three sites but had determined that it would have the Olympic Park area with Flinders Park being its first choice. A smokescreen was put out suggesting that the Jolimont railways yards would be the site, but, of course, the unions decided that that would not occur because it would cost a tremendous amount of money to shift those yards to another area.

The Hon. B. W. Mier-The unions were right.

The Hon. H. R. W ARD-The unions will prove themselves right with this project. Mr Mier is no longer up to date on how unions work. The Flinders Park site had been


predetermined. No evidence has been provided to me-it could be hidden or my access to it has been refused-to indicate that the proposed centre will take over the Jolimont railway yards in the near future, or even in 1991, because that is possible. In other words, there is no intention to extend into that area. The Opposition would not be able to object if the proposed National Tennis Centre were developed on the Jolimont railway yards site, thus not taking over public parkland.

The Hon. D. R. White-You will be queuing up to be at the opening.

The Hon. H. R. WARD-Not me, I assure you of that. The Minister for Health has decided that he would like to join in the debate but he does not know anything about it.

The people who objected to the proposed National Tennis Centre were totally ignored. The committee investigating the project merely noted their comments and some of their objections. A number of objections were received from residents in the Cremorne Street area of Richmond. The Opposition is concerned not only with environmental issues but also about the financial integrity of the proposal.

The study by Peat Marwick included a table that was shown to members of the Opposition indicating a twenty-year cash flow of the operation of the project and the internal rate of return. The internal rate of return varied enormously, from approximately 2 per cent to approximately 10 per cent. The Peat Marwick report said, in part, that by inspection of these results it can be seen that the final decision on each of these key elements can substantially affect the over-all viability of the proposed centre.

The reliability of usage for events other than tennis are the strongest variable impact. The Peat Marwick study concluded that the issue of project financing cannot be correctly addressed until the preferred operational mode for the centre is established. Nothing much has been said about that. What are the major factors that would affect the financial viability? It would depend on the mode that was adopted, the format that was adopted and the capital cost that is actually incurred.

The Opposition is concerned that the figure has risen from $53 million to $60 million. I suggest that the personal friend of the Government, Mr Norm Gallagher, will have his 35-hour week within a short time and up will go the cost again. It is a well-known fact that building operations must take heed of those extra costs. In the notes of variables it has not been indicated that that is a cost that will be incurred, but it will occur.

A number of other matters that will affect the viability of the proposed centre are the attendance every year of leading male players, the returns from television and the financing and revenue-sharing arrangements which the Lawn Tennis Association of Australia and the Government might have as to how that financing will be undertaken. The publiclystated cost of $53 million does not include a number of other matters such as the traffic problems that must be overcome in that area. It does not include the necessity for extra car parking that is required in that area and the costs inflicted on the Olympic Park management through a loss of income as a result of the establishment of a new entertainment centre.

The projected cost assumes only a 7 per cent inflation rate, the effect of which in current dollar costs is $12 million next year, $37 million the following year and $9·7 million by 1988. That total cost would exceed $60 million. Therefore, the amount to be borrowed is at least $60 million and it cannot be claimed that the amount is $53 million as indicated in public statements.

The data from the sensitivity and viability study supplied to the Opposition did reveal that to at least 1992 the net cash flow from the project will not fund the interest commitment let alone repay any principal. So there is a double cost; there is the cost involved in the operation of the proposed National Tennis Centre and there is the cost to be recouped and provided to the Olympic Park management. It will be servicing two projects.


The trust to be established will have an annual deficit after revenues are generated, of $2 million or something less in 1989 down to, in 1992, when it will move to about $77 000. That is part of the capital debt on the project.

Of course the figures that have been provided assume repayments on no other capital debt at that stage. Therefore a number of other matters will be tied in with the operation of the centre which are not shown, nor are they supplied in the information from the Department of Management and Budget. The Government is producing for the public some fly-by-night management scheme and it is hoping that no one in the public arena will question its methods of financing the operation.

Of course the Government has said that it will have to provide the subsidy from the public purse or that the proposed trust will have to borrow to pay that interest and so the estimation of total costs to provide a working capital to build the centre and to repay interest in current dollars will total approximately $70 million. Already there is an increase in the figures that have been provided-rather loosely-of an increase from $53 million to the vicinity of $70 million, plus the other oncosts to which I have referred. I am informed also that the other costs that were not publicly disclosed are the infrastructure works of $13·6 million at stage 1, including $10 million for car parking, which in all probability will not go ahead.

The Hon. B. W. Mier-Why?

The Hon. H. R. W ARD-The honourable member should ask the management committee why it is not continuing to go ahead.

The Hon. B. W. Mier-That is included in the cost.

The Hon. H. R. WARD-It is not included in the cost. Honourable members will hear from Mr Vanderbilt, when the honourable member gets on his feet. We will be interested to know what he knows about it.

Again, problems have pushed up the costs which were provided early in the funding of the committee works and environment effects statements. An amazing number of figures were provided to get this structure under way. The feasibility environment impact statement indicated that stage 2 would cost approximately $17·8 million at March 1985 figures. These figures will increase by approximately 7 per cent and there has been no allowance for costing of the other works. The advice at that time was that no viability study on that part of the project had been done, so it is unknown whether that part of the project will produce revenue.

Once again we have many statements and proposals about funding that have been produced without facts to support them. The Opposition cost figures on the project to the year 2000 indicate that capital costs for the centre alone would be a minimum of $60 million and it is more likely to be $70 million. If one adds to that the interest payments to the point when the project becomes self-funding, it will cost in the vicinity of$120 million. If something goes wrong with the operation, the Government has guaranteed the total cost, which will be a cost on the public purse. It can be fairly claimed that not every sporting development or interest has been a success.

In the past few days, honourable members have read of a bank that has had to come to the aid of sporting facilities and gymnasiums, and that could be the situation here. If the infrastructure is taken into consideration in the tennis centre costs, the assumption is that there will be a rate of 14 per cent interest and if money is required on the short-term market today, a 20 per cent interest rate could be paid. We are entering a period when money must be provided and so the over-all cost, taking into account all those contingencies and variables that could be ascertained and the total sums of money that could be provided, of the centre will be approximately $265 million.

Until the project becomes self-funding, and if it becomes self-funding, the revenue would be approximately $191 million and so there will be shortfall of between approxi-


mately $75 million and $80 million. Clearly, it must be faced that, irrespective of what the public says and what anybody else may think, there will be a 35-hour week in the building industry.

That is the fact; that will occur. To say, "We will blame Norm Gallagher for it" is barking up the wrong tree. We are on the road to a 35-hour week in the building industry and the master builders themselves will agree to that. That factor must also be calculated into the costs of this centre.

The development and the requirements of the centre must be funded from sources outside the State Government area. The Premier has not done so, but it is reasonable that he should lean on the Prime Minister. This is to be a national tennis centre and the Federal Government ought at least to assist in funding it.

Other sports ought to command support for their international standard facilities in exactly the same way as the tennis centre should. Because it is to be a national centre and will serve the national and international interests of the game, the Federal Government must be leant upon to provide financial assistance for it.

At the same time the environment must be protected. There is no way that I, either as a member of Parliament or as a member of the public, can stand by and allow Flinders Park to be taken over to help form a total agglomeration of sporting interests in that area. That land belongs to the people of this city; it is part of our heritage, and the soul of our heritage is that we retain the natural environment around the city. This city decided at one time to go against the planners.

The Hon. D. R. White interjected.

The Hon. H. R. W ARD-I believe I can claim to have just a little more hair on my head than the Minister for Health. The state of his head is the result of beating it against a brick wall.

The Opposition wants that land to be retained. We must not continue to lose land from around this city by having it eaten away for all sorts of odd purposes. In the original planning of this city, a large area of parkland was set aside for the public. Gradually it has disappeared.

Mention was made of bowling clubs. Bowling clubs have taken land in Carlton, on Flagstaff Hill and so on. I do not believe bowling clubs have any more right than anyone else to that land. Nevertheless, it is fair to say that they did take up parkland when the land concerned should perhaps have been reserved for some other purpose. In having decided to give away parkland, the Minister has opened the gates for other sporting people to receive the same treatment, but any land granted should be outside the city area. No doubt tomorrow will bring letters to the Minister and to all other honourable members demanding the same sort of treatment that has been provided to tennis.

The Opposition questions quite strongly the viability of the operation ofa tennis centre which, in itself, is needed in the national interests of the sport. Further, it strongly opposes the taking up of public land when we ought to be looking at this city and deciding whether we will protect and retain our natural environment or allow it to be destroyed by a Minister who has shown no interest in protecting that environment. She is the Minister for Conservation, Forests and Lands, and the conservation of our natural heritage deserves her respect and the respect of everyone in the community. The Opposition supports the project but opposes the loss of the natural environment of the city.

The Hon. D. M. EVANS (North Eastern Province)-It is difficult to follow such a long and impassioned speech as that delivered by Mr Ward.

The Hon. W. A. Landeryou-I will bet you cannot summarize it!


The Hon. D. M. EV ANS-He does not like the idea but is prepared to go along with the logic. I know that Mr Ward has strong and impassioned ideas on this matter, like most of us, and no doubt he is pleased to have got his views offhis chest.

The project being debated is the establishment of a national tennis centre in Flinders Park, the setting aside of 6 hectares-I 5 acres in imperial terms, which I can understandof open space in that area, and the setting up of an organization and the structure to run a major investment in the City of Melbourne. The project has immense potential, not only for the game of tennis but also for many other sports, entertainments and functions of the type that will use a centre that seats something in the order of 12 000, 15 000 or 20 000 people, according to the function being held. Melbourne and Victoria do not currently have such a centre.

Tennis has been a major sport in Australia for many years. It was pointed out in another place and reported in the press that Australia's interest in tennis goes back to the early 1900s. For many years this nation was a major tennis nation; in fact, Australia was one of the top two or three tennis nations. Davis Cup tennis, the epitome of the sport of tennis, for many years almost invariably had an Australian team in the finals; and for many years the question was whether anybody would be good enough to beat the Australian team. I refer to the days of Bromwich and Quist, down through the Hoad-Rosewall and Sedgman-McGregor eras. Some of the other great names in tennis over many years were those of John Newcombe and Rex Hartwig. Rex Hartwig was probably one of the greatest doubles players ever to grace the game of tennis.

Australia has an enormous and long history of excellence in the game of tennis, but we could hardly say today that we are a top dog nation. We struggle every year. We did win the Davis Cup two or three years ago and that was an excellent effort, but we did not make the finals this year and I do not think we were in the finals last year. It is a long time since Australia has had a Wimbledon champion, but nations that 10, 15 or 20 years ago were scarcely heard of on the tennis scene are now very important-Sweden, West Germany, France and so on. Australia is no longer dominant in the tennis world. Nevertheless, Australia, and Melbourne in particular, are fortunate to have the Australian Open, one of the four Grand Slam tennis championships. Ifwe lose that, the last vestige of major tennis status in this nation will automatically have gone and we will have to claw and fight our way to the top again by producing champions of sufficient excellence. We have seen increasingly the degree of dedication and sheer skill and excellence that are required if a player is to reach that top position.

There has been a tremendous amount of competition; and an increase in tennis as a major sport throughout the world. Therefore, unless this city is prepared to provide the sorts of facilities that in 1985 and beyond, in the year 2000, will be required to retain its status as the host for one of the four major tennis tournaments, that honour will be denied to Victoria.

It has been pointed out that by the Australian Open being the first of the year's Grand Slam tennis tournaments, the opportunity exists of attracting to Victoria all the best tennis players in the world, simply because, unless they are here to win the Australian Open tennis tournament, they cannot be considered for Grand Slam status, which is perhaps the most prestigious title in tennis. The top players-although there are not now many Australians-compete in the Australian Open, the French Open, Wimbledon and the United States Open tennis championships over a twelve-month period. Unless we are prepared to invest in the tennis' centre, the opportunity to be a part of this will be denied to us.

It is very easy to be concerned at the possibility of losing some public land, and that is something that must be considered carefully indeed; it cannot be done capriciously or without due consideration. I suppose that argument could be advanced for almost any project we would like to undertake that involves building or development within the heart of our city. A major city requires major construction, major buildings and the reservation of certain areas for parkland space and so on.

Session 1985-26


I suppose the Flinders Park area was one of the earliest sporting and recreation areas for the fledgeling City of Melbourne. I understand that somewhere in that vicinity-I am not sure whether it was on that exact site or somewhere nearby-the field was about a couple of miles long-the first Australian Rules Football match was played in 1858 between Scotch College and Melbourne Grammar school. Therefore, it is near the birthplace of our greatest national sport. Those from New South Wales may disagree with me, but it is the truth.

Australian Rules Football is the only great Australian indigenous sport. Therefore, the area has associations with sporting events, and the tennis centre will certainly be one of those sporting venues.

The National Party has been heartened by the understanding that, for the 6 hectares or thereabouts that will be required for the National Tennis Centre, a similar area of land will be made available across the road and that it will be possible for it to be preserved for sporting purposes. I also understand that, in due course, a certain amount of railway land could also be available. I suppose a cynic might say that unless the Government runs the railways much better than they are run at present, the whole of the railway land will shortly become available because there certainly will not be any railways. However, that is surely facetious.

The National Party believes the provision of this sort offacility is a must for Melbourne. Mr Ward indicated in his contribution to the debate that other areas should have been considered. Had there been other areas that could seriously have been considered, that certainly would have occurred. However, the fact is that the site is ideal, not only because it is in close proximity to the city but also because it is near the major transport systems. That is an important factor.

I know there has been some criticism of the possibility of there being additional traffic in that area, but anyone who has experienced the problems at VFL Park, Waverley, would understand that the Melbourne Cricket Ground area just across the road from the proposed site has enormous advantages. It also has the advantage of having accommodation nearby. It has a proven record in handling reasonably quickly and efficiently crowds of up to 100 000 people; therefore, there should be no difficulty in handling a crowd of 10 000, 15 000 or 20 000 people. In that sense, again, the site is ideal.

It is important also that this project be commenced and under way as soon as possible and that the completion date be as early as possible.' Clearly, other States such as New South Wales, and Queensland in particular, would be most anxious and willing to become the site and the home for one of the Grand Slam tennis tournaments. They would be very happy indeed, and I have no doubt that the Government of either of those States, and particularly that of Queensland, would welcome the opportunity of taking away that honour from Victorians; they would not be so indecisive and would make the decision to build as soon as possible.

The Bill makes provision not only for the area of land, but also for the management and the financial arrangements, both in regard to the tennis centre and the State Government and other bodies, including the Lawn Tennis Association of Australia, which will operate on the site.

It is not easy to be absolutely certain that the financial projections, which indicate that the centre will pay for itself in a relatively short period, are accurate. One cannot be certain that the projected profits that have been put about in the papers that have been drawn up and the feasibility studies and so on, can be carried forward to fruition. The National Party believes those financial projections are realistic and are conservative enough to be effective. Mr Sandon says, by interjection, that they are reasonable, and I agree. It may well be they are so conservative that eventually a greater profit and a quicker repayment will result. Certainly, the City of Melbourne will require a major facility.

Unless we move very quickly in the establishment of the proposed National Tennis Centre, not only do we run the risk of the tennis centre being moved to another location,


or even to another State, but also we run the greater risk that the Grand Slam tournament may not be held in Australia; as well as that, the costs of the project may continually escalate during the time before completion. There is no time like the present for a project that is worth while. The time for this centre is here and now. Victoria must show some entrepreneurial ability, business skill, get-up-and-go and a willingness to get this State moving. Those sorts of things appeal to the National Party. It was concerned that there would not be adequate open space for the people involved, but that has been carefully canvassed and covered.

I know there are some people who oppose the project and that there may well be good reasons for them to oppose it, which are different from the reasons they advance in public. Perhaps some degree of self-interest is involved. It has been pointed out, for example, that the organization that manages the Kooyong tennis area, which has become rather tattered of late, believes the new tennis centre should not be built on the proposed site, or perhaps that its own site should be developed further. The race always went to the quick, and obviously, that group was not quick enough; it did not move quickly enough in the way that it should have moved, and act in the way in which a body that is at the forefront of tennis in Australia should act.

Also, that area experiences a few traffic problems, and is some distance from the heart of the city. The National Party has given the proposed legislation enormous consideration. The honourable member for Lowan, who is the National Party spokesman for sport and recreation in another place and who is a good tennis player in his own right-to~ether with my colleague, Mr Wright-has done an enormous amount of work and negotIation on the issue. He understands the needs of tennis and sport generally and has a fine record as a sportsman. He has a very clear liaison with tennis organizations throughout country Victoria. His knowledge of those groups leads him to understand that their very clear opinion is that the tennis centre should proceed as quickly as possible on the proposed site.

Many thousands of tennis players throughout Victoria support the project and support the establishment of it on the proposed site at Flinders Park. To members of the National Party, there appears to be overwhelming approbation of the site chosen and the project itself The sooner it gets under way, the better. The National Party has pleasure in supporting the Bill.

The Hon. L. A. McARTHUR (Nunawading Province)-It is good to support a Bill that should establish an exciting project such as the proposed National Tennis Centre. It is an exciting project for the tennis public; it is an exciting project for the ordinary public to watch tennis on television; it is an exciting project for young people in Victoria who want to hear the best entertainers and the best bands; and it is an exciting project for older people who want the greatest talent in the world to come to Melbourne.

The Hon. M. J. Sand on-What about middle-aged people?

The Hon. L. A. McARTHUR-It is an exciting project for middle-aged persons, and it is naturally exciting to me being a middle-aged person. It is an exciting project that fits in with the economic strategy of the Government.

There is no alternative for Melbourne other than to build a large combined tennis and entertainment centre. I shall refer to three main issues. I shall refer, firstly, to the need for tennis; secondly, to the fact that through a combination of a tennis and entertainment centre, the project will most likely be viable and only a disaster will make it unviable; and, thirdly, to the fact that the site is excellent in all aspects and that the parkland used will be replaced.

Later in my remarks I shall remind Mr Ward of some of the proposals that he supported when the Honourable Brian Dixon was going to have an Olympic Games-led recovery.

As Mr Evans has stated, the game of tennis has changed in the past ten years because of the surface on which tennis is played and the advent of television. Tennis has brought


Australia the volleying of Sedgman and Hoad and the serve and volley games of Court and Goolagong. The type of game they played is no longer played now and will not be played in the 1990s, although I doubt whether anyone would have been able to beat the incomparable Rod Laver.

Honourable members must admit that on the world scale of ten, Australia is not worth two ubob" as a tennis nation, and that it is time we did something about it. The Federal Government is doing something about it through the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra.

The Hon. H. R. Ward-We are talking about Melbourne!

The Hon. L. A. McARTHUR-Something is being done to repair the situation and if Mr Ward listens, he may learn something. Melbourne needs to do its part, as does Victoria. The project in Flinders Park will complement and probably lead the way in the coaching of junior players in surroundings and on surfaces of world standard. The project will help to develop the type of game that our junior players will need to play in order to win at the United States Open, at Paris or at Wlmbledon.

No honourable members have mentioned the coaching facilities that will be provided at the proposed National Tennis Centre. It will provide a live-in area for up to 26 or 28 junior players with accommodation for coaches, sports medicine people and technicians who are all required to develop a game of international standards.

What has been said about our game? At page 43 of the Peat Marwick report, it is stated that the status of the Australian Open is derived primarily from its inclusion in the Grand Slam of tennis. In the past, the Australian Open ranked second to Wimbledon, but has now been surpassed by the United States Open and, more recently, the French Open. The report states that the decline appears related to the quality of the tournament fields.

From the 1950s, tennis has been an important part of the character of Australia.

The Hon. H. R. Ward-Before that time!

The Hon. L. A. McARTHUR-I can only remember back to that time, and I certainly remember the 1953 Hoad/Rosewall-Trabert/Seixas Davis Cup final with Harry Hopman throwing towels and an excited nation. That must be preserved and nurtured.

An alternative development has been sponsored, and I, like Mr Evans, have suspicions about the sincerity of some of the arguments put forward in opposition to the establishment of the proposed National Tennis Centre in Flinders Park. I wonder whether they come from the Kooyong lobby; those people who decided to become a private tennis club have put forward a red herring proposal.

The alternative development does not provide for the upgrading offacilities for players, and that is the reason why the Australian Open does not attract a decent field. The alternative development does not upgrade accommodation, but it upgrades the members' facilities. It does not provide for the coaching of juniors; it does not intend to attract world-class players and it does not provide sufficient practice courts for an Australian Open field.

While Davis Cup players or players in the Australian Open are preparing, sufficient courts are not available at Kooyong. One well-known Australian Davis Cup player had to travel to Essendon to hire a court on which to practice. Further interests are coming out of the woodwork, and I suppose there is a pecuniary interest involved for members of the club that controls the courts at Kooyong. It is a small club with a small membership, and the facilities for those members are excellent.

I shall refer to the importance of Grand Slam tournaments. As has been stated, there are four Grand Slam tournaments-the French, United States and Australian Open tournaments and Wimbledon. The status of the Australian Open as a Grand Slam tournament

Sessional Orders 30 October 1985 COUNCIL 749

has been lost on one occasion and if it is lost again it will not be regained. I understand that Japan is interested in staging the fourth Grand Slam tournament.

I shall move away from the monetary interest in some aspects of tennis to discuss the status of players. As Mr Evans indicated, Sweden has rapidly moved to the forefront of world tennis. Ifit were judged on player status programs, it would rank as a possible venue for the holding of the Grand Slam tournament.

There is no argument for the tradition of the Grand Slam tournament being held in Kooyong. That is bunk. There was no argument about the tradition of tennis when the staging of the United States Open was transferred from Forrest Hill to Flushing Meadows. Australian tennis depends upon that Grand Slam tennis tournament both in financial and status terms. Again I shall quote from page 87 of the Peat Marwick report:

The establishment of a National Tennis Centre is expected to result in substantial initial increases in local and international television rights revenue for the Australian Open.

It is the first of the Grand Slam tournaments of the year and not many players can win it, but certainly someone of the calibre of John McEnroe might attempt to emulate the performance of Rod Laver or Donald Budge, both of whom, I think, won the Grand Slam.

I shall now refer to the usage of the stadium and its viability as a mass entertainment centre. There was a dilemma over the design and construction of the stadium because a Grand Slam tennis tournament must be played on an open stadium, as opposed to a Grand Prix tennis tournament of which there are many and which do not have to be played in the open. The dilemma is that because of Melbourne's fickle weather an open air mass entertainment centre could hardly be useful. Therefore, this world-class stadium was designed with a sliding roof and will seat 15 000 people. That is a significant size.

On the motion of the Hon. L. A. McARTHUR (Nunawading Province), the debate was adjourned.


SESSIONAL ORDERS The Hon. E. H. WALKER (Minister for Agriculture and Rural Affairs)-I move: That so much ofthe Sessional Orders be suspended as would prevent the taking of new business after 10 p.m.

during the sitting of the Council this day.


NATIONAL TENNIS CENTRE BILL The debate (adjourned from earlier this day) on the motion of the Hon. J. E. Kirner


The Hon. L. A. McARTHUR (Nunawading Province)-As I was saying, the second usage of the tennis stadium is the most important. The centre will generate considerable funds that will be needed to support and pay for it. Sydney has an entertainment centre that seats 15 000 people and I believe the Brisbane entertainment centre will seat 15 000 people and will be finished before the Victorian National Tennis Centre is built. I am not sure whether honourable members would like to see Brisbane ahead of Melbourne.

Those three entertainment centres will provide venues for the best of the world's entertainers who will provide enjoyment for people of all ages. For example, the recent Bruce Springsteen concert which was held at the Melbourne Showgrounds could have been staged in such an entertainment centre. When the National Tennis Centre is completed Melbourne will have an entertainment centre that will be one of three on the east coast that seats 15 000 people.


Mr Ward spent considerable time discussing the proposed site at Flinders Park. I should also like to make a few comments on that site. At page 245 of the Melbourne City Council strategy plan the Flinders Park site has been pinpointed.

The Hon. H. R. Ward-What magazine is that in?

The Hon. L. A. McARTHUR-The Melbourne City Council has marked the proposed site as Flinders Park. It is an excellent site because of its proximity to public transport. I do not agree with the woe expressed by Mr Ward about the traffic chaos that will be created by the 15 000 people who may be seated in that centre. I suggest that similar traffic problems are caused by the 28 OOO-odd people who attend football matches on a Saturday. The Melbourne Cricket Ground is only a few hundred yards away from that site.

The public rail and tram systems provide excellent transport, as does the network of roads which can handle the crowds that regularly attend the sporting matches. It is ridiculous to suggest that traffic snarls will be caused by people attending the National Tennis Centre when football and cricket crowds of enormous dimensions are handled extremely well.

The Hon. H. R. Ward-Where were you on Monday night? Did you see the Harlem Globetrotters?

The Hon. L. A. McARTHUR-I saw the Harlem Globetrotters some twenty or 30 years ago. I shall now deal with the return of parkland. The equivalent of the 6-hectare site to be used for the National Tennis Centre will be returned in parkland. The argument has been put forward that the site of the Army barracks was not considered. In my hand I have a letter to the Minister for Sport and Recreation from the Honourable John Brown, the Federal Minister for Sport, Recreation and Tourism. It represents the heads of the agreement on the transfer of parkland. I shall quote from the second paragraph of the letter.

The Hon. N~ B. REID (Bendigo Province)-On a point of order, Mr President, I wonder whether Mr McArthur should indicate the date of the document from which he intends to quote. It is all very well for him to quote the authority to whom the letter is addressed but that has no relevance unless the date is quoted.

The PRESIDENT -Order! I understand Mr McArthur was getting around to indicating the date of the letter.

The Hon. L. A. McARTHUR (Nunawading Province)-To satisfy Mr Reid, the letter is dated 28 September 1985. It states:

The Commonwealth Government is anxious to see the tennis centre project proceed as soon as possible and considers that its construction will be of benefit not only to your State but will be of national significance. On this basis the Commonwealth is prepared to assist your Government in obtaining a suitable site for the Centre.

In my view the most appropriate arrangement would be to institute a land title transfer with your Government transferring an acceptable site to the Commonwealth in exchange for the Olympic Park site.

The heads of agreement were signed, sealed and delivered for the return of the Army land. There is other land, such as the car parks at the west and east side of the Old Xavierian oval.

The Hon. H. J..l. Ward-You do not know the area that well, do you?

The Hon. L. A. McARTHUR-I have walked over it, Mr Ward. I know the oak trees, poplars and elms that you said were the natural environment when Batman arrived in Melbourne. What a heap of rubbish! I have even kicked the old dunny that is there.

The Hon. J. H. Kennan-Did he refer to elms?

The Hon. L. A. McARTHUR-Yes, as the natural environment. The other end of Flinders Park is leased by the Melbourne City Council to the amateur athletic association. One can hardly call it open space. It has a fenced and guarded area for hammer throwing.


I understand hammer throwing is a sport that developed out of war-time activities. Mr Ward would probably remember when it was developed. When hammer throwing is taking place I doubt whether the area would be an open place. It is fenced and does not provide real access for people. That is another area that will return to open space because of this project.

A fencing project will be instituted by the Government where there will be a tunnel from Olympic Park No. 1 ground to Olympic Park No. 2 ground with a proper warm-up track, a modem facility for hammer throwing and the activities that now take place in Hinders Park. The fences and barriers can be turned down to provide open space, as well as car parks. This can also be done with the Army depot and some of the railway yards can also be returned to parkland. I assure the House that the Government will be here to do that.

The Hon. J. H. Kennan-Getting rid of exotics!

The Hon. L. A. McARTHUR-Yes, we must be careful about that. The AttorneyGeneral has reminded me of comments Mr Ward made about vandalism of the environment-corruption in the moral sense of the environment being eaten, which I think were Mr Ward's words. He said that we are the harbingers of destruction. I remind Mr Ward that the Government of which he was a member was so destructive that ifmy Government is a small harbinger of destruction, his Government was a bulldozer of destruction.

In the previous Government-led recovery, called the "Olympic Games cl la Dixon" economic recovery, I understand that the Burnley horticultural gardens were to be taken over and converted into the Olympic Village. Mr Ward would be aware of that fact because he would have been at the party meeting that made the decision.

The Hon. H. R. Ward-The party meeting turned it down.

The Hon. L. A. McARTHUR-Your party did not turn it down. Why would it put out brochures worth hundreds of thousands of dollars if it had turned down the idea? The brochures are still in the Library.

The Hon. M. J. Sandon-Did you vote for it, Mr Ward?

The Hon. L. A. McARTHUR-Of course he voted for it! The plan was to convert the Bumley horticultural gardens into an Olympic Village, which involved selling two-thirds of the gardens to private individuals and one-third to the Ministry of Housing. That is privatization. I am not sure, but I think it is probably also vandalism and corruption, in the moral sense, of the environment.

One may ask what plans Mr Ward's party held for Hinders Park. It planned to have an indoor Olympic track in Hinders Park and 75 per cent of Flinders Park was to be taken over as a venue for the proposed Olympic Games. What was planned for Royal Park? Nothing much was planned for Royal Park, except indoor archery and activities of that kind.

The second part ofMr Ward's speech was irrelevant. The first part was also irrelevant, but the second part was even irrelevant by his own admission. At two stages Mr Ward conceded that a tennis centre-I do not think he meant an entertainment centre-would be needed. However, he then spent halfhis speech carping about the funding of the tennis centre. After saying the tennis centre was needed, he carped about funding. He cannot have it both ways. It is either needed and paid for, or is not needed.

No matter whether the centre is built in St Kilda, Mr Ward's province, Newmarket or Warracknabeal, to keep Mr Dunn happy, the cost of the building will have to be provided for and serviced.

The Hon. J. H. Kennan-What else did Mr Ward say?

The Hon. L. A. McARTHUR-He did not even like the financial projections!


The Hon. J. H. Kennan-What a cad!

The PRESIDENT-The Attorney-General will cease interjecting.

The Hon. L. A. McARTHUR-As Mr Evans said, the projections appear reasonable. It seems that by about 2004 the Victorian people will have a magnificent tennis centre and entertainment centre with a sliding roof and 15 000 seats to complement the old three centres currently situated on the eastern seaboard. It is an excellent project for the people of Victoria and I certainly commend the project and the Bill to the House.

The Hon. N. B. REID (Bendigo Province)-I do not like shonky deals: neither does my colleague, Roy Ward, like shonky deals. The Bill is a perpetuation of a shonky deal of which the Government is well aware. In fact, it has had three attempts at finding a site for a tennis centre.

The Hon. J. H. Kennan interjected.

The PRESIDENT -Order! I will not ask the Attorney-General to come to order again.

The Hon. N. B. REID-The first site the Government attempted to use for the proposed National Tennis Centre was the site of the Jolimont railway workshops, well knowing that that site would not be available for at least fifteen years. The first attempt by the Cain Government to provide the tennis centre was a shonky deal. It was an attempt to confuse the people of Victoria, and the Government made no attempt to cover up its proposal.

The Government was aware that the railway workshops would not be available and, if they were to be available, it would be at substantial cost. That was the first hoax that the Government played on the community of Victoria. The second was the plan that appears in the Bill and it indicates a hatched area of land in Flinders Park consisting of 6 hectares that will be taken up by the tennis centre.

A glossy presentation by the Lawn Tennis Association of Australia shows that organization's latest proposal, and I am not sure why this was not included in the Bill because it bears no relationship to the section of hatched area of Flinders Park shown in the Bill. It shows the relocation of the Old Scotch College oval and seven tennis courts squeezed in between the oval and the railway tracks. It is yet again another attempt by the Government to try to mislead the community. Why should the Government not be honest with the people and say what it wants?

The Hon. J. H. Kennan-I could be misled by that.

The Hon. N. B. REID-I am sure the Attorney-General would not tolerate that slipshod approach in the Law Department. The Government's plans have gone through three stages. It started with the Jolimont railway yards. The Government was challenged on this on 9 June by the honourable member for Gisborne in another place and myself, when we held a press conference at Flinders Park and pointed out that the Government would not be able to use the Jolimont railway workshops because that area of land would not be available for at least fifteen years. The Government knew that. The Minister for Conservation, Forests and Lands knew that at the time, yet the Government tried to perpetrate that hoax on the Victorian community and tried to add to it over a period until, finally, that story could not be run any longer because it did not wash with the public. The Government changed tack and came up with the plan that appears in the Bill.

It is ironic that in discussing this land, the environment and the need to protect the environment, the Government is purporting to be conservationist and environmentalist in its outlook. The Minister for Planning and Environment, in answer to a question on the Yarra environment, said how the Government intended to improve the Yarra environment, yet the Government will landscape it with concrete and steel along a beautiful area of Flinders Park, which has about 580 metres frontage to the Yarra River and a beautiful vista over the Yarra across to the Royal Botanic Gardens and through to the Yarra area. The Government says that it is committed to environmental and conservation issues, yet it will erect a concrete and steel structure on this beautiful area.


The Government knew that area of the Jolimont railway yards was not available and that, ultimately, it would need to build stage 1 on the 6 hectares ofland right in the middle ofFlinders Park. Now the Government proposes to put the Old Scotch College oval closer to the road and to put more tennis courts nearer to the back of the centre, and stage 2 of the development will go on the J olimont railway yards, which is at least fifteen years away if the Government ever gets that piece of land, at an estimated cost of $175 million to relocate the railway workshops, tracks and so on. The Minister for Conservation, Forests and Lands has played a very silent role in this proposal.

The Hon. J. E. Kirner-You must be delighted with that.

The Hon. N. B. REID-I know that the Minister has had trouble in Cabinet and that the Minister for Planning and Environment is holding on to a huge number of petitions that he has tucked away in his cupboard and will not bring out because they oppose the location of the tennis centre on this site.

I asked the Minister for Conservation, Forests and Lands today whether she would be prepared to make available a letter written by her predecessor, Mr Mackenzie, the honourable member for Geelong Province, who was a very good Minister for Conservation, Forests and Lands, to the Premier on 19 July 1984. The current Minister will not make the letter available.

The Hon. J. E. Kirner-That is correct.

The Hon. N. B. REID-Why? I ask the Minister, as the new Minister for Conservation, Forests and Lands, to make the letter available. Surely the Government has nothing to hide, Mr President. The Minister at the time would have written an excellent letter to the Premier explaining his view of the conservation issues involved in the Flinders Park area and the environmental issues involved in the development of the Yarra precincts and the attractions of that area. He would have spelt all that out, yet the current Minister will not make this letter available.

The Hon. J. E. Kirner-No; under the Freedom of Information Act it is not available.

The Hon. N. B. REID-In other words, the Government has something to hide. The environmental issues are important and, surely, there is not one honourable member who is not aware of the debate that occurred on the Royal Botanic Gardens and the establishment of a kiosk in those gardens. Every honourable member is aware of the significance of gardens throughout Victoria, the Garden State. The issue of the Royal Botanic Gardens is etched on the mind of anyone who has been involved in politics for many years. All honourable members must understand the importance of the gardens to Melbourne.

The City of Melbourne has changed significantly over past years. There has been a movement of people from the outer suburbs towards inner city living again, and the population of the Melbourne inner city area has increased tremendously. People are living in the heart of Melbourne and are looking for a piece of green grass to walk on and to enjoy a decent environment, yet the Government intends to take away 67 hectares of that environment.

The Premier made the announcement in Flinders Park. However, when he had the press assembled at the park to take his photograph for the occasion, he encountered some difficulties. The Premier announced that the Government would finance the construction of a large concrete and steel tennis centre on the parkland. However, the photographers could hardly see the Premier because of all the children who were playing, flying kites and enjoying the environment of that parkland located in the heart of Melbourne. The Premier probably did his utmost to have those children removed from the area before he had his photograph taken because the presence of those children did not do his cause any good in promoting the use of that site as the proposed National Tennis Centre.

I now refer to alternative sites that are available. I am a keen sportsman and I enjoy tennis, swimming and golf. I enjoy the outdoor life and I encourage people to play sport.


Why has the Government not fully considered alternative sites? There i~ a division of . opinion jn the Lawn Tennis Association of Australia; one group would like the Junction

Oval at St Kilda to be used as a site for the proposed National Tennis Centre. Has the Government not considered that site because some of its members in that area do not want the proposed National Tennis Centre located there or does the Government believe the area is environmentally unsound?

The Lawn Tennis Association of Australia was evenly divided on the proposed site for the centre. The St Kilda City Council was in favour of the Junction Oval. It is a terrific spot located not far from the city, with excellent transport facilities and devoid of the traffic problems that occur in Batman A venue. The St Kilda City Council was prepared to do many things to have the centre located on the site. The Government has advanced no reason why the centre could not be located at the Junction Oval.

The Hon. L. A. McArthur-Why should it be located there?

The Hon. N. B~ REID-It is a brilliant spot. The Junction Oval is not used to any great extent. The Albert Park Committee of Management is strongly in favour of this site and it offered to do a deal with the Lawn Tennis Association of Australia and the Government.

Another site the Government could have considered was the Newmarket sale-yards, which closed in September. The site is close to transport and the city and offers plenty of scope for car parking. Somebody said the site was flood prone but the Government would not have the centre constructed at the bottom of the Maribyrnong River. There is plenty of land available and the Minister knows that that is a viable alternative.

Earlier in the debate mention was made of the Kooyong proposal. I am not a member of the Lawn Tennis Association of Victoria and I have never played tennis at Kooyong. Has the Government considered the proposal of the Lawn Tennis Association of Victoria, which, if implemented, would not cost the Victorian taxpayer 1 cent? Kooyong could be the best spot for such a centre and the Government should have considered it as an alternative site.

I have encouraged the Government to develop a national tennis centre in Victoria. However, the Government should have examined alternative sites without robbing children and the people of Victoria of valuable parkland, which the Government claims it will replace elsewhere.

I have a letter which I obtained under the Freedom of Information Act. The letter is dated 8 October 1984 from the Prime Minister's department and is signed by Bob Hawke. The letter commences, "My dear Premier" but the word "Premier" has been crossed out and above it is written the word "John". The letter states, inter alia:

I refer to recent newspaper reports and a press release issued by the Lawn Tennis Association of Australia on 12 September 1984 concerning the development of a National Tennis Stadium in Melbourne.

The Prime Minister had to read about the centre in the newspapers.

The Hon. M. A. Birrell-That is consultation!

The Hon. N. B. REID-Indeed. This is a letter from the Federal Government, which the Victorian Government claims it has made a deal with on exchanging parkland. I recall asking a series of questions of the Minister for Planning and Environment on whether he had written confirmation or a guarantee from the Federal Government on replacement parkland being located on the site of the Army depot in Swan Street, Richmond.

The Minister for Planning and Environment said, "No, we have no written guarantee about replacement parkland". As it turns out, the Prime Minister knew nothing about it until he read about it in the newspapers. That shows the level of consultation between this Government and the Prime Minister regarding guarantees on replacement parkland. The Government has not been fair dinkum in this deal. It is a shonky deal. The AttorneyGeneral seems to think that this debate is a cause for great merriment.


I was absolutely delighted wben Mr McArthur referred to the letter dated 28 September written by the Honourable John Brown, the Federal Minister for Sport, Recreation and Tourism, to the Minister for Sport and Recreation in Victoria. That letter was supposedly written on 28 September, which was a Saturday, and the Federal Minister, the Honourable John Brown, was in Melbourne attending a football match.

The Hon. J. E. Kirner-He certainly was.

The Hon. N. B. REID-This further illustrates the shonky deal.

The Hon. J. E. Kirner-Y ou know the best people are in the best seats at the football matches, Mr Boite, Mr Thompson, Mr Hamer--

The Hon. N. B. REID-It is a remarkable performance by a Federal Minister who was attending the grand final football match in Melbourne, to have written a letter on that precise day. Mr McArthur said that the letter was evidence of consultation between the Federal Government and the State Government and a guarantee on the land. The letter refers to, "an agreement in principle" -an agreement in principle to what?

There is no guarantee that the Government will return the land where the Army depot is to parkland. That site is very narrow with a frontage to the Yarra River of approximately 58 metres and the area of parkland to be used for the proposed National Tennis Centre has a frontage to the Yarra River of approximately 580 metres. Surely that is not an adequate replacement of parkland.

The Minister has already stated that the two existing car parks are to be reinstated to parkland. I accept that they can be reinstated to parkland, but the further so-called reclaiming of parkland referred to at the farthest end of Swan Street is already parkland. If the Minister for Conservation, Forests and Lands had taken the trouble to visit the area she would realize that the area to be reinstated to parkland is used by athletes for training and for field game training. If the area is to be returned to parkland, those athletes will be deprived of a training area. The Government has not been fair dinkum in this matter.

The replacement of public open space is an important issue in the City of Melbourne and it is obvious that the Government has not made a proper effort in this regard. I was absolutely staggered not to be able to find in the files that the Opposition obtained under the Freedom of Information Act any correspondence from the responsible departmentthat is, the Department for Conservation, Forests and Lands-stating that it does not like the proposal, it does not want to use that parkland for the proposed National Tennis Centre, or suggesting an alternative area. There is the mysterious letter that the Honourable Rod Mackenzie, the former Minister for Conservation, Forests and Lands, wrote to the Premier on 19 July 1984 which I would like to see, but obviously the Minister is not going to let me look at it.

lt is clear that the present Minister for Conservation, Forests and Lands made no attempt to oppose the site, apart from within Cabinet. I know that the Minister had torrid fights in Cabinet about the site and there was a difference of opinion between the Minister for Conservation, Forests and Lands and other members of Cabinet over the proposed site for the centre. I hope that is true because the Minister is charged with the responsibilities for conservation. Conservation and the protection of the environment along the Yarra River is very important to the people of Victoria.

I have it on good authority that the Minister for Planning and Environment received a large number of petitions against the proposed siting of the proposed National Tennis Centre in Flinders Park. I have spelt out three alternative sites that could have been considered by the Government. I shall now refer to a few organizations that opposed the siting of the proposed National Tennis Centre in the Flinders Park area. The Melbourne City Council is opposed to it.

The Hon. J. E. Kirner-Why is it in the strategy plan?


The Hon. N. B. REID-The Moomba organization, which is a very significant organization in Melbourne and which depends on that area of parkland for the Moomba parade and other activities, was not consulted about the siting of the centre and has not been offered an alternative area from which that organization can operate satisfactorily. Twentyeight amateur sports involved in the Olympic Park Committee of Management are opposed to the siting of the centre. The Conservation Council of Victoria expressed its opposition. The Victorian Amateur Swimming Association, with which I have a very close affiliation and with which I am proud to be involved, sent me correspondence on the matter. Mr President, you would be aware from your former capacity as Minister for Conservation, Forests and Lands, that I endeavoured to obtain some parking space for the Victorian Amateur Swimming Association in "Spruikers' Corner".

The Hon. J. E. Kirner-Have you checked with the MCG about "Spruikers' Corner"?

The Hon. N. B. REID-I would be happy to talk to council about that because 60 officials are involved. Sixty car parking spaces were required for officials of the Victorian Amateur Swimming Association who work in an honorary capacity to help conduct swimming activities for children. Some of those officials have given 60 years of service to Victoria. Mr Bill Slade, the President of the Victorian Amateur Swimming Association, has given a lifetime of service to swimming and the Government would not allow me to obtain a car park so that he and other officials could continue to work in a voluntary capacity to help the community.

I have received correspondence from the Victorian Amateur Swimming Association stating that the important aspect of the effect on other sports in the area has not been considered. Mr Len Willmer, the Executive Director of the Victorian Amateur Swimming Association, has stated that the Government has not taken the interest of other sports operating in that area into consideration.

All they wanted was car parking space for approximately 60 vehicles, but the Government would not grant it to them. However, because it is a tennis centre and big money is involved, the Government is prepared to erect a large concrete and steel building in the middle of the parkland. The Government will not provide car parking facilities for amateur officials who are giving their time freely to help children with their swimming. That is the attitude of the Government.

Objection also comes from Old Scotch Collegians. I think the Premier may be an Old Scotch boy.

The Hon. J. E. Kirner-Don't look at me; I didn't go to Scotch College.

The Hon. N. B. REID-The Scotch College cricket and football oval will be pushed right back up against the fence. Who cares! The Premier does not. The Old Xaverians will also be affected. In fact, the Minister for Plannin~ and Environment has a large number of petitions from interested people and these petitIons are tucked away in a cupboard. The Minister states that there is no opposition to this tennis centre. I assure the Minister that there are many and I have listed just a few of them.

On Monday night a function was held at the National Gallery of Victoria and it was attended by many members of Parliament. I believe the entertainment centre in Batman A venue was also being used for a function. That entertainment centre holds 5000 people. The Minister has said that the tennis stadium will hold 15 000 people. On Monday night, I was attempting to travel from the National Gallery to Richmond and it was almost impossible to travel through that area with just this one extra venue, which caters for only 5000 people, being used. Yet the Government is considering a tennis stadium in that area that will cater for 15 000 people.

The Government has claimed that the proposed new entertainment facility will be linked with the tennis centre and will be a tourist boost to Melbourne. I have no doubt that a further entertainment centre in Melbourne is needed. However, what is wrong with the three venues I have suggested? One is the Junction Oval, which would make an


excellent entertainment centre. The Government has not considered what impact the tennis centre and a further entertainment centre will have on the entertainment centre already in that area.

The Olympic Park Committee of Management, as Mr Ward said, operates without any Government financial assistance. It is organized efficiently and competently and it administers and assists the sporting organizations that use the entertainment facilities. Will that entertainment centre continue to be viable if it is in competition with another entertainment centre in the immediate vicinity? That is a serious issue faced by the Olympic Park Committee of Management.

The Government claims that the proposed National Tennis Centre will cost $53 million. The annual report for 1984-85 of the Public Works Department of Victoria, at page 41, indicates a final cost of approximately $64 million. That is only part of the deal. It will be $64 million plus the cost of relocating the Army depot. The Government has made provision for landscaping the Army depot land as parkland, but it has made no allowance for the relocation of the Army depot. Obviously an asset of that size and nature cannot be put somewhere else without expense. The Army will expect adequate compensation for being moved out of that area and for its relocation. We all know that the Federal Government does not come cheaply nor does the Department of Defence.

I understand that there is a letter on the Minister's file from the Federal Minister assisting the Minister for Defence, the Honourable John Brown, stating that the cost will have to be met by the State Government. That has not been taken into consideration in the finances of the proposed National Tennis Centre.

The Hon. J. E. Kirner-It has, actually.

The Hon. N. B. RE ID-The Moomba Festival is a great tourist attraction to this city. People come not only from interstate but from overseas for the Moomba festival and its organizers depend on the Flinders Park land for the running of activities, the assembling of floats and the provision of other facilities. The site is also used for circuses and other forms of entertainment. The Moomba organizers have not been consulted fully on this matter and have not been offered alternative accommodation on any other area. They fear that the Moomba Festival could be seriously affected by the new tennis centre.

I mentioned the traffic problems that will occur in Batman A venue, but I have not mentioned the fact that there will be little in the way of additional car parking spaces provided for this centre. Two car parks presently situated at Flinders Park will be closed down. Those carparks are currently used in the daytime for parking as well as in the evening by people attending the entertainment centre and the sporting facilities. With the building of the tennis centre, both these car parking areas will be lost to the residents of Melbourne.

I do not believe the car parking facilities are adequate for a 15 OOO-seat stadium. I am sure there will be tremendous problems with car parking and the problem will be magnified because of the traffic generated from the centre.

I shall now round offmy remarks, which have canvassed a number of issues, especially the environmental effects. I do not believe the Government has been serious in its attempts to find a suitable site for the centre. I am in favour of a national tennis centre for Victoria. I strongly support the moves of those involved in tennis to provide the very best of facilities for players in Victoria and for interstate and overseas competitions.

However, the Government has not given proper consideration to alternative sites that could be made available. The Government has had plenty of opportunities to do so, dating back to 9 June this year when the Opposition expressed opposition to the Flinders Park site. Almost six months have passed and the Government has had the opportunity offully investigating the other sites and reallocating the proposed National Tennis Centre to one of the sites I have mentioned. I shall be interested to hear the Minister's response to the proposals put forward by the Opposition.


The Hon. J. G. MILES (Templestowe Province)-My colleagues, Mr Ward and Mr Reid, as well as Mr Evans in the National Party, have covered most of the salient points so, mercifully, at this stage of the night I shall be brief.

At the outset I must say with some regret that the Opposition opposes the stadium-if that is not already clear to the Government. That is, the Opposition opposes the Government's version of the stadium and the Government's administration of the whole project. The Opposition supports in principle the idea of a tennis centre but it deplores the methods by which the Government has gone about the project.

Why does the Opposition do this? The reason is that throughout this time the Government has refused to provide adequate information when requested to do so. It has refused to provide adequate details on the transport and traffic problems to and from the centre, as well as problems associated with car parking. The Government has refused clearly to define, in answer to many requests, the proper financial guidelines necessary for the Opposition even to debate the project sensibly. Above all, in my opinion, it has become the law in this House that the Government should refuse-as it has refused on many occasions, to answer honest questions on any issue-clearly to state what is happening with the replacement of parkland.

My colleague Mr Reid has alluded to ·the question in the House. There are many quotations from H ansard in this House which would take too long to go through. Mr Reid, Mr Hunt, Mr Ward and I have asked questions, especially of the Minister for Planning and Environment, who is the Leader of the Government In the House. As with many other matters, when Opposition members ask Ministers direct questions, they do not receive direct answers. One notes that there are a variety of answers in Hansard. If one examines the record from 23 July through to the present day, one finds a variety of differing answers from the Leader of the House.

That, I think, is the most salient reason: the refusal to be clear on the replacement of parkland-that is, the sale or transfer of the Swan Street Army depot in return for the land taken from the people of Melbourne at Flinders Park, which had made me and other members convinced that the present project is not properly administered and should not go ahead in its present form.

Several weeks ago in another place reasonable questions were asked. If those questions had been properly and consistently answered, perhaps our situation may have been different toni~t. However, we did not get any answers in the other place and since then the OppositIon has not received proper answers to perfectly reasonable questions.

I suspect that the real situation was that the Government, flushed with a temporary majority in this House, did not really bother to worry about reasonable requests from the Opposition and from any sporting people who wanted proper answers about the administration of the whole project. The Government thought it would coast through the Nunawading election and it thought, "Who worries about what the Opposition thinks, anyway?"

That arrogance has been sadly misplaced. The Government should be prepared to reconsider the reality of the situation in this place. The Government has covered up on a great number of reasonable requests made by the Opposition over the past six months. I, as convener of the Opposition's sport and recreation committee-as well as others on the committee-have honestly tried to obtain proper answers to questions. We have arranged viewings and meetings and asked questions, but to no avail. Hence our position, which has been clearly stated today.

I also wish to refer to one or two other matters. I wish to put the situation of the Lawn Tennis Association of Australia, the Victorian Tennis Association and the Victorian Country Tennis Association in some perspective. It is important to do so in fairness to the Lawn Tennis Association of Australia.

We have all discussed our life stories tonight and at other times, so I shall now discuss mine. I have been a member of the Lawn Tennis Association of Victoria at Kooyong for


many years and I understand clearly the situation at Kooyong. I am sure honourable members on the Government side are not quite so clear about the matter.

The Lawn Tennis Association of Victoria, through Kooyong, administered tennis successfully in this State in years gone by. However, the problem there was the small area and the fact that the site was badly shaped for a big tennis venue. The residents were not happy about extensions to the existing boundaries and there were difficulties with car parking. Also, the residents were not happy about entertainment late at night, which is envisaged for the new centre to make it financially viable.

Therefore, six or seven years ago the crunch came when the Lawn Tennis Association of Victoria at Kooyong had the opportunity of deciding whether it wished to continue with big time tennis-the Australian Open and the Grand Slam tournament-or whether it should be a private club at Kooyong for its members. It is a nice little club. The vote was taken and the Kooyong members' club won the day. The real tennis people, as distinct from the social players and stayers, realized they had to look for another venue. They have not been able to find another venue although they have searched for one. The Kooyong centre has been used for two weeks of tennis at a cost of$475 000.

One can well understand and sympathize-not with the Government-with the Lawn Tennis Association of Australia in its attempts to look for a venue that will retain the Australian Open as a Grand Slam tournament and will retain the Australian Open in Victoria, especially in Melbourne. It is not an economic situation when it costs $475 000 for two weeks of tennis with all sorts of restraints from the Lawn Tennis Association of Victoria and local residents complaining about car parking and so on. One can understand and sympathize with their desire to find another suitable venue.

Over the years the Lawn Tennis Association of Victoria has been concerned with tennis in Victoria, but, with due respect to the club of which I am a member, I do not think it has a vital role to play in this debate except to thank it for its services to tennis in the past. That is in the past and it could not possibly provide a venue for the Australian Open in the future; there is no shadow of doubt about that.

The Victorian Tennis Association is the body that controls tennis in Victoria, although I know the Victorian Country Tennis Association controls a percentage of tennis in country areas. In time, the Victorian Tennis Association is likely, perhaps in conjunction with the Victorian Country Tennis Association, to control all tennis in country areas.

The Victorian Tennis Association is the representative body of tennis in Victoria. It is affiliated with the Lawn Tennis Association of Australia. I must lay to rest once and for all the spurious and dubious claim that the Lawn Tennis Association of Victoria has a right to be strongly consulted on this matter because it does not have any say in the control of tennis in Victoria. It is an irrelevancy when one is speaking about the control of tennis, except that it provides a venue each year for the Australian Open at a cost of$475 000 for two weeks.

It is with sadness that the Opposition opposes the operation of the proposed National Tennis Centre by the Government. As one who is keen on sport and has many contacts not only in cricket but also in the tennis world, I am proud to say that I am a personal friend of Frank Sedgman. He has written a letter about the proposed tennis stadium, has played at Kooyong on many occasions and realizes that times must change. I also worked for many years for John P. Young, who is a former president of the Lawn Tennis Association of Victoria, so I understand the emotions and tensions involved in this issue.

The Executive Director of the Lawn Tennis Association of Australia, Mr Colin McDonald, is a former cricketer who has served his State and country with distinction in the sporting field. Colin McDonald played cricket before 91 000 people and made 91 runs. He is a straight shooter, always has been and always will be. He has endeavoured to obtain the best possible deal for the Lawn Tennis Association of Australia. The association has every right to look for a better venue than Kooyong to ensure that the Australian Open


retains its Grand Slam status and is held in Victoria. I have some sympathy for the Lawn Tennis Association of Australia and the Victorian Tennis Association, as the third leg of the triangle with the Government.

If the Government and the Lawn Tennis Association of Australia had administered the scheme properly in the early stages, they would not have had to share most of the blame. Even in the past six months, the Government has not taken the opportunity to answer questions and clear up problems in the interests of Victorians. The Government should have come clean and provided answers to the various questions raised, particularly on the issue of replacement of parkland. If that were done, perhaps the Opposition would not be opposing the Bill tonight.

The Government has acted casually and arrogantly. Sometimes its approach has changed every 5 minutes or so, but it has taken no account of reasonable requests for information.

The Opposition opposes the project on the basis of finance. The Government will guarantee a loan of$53 million-plus-plus! Where will it end? Will taxpayers in the future have to pick up the pieces? There are many problems with transport, roads and parkland.

Will the Swan Street Army depot ever become available? Questions have been raised in this House about when that transfer will take place, but no definite answer has been given. Although Mr McArthur tabled a letter, no definite answer has been given on whether the Army depot will be transferred to the State Government before the Flinders Park area is taken.

The Opposition supports the tennis stadium being built in Melbourne but it opposes the Victorian Government's handling of the matter in the way it has. I do not criticize the Lawn Tennis Association of Australia for its desire to obtain a decent stadium in which to hold the Australian Open. The Opposition is responsible in representing the interests of Victorians and in safe~uarding them from a shambles. If the tennis stadium is built in Melbourne, the OpposItion wishes it every success, but people should recognize that the Liberal Party has done its best to warn them of the dangers and difficulties such a massive operation will entail.

I hope the project succeeds, but it should be remembered that the Liberal Party worked hard to ensure that all matters were cleared up before the project was given the final OK. The Liberal Party wanted Victorians to have open government.

The Hon. F. J. GRANTER (Central Highlands Province)-This is an important Bill for Victorians. As my colleagues, Mr Ward, Mr Reid and Mr Miles have stated, the Opposition is in favour of a national tennis centre but it does not like the site the Government has suggested. I am at a loss to understand how the Leader of the House, the Minister for Planning and Environment, could support the proposed National Tennis Centre on the Flinders Park site.

I should have thought that the Minister would be the one man in Cabinet who would have been a protector of public lands for the benefit of Victorians in future years. However, it appears that he was defeated in Cabinet because the Premier wanted a site for the proposed National Tennis Centre. The Government will have the numbers in this place, supported by the National Party, to pass the Bill. It is strange that the National Party supports the tennis stadium being constructed on Flinders Park. I should have thought the National Party would also have been a protector of public lands for the future use of Victorians.

The Hon. K. I. M. Wright-We investigated it thoroughly.

The Hon. F. J. GRANTER-If the proposed site were in a country area such as Mildura, I am sure Mr Wright or Mr Dunn would be upset about it.

The Hon. K. I. M. Wright-We have 50 courts on Crown land on the River Murray waterfront.


The Hon. F. J. GRANTER-I know that, but they often used to be flooded from time to time, and it took a good Liberal Government to fix it up.

The Hon. B. P. Dunn-That's going a bit far!

The Hon. F. J. GRANTER-I did not see Mr Dunn or Mr Wright at the courts, but I did see the honourable member for Mildura in another place, Mr Whiting, who is a good local member. The Corporation of the City of Melbourne and a number of other organizations referred to by Mr Reid oppose the proposed National Tennis Centre being constructed on that site. The view of the corporation should be taken into account because it is a responsible body. The men and women of the corporation have responsible positions and should be listened to by the Government. The Opposition has taken the opinion of the corporation into account but it will not be acted on. The cost of the site is estimated at $53 million-plus. I wonder whether the Minister for Conservation, Forests and Lands could provide some guarantee of the top cost of constructing the centre.

Honourable members agree that parking will be a problem in the Olympic Park-Melbourne Sports and Entertainment Centre and proposed National Tennis Centre area. The congestion caused by traffic near Princes Bridge over the Yarra River, which is the only outlet for the southern suburbs, will be enormous. The traffic congestion at VFL Park would be familiar to honourable members. One can rely on having to wait for at least half an hour before getting away from that stadium. People have no alternative but to sit and wait. .

The alternative sites mentioned by my colleagues such as the St Kilda Junction Oval and the Newmarket sale-yards, are both served by public transport and could be used for the proposed National Tennis Centre. Of course, Mr Brian Rodwell has interrupted the sale of Newmarket, but I imagine that will not be for long and that the Government will introduce legislation so that the operators are forced out of the Newmarket sale-yards.

Another site that could be investi~ated is in the Tullamarine area, which is well served by the Tullamarine Freeway. The Siting of the proposed National Tennis Centre in that area could be a catalyst for Improved public transport. Public transport will be needed in that area with the development of Melbourne Airport and the number of people who use that airport daily.

Other sites could be investigated; I do not believe the proposed site is the correct site for the centre. The Liberal Party supports the proposed National Tennis Centre but not on the proposed site. I hope the Government, even at this late hour, will further investigate the siting of the proposed centre and develop the centre in an area suggested by my colleagues.

Victoria should have a National Tennis Centre because it is the best sporting State of Australia and it would be a tragedy if Victoria were to lose a national tennis title event. I support the construction of the proposed National Tennis Centre but not on the proposed site.

The House divided on the motion (the Hon. R. A. Mackenzie in the chair). Ayes 23 Noes 14


AYES MrAmold MrBaxter Mrs Coxsedge Mrs Dixon MrDunn Mr Evans MrHallam

9

NOES Mr Birrell Mr Chamberlain MrConnard Mrde Fegely MrGrimwade MrGuest MrHunt

762 COUNCIL 30 October 1985

AYES MrHenshaw MrsHogg MrKennan MrKennedy Mrs Kirner MrsLyster MrMcArthur MrsMcLean MrSgro MrVanBuren MrWalker MrWhite MrWright

Tellers MrMier MrSandon

MrCrawford MrMurphy MrPullen

PAIRS

I The Bill was read a second time and committed.

Clause 1 was agreed to.

Clause 2

National Tennis Centre Bill

NOES MrMacey MrReid MrStorey Mrs Varty MrWard

Tellers MrLawson MrMiles

MrGranter MrLong MrKnowles

The Hon. J. E. KIRNER (Minister for Conservation, Forests and Lands)-I shall take the opportunity of replying to several points raised by the Opposition. The first question raised was the obvious one: do we need the proposed National Tennnis Centre? I think that question was appropriately answered by Mr Evans who pointed out that, if Australia is to regain its former position in tennis, it needs a tennis centre of international standard that is able to stage the Australian Open, which is a Grand Slam tournament.

The Melbourne City Council and the Olympic Park mana~ement committee have also stated that the need exists for a mass entertainment venue In Melbourne with a seating capacity of 7000, so the Victorian Government has recognized the stated public need for a national tennis centre and a mass entertainment venue. In doing so we are reflecting our economic strategy and development policies. The mass entertainment centre will thereby establish an east coast entertainment circuit of Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne.

Although Mr Miles supported the need for the proposed National Tennis Centre and would hopefully prefer it to be in Melbourne rather than in some overseas country for which he seems to have a particular liking, he also claimed that, if anything goes wrong with the project, the Liberal Party cannot be blamed for it. That is a somewhat hypocritical stance in that, when the environment effects statement was published in 1984 giving full details of parks, traffic, public transport and pedestrian needs, no comment, statement or response was received from the Liberal Party.

The Hon. J. G. Miles-I had just got preselection then.

The Hon. J. E. KIRNER-I did not pretend to suggest that Mr Miles comprised the whole of the Liberal Party. Ifhe did, it would be in trouble.

Another question, raised by Mr Ward, was the impact of the centre on amateur sports ~enerally. That matter has been considered by the Government, particularly by the MinIster for Sport and Recreation in another place, who has an outstanding commitment to amateur sport. It should be pointed out that the proposed National Tennis Centre will not receive funding from the Federal Government's national sports facilities program. Consequently, the Victorian sporting complexes, which are predominantly for amateur sports,


have already been approved for funding under that program and will not be adversely affected. That includes complexes such as the Carrum water sports complex, the national gliding facility, the Albert Park squash centre redevelopment, construction of a warm-up track at Olympic Park and the development of a softball and baseball centre, hopefully in the western suburbs of Melbourne. No doubt Mr Reid and Mr Birrell will be in favour of that last proposal.

The Hon. H. R. Ward-I raised the point that you should not let the Federal Government off the hook.

The Hon. J. E. KIRNER-A matter I acknowledge as being of major public concern is the issue that Mr Ward described as giving away the natural environment. He was not consistent, however, because he talked about the land belonging to the people and said how important it was for people to retain ownership of the land, and at the same time he talked about the Kooyong tennis stadium, which he admitted is a private club. However, the point needs to be answered, so I shall go through that matter in some detail.

The first question that needs to be answered is the basis of the interjection by Mr Chamberlain which was: is the Government's action a cynical land grab of public open space? It has already been stated by Mr McArthur, in his excellent exposition of the Government's position, that the Government is committed to establishing replacement parkland during the construction phase of the project, and specific actions have already been outlined.

As we have had so much talk in this House today about double standards, it is fairly important to point out that the Opposition, when in government, proposed to convert much ofYarra Park to sporting venues without providing any replacement parkland.

The Hon. H. R. Ward-It did not happen, did it?

The Hon. J. E. KIRNER-It did not happen because there was a considerable outcry, but it could have happened. The former Liberal Government proposed it and did not retract the proposal. The amount of land involved in that grab of open space would have been huge.

One aspect that must be grappled with is the issue of public interest. Is it in the public interest in a general sense to have a national tennis centre? It is important to say to the public that they will own this centre; it will be open to their usage, and the return to Victoria and the Victorian community will be in the public interest. The more specific question is: what action is being taken to provide replacement parkland? Two car parks on the northern side of Swan Street will be returned to parkland. The athletic training area near the intersection of Swan Street and Punt Road will be relocated to Olympic Park, and the vacated area will be landscaped.

The Hon. N. B. Reid-What part of Olympic Park?

The Hon. J. E. KIRNER-I shall deal with that later. As Mr McArthur mentioned, negotiations have already commenced with the Federal Government for the relocation of the Army depot on the south side of Swan Street, adjacent to Yarra Park, and that site will also be returned to parkland. Mr McArthur also mentioned the exchange of correspondence between the Federal and State Governments, and I inform honourable members that the Commonwealth Government's letter was handed over on that wonderful day on which we had two wins: one was the letter from the Honourable John Brown; the other was Essendon's defeat of Hawthorn in the Victorian Football League grand final.

These measures will provide approximately 6 hectares of public space, and that will significantly enhance the environment of the most attractive part of the city.

Various members raised the question of alternative sites. I shall not detail all of them but I shall mention a couple, the first of which is the Newmarket-Lynch's Bridge area, in which I naturally have some interest both as a Minister and as a member for a nearby province. The Newmarket sale-yards area is unsuitable as a site for the proposed centre. It


was one of the alternative sites examined. The environment effects statement issued by the Minister for Planning and Environment on 21 June 1985 specifically listed a number of disadvantages of the Lynch's Bridge site.

These include the fact that much of the land is prone to flooding, and that is true, on the down side of the land; and the land which is not prone to flooding-and this is a very important point for the people of that area-has already been earmarked for either housing development or public open space. Anyone who knows that area will realize the importance of the joint public housing and public open space development to the people who live there.

The second area that was mentioned in the priority stakes was Albert Park. The Albert Park site was not suitable because it would have been impossible to replace public open space, given the already heavy building on that site and the acquisition of various sites in the area for other than passive recreation; nor is Albert Park as accessible by public transport as is the Flinders Park site. It is also, in general, closer to residential areas.

The major issues raised by Mr Reid and Mr Ward related to funding. It has already been clearly pointed out in the Lower House that the comparison of the 1985 price and the 1988 price as a discrepancy in the Government's pricing is fairly mischievious. However, I should like to refer to some of the funding issues.

The Peat Marwick study document estimated a cost of $60 million in August 1984 prices for the tennis and full mass entertainment facility. However, that was reviewed by the steering committee, and it was that committee's professional judgment that the construction costs could be reduced to $50 million in March 1985 prices. At that cost, the project remains a world-class venue, with no compromise on either tennis or mass entertainment features. I am sure those honourable members who have seen the model and the site plans would agree. .

Apart from the on-site construction costs, an amount of $2 million has also been included for a design contingency. Of course, the aim is to minimize the call on this sum, but some calls are likely. Additionally, some area costs are involved, which are directly attributable to the proposed National Tennis Centre. These are: modifications to the Swan Street-Batman Avenue intersection, $59 000; charter bus and taxi loading/unloading area, $20 000; pedestrian bridge across Swan Street opposite Olympic Park car park, $100 000; new sewerage and new water supply mains, $274 000; general landscaping of the area and landscaping of the west car park and the east car park, $623 000. That comes to a total, and additional, amount of $1·076 million. Therefore, overall, the construction cost of the National Tennis Centre in March 1985 prices is $53 million. These costs have already been made publicly available by the Premier in a press briefing given on Wednesday, 26 June. At the press briefing, the Premier also clearly indicated the Government's commitment to a $13·8 million package aimed at improving the environment of the general precinct.

It is totally misleading, as some speakers have attempted to do, to attribute to the National Tennis Centre project those costs which rightfully belong to the Jolimont railway yards development. These costs were detailed as other desirable works for stage 2 in the environmental assessment report, but they have no relevance to this debate.

The question was again rightfully asked as to how the proposed National Tennis Centre is to be funded. It is proposed that the vehicle for the financing arrangements on behalf of the proposed National Tennis Centre Trust be the State's central borrowing agency, that is, the Victorian Public Authorities Finance Agency, which is commonly known as VICFIN. This agency borrows funds on behalf of eligible participating authorities.

Long-term borrowings will be arranged by VICFIN, and these borrowings will be guaranteed by the Treasurer. The expected cost of borrowings on a long-term basis is estimated at about 14 per cent. In this regard, VICFIN has already issued more than $170 million of inscribed stock at average rates of 30 to 35 basis points over Commonwealth bonds.


VICFIN will also be able to issue promissory notes at rates below the bank accepted bill rate to bridge the proposed National Tennis Centre's shorter-term borrowing requirements until long-term funds may be issued on an advantageous basis.

The Hon. N. B. Reid-Does that include the relocation of the Army depot?

The Hon. J. E. KIRNER-I shall come to that. Financing options examined by VICFIN to date confirm that the project has a pay-back period of sixteen years. Sensitivity analysis conducted by officers of the Department of Management and Budget also indicate that a 1 per cent increase in the assumed financing costs-that is, from 14 per cent to 15 per cent as I have already mentioned, will prolong the repayment of the borrowings by only approximately one year.

Of course, when talking about costings, one does not take into account only the question of expenditure; one must also take into account the question of revenue. These, of course, are in the area of forecasting.

In 1988-89, in its first full year of operation, the proposed National Tennis Centre is forecast to have a net revenue-after all costs, but before interest payments and before profit share is given to the Lawn Tennis Association of Australia-of $7·89 million. This net revenue is made up as follows: Australian Open net revenues $5·23 million; other tennis events-for example, the Victorian Open and public court hire-$2·66 million; and non-tennis events-that is, major concerts and so on, estimated at 48 in the first year-$7·89 million. Revenues are forecast to grow further after 1988-89, recognizing expansion of activity in the centre. In 1990-91, net revenues are forecast at $10·28 million; and by 1994-95, the forecast is $13·8 million.

The issue of car parking was raised by several speakers. It is true that anyone who goes to entertainment venues in those areas at present must be concerned about traffic flow and car parking provisions. The Government has already set up a committee to examine traffic flow. I have only recently received a letter from the Olympic Park Committee of Management expressing its interest and willingness to be part of those discussions.

The existing supply of car parking spaces in the vicinity of the site consists of 1970 spaces. A total of 640 of those are provided by on-street parking. In approving the development of the proposed National Tennis Centre, the Government has specified that a parking strategy be adopted which caters for 3200 car parking spaces. This strategy is feasible and will utilize an on-site tennis centre car park, with a minimum of 300 spaces, and the development of a car park structure at Olympic Park of 1000 spaces.

In addition, Yarra Park car park north of the railway lines would be used to accommodate a minimum of 800 cars. It is slightly mischievious to talk about regular peak demands where there will be parking demand problems.

Studies indicate, and so does experience, that the peak parking demand which could cause difficulties shall probably arise on ten occasions a year at the very most. That peak parking demand is estimated at approximately 3200 vehicles. Consequently, the Yarra Park area would only be used during those periods. That effectively means that the use of parkland for car parking would be minimized.

The Hon. N. B. Reid-Does that include "Spruiker's Corner"?

The Hon. J. E. KIRNER-I am about to discuss that matter with the Corporation of the City of Melbourne. It has been a long-term issue, as Mr Reid well knows.

The next issue raised by Mr McArthur and other speakers was the details in relation to negotiations over the Army depot site. I shall go through the matter step by step. On 21 June 1985, the Treasurer of Victoria wrote to the Federal Minister for Defence, Mr Kim Beazley, initiating action for the transfer of the Army depot land. At the council meeting of sport and recreation Ministers held in New Zealand in July, the Minister for Sport and Recreation discussed the Army depot relocation with the Federal Minister for Sport,


Recreation and Tourism and Minister assisting the Minister for Defence, the Honourable John Brown.

On 6 August 1985, the Minister for Sport and Recreation wrote to the Federal Minister pointing out the importance of relocating the Army depot from the Swan Street site so that it could be converted to parkland. The need to have the matter resolved before October was highlighted in that letter.

Between August and September, considerable discussion took place, at officer level, regarding the matter, and the in-principle agreement, detailed in the correspondence that Mr McArthur mentioned, resulted from those discussions. The exchange of letters confirming the in-principle agreement was arranged on Saturday, 28 September 1985, the date of the two wins that I mentioned. The series of discussions relating to the transfer of land commenced in June 1985.

Points have been raised about the views of various organizations on the location of the proposed National Tennis Centre as distinct from the need for it. I shall refer to the view of the Corporation of the City of Melbourne. That view has been well expounded in the newspapers. However, a couple of points must be made about the position of the corporation. Firstly, it supports the need for an all-purpose indoor centre for both entertainment and sport, and secondly, it also agrees that it is essential for the centre to be centrally located and well served by public transport. The corporation has stated that the centre must be established within or on the fringe of the central city area and close to rail transport.

It is extremely interesting to note that, in the beautifully produced strategy plan of the Corporation of the City of Melbourne, which was published recently, the proposed National Tennis Centre is located in Flinders Park.

The Hon. N. B. Reid-When you say "recently, what "date was that?

The Hon. J. E. KIRNER-It was released before the council elections, so it must have been in August. Page 245 of the strategy plan refers to the tennis stadium as being part of the plan. Interestingly enough, on page 258, the strategy plan calls for the Swan Street Army depot site to be converted to low-cost visitor accommodation as one of the tourist possibilities for the area.

Although it is clear what the position of the Corporation of the City of Melbourne is in terms of the specific site, neither the concept of the centre nor the actual purity of the parkland is reflected in the strategy plan.

The Hon. N. B. Reid-Why do they still oppose it?

The Hon. J. E. KIRNER-Mr Reid should ask the corporation that question.

Another question raised was whether the Moomba organization will be disadvantaged by the proposed National Tennis Centre. I do not wish to misrepresent Mr Reid, but I believe he stated that the organization had not been consulted. The general manager of the Moomba organization, Mr Bob Moors, met with representatives of the Department of Planning and Environment and the Department of Sport and Recreation to discuss the staging of the Moomba Festival in 1986 and 1987 when the proposed National Tennis Centre is being constructed.

Mr Moors has been provided with information regarding the site requirements during the construction period, and the information will enable the Moomba organization to plan its 1986 and 1987 programs with certainty. Mr Moors has indicated to the DirectorGeneral of Sport and Recreation, Mr Harvey Parker, that the Moomba organization is quite satisfied with the action taken to date.

Another organization mentioned was one for which I am responsible, the Olympic Park management committee, which, as both Mr Ward and Mr Reid pointed out, is doing an excellent job in meeting its commitments and developing its area. Discussions have been


held with the management committee on the likely effects of the proposed National Tennis Centre. Those discussions, at officer level, have indicated that if the entertainment market continues to grow rapidly, there will be a demand for both the type of venue provided by the proposed National Tennis Centre and the venue provided by the Melbourne Sports and Entertainment Centre. The business of the entertainment centre has increased rapidly from 130 events in 1983-84 to approximately 210 events in 1984-85. If that demand continues to grow-and it is clear that the youth market is not dropping off-there should not be any difficulty in entertainment business being spread over the two centres.

It is also important to note that, to ensure co-operative development between the Olympic Park management committee and the proposed National Tennis Centre Trust, a member of the management committee will have a position on the trust. I have a letter from the Olympic Park management committee dated 22 October in which it indicates its willingness to co-operate with the proposed National Tennis Centre project.

On the matter of the cost of the transfer of the Swan Street Army depot land, as honourable members would know, various sites are being considered. The first site, allotment 2 in section 58 of the City of Port Melbourne, has an annual rental of $500; the second site, allotment 3, section 58, has an annual rental of $300; the third site, allotment 2s, section 58, has an annual rental of$55 840; and the fourth site, allotments 2B and 2e, sections 57 and 58, has an annual rental of$135 000.

The Valuer-General has been requested to supply a current market valuation for use in further negotiations with the Department of Defence. As honourable members realize, that is hardly a high investment for the replacement of that important area of Crown land.

If one carefully reads the letter from the Honourable John Brown, the Federal Minister for Sport, Recreation and Tourism, one understands that he is speaking about the replacement value. I have covered most of the points that were raised by honourable members and I am sure they will remind me if I have not covered them all. I have some amendments to move to clauses 28 and 29, but they are only machinery amendments.

The clause was agreed to, as were clauses 3 and 4.

Clause 5

The Hon. H. R. WARD (South Eastern Province)-I wish to raise a matter that was discussed during the second-reading debate on the power of the trust which will be made capable of:

(ii) acquiring, holding, leasing, taking oflease, disposing of or exchanging real or personal property; and

(iii) doing or suffering ...

-all the things in relation to this body corporate. This matter infringes on some of the remarks made by the Minister for Conservation, Forests and Lands.

The Minister could not say exactly what would happen to the second Olympic Park athletic track. I wish to know what will happen to that track. I also wish to know what the trust will be doing in general management. Where will the Olympic Park management committee be forced to situate the field games area? Where will the hammer and discusthrowing warm-up sessions be carried out? What will happen to the general management of major athletic events when that facility is removed?

In the general running of all athletic meetings, it is important that the hammer and discus-throwing events be held in an area that is slightly divorced from the people competing in the general field events. The damage that can be done as a result of the hammer or discus throw is quite considerable. That is the reason the area to which I referred is used on field days or for practice. If they are not held there, there will be considerable trouble in the general management of the athletic meetings.

It is no good trying to pretend that the events will be divorced from the area used for the main athletic meeting. If that is the case, it means that the people who are advising the


Minister do not know anything about athletics or the general management of athletics. I am trying to point out the problems that are being faced. The Olympic Park Committee of Management, in its analysis of the assessment of environmental effects, pointed out that this is a real and serious problem for the athletes. It was also pointed out by the Australian Athletes Union.

Will the discus and hammer-throwing events be shifted to Fawkner Park or Hennessy's Paddock in Royal Park? Will they be held in the same area as events such as the decathalon? Will the events be held in separate halves of the stadium?

The problem is serious and the athletes are faced with it only when they warm up on Saturday afternoons or when the meeting is held. The rest of the time that area is open for public use. I have outlined the reasons why the events are set up in that area where safety fences are provided. The same facilities cannot be produced at a major athletics meeting for combined events. The people involved with Olympic Park athletic meetings would like to know where the warm-up area will be situated.

The Hon. J. E. KIRNER (Minister for Conservation, Forests and Lands)-I already discussed those matters in the meeting I held last week with the representatives of the Olympic Park Committee of Management. The warm-up track does not present a difficUlty. It will be located inside the greyhound racetrack. The areas provided for the hammer throw and so on present greater difficulties in planning, but the Olympic Park committee is confident that it can overcome the problem. There are other areas, as Mr Ward indicated, between the greyhound racetrack and the No. 1 Ground at Olympic Park. IfOlympic Park is redesigned, it should not be difficult to meet the needs of the hammer throwers.

The clause was agreed to.

Clause 6

The Hon. H. R. WARD (South Eastern Province)-Mr McArthur claimed to have an outstanding knowledge of tennis, particularly that played on synthetic surfaces. I do not think he knows anything about that at all. I am concerned about the cost to renew the playing surfaces in the proposed National Tennis Centre from the time it is established until the year 2000. I do not want to be told it is an everlasting surface, because it is not.

All artificial surfaces certainly cannot last as long as that because of the changes in the surface created by its usage. Those who know anything about the use of synthetic surfaces are totally aware of that fact. I do not think the renewal of the surfaces has been included in the costing of the new centre or in its design. I accept that it is not necessary to state publicly what surface will be used in the proposed National Tennis Centre because that is a contractual arrangement.

The cost of renewing the surface over a twenty-year period has not been set out in the Bill. In that time the surface may have to be renewed three or four times. That may happen because of changes in the game and its usage.

The Hon. J. E. KIRNER (Minister for Conservation, Forests and Lands)-I have some experience with synthetic tracks in another sport in which Mr Ward has an interest-that is, hockey. I am well aware of the maintenance involved.

The Hon. H. R. Ward-That has changed now.

The Hon. J. E. KIRNER-That is true. The first part of the query on the maintenance was answered in the quote that I gave to Mr Ward earlier and was Included in the list of costs. The other point is that I think the Premier recently announced that funds have been provided to the Camberwell Tennis Club to allow it to experiment with the latest synthetic surface.

The Hon. J. H. Kennan-$80 OOO!

The Hon. J. E. KIRNER-I thank the Attorney-General. I am sure that tennis club will be only too happy for Mr Ward or Mr Reid to try out the new surface.


The clause was agreed to, as were clauses 7 to 22.

Clause 23 was verbally amended, and, as amended, was adopted, as were clauses 24 to 27.

Clause 28

The Hon. J. E. KIRNER (Minister for Conservation, Forests and Lands)-I seek your guidance, Mr Chairman, on whether to move the amendments individually or together.

The CHAIRMAN (the Hon. G. A. Sgro)-Order! The Minister may move the amendments in toto.

The Hon. J. E. KIRNER (Minister for Conservation, Forests and Lands)-I move: 2. Clause 28, line 13, omit "Registrar-General and the Registrar of Titles are" and insert "Registrar of Titles

is".

3. Clause 28, line 15, omit "on any conveyance".

4. Clause 28, line 17, omit "this section" and insert "sections 23,24 and 25".

5. Clause 28, line 18, omit "the Registrar-General or".

6. Clause 28, line 19, omit "(as the case may be)".

As a brief explanation, the aim of the amendments is to delete reference to the RegistrarGeneral. Some of the amendments are consequential. Although this term has been included in the past, it is not necessary to do so now. The Registrar-General must oversee the functions of general law of land to own, handle, build and to alter titles, whereas the Registrar of Titles, under the jurisdiction of the Land Act, has power to alter the titles.

The Hon. H. R. WARD (South Eastern Province)-I wonder whether the Committee has the approval of the Attorney-General to refer to simple English in this Bill.

The Hon. J. H. Kennan-Put it in Hansard-every criticism as well.

The Hon. H. R. WARD-Line 16 of clause 28 refers to "expedition". I believe the term should not be used because it causes too many problems. It may enable the person using the Act to do whatever he or she wants to do. That is not right. In any other document it may be necessary for carryin~ out the function or whatever, but I register my opposition to the use of the term "expedItion", as set out in line 16.

The amendments were agreed to, and the clause, as amended, was adopted.

Clause 29

The Hon. J. E. KIRNER (Minister for Conservation, Forests and Lands)-I move: Clause 29, line 26, after "Council" insert "or in any Crown Grant of the land".

The Hon. N. B. REID (Bendi~o Province)-I question the Minister on whether the reserve lands referred to are the pIeces ofland that the Army is being offered as part of the deal to relocate. I am not satisfied with the explanation the Minister gave about the costings of that relocation because she omitted to make any reference to the cost of the building and purely mentioned the land involved and rental applying to that land. I accept that, but I am not sure that the Minister has adequately explained the additional cost involved in providing buildings for the Army.

The Hon. J. E. KIRNER (Minister for Conservation, Forests and Lands)-I do not believe the clause refers to costs, although I note that Mr Reid took the opportunity of using the clause to ask me a question about costs. The clause does give the trust the power to enter and use land which will be set aside for the proposed National Tennis Centre. The amendment ensures that all the land that is required can be used.

The Hon. H. R. Ward-For clarification, is that the land that is shown in the schedule?

The Hon. J. E. KIRNER-Yes, that is right.


The amendment was agreed to, and the clause, as amended, was adopted, as was the remaining clause and the schedule.

The Bill was reported to the House with amendments, and the report was adopted.

The Hon. J. E. KIRNER (Minister for Conservation, Forests and Lands)-I move: That this Bill be now read a third time.

The Hon. H. R. WARD (South Eastern Province)-I refer again to the efforts of the Minister for Agriculture and Rural Affairs, who obtained most of the documents that were necessary to support the debate. I also record my thanks to Mr Harvey Parker, chairman of the operation, who did not back off when requested to chase up information that was not provided. I extend thanks also to his capable assistant, Mr Colin Carter.

As I mentioned I was disappointed that certain information was not made available. It is disappointing in a sense that the Minister for Conservation, Forests and Lands and the Minister for A~culture and Rural Affairs did not make the necessary points in answer to the matters raIsed specifically on the land. I remind the House again of the final point made during the debate that even though the Bill is being passed, the Opposition opposes the loss of this land, which is part of the natural environment. In establishing the proposed National Tennis Centre I believe the Federal Government ought to be prepared to support the State Government and provide money to establish the centre, as distinct from the portion allotted to the State tennis centre. I suggest this matter ought to be taken up and that the Federal Government should not be let off the hook.

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

The PRESIDENT-Order! I have made arrangements for supper to be served.

The sitting was suspended at 12.9 a.m. until 12.33 a.m. (Thursday).

MOTOR CAR (FURTHER AMENDMENT) BILL The debate (adjourned from earlier this day) on the motion of the Hon. J. H. Kennan

(Attorney-General) for the second reading of this Bill was resumed.

The Hon. ROBERT LA WSON (Higinbotham Province)-The Bill contains a number of unrelated amendments to the Motor Car Act, which is the principal Act. It is those various unrelated amendments that give the Opposition a good deal of trouble. The Government is determined that the Bill should be passed tonight and the Opposition agrees in part with that, because it is extremely important that part of the measure be passed tonight. The other.parts could very well have waited.

The history of the Bill has been extraordinary. It was introduced in another place today, was debated and passed there and came straight to this House. It was read here for a first time just prior to the suspension of the sitting for dinner, and it will be completed here tonight; so it will have been passed with extraordinary speed, despite the disparate nature of the amendments contained therein.

I shall discuss the reasons why the Opposition believes the Bill should be passed but is aggrieved about the inclusion in it of various amendments to the principal Act that could well have waited and been the subject of a separate Bill or series of Bills that could have come before Parliament, introduced in the normal way, adjourned for a week and gone through the normal process instead of the hurried process in which this House is involved tonight.

The reason why the Opposition is willing to agree to the passing of the Bill tonight relates to its popular name-the cannonball Bill. I shall read in part the introduction of the second-reading speech to explain the various objectives of the Bill:

The main purposes of the Bill are: to control speed trials on highways-

That is the cannonball part of it-


... to empower police to detain a person at a police station for up to 2 hours after driving for the purpose of furnishing a sample of breath for analysis by a breath analysing instrument; to abolish minimum fines for certain offences-

-and to make horrendous increases in maximum fines-... and to increase motor registration fees as from 1 January 1986 by approximately 7 per cent.

Honourable members will understand from that the reason why I said the Bill contains a number of disparate amendments. It is vital that the first part of it be passed tonight. The rest could well have been postponed.

The cannonball race arises from the film Cannonball Run that was made in America. Honourable members may have seen it at the theatre or recently on television. The subject of the film was a race of motor vehicles from one side of America to the other. All types of vehicles were involved-cars, pick-up wagons, trucks and so on. It was an entertaining film with a large number of well known actors taking part. During the race several vehicles crashed and made some amusing spectacles. Human nature being what it is, an American entrepreneur decided that it would be a good idea to stage a cannonball express run in real life, and that was done. Australian nature being what is, a local entrepreneur decided to do the same thing and last year a cannonball express race was staged starting from a property in Diggers Rest and concluding in Perth.

The race was the subject of a number of police prosecutions as police picked up various drivers speeding across Australia. According to a report in the Sun of 5 November 1984:

Police charged almost every finisher in the cross-Australia "Cannonball Run," which ended early yesterday.

Six people were arrested on charges of dangerous driving and most of the 25 entrants who completed the race were booked for speeding.

Police said some reached speeds of more than 180 kmh.

According to the second-reading notes, some were proven to have been travelling at 163 kilometres an hour, but that presumably was on the Victorian section of the race. On long straight stretches across the Nullarbor Plain, some vehicles reached 180 kilometres an hour.

From the information the police have received, it appears that another cannonball race is to take place during Melbourne Cup week, and it has been organized by the person who organized last year's race. It will depart from the same property in Diggers Rest and terminate in Western Australia.

The police want the Motor Car Act amended, because, although it allows police to charge the drivers of the vehicles in the race, it does not permit them to charge the race organizer. The Bill contains amendments to empower the police to lay the necessary charges. That accounts for the urgency of the Bill, with the race taking place next week. If the Opposition were to attempt to amend the Bill or strike out any of the unrelated amendments, I understand that the entire Bill would be lost. In those circumstances, the race would be able to take place and the police would not have power to deal with the organizers.

If there were fatalities, car smashes or injuries the Opposition would be branded as being responsible because it either refused to let the Bill pass or tried to amend it. For that reason the Opposition will neither oppose the Bill nor amend it, but will let it pass.

In addition to outlawing speed trials such as the Australian Cannonball Cup, the Bill will empower police to detain at a police station for up to 2 hours a person who has undergone a preliminary breath test. This provision has been requested by police in charge of the breathalyzer testing stations because at present breath analysing instruments are not always available when required.

At present, if a driver is suspected of having a blood alcohol content of over ·05, he or she is taken to a police station for breath analysing and if no analysing instrument is


available, that person is at liberty to leave because he or she cannot be detained by police. The police officer who either makes the arrest or detains the offender is the person who has to lay the charge. However, under the amendment contained in the Bill, the arresting officer can take the offender to the police station, do the paperwork, and leave the offender in the care of the officer in charge of the police station.

There has been considerable debate in the Opposition party room on the provision to empower police to detain a person at a police station for up to 2 hours. The Opposition believes if it attempted to amend that provision the Bill would not pass, and, therefore, the Opposition agrees to the Bill but registers its protest at that provision.

Clause 6 amends the Second Schedule to the principal Act to provide for increases in registration fees. Each motor car has a certain number of power-weight units, so that in some instances the increases in registration fees are quite substantial due to the number of power-weight units of a vehicle.

Clause 7 provides for the abolition of minimum fines in the principal Act. The maximum penalties have been increased in the most horrendous way imaginable.

The principal Act, which the Bill will amend, provides that the fine for having on the road an unregistered vehicle, that is a motor cycle or a trailer, is $50. That fine is to be increased to two and a half penalty units for a first offence and five and a half penalty units for a second offence. The fine for a first offence has increased from $200 to $250.

The principal Act provides that where the unregistered vehicle is a motor car having two axles the penalty is $200. That penalty is now to be four penalty units or $400. The penalty for a second offence is seven units, which is $1400.

The other fines increase proportionately where the unregistered vehicle is a vehicle having three axles, four axles, five or more axles. It is puzzling why a motor car should have four or more axles. The definition of a motor car is:

"Motor car" or "car"means any vehicle propelled by internal combustion steam gas oil electricity or any other power and used or intended for use on any highway and includes an articulated motor car a motor cycle and a motor tractor ...

That explains why the Act describes a motor car as having five or more axles.

What is striking is the tremendous increase in the maximum fines. When referring to the increase in motor registration fees by approximately 7 per cent in his second-reading speech, the Minister forgot to mention the tremendous increase in fines for unregistered vehicles. These are far in 'excess of the cost of living and if the Liberal Party had had more time to examine this measure it would have taken a more stringent look at this provision because it is far in excess of the cost of living. When one compares it to the money being taken from motorists over recent years, it gives some idea of the tremendous amount of money that is being ripped off motorists. The amounts to which I have referred include maximum fines and apparently small increases in registration fees.

I direct the attention of the House to the Budget Papers where petroleum franchise fees last year amounted to $192 million and this year $228 million, a rise of 18·5 per cent. The fees prescribed under section 7 A of the Motor Car Act amounted to $50 million last year and this year that amount will increase to $53 million, an increase of 5·3 per cent. In addition, there are fees for drivers' licences, third party insurance and so on. Last year the total amount ripped off from motorists was more than $288 million and this year $312 million will be extracted from motorists.

Apart from what must be budgeted for in the figures I have quoted, there has been an enormous increase, so honourable members can imagine the difficulties faced by the Opposition with respect to the Bill. The provisions should have been presented in several parts, but the Government has taken advantage of the fact that we are anxious to pass these provisions covering. the Australian Cannonball Cup and has introduced various provisions that sl10uld hav~ been included in a separate Bill. Unfortunately for us and for


the motorists of Victoria, we have no choice but to pass the Bill because we do not want that race, which is to take place during Melbourne Cup Week, to go ahead without the police having the necessary power to deal adequately with the breaches of the law that will occur during it.

For those reasons, the Opposition does not oppose the Bill, but points out that it does so under protest. The Opposition does not intend to amend the Bill in any way.

The Hon. D. M. EVANS (North Eastern Province)-The National Party has some concern about this measure in two different areas. The first is the very clear fact to which Mr Hunt referred earlier today, that unrelated issues have been tacked to the Bill.

The National Party accepts that the Government, correctly and rightly, has concerns about the so-called cannonball races. It is not unreasonable that proposed legislation be introduced to deal with them.

The National Party understands that the Government has found it necessary to introduce the Bill at very short notice to deal with the proposed race. However, perhaps the Government was remiss in not introducing such a measure following the last cannonball race in 1984, to which the second-reading speech refers. It has left it until the death-knock, so to speak, to bring in a measure in this case because another race is proposed.

The National Party is concerned that, in this matter of urgency, additional issues have been tacked on to the Bill which have nothing to do with the cannonball race. That puts the House in the difficult position when carrying out its proper and correct function of reviewing proposed legislation of either allowing the whole of the measure to pass, effecting substantial amendments to it, or holding up sections ofit. Because of the rushed nature of the Bill, it extends, I believe, the patience of the House and Parliament in a manner that is not necessary and not reasonable.

Honourable members are being asked to pass the whole of the Bill quickly to deal with a possible incident with which only one section of the Bill has any connection. One of these days, it may well be that the House will refuse to pass such a measure, and it would have every right to do so.

There are some provisions in the Bill that cause concern in their own right. For example, one provision is that those suspected of being guilty of driving a motor vehicle with more than the legal alcohol limit in their bloodstream can be apprehended and held at a police station for a period of2 hours. In many ways that would appear to be a perfectly reasonable thing to do, if a person is suspected of a serious offence and one which has been clearly proven to be a major cause of death on the roads-that is, of carrying too much alcohol in his blood, and therefore being unfit to drive.

However, some civil liberty issues are also at stake. For example, one is being held only on suspicion. Surely it is the business of the Police Force of this State to have available adequate testing facilities to test a driver who is suspected of being drunk.

I know the police are out with their puff-bags from time to time. I have been asked to puff in the bag on at least a couple of occasions.

The Hon. Robert Lawson-Did you puffin the bag?

The Hon. D. M. EV ANS-Yes; in fact, I was told to stop blowing because I would break it-and that is true. Sufficient puff-bags are available to the police generally which could be used in this case; and if the person was found to be above the legal limit after blowing into the puff-bag, there may well be an additional reason to ensure the tests are accurate by conducting further tests. However, to simply hold a person on suspicion for 2 hours is not a good precedent to set.

The National Party does not intend to oppose the Bill tonight, but it indicates its very real concern at this provision. It may be that public concern about the matter will be such that, in due course, honourable members will find an amendment to the Bill being intro-


duced into the House. Members of the National Party will wait in suspense and judgment on that matter.

A number of costs are also increased by provisions in the Bill. I understand from the second-readin~ speech that they represent an increase of some 7 per cent, which is roughly only in line wIth inflation; therefore, at least the Government has kept its commitment that it made to the people of Victoria prior to the election that no charges would be increased at a level beyond the inflation rate. Nevertheless, those provisions do not really come into the urgent class, and the House should have been given additional time to consider them, particularly, as I have indicated, since they are not urgent.

The Bill contains a clause dealing with the abolition of minimum fines, but some of the fines proposed in the Bill are very substantial indeed.

If the Bill suggested a minimum fine, it would give a clear indication of the breadth of fines that Parliament decided were sensible, adequate and equitable for the offence that may have been committed. The courts would then have some direction and guidance from the House on what is a reasonable penalty in all the circumstances. Somewhat less guidance is given when a maximum only is stated. Consideration needs to be given to that matter.

According to the second-reading notes the main issue is contained in clause 4, which deals with race or speed trials, and the lack of definition in the Bill is of concern to the National Party. In private discussions with my colleague, Mr Hallam, he pointed out that no definition of the term "race or speed trial" is contained in the Bill. I could find no definition in the Motor Car Act. We sought advice from the Attorney-General and from his adviser, but as yet we are awaiting that advice.

Although we are not opposed to the Bill, at the Committee stage it would not be unreasonable to expect advice on that matter to be given.

The Hon. J. H. Kennan-We are not going into Committee.

The Hon. B. P. Dunn-Why not?

The Hon. J. H. Kennan-Don~t feel like it.

The PRESIDENT -Order! I ask honourable members to cease this cross-conversation.

The Hon. D. M. EVANS-We have asked for that advice and would like an answer because we believe it is a critical matter. This offence has not been properly defined in the Bill. The Government brings this Bill before the House ostensibly to control race or speed trials but it does not define what they are. It may be that a smart lawyer could ensure that any person arrested or apprehended could very quickly be free because of this deficiency in definition. In that case, urgent as this Bill is and regardless of how quickly it may be passed by Parliament, it would be ineffective in practice.

Proposed new section 83A (3) states: A member of the police force may without warrant apprehend any person whom the member believes on

reasonable grounds has committed an offence under this section.

Having apprehended a person, it would seem that some penalties could be incurred. For a first offence, the penalty is five units. There does not appear to be any direction given for what is termed an on-the-spot fine. I assume that the offence would have to be proven before a court. If a person is taken into custody on the belief that that person may have been involved in a speed trial, can that person then be bailed out, and is there any penalty provided? What exactly happens? How will that stop a person engaging in a speed trial? That seems to be a woolly piece of drafting and will not achieve what the second-reading notes claim.

If a person offends against the road laws of the State and the Motor Car Act-it does not matter whether he is involved in a speed trial or a race or just an ordinary motorist in


a hurry to get home or somewhere else-he is still guilty of an offence and can still be fined.

As a definition of "speed trial" or "race" is not provided in the Bill, anyone driving on the highway, regardless of whether they are engaged in this mythical event, can suffer a penalty; that is clear. However, if "speed trial" or "race" is not defined, what will happen to the couple of young fellows who move away from traffic lights at a high speed. If one Questioned every honourable member, one would probably find that many of them did the same thing when they were young. That action could be defined as a race or a speed trial.

The Hon. J. H. Kennan-Do you want a pair? Are you one of the pairs for tomorrow?

The PRESIDENT -Order! I ask the Attorney-General to come to order. I will not warn him again.

The Hon. D. M. EV ANS-Those issues need answers. There are some pretty smart lawyers in this place and perhaps they can provide the answers. At this sta~e the National Party will not oppose the Bill. However, it will await advice from the MinIster during the Committee stage otherwise it will ask that progress be reported.

The Hon. B. A. CHAMBERLAIN (Western Province)-I shall briefly raise two issues. I understand that the Bill is not the Attorney-General's Bill, but I am not concerned about the provisions of clause 5-the "2 hour" rule. I am concerned about the provision itself, because it is a reasonable measure. However, I am concerned that such a measure has been introduced as proposed legislation without any prior consultation with the community.

I know that if the Bill were the Attorney-General's Bill that would not have happened as it would have been circulated and the Opposition would have been given the opportunity of circulating the proposal among professionals and others. The provision is a new proposal, and although I believe it is not unreasonable and that it will be a significant element in the armoury of the Police Force in combatting the drink driving problem, I am concerned about the fact that it is being presented to Parliament in this way and will be proclaimed within a matter of days. As a matter of principle, that is to be regretted.

The other point I shall mention is the provision in clause 7 abolishing minimum penalties for the driving of unregistered motor vehicles. I support that proposal. That provision currently impacts extremely heavily on the poor in the community; the people who cannot afford to register vehicles and, therefore, cannot afford to pay fines may end up in gaol. I know of clerks of courts who are unhappy about that provision and believe that it has worked unfairly. After all, there is no minimum penalty for murder, rape or a whole host of serious offences. In this area, however, a minimum penalty is currently imposed. That is not desirable, and I commend the Government in respect of that clause.


The Bill was read a second time and committed.

Clause 1 was agreed to.

Clause 2

The Hon. A. J. HUNT (South Eastern Province )-Some issues have been raised and I know the Attorney-General was not in the Chamber when debate on the Bill commenced. However, right from the start I drew the attention of the Minister then in charge of the Bill, the Minister for Health, to the undesirability of tacking unrelated measures on to an urgent measure and demanding that the whole Bill be treated urgently.

I asked that an undertaking be given that the fact of that undesirability would be taken back to Cabinet with a view to avoiding its recurrence. It was on that basis that the Opposition agreed to the urgent passage of the Bill. I understood that undertaking would


be given in Committee. If not, the Opposition will have to reconsider its position on the measure.

The Hon. J. H. KENNAN (Attorney-General)-I am not sure what undertaking Mr Hunt seeks. If it is that generally the Government avoids tacking non-urgent matters on to urgent matters, of course, that is very often done. However, I should make it clear in respect of this Bill that speed trials on the highways are an urgent matter.

The police are very concerned about what they believe may be their inability, under the present law, to keep people for 2 hours for the purposes of furnishing a breath signal.

The Hon. B. A. Chamberlain-That is not an urgent matter.

The Hon. J. H. KENNAN-The police would argue that people are being injured and killed on the roads as a result of drink driving. I should like to hear Mr Hunt's view and the view of the Liberal Party about the police attitude to that. I should like it to be placed on the record.

The Hon. A. J. Hunt-It is on the record; you were not here.

The Hon. J. H. KENNAN-Mr Hunt may lose his temper, and that is a matter for him. The police would argue that this matter should be clarified as a matter of urgency.

The Hon. B. A. Chamberlain-We say it should not be raised in this way.

The Hon. J. H. KENNAN-Members of the Opposition like to interject all the time. The Opposition apparently is not prepared to place any credibility on matters put forward by the police. I happen to have confidence in the views of the Police Force on the matter. I do not have the problem that the Liberal Party has about accepting the police view about this. I do not have a problem with taking steps to reduce the road toll, but Mr Hunt apparently has a problem. I do not have a problem with the merits of this provision, but apparently Mr Hunt has a problem.

The issue of minimum fines has been around, as Mr Chamberlain noted, for a long time-for too long, I think all honourable members would agree. There have been representations about that. Ever since I have been Attorney-General, I have been putting forward correspondence from community legal centres and others to the Minister for Transport for the purpose of getting rid of minimum fines. Ever since I have been Attorney-General I have received representations to remit the penalties through the Governor's remission of penalties provision and have done so. Previous Attorneys-General have also done so.

The motor registration fees speak for themselves. The Government is not in the business generally of adding unrelated non-urgent matters to urgent matters. I shall provide an example of that with respect to the urgent matter to be dealt with by way of jury trials. We will legislate in a separate piece oflegislation for that, although it would have been possible for me to have tacked that on to the courts Bill that I intend to introduce for the purpose of lying over.

However, with respect to all these matters a judgment has to be made at the time. I direct the attention of the Committee to the crimes Bill that the House passed a short time ago. That contained unrelated matters in the sense of the implementation of the criminal law working group recommendations on attempts in relation to offences against a person.

That could not be tacked onto a Bill as a matter of a subsequent Cabinet decision after approval in principle of an urgent measure in relation to rape in marriage. All of these matters are matters for judgment at that particular time.

In respect of the matter of juries, I shall be seeking to introduce a self-contained Bill and I will not be seeking to tack that provision onto any Bill. Apart from acknowledging the general principle of what Mr Hunt says, I do not think I can take the matter any further than that. We are not in the habit of doing that generally, whether that is to happen in any given case. It will always be a matter of judgment for Cabinet.

INDEX

VOLS. 379, 380

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

(Bills are listed alphabetically under "Bills")

A

Abattoirs-Meat inspection services, 52, 54, 653, 656, q 663, q 1124, q 1435. Code of practice, q 305, 424, 429, 653, 656, 978, 980, q 1124. Casterton, 978, 980.

Administrative Arrangements Orders-Nos 30 to 32, 31. Nos 33 and 34, 262. Nos 35 to 37, 326. No. 38, 825. Nos 39 and 40, 1377.

Adoption-Provision of information, q 163. Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Department of-Meat

inspection services, 52, 54, 653, 656, q 663, q 1124, q 1435. Bendigodiagnosticcentre, 53, 55,157,159. Victorian Crops Research Institute, Horsham, 119, 122, 217, 223. Humane disposal of aged sheep, q 126. Veterinary research centres, q 130, 169. Livestock Marketing Reporting Service, 426, 430. Biological control of pest species, q 443. Debit for milk price increase, q 50 I. Rural Affairs Office services, q 587. Rural industry research grants, q 591. Director-General, 806, 809. Proposed Horsham experimental fann, 978, 980. Staffcutbacks, q 1433. Operational structure, q 1436.

Aichi Prefecture-Gift to Victoria, 1471, 1531.

Alcoa of Australia Ltd-Portland smelter joint venture, 326.

Alpine Resorts Commission-Safety at Mount Buller, 976. .

Ambulance Services-Operations manager, Melbourne, q 61. Victorian Ambulance Commissio,:, q 61. Government consultation, 156, 161. Restructuring, 311, 452, 477. Husbands accompanying wives, 806, 811. For Cranbourne and Emerald, 1226, 1227.

Amusement Parlours-Report of working party, 133.

Animals-Feral dogs, 287, 292, q 1292. Proposed welfare legislation, 576, 580. Destruction of native

Animals-continued birds by feral cats, 978, 981. Fox scalp bounty, 1361,1366.

Arnold, Hon. M. J. (Templestowe Province)

Ambulance Services-Restructuring, 459.

Associations Incorporation (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill, 42.

Business of the House-Postponement, 803.

Capital Works Authority-Establishment, 110.

Christmas Felicitations, 1539.

Civil Justice Committee-Fixing offees, q 63.

Conservation-Hora and fauna guarantee, 1234. Crimes (Amendment) Bill, 395, 396.

Director of Public Prosecutions (Amendment) Bill, 277.

Electoral-Nunawading Province by-election, 705, 803.

Health-Giardiasis outbreak in Hamilton, q 665. Complaints procedures, q 1374.

Housing (Commonwealth-State-Northern Territory Agreement) Bill, 1259.

Interpretation of Legislation (Further Amendment) BiIl,268.

Legal Aid Commission-Amendments to legislation, q 501.

Legal Profession-Fixing of fees, q 63.

Legislation-Severance of constitutional links with United Kingdom, q 1435.

Lotteries Gaming and Betting (Gaming Machines) Bill, 140.

Medical Services-Complaints procedures, q 1374.

Mountain District Cattlemen's Association of Victoria-Attendance at Bar of House, 705, 803.

Municipalities-Road funding, 523.

(2) INDEX

Arnold, Hon. M. J.-continued

Nunawading Province By-election-Mountain cattlemen, 705, 803.

Petition-Aora and fauna guarantee, 1234. Points of Order-Apology to Chair and House, 787.

Statement in debate, 953. Public Trustee-Wills-on-wheels service, q 1048. Road Construction Authority-Road funding, 523. Standing Committees-Proposed, 95. State Finance-Public borrowings, 110. United Kingdom-Severance of constitutional links,

q 1435. Wrongs (Contribution) Bill, 45. Rulings and Statements as Acting Chairman of

Committees-Debate-Scope, 968. Interjections, 997. Audible

conversation, 1008.

Auditor-General's Office-Report, 327. Australia Acts (Request) BilI~ 791. Australian Optometrical Associatio~ q 1437.

B

Bail Act-Proposed amendments, q 818.

Baxter~ Hon. W. R. (North Eastern Province) Administrative Law (University Visitor) Bill, 410. Anglican Church of Australia Bill, 34. Appropriation (1985-86, No. 1) Bill, 933. Associations Incorporation (Miscellaneous

Amendments) Bill, 41. Australia Acts (Request) Bill, 784. Brothels, 133. Building Control (Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainers)

Bill,1201. Community Services-Regional child protection

services, q 441. Conservation, Forests and Lands, Department of-

Payment of accounts, q 822. Coroners Bill, 373. Coroners Bill (No. 2), 1173. Corrections, Office of-Serving of prison sentences,

q 168. Proposed Barwon correction centre, q 667. Crimes (Amendment) Bill, 205,390. Dangerous Goods-Signs, 574. Death-Mr Alexander Vale, 662. Decentralized Industry Incentive Payments

(Amendment) Bill, 1509. Education-Cost of wall frieze depicting women in

non-traditional employment, qn 585. Equal Opportunity-Law and policy, 1298. Evidence (Amendment) Bill, 1180.

Baxter, Hon. W. R.-continued

Fair Trading Bill, 558. Fishing Industry-Licences, q 1289. Scallop fishing,

q 1289, q 1435. Government Departments and Instrumentalities-

Registrations using rural mail box addresses, 155. Groundwater (Border Agreement) Bill, 1210. Historic Buildings (Amendment) Bill (No. 2), 1208. Hospital-Wodonga District, 286, q 1229. Identification Cards-State registry information,

q 129. Interpretation of Legislation (Further Amendment)

Bill, 266, 270, 271, 272, 273, 277. Juries (Amendment) Bill, 1184. Land-Election of land protection committees, q 65.

Rentals for alpine grazing, 427. Law Courts-Death of Mr Alexander Vale, Chief

Stipendiary Magistrate, 662. Legislative Council-President's deliberative vote,

87. Liquor Control (Vigneron's Licences) Bill, 1213. Magistrates (Summary Proceedings) (Amendment)

Bill, 647. Metropolitan Fire Brigades Board-Printing

Department, qn 813. Ministerial Statement-Equal opportunity law and

policy, 1298. Motor Car (Photographic Detection Devices) Bill,

1306. Municipalities-Road funding, 538. National Mutual Permanent Building Society Bill,

1107. Penalties and Sentences Bill, 1088. Petition-Planning (Brothels) Act 1984, 133. Points of Order-Reflection on Chair, 89.

Incorporation of material in Hansard, 702. Reflection on member of judiciary, 935.

Police Department-Industrial campaign, q 1050. Road Construction Authority-Road funding, 538. South Yarra Project (Subdivision and Management)

Bill, 1274. Stamps and Business Franchise (Tobacco)

(Amendment) Bill, 1494, 1496, 1498. State Electricity Commission (Tree Clearance) Bill,

919. Town and Country Planning (Brothels) Bill, 1144,

1392. Town and Country Planning (Western port) Bill, 638,

644,646. Urban Land Authority (Amendment) Bill, 568. Water Acts (Amendment) Bill, 1401, 1413, 1414. Wills (Amendment) Bill, 921. Wrongs (Contribution) Bill, 45.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (3)

BeefIndustry (See ··Primary Industries-Beef".) BiIIs-

Administrative Law (University Visitor) Bi/lIntroduction and first reading, 134; second reading, 210, 408; third reading, 411.

Adoption (Amendment) Bill-Introduction and first reading, 593; second reading, 729, 1101; third reading. 1105.

Anglican Church of Australia Bill-Second reading, 33; remaining stages, 35.

Appropriation (l985-86. No. I) Bill-Received from Assembly and first reading, 628; second reading, 718, 838, 933; Committee, 963, 990, 1056, 1108; third reading, 1114.

Associations Incorporation (Amendment) BiIIWithdrawn, 105.

Associat ions I ncorporat ion (M iscellaneous Amendments) Bill-Second reading, 39; Committee, 43, 102; remaining stages, 105.

Australia Acts (Request) Bill-Received from Assembly and first reading, 661; second reading, 780; third reading, 790.

Bail (Amendment) Bill-Introduction and first reading, 1053; second reading, 1132.

Bank Holidays (Amendment) Bill-Received from Assembly and first reading, 198; second reading, 214, 405; remaining stages, 408.

Building Control (Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainers) Bill-Introduction and first reading, 882; second reading, 1035, 1195; third reading, 1205.

Constitution (Governor's Salary and Pension) BiIIReceived from Assembly and first reading, 417; second reading, 417; third reading, 422. Reserved for Royal assent, 437.

Construction Industry Long Service Leave (Amendment) Bill-Received from Assembly and first reading, 1047; second reading, 1161, 1242; third reading, 1246.

Co-operation (Amendment) Bill-Received from Assembly and first reading, 1287; second reading, 1349, 1500; Committee and remaining stages, 1502.

Coroners Bill-Introduction and first reading, 3! ': second reading, 369. Withdrawn, 471.

Coroners Bill (No. 2)-Introduction and first reading, 476; second reading, 553, 628, 1173; Committee, 1175; remaining stages, 1179. Assembly amendments dealt with, 1517.

Credit (Administration) (Amendment) Bill-Received from Assembly and first reading, 1287; second reading, 1359, 1504; remaining stages, 1505.

Crimes (Amendment) Bill-Introduction and first reading, 134; second reading, 198, 384; Committee, 397; remaining stages, 403.

Bills-continued

Crimes (Criminal Investigations) Bill-Second reading, 1395; remaining stages, 1395.

Dairy Industry (Milk Price) Bill-Introduction and first reading, 924; second reading, 924, 1395; Committee, 1398; remaining stages, 1399.

Decentralized Industry Incentive Payments (Amendment) Bill-Received from Assembly and first reading, 1229; second reading, 1270, 1506; remaining stages, 1513.

Dental Technicians (Licences) Bill-Introduction and first reading, 134; second reading, 213, 411; Committee, 415; third reading, 417.

Director of Public Prosecutions (Amendment) BillSecond reading, 275; Committee, 278; remaining stages, 280.

Employment and Training (Rebates) Bill-Received from Assembly and first reading, 1331; second reading, 1353, 1472; Committee, 1474; remaining stages, 1475.

Environment Protection (Industrial Waste) BiIIReceived from Assembly and first reading, 1325; second reading, 1356, 1455; Committee, 1462; third reading, 1471.

Equal Opportunity (Amendment) Bill-Introduction and first reading, 315; second reading, 376, 604; Committee, 613, 626; remaining stages, ~26. Assembly amendments dealt with, 1433.

Evidence (Amendment) Bill-Introduction and first reading, 593; second reading, 834, 1179; Committee, 1180; remaining stages, 1181.

Fair Trading Bill-Received from Assembly and first reading, 295; second reading, 403, 554; third reading, 564.

Fairfield Land Bill-Second and third readings, 96. Firearms (Amendment) Bill-Received from

Assembly and first reading, 1287; second reading, 1351, 1479; Committee, 1483; third reading, 1485.

Forests and Country Fire Authority (Penalties) BiIIIntroduction and first reading, 445; second reading, 565, 633, 721; third reading, 724.

Forests (Wood Pulp Agreement) (Amendment) BiIIIntroduction and first reading, 593; second reading, 829, 1187; third reading, 1192.

Freedom of Information (Amendment) BiIIIntroduction and first reading, 1154; second reading, 1167.

Groundwater (Border Agreement) Bill-Received from Assembly and first reading, 818; second reading, 930, 1210; third reading, 1212.

Hairdressers Registration (Repeal) Bill-Received from Assembly and first reading, 1433; second reading, 1515; remaining stages, 1517.

(4) INDEX

Bills-continued Bills-continued

Health (Amendment) Bill-Introduction and first reading, 929; second reading, 1031, 1415; Committee, 1426; remaining stages, 1428. Assembly amendments dealt with, 1532.

Historic Buildings (Amendment) Bill-Introduction and first reading, 444. Withdrawn, 568.

Historic Buildings (Amendment) Bill (No. 2)Received from Assembly and first reading, 1101; second reading, 1207; third reading, 1209.

Housing (Commonwealth-State-Northern Territory Agreement) Bill-Received from Assembly and first reading, 661; second reading, 827, 1255; third reading, 1260.

Industrial Relations (Complementary Industrial Relations System) Bill-Received from Assembly and first reading, 365; second reading, 373, 445; remaining stages, 452.

Interpretation of Legislation (Further Amendment) Bill-Introduction and first reading, 31; second reading, 47, 265; Committee, 270; third reading, 275.

Juries (Amendment) Bill-Introduction and first reading, 825; second reading, 927, 1181; Committee, 1185, 1209; remaining stages, 1210.

Labour and Industry (Butcher Shops) BiIIIntroduction and first reading, 179; second reading, 180, 1378; third reading, 1391.

Labour and Industry (Registration Fees) BiIIReceived from Assembly and first reading, 983; second reading, 1030, 1217; third reading, 1218.

Land (Miscellaneous Matters) Bill-Introduction and first reading, 594; second reading, 830, 1276; third reading, 1281.

Land Tax (Amendment) Bill-Received from Assembly and first reading, 960; second reading, 961, 1214; remaining stages, 1217.

Legal Profession Practice (Amendment) BiIIReceived from Assembly and first reading, 1287; second reading, 1347, 1503; third reading, 1504.

Liquor Control (Vigneron's Licences) Bill-Received from Assembly and first reading, 983; second reading, 1031, 1212; third reading, 1214.

Local Government (Rating Appeals) Bill-Received from Assembly and first reading, 125; second reading, 209, 486; Committee, 497; remaining stages, 498.

Long Service Leave (Portable Benefits) BillReceived from Assembly and first reading, 1371; second reading, 1440; Committee, 1446; thirdreading motion negatived, 1448.

Lotteries Gaming and Betting (Gaming Machines) Bill-Received from Assembly and first reading, 33; second reading, 98, 135, 206; Committee, 207; remaining stages, 209.

Magistrates (Summary Proceedings) (Amendment) Bill-Introduction and first reading, 315; second reading, 381, 629; Committee, 631, 647; third reading, 649. Assembly amendment dealt with, 1428.

Marketing of Primary Products and Egg Industry Stabilization (Amendment) Bill-Introduction and first reading, 593; second reading, 828, 1246; remaining stages, 1255.

Meat Inspection Bill-Introduction and first reading, 925; second reading, 925, 1309; second-reading motion negatived, 1324.

Melbourne Cricket Ground (Amendment) BillIntroduction and first reading, 594; second reading, 833, 1223; third reading, 1225.

Melbourne University (Amendment) Bill-Received from Assembly and first reading, 1287; second reading, 1355, 1513; remaining stages, 1515.

Metropolitan Fire Brigades Superannuation (Amendment) Bill-Received from Assembly and first reading, 210; second reading, 215, 280; remaining stages, 283.

Motor Car (Further Amendment) Bill-Received from Assembly and first reading, 716; second reading, 725, 770; Committee, 775; remaining stages, 779.

Motor Car (Photographic Detection Devices) BiIlReceived from Assembly and first reading, 1083; second reading, 1268, 1301; Committee, 1307, 1325; remaining stages, 1331.

National Mutual Permanent Building Society BiIIIntroduction and first reading, 593; second reading, 720, 1106; declared a private Bill, 721: motion to treat as public Bill agreed to, 721; third reading, 1108.

National Parks (Alpine National Park) BiIIIntroduction and first reading, 729.

National Tennis Centre Bill-Received from Assembly and first reading, 295; second reading, 379,732,749; Committee, 762; third reading, 770.

Nurses (Amendment) Bill-Introduction and first reading, 315; second reading, 367, 597; third reading, 599.

Pay-roll Tax (Amendment) Bill-Received from Assembly and first reading, 961; second reading, 962, 1218; remaining stages, 1221.

Penalties and Sentences Bill-Introduction and first reading, 444; second reading, 566, 1083; Committee, 1090; remaining stages, 1101.

Police Regulation (Amendment) Bill-Received from Assembly and first reading, 1047; second reading, 1157, 1260; Committee, 1262, 1275; remaining stages, 1276.


Bills-continued

Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Bill-Introduction and first reading, 1294; second reading, 1521.

Racing (Fixed Percentage Distribution) BiI/Received from Assembly and first reading, 44; second reading, 99, 148; third reading, 152.

Registration of Births Deaths and Marriages (Amendment) BiI/-Received from Assembly and first reading, 379; second reading, 649, 1449; Committee, 1451; remaining stages, 1455.

Residential Tenancies Bill-Received from Assembly and first reading, 875.

Sale of Land (Allotments) Bill (No. 3)-Received from Assembly and first reading, 1047; second reading, I 155, 1237; third reading, 1242.

Soil Conservation and Land Utilization (Appeals) BiI/-Second reading, 97; third reading, 98.

South Yarra Project (Subdivision and Management) Bill-Received from Assembly and first reading, 1101; second reading, 1164, 1272; Committee and remaining stages, 1275.

Stamps and Business Franchise (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill-Received from Assembly and first reading, 983; second reading, 1054, 1486; Committee, 1495, 1532; third reading, 1532. Assembly amendments dealt with, 1532.

State Electricity Commission (Amendment) BiIlReceived from Assembly and first reading, 1047; second reading, 1154, 1221; remaining stages, 1223.

State Electricity Commission (Tree Clearance) BillIntroduction and first reading, 81; second reading, 181, 918; third reading, 920.

Superannuation Schemes Amendment Bil/Received from Assembly and first reading, 1395; second reading, 1475; remaining stages, 1478.

Town and Country Planning (Brothels) Bill (No. 2)Introduction and first reading, 882; second reading, I 136, 1392; remaining stages, 1395.

Town and Country Planning (Planning Schemes) Bill-Notice of first reading, 824; introduction and first reading, 927; second reading, 96 I, I 194; third reading, 1194.

Town and Country Planning (Westernport) BiI/Introduction and first reading, 315; second reading, 374, 599, 638; Committee, 640, 644; remaining stages, 647.

Transport (Amendment) Bill-Received from Assembly and first reading, 1193; second reading, 1266, 1331; Committee, 1336, 1428; third reading, 1430.

Transport (Victorian Ports Authority) Bill-Received from Assembly and first reading, 833; second reading, 1033.

Uniting Church in Australia (Trust Property) BiI/Introduction and first reading, 444; second reading,

Bills-continued

552, 626; declared a private Bill, 553; motion to treat as public Bill agreed to, 553; third reading, 628.

Urban Land Authority (Amendment) Bil/-Received from Assembly and first reading, 295; second reading, 384, 568; Committee, 570, 595; remaining stages, 597.

Vermin and Noxious Weeds (Amendment) Bil/Received from Assembly and first reading, 1276; second reading, 1300, 1337; Committee, 1345; remaining stages, 1347.

Water Acts (Amendment) Bill-Received from Assembly and first reading, 1223; second reading, 1263, 1399; Committee, 1412; remaining stages, 1415.

Westernport (Oil Refinery) (Further Agreement) Bil/Received from Assembly and first reading, 125; second reading, 212, 263; third reading, 265.

Wills (Amendment) Bill-Introduction and first reading, 316; second reading, 365, 921; third reading, 923.

Wrongs (Contribution) Bill-Second reading, 44; Committee, 46; remaining stages, 47.

Young Offenders (Interstate Transfer) BiI/Introduction and first reading, 1154; second reading, 1235.

Zoological Parks and Gardens (Amendment) Bil/Introduction and first reading, 1294; second reading, 1523.

Birrell, Hon. M. A. (East Yarra Province)

Ambulance Services-Operations manager, Melbourne, q 61. Restructuring, 454.

Appropriation (1985-86, No. I) Bill, 1006. Children-Pre-school programs, 508. Dental Services-School Dental Service, qn 1542. Dental Technicians (Licences) Bill, 414, 415. Electoral-Nunawading Province by-ele~tion, 686. Freedom ofInformation (Amendment) Bill, 1172. Geriatric Services-Nursing home beds, q 164. Health-Non-smoking areas in restaurants, q 1373. Health (Amendment) Bill, 1415, 1427, 1428. Health, Department of-Comments of regional

director, 217. Use of vehicles, qn 1541. Hospital Employees Federation-Royal Melbourne

Hospital dispute, q 1121. Settlement of membership dispute, q 1230.

Hospitals-Alfred, q 28. Prince Henry's, 227, 253, q 987. Effects of nursing dispute, q 310. Shortage of beds, q 442. McClelland report on capital works needs, q 665, 807, q 1436. Need for services, q 1050. Royal Melbourne, q 1121. Gippsland

(6) INDEX

Birrell, Hon. M. A.-continued

pathology dispute, 1282. Number of patients treated, qn 1543. Staff numbers, qn 1543.

Industrial Relations Commission-Annual report, 328,334.

Lotteries Gaming and Betting (Gaming Machines) Bill,207.

Management and Budget, Department of-Vehicles, qn 57.

Medical Services-General-Waiter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical

Research, q 505. Gippsland pathology dispute, 1282. School Medical Service, qn 1541.

Medical Practitioners-Entrepreneurial medicine, q 1287.

Nursing-Industrial dispute, q 310. Motor Car (Photographic Detection Devices) Bill,

1326. Nunawading Province By-election-How-to-vote

cards, 686. Nurses (Amendment) Bill, 598. Petitions-Planning (Brothels) Act 1984, 314. Pre

schools, 508. Planning (Brothels) Act 1984, 314. Points of Order-Un parliamentary expression, 112.

Scope of debate, 329. Matter raised on motion for adjournment of sitting to relate to Government administration, 572, 573.

Police Department-Reported crimes and conviction rates, qn 1041.

Public Service-Dismissals, qn 293. Question on Notice-Answer, 1361. Restaurants-Non-smoking areas, q 1373. Road Safety Committee, Proposed, 1147. Road Traffic Authority-Proposed Road Safety

Committee, 1147. State Electricity Commission-Annual report, 328,

334. State Transport Authority-Employment of Mr S. J.

Perryman, qn 293. Teaching Service Conciliation and Arbitration

Commission-Annual report, 328, 334. Unions-Hospital Employees Federation, 1121,

q 1230. Waiter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical

Research-Industrial dispute, q 505.

Bonlac Foods Ltd, q 1229. Brothels-Planning (Brothels) Act 1984, 31, 66, 133,

260, 314, 1053. Legislation, 423, 428, S08, 810. Neave report on prostitution, q 879, q 1232.

Budget-Tabling of documents, 132. For 1985-86,628, 718, 838, 933, 963, 990, 1056, 11 OS, 1114.

Builden Labouren Federation-Fees paid by work experience student, 218. Retrial of Mr Norman Gallagher, q 591.

Burnet, Sir Macfarlane, q 126. Bush Fires-Govemment equipment, q 305. Depart

ment of Conservation, Forests and Lands: role of staff, 498, 500; fire-fighting preparation, q 1437.

Business of the House-Order, 67, 95,327,826. Days and hours of meeting, 216, 1226, 1293. Sessional Orders, 403,644, 749, 990,1152. Adjournment of sitting, 793. Postponement, 795, 801.

C

Capital Works Authority-Public borrowings, q 27. Establishment,67,106.

Cattle Compensation Fund, q 1291. Cemeteries-Eltham, 222, 428, 431, S09, 811. Report

of Mortuary Industry and Cemeteries Administration Committee, 1378.

''Cerberus'', 220, 223.

Chairman of Committees, The (Hon. G. A. Sgro)

Rulings and Statements 0/-Debate-On clauses, 271. Order of business, 620.

Chairmen of Committees, Temporary-Appointment, 2.

Chamberlain, Hon. B. A. (Western Province)

Administrative Law (University Visitor) Bill, 212, 4OS.

Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Department ofDirector-General, 806.

Alpine Resorts Commission-Safety at Mount Buller, 976.

Ambulance Services-Restructuring, 479. Anglican Church of Australia Bill, 33. Appropriation (1985-86, No. I) Bill, 1065. Associations Incorporation (Amendment) Bill, 105. Associations Incorporation (Miscellaneous

Amendments) Bill, 39, 43, 102, 103, 104. Bail Act-Proposed amendments, q 818. Bail (Amendment) Bill, 1053, 1132. Builders Labourers Federation-Retrial of Mr

Norman Gallagher, q 591. Business of the House-Adjournment of sitting, 794.

Postponement, 796. Capital Works Authority-Establishment, 81, 109. Conservation, Forests and Lands, Department of

Motor registrations, insurances and debts, 19. Accounts, q 63.


Chamberlain, Hon. B. A.-continued

Co-operation (Amendment) Bill, 1500. Coroners Bill (No. 2), 628, 1176, 1178, 1179, 1521. Corporate Affairs Office-Staff, q 983. Liability for

advice, q 1291. Corrections, Office of-Allegations against employee,

q 309. Pentridge Prison officers' strike, q 506. Fairlea Female Prison, q 1229.

Crimes (Amendment) Bill, 205, 384, 399,40 I, 402. Director of Public Prosecutions-Report for

1984-85, 1300. Office accommodation, 1365. Director of Public Prosecutions (Amendment) Bill,

275,279. Drugs-Legalization of marijuana, q 258. Electoral-Nunawading Province by-election, 794,

796. Equal Opportunity-Law and policy, 129S. Equal Opportunity (Amendment) Bill, 604, 615,

1433. Evidence (Amendment) Bill, 1179. Explosives-Live hand grenades found at Monivae

College, 868. Freedom of Information-Monash University

request to amend Act, q 129. Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill, 1170,

1171. Gallagher, Mr Norman-Retrial, q 591. Geelong-Threat to water supply, q 16S. Health (Amendment) Bill, 929. Historic Buildings (Amendment) Bill (No. 2), 1208. Hospitals-Supply of drugs, 153. Colac District, 288.

McClelland report on capital works needs, q 1124. Housing (Commonwealth-State-Northern Territory

Agreement) Bill, 1255. Interpretation of Legislation (Further Amendment)

Bill, 49, 265, 272. Juries (Amendment) Bill, IISI, 1210. Law Courts-Statements by jurors, q 43S. Reports

of decisions, 574. Management change program, q 1374.

Law Department-Lost correspondence, 53. Legal Profession Practice (Amendment) Bill, 1503. Legislative Council-President's deliberative vote

90. '

Long Service Leave (Portable Benefits) Bill, 1446. Magistrates (Summary Proceedings) (Amendment)

Bill, 383, 629. Marijuana-Legalization, q 25S. Ministerial Statement-Equal opportunity law and

policy, 1298. Monivae College-Live hand grenades, 86S. Motor Car (Further Amendment) Bill, 775. Mount Buller-Safety, 976.

Chamberlain, Hon. B. A.-continued

Mountain District Cattlemen's Association of Victoria-Attendance at Bar of House, 794, 796.

National Parks-Grampians, 425. Nunawading Province By-election-Mountain

cattlemen, 794, 796. Penalties and Sentences Bill, 1083, 1093, 1094, 1097,

1098,1099, 1100. Petroleum Products-Motor fuel levy, qn 585. Points of Order-Admissibility of question without

notice, 592. Order of business, 620. Effect of motion for postponement of business, 805.

Police Department-Bail for persons charged with trafficking in heroin, q 818. Delays in analysis of drugs, q 877.

Questions without Notice-Length of answers, q 131. Road Construction Authority-Road funding,

qn 433. Road Traffic Authority-Road funding, qn 433,

qn 434. Motor fuel levy, qn 585. State Finance-Public borrowings, 81, 109. Taxation-State taxes and charges, q 25. Unions-Builders Labourers Federation, q 591. Uniting Church in Australia (Trust Property) Bill,

627. Urban Land Authority (Amendment) Bill, 570,571,

596,597. Water-Threat to Geelong supply, q 168. Wills (Amendment) Bill, 316, 365, 923. Wrongs (Contribution) Bill, 44, 46, 47.

Children-

General-Supervision while swimming, 807, 811. Custodial and guardianship powers, q 1291. (See also "Community Services-Children".)

Pre-schools-Programs, 133,314,508,882,988,1127, 1235. Commonwealth and State funding, q 165, 427, 431, q 437, 1037, 1039, q 1288. Glen Tots centre, q 591. Review, q 821. Questionnaires, 977, 9S1. Use of centres, q 1288.

China-Beef cattle project, qn 1543. Christmas Felicitations, 1533. Civil Justice Committee, q 63. Clerk of the Parliaments-Appointment, 125. Clerk, The-Absence, 125. Coal Miners' Accidents Relief Board-Report for

1984-85, 1439. Community Services-

Children-Early childhood development programs, q 29, q 259. Funding of infant welfare centres, q 66. AlIambie Reception Centre, 218, 225. Regional protection services, q 259, 287, 291, q 441, q 878. Reduction in use of institutions, q 506. Services, 621. Foster care programs, q 821. Consultation

(8) INDEX

Community Services-continued

with local government, q 880. Funding for child protection self-help groups, q 1434. (See also "Children".)

Department-Transfer of functions from Department of Health, q 62, q 258, 260. Computer technology, q 64. Collection of debts, q 443. Employment Access Program, q 1124. Restructure, 1524.

General-Inner Eastern Regional Consultative Council, q 30. Funds for Southern Family Life Volunteer Agency, 121, 123. Handyperson scheme, 285, 290. For migrants, q 310. Anti-poverty strategy. q 441. Rural services, q 587. Self-help groups, q 664, 1037, 1038, q 1434. Home energy concessions, q 984. Chelsea Poverty Task Force, q 987. State Government Concessions in Victoria pamphlet, q 1052.

intellectual Disability Services-Community residential units. 571, 582. Staffing of Office of Intellectual Disability Services, 654, 657. Karingal residential units, 1360, 1368, q 1375.

Youth-Western suburbs reception centre, q 1232. Harrison House, q 1292.

Connard, Hon. G. P. (Higinbotham Province)

Appropriation (1985-86, No. I) Bill, 947, 1027. Australia Acts (Request) Bill, 787, 791. Castlefield Shopping Centre, 219. Children-Pre-school programs, 882. Corrections, Office of-Showing of films at prisons,

869. Credit (Administration) (Amendment) Bill, 1504. Dental Technicians (Licences) Bill, 414. Economic and Budget Review Committee-Report

presented: Remuneration of visiting medical staff at public hospitals, 1053.

Education-Specialist teachers, 50. Moorabbin College of T AFE, 285. Primary teacher training, 1036.

Electoral-Nunawading Province by-election, q 308, 691.

Equal Opportunity-Federal and State industrial legislation, 653.

Equal Opportunity (Amendment) Bill, 612, 618. Fair Trading Bill, 563. Geriatric Services-Home and community care

program, 426. Health (Amendment) Bill, 1425. Health, Department of-Regionalization, 808. Hospitals-Prince Henry's, 244. Hampton

Rehabilitation, 576, 1362. Brighton Community, 576, 1362. McClelland report on capital works

Connard, Hon. G. P.-continued

needs, 576, q 1050, q 1233. Remuneration of visiting medical staff report, 1053.

Housing, Ministry of-Castlefield shopping centre, 219.

Industrial Relations Commission-Annual report, 349.

Industrial Relations (Complementary Industrial Relations System) Bill, 450.

Metropolitan Transit Authority-Moorabbin railway line, 1115.

Mordialloc Pier, 155. Municipalities-Beach cleaning subsidies, 1226. Nunawading Province By-election-How-to-vote

cards, q 308, 691. Penguins-Deaths in Port Phillip and Western port

bays, 979. Personal Explanation-Record of opposition to Bill,

791. Petition-Pre-schools, 882. Pollution-In Port Phillip Bay, 979. Port Phillip Bay-Pollution, 979. Municipal beach

cleaning subsidies, 1226. Ports and Harbors, Division of-Mordialloc pier,

155. Public Service-Tenure of permanent heads, 119. Road Traffic Authority-Signals for T AFE college,

Moorabbin, 285. State Electricity Commission-Annual report, 349. State Electricity Commission (Amendment) Bill,

1222. Teaching Service Conciliation and Arbitration

Commission-Annual report, 349. Town and Country Planning (Brothels) Bill, 1394.

Conservatio~ Forests and Lands-

Conservation-Land Conservation Council: report on east Gippsland, q 589; changing role, q 878. Grants, 651, 657, qn 1043. Protection of unique natural features, q 1051. Seaford foreshore, q 1233. Flora and fauna guarantee, 1234.

Department-Motor registrations, insurances and debts, 2. Resignation of Mr Robert Russell, q 62. Accounts, q 63, q 65, 118, 123, q 128, q 256,285, 291, qn 435, q 822, q 1433. Accidents: at Toolleen, 154, 162; at Collingwood, q 166, 285, 291; at Morwell River road, 285, 291. Killing of feral dogs, 287, 292. Fire-fighting equipment, q 305. Proposed sacking of Mr Adamson, q 309. Payment of employees, qn 436. Role of staff in fire fighting, 498, 500. Performance, q 50 I. Soil conservation field extension officers, 577, 584. Grants, 651, 657, qn 1043. Freedom of information request, q 663. Regionalization, qn 1041. Purchase ofweedicides


Conservation, Forests and Lands-continued

for resale, qn 1042. Fire-suppression expenditure, qn 1045. Building purchase at 601 Bourke Street, Melbourne, qn 1046. New positions, qn 1285. Firefighting preparation, q 1437.

Forests-Public education project, q 64. Urban, q 667. Protection of rain forests, q 1373.

Lands-Election ofland protection committees, q 65. Destruction of rabbit vermin, 154, 162. Transfers for conservation purposes, 220, 225. Rentals on unused roads, 223, 226. Degradation, q 257. Warrandyte State Park, 286,291, 1282, 1284. South Melbourne gasworks site, 288, 292. Rentals for alpine grazing, 427, 432. Clearing and use of Mallee land, q 507,652,658. Use classifications, 577, 583. Crown land committees of management, q 588. Farm forestry scheme, q 667, q 1371. National Soil Conservation Program, q 823. Point Nepean park, 870, 873. Soil Conservation Authority, qn 1045. Public land and parks in western suburbs, q 1125. Appointments to advisory bodies, q 1438.

Convention Centre-For Melbourne, 809, 811. Corinella Historical Park, 1361, 1366. Corporate Affairs-Co-operative companies and secu

rities scheme, 316. Reforms to company law, q 1376.

Corporate Affairs Office-Staff, q 983. Liability for advice, q 1291.

Corrections, Office of-

General-Serving of prison sentences, q 168. Accident involving prisoners, 220. Allegations against employee, q 309. Proposed Barwon correction centre, q 667. Showing of films at prisons, 869, 871. Beechworth Prison, q 1052. Fairlea Female Prison, q 1229. Ararat sub-office, 1282,1283.

Pentridge Prison-Officers' strike, q 506.

Country Fire Authority-Dismissal of Kyneton employees, 153.

Coxsedge, Hon. Joan (Melbourne West Province)

Christmas Felicitations, 1536. Community Services, Department of-Computer

technology, q 64. Western suburbs reception centre for young people, q 1232.

Dangerous Goods-Control, q 502. Lands-Public land and parks in western suburbs,

q 1125. Law Courts-Computer-assisted transcription

service, q 875. Petition-Residential Tenancies Act 1980,882. Point of Order-Apology to Chair and House, 786. Residential Tenancies Act 1980, 882.

Coxsedge, Hon. Joan-continued

Rulings and Statements as Acting Chairman of Committees-

Debate-Interjections, 1016. Scope, 1021.

Crawford, Hon. G. R. (Jika Jika Province)

Building Control (Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainers) Bill,1195.

Construction Industry Long Service Leave (Amendment) Bill, 1244.

Forests-Urban, q 667. Monash U niversity-Institute ofF orensic Pathology,

q 167. Sale-yards-For Craigieburn, q 1290.

D

Dairy Industry (See ··Primary Industries-Dairy".) Dangerous Goods-Control, q 502. HAZCHEM and

HAZMAT signs, 574, 1114, 1118, 1360, 1366. Storage, q 875.

Deaths-Mr Alexander Vale, 661. The Hon. A. W. Knight, 815.

de Fegely, Hon. R. S. (Ballarat Province)

Am bulance Services-Restructuring, 477. Appropriation (1985-86, No. 1) Bill, 940, 1015. Conservation, Forests and Lands, Department of-

Soil conservation field extension officers, 577. Corrections, Office of-Ararat sub-office, 1282. Decentralized Industry Incentive Payments

(Amendment) Bill, 1506. Fisheries and Wildlife Service-Field officers, 120. Fishing Industry-Replacement of committees,

q 1437. Grain Industry-Rail freight charges, 550. Historic Towns-Daylesford and Hepburn Springs,

806. Hospital-Ripon Peace Memorial, 869. Land-Rentals on unused roads, 223. Meat Inspection Bill, 1321. Municipalities-Road funding, 526. Primary Industries-Survival, q 587. Road Construction Authority-Road funding, 526. Salinity-Recommendations of Salinity Committee,

q 1048. Small Business-Survival in rural areas, q 587. State Transport Authority-Rail grain freight

charges, 550.

Dental Services-School Dental Service, q 1542. Director of Public Prosecutions-Office accommoda

tion, 1367.

(10) INDEX

Distinguished Visitor-Lord Kitchener of Khartoum, 1293.

Divisions-

Bank Holidays (Amendment) Bill, 408. Business of the House-Days of sitting, 791.

Postponement, 797. Capital Works Authority, 117. Conservation, Forests and Lands, Department of-

Motor registrations, insurances and debts, 3, 25. Equal Opportunity (Amendment) Bill, 620. Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill, 1173. Governor, The-Resignation of Sir Brian Murray,

302. Interpretation of Legislation (Further Amendment)

.BiII, 270, 272. Labour and Industry (Butcher Shops) Bill, 1390, 1391. Long Service Leave (Portable Benefits) Bill, 1444,

1445, 1447, 1448. Meat Inspection Bill, 1324. Ministry, The-Condemnation of Minister for Local

Government, 917. Mountain District Cattlemen'S Association of

Victoria-Appearance at Bar of House, 714, 715. National Tennis Centre Bill, 761. Nunawading Province By-election-How-to-vote

cards, 695. Prince Henry's Hospital, 254. Road Safety Committee, Proposed, 1152. Water Acts (Amendment) Bill, 1412. Wills (Amendment) Bill, 923.

Dixon, Hon. J. L. (Boronia Province)

Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Department of-Biological control of pest species, q 443.

European Wasps-Biological control, q 443. Health-Women's programs, q 307. Hospital-Willsmere, 1377. Psychologists Bill-Report of Social Development

Committee, 989. Road Safety Committee, Proposed, 1145. Social Development Committee-Reports presented:

Psychologists Bill, 989; Therapeutic Goods and Cosmetics Bill, 1235; Willsmere Hospital, 1377.

Therapeutic Goods and Cosmetics Bill-Report of Social Development Committee, 1235.

Women-Health programs, q 307.

Drugs-Legalization of marijuana, q 29, q 258, q 1052. Abuse, q 1288. (See also "Health-Drugs" and "Police Department-Crime".)

Dunn, Hon. B. P. (North Western Province)

Abattoirs-Meat inspection services, 52, 653, q 663, q 1124. Code of practice, q 305,424,653, q 1124.

Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Department of-Meat inspection services, 52, 653, q 663, q 1124. Victorian Crops Research Institute, Horsham, 119, 217. Veterinary research centres, q 130. Debit for milk price increase, q 50 I. Proposed Horsham experimental farm, 978. Staff cutbacks, q 1433.

Ambulance Services-Husbands accompanying wives, 806.

Appropriation (1985-86, No. 1) Bill, 844, 968. Capital Works Authority-Establishment, 74. Christmas Felicitations, 1535.

Community Services-Regional child protection services, 287.

Constitution (Governor's Salary and Pension) Bill, 420.

Coroners Bill, 475.

Dairy Industry-Debiting of milk price increase, q 501.

Dairy Industry (Milk Price) Bill, 1396. Dangerous Goods-HAZCHEM and HAZMA T

signs, 1114.

Death-The Hon. A. W. Knight, 817. Electoral-Nunawading Province by-election, q 256,

680.

Equal Opportunity (Amendment) Bill, 606, 616. Firearms (Amendment) Bill, 1485. Governor, The-Resignation of Sir Brian Murray,

298. Grain Elevators Board-Report on public authority

dividend, q 62.

Grain Industry-Rail freight charges, q 442,541. Labour and Industry (Butcher Shops) Bill, 1385. Land-Farm forestry scheme, q 1371. Land Tax (Amendment) Bill, 1216. Law Courts-Justices of the peace, q 986.

Long Service Leave (Portable Benefits) Bill, 1443. Marketing of Primary Products and Egg Industry

Stabilization (Amendment) Bill, 1247. Meat Inspection Bill, 1313. Members-Health checks, 572.

Metropolitan Fire Brigades Superannuation (Amendment) Bill, 281.

Nunawading Province By-election-How-to-vote cards, q 256, 680.

Points of Order-Relevancy of remarks, 94. Statement in debate, 536. Offensive remark, 607. Reference to notes, 863. Unparliamentary expression, 1397.


Ounn, Hon. B. P.-continued

Police Regulation (Amendment) Bill, 1261. Primary Industries-Rural Economic Study

Committee, q 26, 156, q 1231. Survival, q 163. Rural CrISIS assistance, q 818, q 875. Commonwealth rural adjustment funding, q 1047.

Public Authority Dividend-Report on Grain Elevators Board, q 62.

Road Safety Committee, Proposed, 192. Rural Economic Study Committee, q 26, 156, q 1231. Rural Finance Commission-Rural crisis assistance,

q 818. Small Business-Survival in rural areas, q 163. Rural

crisis assistance, q 818, q 875. Standing Committees-Proposed, 94. State Finance-Public borrowings, 74. State Transport Authority-Rail grain freight

charges, q 442,541. Westernport (Oil Refinery) (Further Agreement) Bill,

264.

E

Economic and Budget Review Committee-Appointment of members, 170. Report presented: Remuneration of visiting medical staff at public hospitals, 1053.

Education-General-Observance of Remembrance Day in

schools, 867. HAZCHEM signs at schools, 1360, 1366.

Post-Secondary-Moorabbin College of TA FE, 285. Chisholm Institute of Technology nursing courses, 867,870.

Schools. H igh-Mentone Girls, 1226. Schools. Primary-Clyde North, 152, 159. Swan

Reach, 221. Cost of wall frieze depicting women in non-traditional employment, qn 585.

Students-Phillip Hostel, 425. Teachers-Specialist, 50. Primary training, 1036.

Elders IXL Ltd-WooI store project, q 439. Electoral-Nunawading Province by-election, q 256,

q 306, q 308, q 437, q 439, q 440, 572, q 589, q 592, 669,696, 793, 815. Monash Province election, 444, 578, 584. Expenditure by conservation lobby groups, 651, 657.

Employment and Industrial Affairs-Youth Guarantee Scheme, q 504.

Environment Protection Authority-Noise levels: of motor cycles, 118, 121; of trams, 158, 160. Odour problems at Tullamarine, q 130. Sponsorship of racing car, q 165. Pollution in the Cups area, 221, 223. Disposal of nuisance wastes at Outson Downs, q 308. Disposal of dangerous wastes, q 875. Newport "0" power station emissions report, 1127.

Environment Protection Authority-continued

Conference, q 1234. (See also "Conservation, Forests and Lands".)

Equal Opportunity-Federal and State industrial legislation, 653, 657. Law and policy, 1294.

Estate Agents-Campaign against capital gains tax, 575,582. Licences for agents from interstate, 807, 812.

Estimates Committees-Proposed, 185, 716. Ethnic Affairs-Migrant community services, q 310.

Women in Industry Contraception and Health, 976,981.

European Wasps-Biological control, q 443.

Evans, Hon. D. M. (North Eastern Province) Ambulance Services-Restructuring, 464. Animals-Feral dogs, 287. Appropriation (1985-86, No. I) Bill, 942, 999. Bank Holidays (Amendment) Bill, 406. Children-Maltreatment, q 259. Community Services-Regional child protection

services, q 259. Conservation-Land Conservation Council: report

on east Gippsland, q 589; changing role, q 878. Conservation, Forests and Lands, Department of

Motor registrations, insurances and debts, 16. Forests education project, q 64. Destruction of rabbit vermin, 154. Killing of feral dogs, 287. Proposed sacking of Mr Adamson, q 309. Regionalization, qn 1041. New positions, qn 1285.


Corrections, Office of-Beechworth Prison, q 1052. Dairy Industry-Milk price increases, 651. Report

on vesting of milk, q 988. Electoral-Nunawading Province by-election, 698. Employment and Training (Rebates) Bill, 1473. Environment Protection Authority-Motor cycle

noise levels, 118. Environment Protection (Industrial Waste) Bill,

1458, 1463, 1464, 1465, 1466, 1469, 1470, 1471. Fairfield Land Bill, 96. Firearms (Amendment) Bill, 1480, 1484, 1486. Forests and Country Fire Authority (Penalties) Bill,

633. Forests (Wood Pulp Agreement) (Amendment) Bill,

1188. Geriatric Services-Nursing home bed subsidies,

1116. Hairdressers Registration (Repeal) Bill, 1517. Hospital-Renal dialysis machine for Wangaratta,

1364. Industrial Relations Commission-Annual report,

339.

(12) INDEX

Evans, Hon. D. M.-continued


Land Conservation Council-Report on east Gippsland, q 589. Changing role, q 878.

Land (Miscellaneous Matters) Bill, 1278. Lands-Use classifications, 577. Appointments to

advisory bodies, q 1438. Lotteries Gaming and Betting (Gaming Machines)

Bill, 138, 208. Meat Industry-Northern Territory industrial

dispute, 50. Ban on overseas sales, 50. Medical Services-Renal dialysis machine for

Wangaratta, 1364. Melbourne Cricket Ground (Amendment) Bill, 1224,

1225. Ministry, The-Condemnation of Minister for Local

Government, 909. Motor Car (Further Amendment) Bill, 773, 778, 779. Motor Car (Photographic Detection Devices) Bill,

1303,1307, 1309,1325, 1326,1330. Mountain District Cattlemen's Association of

Victoria-Attendance at Bar of House, 698, 732. Municipalities-Road funding, 531. Condemnation

of Minister for Local Government, 909. National Parks-Alpine, q 1126, q 1233, q 1287. National Tennis Centre Bill, 744. Nunawading Province By-election-Mountain

cattlemen, 698. Points of Order-Statement in debate, 572, 878.

Incorporation of material in Hansard, 702, 703. Admissibility of point of order, 935.

Pri mary I ndustries-Effects of industrial disruption, q 502. Rural Economic Study Committee, q 502, q 1373.

Racing (Fixed Percentage Distribution) Bill, 150. Road Construction Authority-Road funding, 531. Road Traffic Authority-Motor cycle noise levels,

118. Rural Economic Study Committee, q 502, q 1373. Salinity-Discharge into Latrobe River, q 166. Soil Conservation and Land Utilization (Appeals)

BilI,97. State Electricity Commission-Annual report, 339. Teaching Service Conciliation and Arbitration

Commission-Annual report, 339. Timber Industry-Future production, 426. Draft

strategy, 866. Licence fees, 866. Transport (Amendment) Bill, 1334, 1336, 1430. Uniting Church in Australia (Trust Property) Bill,

627. Vermin and Noxious Weeds (Amendment) Bill,

1340. Water Acts (Amendment) Bill, 1410.

Explosives-Live hand grenades found at Monivae College, 868, 871.

F

Fisheries and Wildlife Service-Field officers, 120, 123. Staffing, 867, 872.

Fishing Industry (See "Primary Industries-Fishing".) Fluoride-Link with repetition strain injury, q 819. Freedom of Information-Monash University request

to amend Act, q 129.

G

Gallagher, Mr Norman-Retrial, q 591. Gaming Machines-Report of working party, 133. Gayline Telephone Counselling Services, 866, 870,

q 879. Geelong-Threat to water supply, q 168. Geriatric Services-Nursing homes: beds, q 164, 1362,

1366; subsidies, 1116, 1119; capital works in Gippsland area, 1362, 1366. Home and community care program, 426, 430.

Governor, The-Resignation of Sir Brian Murray, 295, q 305, 310, 311.

Government Departments and InstrumentalitiesRegistrations using rural mail box addresses, 155.

Grain Elevators Board-Report on public authority dividend, q 62.

Grain Industry (See "Primary Industries-Grain".)

Granter, Hon. F. J. (Central Highlands Province)

Animals-Destruction of native birds by feral cats, 978.

Appropriation (1985-86, No. 1) Bill, 1108. Firearms (Amendment) Bill, 1479, 1484, 1486. Forests and Country Fire Authority (Penalties) Bill,


1191. Marketing of Primary Products and Egg Industry

Stabilization (Amendment) Bill, 1251. Mental Health-Bendigo Psychiatric Centre, q 258. National Mutual Permanent Building Society Bill,

1106. National Tennis Centre Bill, 760. Police Regulation (Amendment) Bill, 1260, 1262,

1276. Racing (Fixed Percentage Distribution) Bill, 148. Sale-yards-Bendigo, 155, q 824. Sherbrooke Forest-Feral cats, 978.


Grimwade, Hon. F. S. (Central Highlands Province)

Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Department of-Livestock Marketing Reporting Service, 426.

Aichi Prefecture-Gift to Victoria, 1531. Ambulance Services-Restructuring. 463.

Appropriation (1985-86, No. I) Bill, 864. BeefIndustry-Cattle Compensation Fund, q 1291. Business of the House-Sessional Orders, 1153. Capital Works Authority-Establishment, 81. Cattle Compensation Fund, q 1291. Children-Punding of infant welfare centres, q 66.

China-Beef cattle project, qn 1543. Community Services, Department of-Collection of

debts. q 44J. Health, Department of-Sale of Kilmore land, 283. Hospitals-Kilmore, 283. Eildon and District

Community, 868. Seymour District Memorial, q 985.

Interpretation of Legislation (Further Amendment) Bill. 274.

Juries (Amendment) Bill, 1185. Labour and Industry (Butcher Shops) Bill, 179, 1391. Lands-Farm forestry scheme. q 667. Liquor Control (Vigneron's Licences) Bill, 1212.

Marketing of Primary Products and Egg Industry Stabilization (Amendment) Bill. 1252.

Meat Industry-Livestock marketing report. 426. Meat Inspection Bill. 1322. Medical Services-Nursing: training entrance

requirements. 156; salary package, q 260.

Ministry. The-Condemnation of Minister for Local Government. 913.

Municipalities-Condemnation of Minister for Local Government, 913.

Parliamentary Privilege-Suspension of Standing Orders, 1153.

Petitions-Sale of red meat, 444, 1439. Points of Order-Scope of debate, 330. Order of

business, 620. Incorporation of material in Hansard.703.

Primary Industries-Suicides in farming community, q 503.

Road Construction Authority-Proposed Hume Freeway-Euroa bypass. q 878, q 1438.

Sale-yards-Newmarket, 426. For Craigieburn, q 822.

Sessional Orders. 1153. State Finance-Public borrowings, 81. Trading Hours-Red meat, 444, 1439. Victoria's I 50th Anniversary-Gift from Aichi

Prefecture, 1531.

Guest, Hon. J. V. C. (Monash Province) Appropriation (1985-86, No. I) Bill, 838, 1056. Budget-Tabling of documents, 132. For 1985-86,

838.1056. Electoral-Nunawading Province by-election, 801. Estimates Committees-Proposed, 185, 718. Historic Building-Toorak Methodist Church, q 820,


358. Kerferd Road Pier, 806. Land Tax (Amendment) Bill, 1214. Legislative Council-President's deliberative vote,

178,179. Local Government (Rating Appeals) Bill, 492, 497. Mountain District Cattlemen's Association of

Victoria-Attendance at Bar of House, SO I. Municipalities-Road funding, 533. Nunawading Province By-election-Mountain

cattlemen, SO I. Parliamentary Privilege-Herald article re Mountain

District Cattlemen's Association of Victoria, SOl. Pay-roll Tax (Amendment) Bill, 121S. Planning-Kerferd Road pier, S06. Port Melbourne

Bayside Development, III 7. Points of Order-Relevancy of remarks, 94, 798.

Matter raised on motion for adjournment of sitting to relate to Government administration, 574. Incorporation of material in Hansard, 700.

Port Melbourne Bayside DevelopmentEnvironment effects statement, 1117.

Questions without Notice-Proposed supplementary questions, 540.

Road Construction Authority-Road funding, 533. Stamps and Business Franchise (Tobacco)

(Amendment) Bill, 14S6, 1495, 1496, 149S, 1499. Standing Committees-Proposed, 93, 95. State Electricity Commission-Annual report, 35S. State Electricity Commission (Amendment) Bill,

1221. Superannuation Schemes Amendment Bill, 1477. Teaching Service Conciliation and Arbitration

Commission-Annual report, 358.

H

Hall, Waiter and Eliza, Institute of Medical ResearchIndustrial dispute, q 505.

Hallam, Hon. R. M. (Western Province)

Abattoirs-Casterton, 97S. Code of practice, 978. Adoption (Amendment) Bill, 1105.

(14) INDEX

Hallam, Hon. R. M.-continued

Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Department ofHumane disposal of aged sheep, q 126. Rural Affairs Office services, q 587.

Appropriation (1985-86, No. I) Bill, 860. Builders Labourers Federation-Fees paid by work

experience student, 218. Children-Commonwealth pre-school funding,

q 165. Community Services-Handyperson service, 285.

Rural services, q 597. Municipal involvement in children's services, q 880. Home energy concessions, q 984.

Co-operation (Amendment) Bill, 1500. Drugs-Legalization of marijuana, q 29. Education-Phillip Hostel,425. Handicapped Persons-Y ooralla Society of Victoria,

q 1292. Housing (Commonwealth-State-Northern Territory

Agreement) Bill, 1256. Local Government (Rating Appeals) Bill, 488. Marijuana-Legalization, q 29. Ministry, The-Condemnation of Minister for Local

Government, 90 I. Municipalities-Road funding, 508. Consultation on

children's services, q 880. Condemnation of Minister for Local Government, 901.

Pay-roll Tax (Amendment) Bill, 1219. Pensioners-Home energy concessions, q 984. Planning and Environment, Ministry for-

Relocation ofWarmambool office, q 820. Road Construction Authority-Road funding, 508. Road Transport-Black bans on live sheep

transporters, q 1048. Sheep Industry-Humane disposal of aged ani.mats,

q 126. Black bans on live sheep transporters, q 1048.

Superannuation Schemes Amendment Bill, 1477. Union-Builders Labourers Federation, 218. WorkCare-Claim by shearer, 1117. Y ooralla Society of Victoria, q 1292.

Handicapped Persons-Transfer of services to Department of Community Services, q 62, q 258, 260. Self-help groups, 1037, 1038. Yooralla Society of Victoria, q 1292. Karingal residential units, 1360, 1368, q 1375. (See also "Community Services-Intellectual Disability Services ".)

"Hansard"-Parliamentary privilege, I, 38. Incorporation of material, 77, 699, 702, 703. Incorporation of second-reading speeches, 1033, 1523.

Hamson House-Property damage caused by residents, Q 1292.

Hazardous Materials (See "Dangerous Goods".)

Health-

Department-Transfer of functions to Department of Community Services, Q 62, q 258, 260. Regional directors, Q 127, 217, 225. Sale of Kilmore land, 283, 288. Youth Guarantee Scheme, Q 504. Regionatization, 808, 811. Use of vehicles, qn 1541.

Diseases-Muscular dystrophy, 287, 289. Giardiasis outbreak in Hamilton, q 665.

General-Women's programs, Q 307. Mosquitoes in Gippsland Lakes area, 576, 581. Non-smoking areas in restaurants, q 665, Q 1373. Link between fluoridation and repetition strain injury, q 819. District health councils, q 876. Self-help groups, 1037, 1038. Insulin syringes, Q 1050. Complaints procedures, Q 1374.

Hensha", Hon. D. E. (Geelong Province)

Appropriation (1985-86, No. I) Bill, 957 . Burnet, Sir Macfarlane, 126. Children-Pre-school programs, 314. Decentralized Industry Incentive Payments

(Amendment) Bill, 1513. Elders IXL Ltd-WooI store project, Q 439. Environment Protection Authority-Conference,

q 1234. Estimates Committees-Proposed, 717. Auoride-Link with repetition strain injury, q 819. Health-Link between fluoridation and repetition

strain injury, Q 819. Land-Degradation, q 257. Local Government (Rating Appeals) Bill, 491. Ministry, The-Condemnation of Minister for Local

Government, 893. Municipalities-Condemnation of Minister for Local

Government, 893. Petitions-Wood chipping in Otway Ranges, 31, 260,

315,881,1127, 1377. Pre-schools, 314. Planning-Elders IXL Ltd wool store project, q 439. Police Department-Bourke Street West station site,

q 1372. Timber Industry-Wood chipping in Otway Ranges,

31,260,315,881, 1127, 1377. Rulings and Statements as Acting Chairman of

Committees-Debate-Moving of amendments, 1429.

Historic Buildings-T oorak Methodist Church, q 820, 1037, 1038. Newman College at University of Melbourne, q 877.

Historic Towns-Daylesford and Hepburn Springs, 806,810.


Hogg, Hon. C. J. (Melbourne North Province)

Adoption-Provision of information, Q 164. Adoption (Amendment) Bill, 593, 729, 1105. Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Department of-Rural

Affairs Office services, q 588. Chelsea Poverty Task Force, Q 987.

Children-Pre-schools: Commonwealth and State funding,Q 165,431,q437, 1039,q 1289; Glen Tots centre, q 591 ; review, q 821; questionnaires, 981; use of centres, Q 1289. (See also "Community Services-Children".)

Community Services-Children-Funding of infant welfare centres, Q 66.

Allambie Reception Centre, 225. Regional protection services, q 259, 291, Q 441, q 878. Reduction in use of institutions, q 506. Services, 621. Foster care programs, q 822. Consultation with local government, q 880. Funding for child protection self-help groups, q 1434.

Department-Computer technology, q 64. Transfer of functions from Department of Health, Q 258. Collection of debts, q 443. Employment Access Program, q 1124. Restructure, 1524.

General-Inner Eastern Regional Consultative Council, q 30. Funds for Southern Family Life Volunteer Agency, 123. Handyperson scheme, 290. For migrants, q 310. Anti-poverty strategy, q 441. Rural services, q 588. Self-help groups, q 664. Home energy concessions, Q 984. Chelsea Poverty Task Force, q 987. State Government Concessions in Victoria pamphlet, Q 1053.

Intellectual Disability Services-Community residential units, 582. Staffing of Office of Intellectual Disability Services, 657. Karingal residential units, 1368, q 1375.

Youth-Western suburbs reception centre, q 1232. Harrison House, q 1293.

Electoral-Nunawading Province by-election, q 440.

Equal Opportunity (Amendment) Bill, 617.

Ethnic Affairs-Migrant community services, q 310. Women in Industry Contraception and Health, 981.

Handicapped Persons-Y ooralla Society of Victoria, q 1292. Karingal residential units, 1368, q 1375.

Harrison House-Property damage caused by residents, q 1293.

Health, Department of-Transfer of functions to Department of Community Services, q 258.

Local Government (Rating Appeals) Bill, 125, 209, 498.

Ministerial Statements-Children's services, 621 Provision of community services in Victoria, 1524.

Hogg, Hon. C. J.-continued

Ministry, The-Condemnation of Minister for Local Government, 914.

Municipalities-Finance-Beach cleaning subsidies, 1227. General-Consultation on children's services, q 880.

Condemnation of Minister for Local Government, 914.

Nunawading Province By-election-How-to-vote cards, q 440.

Pensioners-Home energy concessions, q 984. Port Phillip Bay-Municipal beach cleaning

subsidies, 1227. Sale of Land (Allotments) Bill, 1047, 1155, 1242. Yooralla Society of Victoria, q 1292. Young Offenders (Interstate Transfer) Bill, 1154,

1235.

Hospital Employees Federation-Membership at Mayday Hills hospital, q 27. Royal Melbourne Hospital dispute, q 1121, q 1123. Settlement of membership dispute, q 1230.

Hospitals-Bush nursing centres, q 27. Alfred, q 28. Waiting lists, 51, 56, q 257, q 442. Prince Henry's, 120, 122, 227, q 668, 809, 811, 869, 871, q 987. Supply of drugs, 153, 161. Kilmore, 283, 288. Wodonga District, 286, 289, q 1229. Colac District, 288, 289. Nurses' salary package, q 306. Effects of nursing dispute, q 310. Brighton Community, 576, 582, 1362, 1367. Hampton Rehabilitation, 576, 582, 1362, 1367. McClelland report on capital works needs, 576, 582, q 665, 807, q 1050, q 1124, q 1233, 1362, 1366, q 1371, q 1436. Nauseous allowance for cleaning staff, q 666. Board appointments, q 668. Moorabbin, 809, 811. EiIdon and District Community, 868, 871. Ripon Peace Memorial, 869, 871. District health councils, q 876. Seymour District Memorial, q 985. Need for services, q 1050. Remuneration of visiting medical staff report, 1053. Royal Melbourne, Q 1121, Q 1123. Industrial disputes, q 1121. Report on certificate of need legislation, 1129. Gippsland pathology dispute, 1282, 1283. Dandenong and District, 1283. Capital works in Gippsland area, 1362, 1366. Renal dialysis machine for Wangaratta, 1364, 1367. WilIsmere, 1377. Number of patients treated, qn 1543. Staff numbers, qn 1543.

Housing-Dual occupancy of house allotments, q 1049. Housing, Ministry of-Orana development, Burwood,

157, I 59. Castlefield shopping centre, 219.

Hunt, Hon. A. J. (South Eastern Province)

Ambulance Services-Restructuring, 312. Amusement Parlours-Report of working party, 133.

(16) INDEX

Hunt, Hon. A. J.-continued

Appropriation (1985-86, No. I) Bill, 957, 1109. Auditor-General's Office-Report, 327. Brothels-Legislation, 423. Building Control (Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainers)

Bill, 1199. Business of the House-Order, 67, 96, 327,826. Days

and hours of meeting, 217. Adjournment of sitting, 793,800. Postponement, 801, 803.

Capital Works Authority-Establishment, 67, 77, 114.

Christmas Felicitations, 1534. Conservation, Forests and Lands, Department of

Motor registrations, insurances and debts, 22. Constitution (Governor's Salary and Pension) Bill,

417. Coroners Bill, 474. Crimes (Amendment) Bill, 205. Dangerous Goods-Storage, q 875. Deaths-Mr Alexander Vale, 662. The Hon. A. W.

Knight, 816. Division-Pair, 24. Electoral-Nunawading Province by-election, q 437,

q 589,696, 714, 793, 800, 801,803. Environment Protection Authority-Pollution in the

Cups area, 221. Disposal of dangerous wastes, q 875. Newport "0" power station emissions report, 1129, 1194.

Gaming Machines-Report of working party, 133. Governor, The-Resignation of Sir Brian Murray,

295, q 305, 310. Groundwater (Border Agreement) Bill, 818. Hansard-Parliamentary privilege, 1,39. Historic Buildings (Amendment) Bill (No. 2),1207. Housing, Ministry of-Orana development,

Burwood, 157. Industrial Relations Commission-Annual report,

327. Lands-Point Nepean park, 870. Law Courts-Death of Mr Alexander Vale, Chief

Stipendiary Magistrate, 662. Legislative Council-President's deliberative vote,

92,93, q 125, q 163, 176. Local Government (Rating Appeals) Bill, 495. Loddon-Campaspe Regional Planning Authority,

654. Lotteries Gaming and Betting (Gaming Machines)

Bill, 145. Melbourne City Council-Planning powers, q 1376. Ministerial Statement-Newport "D" power station

emissions report, 1129, 1194. Ministry, The-Condemnation of Minister for Local

Government, 907. Motor Car (Further Amendment) Bill, 727, 775, 777.

Hunt, Hon. A. J.-continued

Motor Car (Photographic Detection Devices) Bill, 1308.

Mountain District Cattlemen's Association of Victoria-Attendance at Bar of House, 696, 714, 732,793,800,801,803.

Municipalities-Road funding, 529. Condemnation of Minister for Local Government, 907.

Nunawading Province By-election-How-to-vote cards, q 437, q 589. Mountain cattlemen, 696, 714, 793, 800, 801, 803.

Parliamentary Privilege-Hansard report, 1, 39. Herald article re Mountain District Cattlemen's Association of Victoria, 800.

Penalties and Sentences Bill, 1100. Planning-Orana development, Burwood, 157.

Parkville building extension dispute, 575. Proposed legislation, 654. Powers of Melbourne City Council, q 1376.

Point Nepean-Future use, 870. Points of Order-Personal explanation, 169. Order

of business, 295. Scope of debate, 328. Question without notice to relate to Government administration, 440. Matter raised on motion for adjournment of sitting to relate to Government administration, 572, 573. Admissibility of question without notice, 592. Incorporation of material in Hansard. 702. Putting of question, 795, 796.

Port Phillip Bay-Sorrento-Queenscliffferry service, 977.

Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Bill, 1294. Road Construction Authority-Road funding, 529. Standing Orders Committee-Parliamentary

privilege, 39. State Electricity Commission-Annual report, 327.

Newport "0" power station emissions report, 1129,1194.

State Electricity Commission (Tree Clearance) Bill, 81.

State Finance-Public borrowings, 67, 77, 114. Teaching Service Conciliation and Arbitration

Commission-Annual report, 327. Town and Country Planning (Planning Schemes) Bill,

824, 962, 1194. Town and Country Planning (Western port) Bill, 599,

644,646,647. Urban Land Authority (Amendment) Bill, 597. Water Acts (Amendment) Bill, 1411.

Identification Cards-State registry information, q 129. Industrial Relations Commission-Annual report, 327,

328. Institute of Forensic Pathology, q 167.


J

Joint Sittings of Parliament-Deakin University, 837, 1430.

K

Kennan, Hon. J. H. (Thomastown Province)

Administrative Law (University Visitor) Bill, 134, 210.

Associations Incorporation (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill, 44, 102, 103, 104, 105.

Australia Acts (Request) Bill, 780, 790, 791. Bail Act-Proposed amendments, q 818. Bail (Amendment) Bill, 1135. Brothels-Neave report on prostitution, q 1232. Builders Labourers Federation-Retrial of Mr

Norman Gallagher, q 591. Business of the House-Postponement, 797, 801. Capital Works Authority-Public borrowings, q 27.

Establishment, Ill. Children-Custodial and guardianship powers,

q 1291. Ci vii Justice Committee-Fixing of fees, q 63. Co-operation (Amendment) Bill, 1287, 1349, 1502. Coroners Bill, 315, 369, 373,472,476. Coroners Bill (No. 2), 476, 553, 631, 1175, 1176,

1177,1178,1179,1520. Corporate Affairs-Co-operative companies and

securities scheme, 316. Reforms to company law, q 1376.

Corporate Affairs Office-Staff, q 983. Liability for advice, q 1291.

Corrections, Office of-General-Serving of prison sentences, q 168.

Allegations against employee, q 309. Proposed Barwon correction centre, q 667. Showing of films at prisons, 871. Beechworth Prison, q 1052. Fairlea Female Prison, q 1229. Ararat sub-office, 1283.

Pentridge Prison-Officers' strike, q 506. Crimes (Amendment) Bill, 134, 198, 205, 397, 398,

399,400,401,402. Death - Mr Alexander Vale, 661. Director of Public Prosecutions-Office

accommodation, 1367. Director of Public Prosecutions (Amendment) Bill,

278,280. Electoral-Nunawading Province by-election, q 256,

q 439, 797, 801. Employment and Training (Rebates) Bill, 1331, 1353. Equal Opportunity-Federal and State industrial

legislation, 657. Law and policy, 1294. Equal Opportunity (Amendment) Bill, 315, 376, 613,

619,626, 1433.

Kennan, Hon. J. H.-continued

Estate Agents-Campaign against capital gains tax, 582. Licences for agents from interstate, 812.

Evidence (Amendment) Bill, 593,834, 1180. Freedom of Information-Monash University

request to amend Act, q 129. Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill, 1154,

1167,1170. Gallagher, Mr Norman-Retrial, q 591. Historic Buildings (Amendment) Bill (No. 2), 1101. Housing (Commonwealth-State-Northern Territory

Agreement) Bill, 661, 827, 1260. Identification Cards-State registry information,

q 129. Interpretation of Legislation (Further Amendment)

Bill, 31, 47, 271, 272, 273, 274, 275. Juries (Amendment) Bill, 825, 927, 1185, 1209. Law Courts-Chelsea court house, q 256. Breast

feeding, 289. Statements by jurors, q 438, q 590. Reports of decisions, 581. Death of Mr Alexander Vale, Chief Stipendiary Magistrate, 661. Services: computer-assisted transcnptlon, q 876; computerization, q 1231; management change program, q 1374. Justices of the peace, q 986.

Law Department-Lost correspondence, 56. Legal Aid Commission-Amendments to legislation,

q 501. Legal Profession-Fixing of fees, q 63. Legal Profession Practice (Amendment) Bill, 1287,

1347,1504. Legislation-Use of plain English, q 65. Covering

rape in marriage, q 129. Severance of constitutional links with United Kingdom, q 1435.

Legislative Council-President's deliberative vote, q 255.

Leo Cussen Institute for Continuing Legal Education-Report for 1984,1299.

Magistrates (Summary Proceedings) (Amendment) Bill, 315, 381, 383, 648, 1428.

Ministerial Statements-Co-operative companies and securities scheme, 316. Equal opportunity law and policy, 1294.

Monash U niversity-Institute ofF orensic Pathology, q 167.

Motor Car (Further Amendment) Bill, 716, 725, 776, 778.

Motor Car (Photographic Detection Devices) Bill, 1083, 1268, 1307, 1308, 1326, 1329, 1331.

Mountain District Cattlemen's Association of Victoria-Attendance at Bar of House, 797,801.

National Mutual Permanent Building Society Bill, 593, 720, 1107.

N unawading Province By-election-How-to-vote cards, q 256, q 439. Mountain cattlemen, 797, 801.

(18) INDEX

Kennan, Hon. I. H.-continued

Parliamentary Privilege-Herald article re Mountain District Cattlemen's Association of Victoria, 801.

Penalties and Sentences Bill, 444, 566, 1090, 1093, 1094, 1097, 1098, 1099, 1100, 1101.

Points of Order-Scope of debate, 178. Matter raised on motion for adjournment of sitting to relate to Government administration, 573. Admissibility of question without notice, 592. Statement in debate, 784. Tedious repetition, 987. .

Police Department-Bail for persons charged with trafficking in heroin, q 818. Delays in analysis of drugs, q 877. Industrial campaign, q 1051.

Prostitution-Neave report, q 1232. Public Trustee-Wills-on-wheels service, q 1048. Racing (Fixed Percentage Distribution) Bill, 44. Real Estate Institute of Victoria -Campaign against

capital gains tax, 582. Registration of Births Deaths and Marriages

(Amendment) Bill, 379, 649, 1452, 1453, 1454, 1455.

Residential Tenancies Bill, 875. Retirement Village-Frankston Baptist centre, 289. Road Construction Authority-Road funding,

qn 433, qn 434. Road Traffic Authority-Protective helmets for

motor cycle sidecar passengers, 812. South Yarra Project (Subdivision and Management)

BilI,1101. State Finance-Public borrowings, q 27, Ill. State Transport Authority-Employment ofMr S. I.

Perryman, qn 293. Superannuation-Private funds, q 438. Transport (Amendment) Bill, 1193, 1266, 1336,1337,

1429,1430. Transport (Victorian Ports Authority) Bill, 833. Union-Builders Labourers Federation, q 591. United Kingdom-Severance of constitutional links,

q 1435. Uniting Church in Australia (Trust Property) Bill,

444,552,626,628. Urban Land Authority (Amendment) BiU, 295, 384. WiUs (Amendment) BiU, 922. Wrongs (Contribution) BiU, 46, 47.

Kennedy, Hon. C. J. (Waverley Province)

Children-Pre-school programs, 133; Community Services-Early Childhood

Development Program, q 259. State Government Concessions in Victoria pamphlet, q 1052.

Division-Pair, 25. Electoral-Nunawading Province by-election, 572. Mental Health-Bendigo Psychiatric Centre, 283.

Kennedy, Hon. C. J.-continued

Mountain District Cattlemen's Association of Victoria-Nunawading Province by-election, 572.

Nunawading Province By-election-Mountain cattlemen, 572.

Petition-Pre-school programs, 133.

Kerferd Road Pier, 806, 810.

Kirner, HOD. J. E. (Melbourne West Province)

Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Department ofBiological control of pest species, q 443.

Animals-Feral dogs, 292, q 1292. Destruction of native birds by feral cats, 981.

Bush Fires-Government equipment, q 305. Department of Conservation, Forests and Lands: role of staff, 500; fire-fighting preparation, q 1437.

Conservation, Forests and LandsConservation-Land Conservation Council report on

east Gippsland, q 589. Grants, 657, qn 1043. Protection of unique natural features, q 1051. Seaford foreshore, q 1233.

Department-Motor registrations, insurances and debts, 11. Resignation ofMr Robert RusseJl, q 62. Accounts, q 63, q 65, 123, q 128, q 256, 291, qn 435, q 823, q 1433. Accidents: at T oolleen, 162; at Collingwood, q 166, 291; at MorweJl River road, 291. Killing of feral dogs, 292. Fire-fighting equipment, q 305. Proposed sacking of Mr Adamson, q 309. Payment of employees, qn 436. Role of staff in fire fighting, 500. Performance, q 501. Soil conservation field extension officers, 584. Grants, 657, qn 1043. Freedom ofinformation request, q 663. Regionalization, qn 1041. Purchase ofweedicides for resale, qn 1043. Fire suppression expenditure, qn 1046. Building purchase at 60 1 Bourke Street, Melbourne, qn 1046. New positions, qn 1285. Fire-fighting preparation, q 1437.

Forests-Public education project, q 64. Urban, q 667. Protection of rain forests, q 1373.

Lands-Election of land protection committees, q 65. Destruction of rabbit vermin, 162. Transfers for conservation purposes, 225. Rentals on unused roads, 226. Degradation, q 257. Warrandyte State Park, 291, 1284. South Melbourne gasworks site, 292. Rentals for alpine grazing, 432. Oearing and use of Mallee land, 507, 658. Use classifications, 583. Crown land committees of management, q 588. Farm forestry scheme, q 667, q 1372. National Soil Conservation Program. q 823. Point Nepean park, 873. Soil Conservation Authority. qn 1045. Public land and parks in western suburbs, q 1125. Appointments to advisory bodies, q 1438.

Credit (Administration) (Amendment) Bill, 1287, 1359.

LEGISLA TIVE COUNCIL (19)

Kirner, Hon. J. E.-continued

Electoral-Nunawading Province by-election, q 306, q 308. Monash Province election, 584. Expenditure by conservation lobby groups, 657.

European Wasps-Biological control, q 443. Fair Trading Bill, 295. 403, 564. Fairfield Land Bill, 96. Firearms (Amendment) Bill, 1287, 1351, 1483, 1485. Fisheries and Wildlife Service-Field officers, 123.

Staffing, 872. Fishing Industry-Licences, q 1289. Scallop fishing,

q 1289, q 1435. Replacement of committees, q 1437.

Forests and Country Fire Authority (Penalties) Bill, 445, 565, 724.

Forests (Wood Pulp Agreement) (Amendment) Bill, 593, 829, 1192.

Land Conservation Council-Report on east Gippsland, q 589.

Land (Miscellaneous Matters) Bill, 594, 830, 1281. Lotteries Gaming and Betting (Gaming Machines)

Bill, 33, 98, 206, 207, 208, 209.

Melbourne Cricket Ground (Amendment) Bill, 594, 833, 1224, 1225.

Metropolitan Fire Brigades Board-Printing Department, qn 813.

Metropolitan Fire Brigades Superannuation (Amendment) Bill, 210, 215.

Mineral Water-Development, qn 1042. Ministry, The-Portfolio of Minister for Education,

q 502. Momington Harbour-Proposed seafood restaurant,

1369. National Parks-Kinglake, qn 58. Grampians, 432.

Alpine, q 1126, q 1232, q 1233, q 1288. National Parks (Alpine National Park) Bill, 729. National Tennis Centre Bill, 295, 379, 762, 768, 769,

770. Nunawading Province By-election-How-to-vote

cards, q 306, q 308. Penguins-Deaths in Port Phillip and Western port

bays, 57, q 168. Personal Explanation-Statements in debate, 507. Phillip Island-Summerland estate, q 167. Point Nepean-Future use, 873. Points of Order-Statement in debate, 20, 192. Police Department-Reported crimes and conviction

rates, qn 1041. Interrogation procedures, 1369. Police Regulation (Amendment) Bill, 1047, 1157,

1263. Port Phillip Bay-Penguin deaths, 57, q 168. Illegal

scallop dredging, 659. Proposed Mornington harbour seafood restaurant, 1369.

Kimer, Hon. J. E.-continued

Racing (Fixed Percentage Distribution) Bill, 44, 99, 152.

Sale-yards-Newmarket, q 876, qn 1045. Sea ford Foreshore Committee of Management,

q 1233. Sherbrooke Forest-Feral cats, 981. Soil Conservation and Land Utilization (Appeals)

Bill,98. Soil Conservation Authority-Loans and grants,

qn 1045. Sport-Proposed National Tennis Centre, q 663. Taxation-State taxes and charges, q 25. Timber Industry-Logging in east Gippsland, q 30.

Future production, 432. Draft strategy, 872, q 880, 1120. Licence fees, 872. Quotas for small sawmillers, 1120.

Vermin and Noxious Weeds (Amendment) Bill, 1276, 1300, 1345, 1347.

Warrandyte State Park, 291, 1284. Zoological Parks and Gardens (Amendment) Bill,

1294,1523.

Knilh~ The Late Hon. A. W., 815.

Knowles, Hon. R. I. (Ballarat Province) Abattoirs-Meat inspection services, q 1435. Adoption (Amendment) Bill, 1101. Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Department of-Meat

inspection services, q 1435. Appropriation (1985.,.86, No. 1) Bill, 995. Children-Pre-schools: review, q 821; question

naires, 917; centres, q 1288; funding, q 1288.

Community Services-Inner Eastern Regional Consultative Council, q 30. Allambie Reception Centre, 218. Karingal residential units, 1360, q 1375.

Country Fire Authority-Dismissal of Kyneton employees, 153.

Dairy Industry (Milk Price) Bill, 1395. Handicapped Persons-Karingal residential units,

1360, q 1375. Marketing of Primary Products and Egg Industry

Stabilization (Amendment) Bill, 1246. Meat Inspection Bill, 1309. Point of Order-Scope of debate, 329. Young Offenders (Interstate Transfer) Bill, 1237.

L

Lakes Entrance-Harbour entrance, 424. Land Conservation CODDcil-Report on east Gipps

land, q 589. Changing role, q 878.

Landeryou, Hon. W. A. (Doutta Galla Province) Lawson, Hon. Robert-continued Business of the House-Postponement, 795. Order,

826. Sessional Orders, 990, 1152, 1153.

Crimes (Amendment) Bill, 206.

Electoral-Nunawading Province by-election, 710, 795.

Environment Protection Authority-Odour problems at Tullamarine, q 130.

Law Courts-Report on burden of proof in criminal cases, 1439.

Legal and Constitutional Committee-Report presented: Burden of proof in criminal cases, 1439.

Lotteries Gaming and Betting (Gaming Machines) BiU, 147.

Mountain District Cattlemen'S Association of V'~toria-Attendance at Bar of House, 710, 795.

Nunawading Province By-election-Mountain cattlemen, 710, 795.

Parliamentary Privilege-Report of Standing Orders Committee, 989. Suspension of Standing Orders, 1152, 1153.

Points of Order-Reflection on Chair, 88, 89. Scope of debate, 178, 328, 329. Interjection, 349. Identification of quoted document, 685. Incorporation of material in Hansard, 703. Reflection on member of judiciary, 934, 935.

Sessional Orders, 990, 1152, 1153.

Standing Orders Committee-Report presented: Manner of raising matters of privilege, 989.

Lands (See "Conservation, Forests and LandsLands".)

Law Courts-Chelsea court house, q 256. Breastfeeding, 284, 289. Statements by jurors, q 438, q 590. Reports of decisions, 574, 581. Death ofMr Alexander Vale, Chief Stipendiary Magistrate, 661. Services: computer-assisted transcription, q 875; computerization, q 1231; management change program, q 1374. Justices of the peace, q 986. Report on burden ofproofin criminal cases, 1439.

Law Department-Lost correspondence, 53, 56.

Lawson, Hon. Robert (Higinbotham Province)

Appropriation (1985-86, No. 1) Bill, 854, 1021.

Building Control (Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainers) Bill,1203.

Cerberus,220. Christmas Felicitations, 1538.

Community Services-Funds for Southern Family Life Volunteer Agency, 121.

Conservation, Forests and Lands, Department ofAccounts, q 65. Accident at T oolleen, 154.

Environment Protection (Industrial Waste) Bill, 1359, 1455, 1463, 1464, 1466, 1467, 1469, 1470.

Fair Trading Bill, 554. Gayline Telephone Counselling Service, 866. Health-Muscular dystrophy, 287. Hospitals-Prince Henry's, 251, 809. Moorabbin,


356. Land Tax (Amendment) Bill, 1217. Motor Car (Further Amendment) Bill, 770, 777, 779. Motor Car (Photographic Detection Devices) Bill,

130 I, 1305, 1308, 1325, 1326, 1330, 1331. Municipalities-Road funding, 518. Planning and Environment-Brighton high-rise

development, 51. Point of Order-Interjections, 1016. Road Construction Authority-Road funding, 518. Road Safety Committee-Proposed, 196. Road Traffic-Proposed Road Safety Committee,

196. Road Traffic Authority-Endorsement of drivers'

licences, 652. Southern Family Life Volunteer Agency, 121. State Electricity Commission-Annual report, 356. State Electricity Commission (Amendment) Bill,


Commission-Annual report, 356. Transport (Amendment) Bill, 1331, 1336, 1429.

Legal Aid Commission-Amendments to legislation, q 501.

Legal and Constitutional Committee-Appointment of members, 170. Report presented: Burden of proof in criminal cases, 1439.

Legal Profession-Fixing of fees, q 63. Legislation-Use of plain English, q 65. Covering rape

in marriage, q 129. Severance of constitutional links with United Kingdom, q 1435.

Legislative Council-President's deliberative vote, 81, q 125, q 127, q 163, 170, q 255.

Leo Cussen Institute for Continuing Legal Education, 1299.

Local Government (See "Municipalities".) Loddon-Campaspe Regional Planning Authority, 654,

656.

Long, Hon. R. J. (Gippsland Province) Brothels, 260, 314.


Long, Hon. R. 1.-continued

Dairy Industry-Marketing of milk products, 578. Groundwater (Border Agreement) Bill, 1211. Ministry, The-Condemnation of Minister for Local

Government, 905. Petition-Planning (Brothels) Act 1984, 260, 314. Registration of Births Deaths and Marriages

(Amendment) Bill, 1449, 1452, 1454. Road Traffic Authority-Protective helmets for

motor cycle sidecar passengers, 808. Water Acts (Amendment) Bill, 1399, 1410, 1413,

1414.

Lotteries Gaming and Betting (Gaming Machines) Bill, 169.

Lyster, Hon. M. A. (Chelsea Province)

Animals-Proposed welfare legislation, 576. Community Services-Early childhood

development, q 29. Reduction in child care institutions, q 506. Foster care programs, q 821.

Corporate Affairs-Reforms to company law, q 1376. Equal Opportunity (Amendment) Bill, 609. Fair Trading Bill, 560. Law Courts-Statements by jurors, q 590.

Computerization of services, q 1231. Legislation-Covering rape in marriage, q 129. Point of Order-Statement in debate, 613. Retirement Village-Frankston Baptist centre, 284.

M

McArthur, Hon. L. A. (Nunawading Province)

Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Department of -Rural industry research grants, q 591. Operational structure, q 1436.

Dairy Industry-Assistance, q 1122. Dental Technicians (Licences) Bill, 416. Grain Industry-Rail freight charges, 547. 1985 crop,

q 821. Labour and Industry (Butcher Shops) Bill, 1378. Municipalities-Road funding, 528. National Tennis Centre Bill, 747, 749. Point of Order-Un parliamentary expression, 539. Road Construction Authority-Road funding, 528. Salinity-Darling-Murray Basin conference, q 985. State Transport Authority-Rail grain freight

charges, 547. Superannuation-Private funds, q 438.

McLean, Hon. Jean (Boronia Province)

Adoption-Provision of information, q 163.

McLean, Hon. Jean-continued

Children-Custodial and guardianship powers, q1291.

Community Services-Self-help groups, q 664. Regional child protection services, q 878.

Community Services, Department of-Transfer of functions from Department of Health, q 62.

Handicapped Persons-Transfer of services to Department of Community Services, q 62.

Health, Department of-Transfer of functions to Department of Community Services, q 62.

Macey, Hon. Reg (Monash Province)

Appropriation (1985-86, No. 1) Bill, 1018. Convention Centre-For Melbourne, 809. Electoral-Monash Province election, 444, 578. Environment Protection Authority-Noise levels of

trams, 158. Hospital-Prince Henry's, 120,239,869. Local Government (Rating Appeals) Bill, 486, 497,

498. Lotteries Gaming and Betting (Gaming Machines)

Bill, 135,207,208. Metropolitan Transit Authority-Noise levels of

trams, 158. Ministry, The-Condemnation of Minister for Local

Government, 898. Penguins-Deaths in Port Phillip and Western port

bays, 53. Personal Explanation-Statement in Legislative

Assembly, 444. Planning-Port Melbourne Bayside Development,

222,427. Proposed Melbourne convention centre, 80<).

Road Safety Committee-Proposed, 1149. Road Traffic Authority-Proposed Road Safety

Committee, 1149. Monitoring of traffic on Beaconsfield Parade, 1365.

Sale of Land (Allotments) Bill (No. 3), 1237. South Melbourne-Gasworks site, 288. South Port Community Nursing Home Society, 288. South Yarra Project (Subdivision and Management)

Bill, 1272. West Gate Bridge-Removal of toll, 1365.


Marijuana-Legalization, q 29, q 258, q 1052. Meat Industry (See "Primary Industries-Meat".) Medical Services-

General-Waiter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, q 505. In vitro fertilization, q 1126. Report on radiation apparatus, 1129. Gippsland

(22) INDEX

Medical Services-continued

pathology dispute, 1282, 1283. Renal dialysis machine for Wangaratta, 1364, 1367. Complaints procedures, q 1374. School Medical Service, qn 1541.


Nursing-Entrance requirements, 156, 161. Salary package, q 260, q 306. Industrial dispute, q 310. Training, 867, 870, q 1234. Overseas registered nurses, q 1375.

Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works-Excess water charge, 577, 581.

Members-Mrs Varty: swearing in, 1 ~ maiden speech, 35. Health checks, 572, 579.

Mental Health-Bendigo Psychiatric Centre, q 258, 283,288,423,430.

Metropolitan Fire Brigades Board-Printing Department, qn 813.

Metropolitan Transit Authority-

Rail Services-Car parking at Ringwood station, 220. Moorabbin line, 1115.

Tram Services-Noise levels, 158, 160.

Mier, Hon. B. W. (Waverley Province)

Bush Fires-Fire-fighting preparation by Department of Conservation, Forests and Lands, q 1437.

Building Control (Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainers) Bill, 1201.

Conservation, Forests and Lands, Department ofFire-fighting preparation, q 1437.


Drugs-Abuse, q 1288. Good Shepherd Convent and Chapel, Chadstone,

q 28. Juries (Amendment) Bill, 1185. Long Service Leave (Portable Benefits) Bill, 1444. Medical Services-In vitro fertilization, q 1126. Yarra River-Environs, q 666.

Miles, Hon. J. G. (Templestowe Province)

Appropriation (1985-86, No. 1) Bill, 1013. Cemeteries-Eltham, 222, 428, 809. Report of

Mortuary Industry and Cemeteries Administration Committee, 1378.

Conservation, Forests and Lands, Department ofPerformance, q 501.

Drugs-Legalization of marijuana, q 1052. Education-Observance of Remembrance Day in

schools, 867. Hospitals-Nauseous allowance for cleaning staff,

q 666.

Miles, Hon. J. G.-continued


Land (Miscellaneous Matters) Bill, 1280. Mortuary Industry and Cemeteries Administration

Committee-Report presented: Cemeteries management and reserves, 1378.

Municipalities-Road funding, 521. National Tennis Centre Bill, 758. Personal Explanation-Statement in debate, 669. Planning-Parklands for proposed National Tennis

Centre, 53. Remembrance Day-Observance, 867. Road Construction Authority-Road funding, 521,

669. Sport-Proposed National Tennis Centre, 53. State Electricity Commission-Annual report, 353. Teaching Service Conciliation and Arbitration

Commission-Annual report, 353.

Mineral Water-Development, qn 1042. Ministerial Statements-Mental Retardation Divi

sion, 260. Co-operative companies and securities scheme, 316. Children's services, 621. Newport "0" power station emissions report, 1127, 1194. Reports on radiation apparatus and certificate of need legislation, 1129. Equal opportunity law and policy, 1294. Provision of community services in Victoria, 1524.

Ministry, The-Portfolio of Minister for Education, q 502. Condemnation of Minister for Local Government, 883.

Monivae College-Live hand grenades, 868, 871. Mordialloc Pier, 155, 158. Mornington Harbour-Proposed seafood restaurant,

1364,1369. Mortuary Industry and Cemeteries Administration

Committee-Report presented: Cemeteries management and reserves, 1378.

Mount Buller-Safety, 976. Mountain District Cattlemen's Association of Vic

toria-Nunawading Province by-election, 572. Attendance at Bar of House, 696, 731, 793, 815. Herald article, 799.

MunicipaIities-

Finance-For roads, 508. Beach cleaning subsidies, 1226, 1227.

General-Consultation on children's services, q 880. Condemnation of Minister for Local Government, 883. Density codes, 1116, 1118.

Melbourne-Planning powers, q 1376.

LEGISLA TIVE COUNCIL (23)

Murphy, Hon. B. A. (Gippsland Province)

Animals-Control of feral dogs, q 1292. Appropriation (1985-86, No. 1) Bill, 1081. Bonlac Foods Ltd, q 1229. Brothels, 31, 66. Christmas Felicitations, 1539. Dairy Industry-Stamp duty on company

amalgamation, q 1229. Environment Protection Authority-Sponsorship of

racing car, q 165. Disposal of nuisance wastes at Dutson Downs, q 308.

Forests (Wood Pulp Agreement) (Amendment) Bill, 1190.

Geriatric Services-Nursing home capital works in Gippsland area, 1362.

Health-MoSQuitoes in Gippsland Lakes area, 576. Hospitals-Capital works in Gippsland area, 1362.

McClelland report on capital works needs, 1362. Lakes Entrance-Harbour entrance, 424. Petitions-Planning (Brothels) Act 1984, 31, 66. Point of Order-Length of answer to question

without notice, 881. State Electricity Commission (Tree Clearance) Bill,

918. Timber Industry-Logging in east Gippsland, q 30.

Draft strategy, q 880. Totalizator Agency Board-Agency licences, 52.

N

National Parks-Kinglake, qn 58. Grampians, 425, 432. Alpine, q 1125, q 1126, q 1232, q 1287.

Natural Resources and Environment CommitteeAppointment of members, 170.

Newman College, q 877. Nunawading Province By~lection-How-to-vote cards,

q 256, q 306, q 308, q 437, q 439, q 440, q 589, q 592, 669. Mountain cattlemen, 572, 696, 793, 815.

Nursing Homes (See "Geriatric Services".)

P

Parks (See "Conservation, Forests and Lands-Lands" and "National Parks".)

Parliament-Televising of proceedings, 1. Parliamentary Contributory Superannuation Fund

Report for 1984-85, 1439. Parliamentary Privilege-Hansard report, 1, 38.

Herald article re Mountain District Cattlemen's Association of Victoria, 799. Report of Standing Orders Committee, 989. Suspension of Standing Orders, 1152.

Penguins-:Deaths in Port Phillip and Western port bays, 53, 57, q 168,979,980, 1037.

Pensioners-Home energy concessions, q 984.

Personal Explanations-By Mr Sgro, 169. By Mr Walker, 169. By Mr Macey, 444. By Mrs Kirner, 507. By Mr Miles, 669. By Mr Connard, 791.

Petitions-Planning (Brothels) Act 1984, 31, 66, 133, 260,314, 1053. Wood chipping in Otway Ranges, 31, 260, 315, 881, 1127, 1377. Pre-schools, 133, 314, 508, 882, 988, 1127, 1235. Residential Tenancies Act 1980, 134, 593, 882, 1235. Sale of red meat, 444, 1439. Flora and fauna guarantee, 1234. Residential Tenancies Bill, 1235.

Petroleum Products-Petrol prices, q 505. Motor fuel levy, qn 585.

Phillip Island-Summerland estate, q 167.

Planning and Environment-

Environment-Noise levels: of motor cycles, 118, 121; of trams, 158, 160. (See also "Environment Protection Authority".)

Ministry-Relocation ofWarmambool office, q 820. Planning-Good Shepherd Convent and Chapel,

Chadstone, q 28. Brighton high-rise development, 51, 54. Parklands for proposed National Tennis Centre, 53, 55. Vickers-Ruwolt site, Richmond, q 128. Orana development, Burwood, 157, 159. Castle field shopping centre, 219. Port Melbourne Bayside Development, 222, 224, 427, 430, 1117, 1119. Elders (XL Ltd wool store project, q 439. Parkville building extension dispute, 575, 580. Proposed legislation, 654, 656. Yarra River environs, q 666. Kerferd Road pier, 806, 810. Brothel permits in Croydon and Nunawading, 808, 810. Proposed Melbourne convention centre, 809, 811. Dual occupancy of house allotments, q 1049. Density codes, 1116, 1118. Corinella Historical Park, 1361, 1366. Powers of Melbourne City Council, q 1376.

Planning (Brothels) Act 1984, 31, 66, 133, 260, 314.

Point Nepean-Future use, 870, 873.

Police Department-

Crime-Legalization of marijuana, q 29, q 258, q 1052. Delays in analysis of drugs. q 877. Reported crimes and conviction rates, qn 1041.

General-Bail for persons charged with trafficking in heroin, q 818. Industrial campaign, q 1050. Interrogation procedures, 1363, 1369. Bourke Street West station site, q 1372.

Pollution-In Port Phillip Bay, 979, 980, 1037. (See also "Environment Protection Authority" and "Planning and Environment-Environment".)

Port Melbourne Bayside Development-Boulevard proposal, 222, 224, 427, 430. Environment effects statement, 1117, 1119.

(24) INDEX

Port Phillip Bay-Penguin deaths, 53, 57, q 168,979, 980, 1037. Illegal scallop dredging, 653, 659. Sorrento-Queenscliff ferry service, 977, 979. Pollution, 979, 980, 1037. Municipal beach cleaning subsidies, 1226, 1227. Proposed Mornington harbour seafood restaurant, 1364, 1369.

Ports and Harbors, Division of-Mordialloc pier, 155, 158.

President, The (Hon. R. A. Mackenzie) Rulings and Statements of-

Aichi Prefecture-Gift to Victoria, 1471. Bills Declared Private-Uniting Church in Australia

(Trust Property) Bill, 553. National Mutual Permanent Building Society Bill, 721.

Business of the House-Order, 67, 827. Days and hours of meeting, 217. Adjournment of sitting, 795. Postponement, 795.

Casting Vote, 797, 1446. Chairmen of Committees, Temporary-

Appointment, 2. Christmas Felicitations, 1540. Clerk of the Parliaments-Appointment, 125. Clerk, The-Absence, 125. Constitution (Governor's Salary and Pension) BiIl

Reserved for Royal assent, 437. Coroners Bill, 373,471,476. Debate-Use of party political sign, 6. Relevancy of

remarks, 24, 136, 798. Interjections, 73, 349, 574, 687,690,698,715,785,787, 1343, 1387. Reflection on Chair, 88, 89. Unparliamentary expressions, 112, 539, 802. Personal explanations, 169, 444. Absence of Ministers during adjournment debate, 226. Order of business, 295. Scope, 329, 330, 638, 683,924, 1151, 1281. Reflection on Minister, 356. Statements in, 572, 613, 878. Matter raised on motion for adjournment of sitting to relate to Government administration, 572, 573, 574. Offensive remark, 607. Putting of question, 796. Effect of motion for postponement of business, 805. Audible conversation, 806, 1425. Reading of speeches, 862, 863. Tedious repetition, 987.

Distinguished Visitor-Lord Kitchener of Khartoum, 1293.

Division-Pair, 24, 25. Electoral-N unawading Province by-election, 731,

732,795,799,801,815. Hansard-Parliamentary privilege, 2, 38.

Incorporation of material, 77, 699, 702, 703. Incorporation of second-reading speeches, 1033, 1523.

Joint Sittings of Parliament-Deakin University, 837, 1430.

President, The-continued

Legislative Council-President's deliberative vote, 125, 163, 178.

Members-Swearing in ofMrs Varty, I. Mountain District Cattlemen's Association of

Victoria-Attendance at Bar of House, 731, 732, 795, 799, 801, 815.

Nunawading Province By-election-Mountain cattlemen, 731, 732, 795, 799, 801, 815.

Parliament-Televising of proceedings, 1. Parliamentary Privilege-Hansard report, 2, 38.

Herald article re Mountain District Cattlemen's Association of Victoria, 799, 801.

Questions without Notice-Length of answers, 132, 881. Rule of anticipation, 164. Relevancy of remarks, 255, 820. To relate to Government administration, 437, 440, 502. Not to seek opinions, 592, 875.

Universities-Deakin, 837, 1430. Victoria'S 150th Anniversary-Gift from Aichi

Prefecture, 1471.

Primary Industries-

Beef-Cattle Compensation Fund, q 1291. Dairy-Milk price increases, q 501, q 590, 651, 655.

Marketing of milk products, 578, 580. Report on vesting of milk, q 988. Assistance, q 1122. Stamp duty on company amalgamation, q 1229.

Fishing-Scallop fishing, q 1289, q 1435. Licences, q 1289. Industrycommitteereplacements,q 1437.

Fruit and Vegetable-Registration of growers, 120, 122.

General-Rural Economic Study Committee, q 26, 156, 159,q 502,q 1231,q 1373. Humane disposal of aged sheep, q 126. Survival, q 163, q 587. Effects of industrial disruption, q 502. Suicides in farming community, q 503. Rural markets, q 590. Rural crisis assistance, q 818, q 875. Commonwealth rural adjustment funding, q 1047. .

Grain-Rail freight charges, q 442, 541. 1985 crop, q 821. Transportation, q 1047.

Meat-Northern Territory industrial dispute, 50, 54. Ban on overseas sales, 50, 54. Livestock marketing reports, 426, 430.

Sheep-Black bans on live sheep transporter, q 1048.

Prostitution-Brothels, 31, 66, 133,260,423,428,808, 810, 1053. Neave report, q 879, q 1232.

Psychologists Bill-Report of Social Development Committee, 989.

Public Bodies Review Committee-Appointment of members, 170.

Public Prosecutions, Director of-Report for 1984-85, 1300. Office accommodation, 1365, 1367.


Public Service-Tenure of permanent heads, 119. Dismissals, qn 293.

Public Trustee-Wills-on-wheels service, q 1048.

Pullen. Hon. B. T. (Melbourne Province)

Children-Pre-school programs, 133,314,1235. Employment and Industrial Affairs-Youth

Guarantee Scheme, q 504.

Forests-Protection of Victorian rain forests, q 1373. Health, Department of-Youth Guarantee Scheme,

q 504.

Historic Buildings-Newman College at University of Melbourne, q 877.

Hospitals-Prince Henry's, 247. Housing-Dual occupancy of house allotments,

q 1049. Newman College, q 877. Petitions-Pre-schools, 133, 314, 1235. Residential

Tenancies Act 1980, 134, 882, 1235. Residential Tenancies Bill, 1235.

Planning-Vickers-Ruwolt site, Richmond, q 128. Dual occupancy of house allotments, q 1049.

Police Department-Interrogation procedures, 1363. Residential Tenancies Act 1980, 134, 882, 1235.

Residential Tenancies Bill, 1235.

Q

Question on Notice-Answer, 1361, 1366.

Questions without Notice-Length of answers, 131. Proposed supplementary questions, 540.

R

Railways (See "Metropolitan Transit Authority-Rail Services" and "State Transport Authority-Rail Services". )

Real Estate Institute of Victoria-Campaign against capital gains tax, 575, 582.

Red Cross Society-Payment of grant, 1036, 1038.

Reid, Hon. N. B. (Bendigo Province)

Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Department of-Bendigo diagnostic centre, 53, 157.

Ambulance Services-Restructuring, 452. Appropriation (1985-86, No. I) Bill, 990.

Bush Fires-Role of staff of Department of Conservation, Forests and Lands, 498.

Business of the House-Order, 826. Conservation, Forests and LandsConservation-Grants, 651, qn 1043.

Reid, Hon. N. B.-continued

Department-Motor registrations, insurances and debts, 2, 23. Resignation of Mr Robert Russell, q 62. Accounts, 118, q 128, q 256, 285, qn 435, q 1433. Accidents: at Collingwood, q 166, 285; at Morwell River road, 285. Payment of employees, qn 436. Role of staff in fire fighting, 498. Freedom of information request, q 663. Purchase of weedicides for resale, qn 1042. Fire suppression expenditure, qn 1045. Building purchase at 601 Bourke Street, Melbourne, qn 1046.

Lands-Soil Conservation Authority, qn 1045. Coroners Bill, 373. Corrections, Office of-Accident involving prisoners,

220. Electoral-Nunawading Province by-election, q 306,

q 440, 692. Expenditure by conservation lobby groups, 651.

Fairfield Land Bill, 96. Fisheries and Wildlife Service-Staffing, 867. Forests and Country Fire Authority (Penalties) Bill,


1187. Grain Industry-Transportation of crop, q 1047.

Land (Miscellaneous Matters) Bill, 1276.

Melbourne Cricket Ground (Amendment) Bill, 1223, 1225.

Mental Health-Bendigo Psychiatric Centre, 423. Mineral Water-Development, qn 1042. Mornington Harbour-Proposed seafood restaurant,

1364.

National Parks-Kinglake, qn 58. Alpine, q 1125, q 1232.

National Tennis Centre Bill, 752, 769. Nunawading Province By-election-How-to-vote

cards, q 306, q 440, 692.

Points of Order-Question without notice to relate to Government administration, 440. Identification of quoted document, 750.

Port Phillip Bay-Proposed Mornington harbour seafood restaurant, 1364.

Primary Industries-Rural markets, q 590. Racing (Fixed Percentage Distribution) Bill, 152.

Road Safety Committee-Proposed, 188, 1151.

Road Traffic Authority-Proposed Road Safety Committee, 1151.

Sale-yards-Newmarket, q 876, qn 1045.

Soil Conservation and Land Utilization (Appeals) Bill, 97.

Soil Conservation Authority-Loans and grants, qn 1045.

Sport-Proposed National Tennis Centre, q 663.

(26) INDEX

Reid, Hon. N. B.-continued

State Transport Authority-Transportation of grain crop, q 1047.

Timber Industry-Draft strategy, 1118. Quotas for small sawmillers, 1118.

Vermin and Noxious Weeds (Amendment) Bill, 1337,1347.

Remembrance Day-Observance, 867. Residential Tenancies Act 1980,134,593,882, 1235. Residential Tenancies Bill, 1235. Restaurants-Non-smoking areas, q 665, q 1373. Retirement Village-Frankston Baptist centre, 284,.289. Road Construction Authority-

Freeways-Proposed Hume Freeway-Euroa bypass, q 878, q 1438.

Roads-Funding, qn 433, qn 434, 508, q 669.

Road Safety Committee-Proposed, 188, 1144. Road Traffic Autbority-

Road Safety-Proposed Road Safety Committee, 188, 1144.

Road Traffic-Monitoring on Beaconsfield Parade, 1365, 1366.

Road Vehicles-Motor cycle noise levels, 118, 121. Motor fuel levy, qn 585. Endorsement of drivers' licences, 652. Protective helmets for motor cycle sidecar passengers, 808, 812.

Traffic Regulation-Signals for T AFE college, Moorabbin, 285.

Road Transport-Black bans on live sheep transporters, q 1048.

Royal Melbourne Sbow-Charges, 219. Rural Affairs (See "Agriculture and Rural Affairs,

Department of' and "Primary Industries".) Rural Economic Study Committee, q 26, 156, 159, q 502,

q 1231, q 1373. Rural Finance Commission-Rural crisis assistance,

q 818. Assistance to dairy industry, q 1122.

S

Sale-yards-Bendigo, 155, 158, q 824. Newmarket, 426, 430, q 876, qn 1045. For Craigieburn, q 822, q 1290.

Salinity-Discharge into Latrobe River, q 166. Darling-Murray Basin conference, q 985. Recommendations of Salinity Committee, q 1048.

Sandon, Hon. M. J. (Chelsea Province)

Bush Fires-Government equipment, q 305. Chelsea Poverty Task Force, q 987. Children-Pre-school programs, 988. Com-

monwealth pre-school funds, 1037.

Sandon, Hon. M. l.-continued

Community Services-Government anti-poverty strategy, q 441. Chelsea Poverty Task Force, q 987.

Conservation-Seaford foreshore, q 1233. Conservation, Forests and Lands, Department of

Motor registrations, insurances and debts, 21. Firefighting equipment, q 305.

Education-Mentone Girls High School, 1226. Estate Agents-Campaign against capital gains tax,

575. Licences for agents from interstate, 807. Ethnic Affairs-Women in Industry Contraception

and Health, 976. Health-Insulin syringes, q 1050. Hospital Employees Federation-Membership at

Mayday Hills hospital, q 27. Industrial Relations Commission-Annual report,

363. Land-National Soil Conservation Program, q 823. Law Courts-Chelsea court house, q 256. Penguins-Deaths in Port Phillip and Western port

bays, q 168. Petition-Pre-schools, 988. Points of Order-Scope of debate, 330, 682. Question

without notice to relate to Government administration, 502.

Port Phillip Bay-Penguin deaths, q 168. Illegal scallop dredging, 653.

Real Estate Institute of Victoria-Campaign against capital gains tax, 575.

Royal Melbourne Show-Charges, 219. Sea ford Foreshore Committee of Management,

q 1233. State Electricity Commission of Victoria-Annual

report, 363. Teaching Service Conciliation and Arbitration

Commission-Annual report, 363. WorkCare-Loss of employment, 1116.

Seaford Foreshore Committee of Management, q 1233. Sessional Orders, 403, 644, 749, 990, 1152.

Sgro, Hon. G. A. (Melbourne North Province) Children-Glen Tots Pre-school Centre, q 591. Christmas Felicitations, 1538. Community Services-For migrants, q 310. Conservation-Protection of unique natural features,

q 1051. Crimes (Amendment) Bill, 393. Ethnic Affairs-Migrant community services, q 310. Legislation-Use of plain English, q 65. Lotteries Gaming and Betting (Gaming Machines)

Bill, 144, 169. Municipalities-Road funding, 536.


Sgro, Hon. G. A.-continued

Personal Explanation-Lotteries Gaming and Betting (Gaming Machines) Bill, 169.

Road Construction Authority-Road funding, 536. Ruling and Statement as Deputy PresidentDebate-Relevancy of remarks, 94.

Sheep Industry (See "Primary Industries-Sheep".) Sherbrooke Forest-Feral cats, 978, 981. Small Business-Survival in rural areas, q 163, q 587.

Rural crisis assistance, q 818, q 875. Social Development Committee-Appointment of

members, 170. Reports presented: Psychologists Bill, 989; Therapeutic Goods and Cosmetics Bill, 1235; Willsmere Hospital, 1377.

Soil Conservation Authority-Loans and grants, qn 1045.

South Eastern Historical Society, 1361. South Port Community Nursing Home Society, 288. Southern Family Life Volunteer Agency, 121. Sport and Recreation-Proposed National Tennis

Centre, 53, 55, q 663. Standing Committees-Proposed, 93. Standing Orders Committee-Report presented: Mat

ters of privilege, 39, 989. State Electricity Commission-Annual report, 327, 328.

Advance warning of power cuts, 499. Newport "0" power station emissions report, 1127, 1194.

State Finance-Public borrowings, q 27,67, 106. State Superannuation Fund-Report as at 30 June 1983,

989. State Transport Authority-

Fares and Freight-Rail grain freight charges, q 442, 541.

General-Employment ofMr S. J. Perryman, qn 293. Rail Services-Transportation of grain crop, q 1047.

Storey, Hon. Haddon (East Yarra Province)

Appropriation (1985-86, No. I) Bill, 970. Australia Acts (Request) Bill, 789, 791. Capital Works Authority-Public borrowings, q 27.

Establishment, 108. Construction Industry Long Service Leave

(Amendment) Bill, 1242.

Corporate Affairs-Co-operative companies and securities scheme, 325.

Crimes (Amendment) Bill, 396, 398. Dangerous Goods-HAZCHEM signs at schools,

1360. Death-Mr Alexander Vale, 663. Education-Swan Reach Primary School, 221.

HAZCHEM signs at schools, 1360.

Storey, Hon. Haddon-continued

Electoral-Nunawading Province by-election, q 439, q 592, 669, 694.

Employment and Training (Rebates) Bill, 1472. Governor, The-Resignation of Sir Brian Murray,

301. Hairdressers Registration (Repeal) Bill, 1516.

Harrison House-Property damage caused by residents, q 1292.

Hospital Employees Federation-Royal Melbourne Hospital dispute, q 1123.

Hospitals-Prince Henry's, 252. Royal Melbourne, q 1123. McClelland report on capital works needs, q 1371.



Interpretation of Legislation (Further Amendment) Bill, 274, 275.

Labour and Industry (Registration Fees) Bill, 1217.

Law Courts-Death of Mr Alexander Vale, Chief Stipendiary Magistrate, 663.

Legislative CounciI-President's deliberative vote, 81,93, q 127, q 255.

Long Service Leave (Portable Benefits) Bill, 1441, 1446,1447.

Melbourne University (Amendment) Bill, 1513. Ministerial Statement-Co-operative companies and

securities scheme, 325. Ministry, The-Portfolio of Minister for Education,

q 502. Nunawading Province By-election-How-to-vote

cards, q 439, q 592, 669,694.

Points of Order-Relevancy of remarks, 255. Questions without notice: admissibility, 592; length of answer, 881. Scope of debate, 683. Tedious repetition, 987.

Registration of Births Deaths and Marriages (Amendment) Bill, 1452, 1453.

State Electricity Commission-Annual report, 331. State Electricity Commission (Tree Clearance) Bill,

81,181,920. State Finance-Public borrowings, q 27, 108.

Teaching Service Conciliation and Arbitration Commission-Annual report, 331.

Unions-Hospital Employees Federation, q 1123.

Superannuation-Private funds, q 438. Report of State Superannuation Fund, 989. Report ofParliamentary Contributory Superannuation Fund for 1984-85, 1439.

(28) INDEX

T

Taxation-

General-State taxes and charges, q 25. Motor fuel levy, qn 585.


Teaching Service Conciliation and Arbitration Commission-Annual report, 327. 328.

Therapeutic Goods and Cosmetics Bill-Report of Social Development Committee, 1235.

Timber Industry-Logging in east Gippsland, q 30. Wood cbipping in Otway Ranges, 31, 260, 315, 881. 1127. 1377. Future production, 426, 432. Draft strategy, 866, 872, q 880, 1118, 1120. Licence fees, 866, 872. Quotas for small sawmillers, 1118, 1120.

Totalizator Agency Board-Agency licences, 52. Trading Hours-Red meat, 444,1439.

U

Unions-Hospital Employees Federation, q 27, q 1121, q 1123. q 1230. Builders Labourers Federation, 218,q591.

United Kingdom-Severance of constitutional links, q 1435.

Universities-Monash Institute of Forensic Pathology, q 167. Deakin, 837, 1430.

V

Vale, The Late Mr Alexander, 661.

Van Buren, Hon. C. F. (Eumemmerring Province)

Appropriation (1985-86, No. I) Bill, 1020. Children-Supervision while swimming, 807. Community Services-Self-help groups, 1037,

q 1434. Community Services, Department of-Transfer of

functions from Department of Health, q 258. Employment Access Program, q 1124.

Gayline Telephone Counselling Service, q 879. Handicapped Persons-Self-help groups, 1037. Health-Self-help groups, 1037. Health, Department of-Transfer of functions to

Department of Community Services, q 258. Hospital-Dandenong and District, 1283. Land-Crown land committees of management,

q 588. Land (Miscellaneous Matters) Bill, 1279. Petition-Residential Tenancies Act 1980, 593. Water Safety-Supervision of children, 807.

Varty, Hon. Rosemary (Nunawading Province)

Appropriation (1985-86, No. 1) Bill, 954, 1072. Australia Acts (Request) Bill, 782. Brothels-Permits in Croydon and Nunawading,

808. Neave report on prostitution, q 879, q 1232. Planning (Brothels) Act 1984, 1053.

Children-Pre-school funding, 427. Crimes (Amendment) Bill, 394. Geriatric Services-Nursing home beds in eastern

suburbs, 1362. Hospitals-Board appointments, 668. Prince

Henry's, 668. Industrial Relations Commission-Annual report,

345. Lands-Warrandyte State Park, 1282. Maiden Speech, 35. Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works

Excess water charge, 577. Metropolitan Transit Authority-Car parking at

Ringwood railway station, 220. Municipalities-Density codes, 1116. Petition-Planning (Brothels) Act 1984, 1053. Planning-Brothels in Croydon and Nunawading,

808. Density codes, 1116. Prostitution-Brothels, 808, 1053. Neave report,

q 879, q 1232. Registration of Births Deaths and Marriages

(Amendment) Bill, 1453. te Electricity Commission-Annual report, 345. Teaching Service Conciliation and Arbitration

Commission-Annual report, 345. Town and Country Planning (Brothels) Bill, 882,

1136. Warrandyte State Park, 286, 1282.

Victoria's 150tb Anniversary-Gift from Aichi Prefecture, 1471, 1531.

W

Walker, Hon. E. H. (Melbourne Province)

Abattoirs-Meat inspection services, 54, 656, q 664, q 1124, q 1435. Code of practice, q 305, 429,656, 980, q 1124. Casterton, 980.

Administrative Arrangements Orders-Nos 30 to 32, 31. Nos 35 to 37, 326. No. 38, 825. Nos 39 and 40, 1377.

Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Department of-Meat inspection services, 54, 656, q 664, q 1435. Bendigo diagnostic centre, 55, 159. Victorian Crops Research Institute, Horsham, 122, 223. Humane disposal of aged sheep, q 126. Veterinary research centres, q 130, 169. Livestock Marketing Reporting Service, 430. Debit for milk price increase, q 501.


Walker, Hon. E. H.-continued

Rural industry research grants, q 591. DirectorGeneral, 809. Proposed Horsham experimental farm, 980. Staff cutbacks, q 1434. Operational structure, q 1436.

Aichi Prefecture-Gift to Victoria, 1531. Amusement Parlours-Report of working party, 133. Animals-Proposed welfare legislation, 580. Appropriation (1985-86, No. I) Bill, 1114. Australia Acts (Request) Bill, 661. Bonlac Foods Ltd, q 1229. Brothels-Legislation, 428. Permits in Croydon and

Nunawading, 810. Neave report on prostitution, q 879.

Budget-Tabling of documents, 132. For 1985-86, 1114.

Building Control (Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainers) Bill, 882, 1035, 1205.

Business of the House-Order, 67, 95, 96, 826. Days and hours of meeting, 216, 1225, 1293. Sessional Orders, 403, 644, 749, 990. Adjournment of sitting, 793.

Cattle Compensation Fund, q 1291. Cerberus.223. China-Beef cattle project, qn 1543. Christmas Felicitations, 1533. Clerk, The-Absence, 125.

Constitution (Governor's Salary and Pension) Bill, 417,422.

Construction Industry Long Service Leave (Amendment) Bill, 1161, 1246.

Convention Centre-For Melbourne, 811. Corinella Historical Park, 1366. Coroners Bill, 373. Dairy Industry (Milk Price) Bill, 924. Dangerous Goods-Control, q 503. HAZCHEM and

HAZMA T signs, 1118, 1366. Death-The Hon. A. W. Knight, 815. Economic and Budget Review Committee-

Appointment of members, 170. Education-General-HAZCHEM signs at schools, 1366. Schools. Primary-Clyde North, 159. Cost of wall

frieze depicting women in non-traditional employment, qn 585.

Elders IXL Ltd-Wool store project, q 439. Electoral-Nunawading Province by-election, q 589,

686, 793, 800. Environment Protection Authority-Noise levels: of

motor cycles, 121; of trams, 160. Odour problems at Tullamarine, q 130. Sponsorship of racing car, q 165. Pollution in the Cups area, 223. Disposal of nuisance wastes at Dutson Downs, q 308. Newport


"0" power station emissions report, 1127. Conference, q 1234.

Environment Protection (Industrial Waste) Bill, 1325, 1356, 1462, 1463, 1464, 1465, 1466, 1467, 1468,1469, 1470,1471.

Gaming Machines-Report of working party, 133. Governor, The-Resignation of Sir Brian Murray,

299, q 305, 311. Grain Elevators Board-Report on public authority

dividend, q 63. Historic Buildings-Toorak Methodist Church,

q 820, 1038. Newman College at University of Melbourne,q 877.

Historic Buildings (Amendment) Bill, 444, 568. Historic Buildings (Amendment) Bill (No. 2), 1101,

1207,1209. Historic Towns-Daylesford and Hepburn Springs,

810. Housing-Dual occupancy of house allotments,

q 1049. Housing, Ministry of-Orana development,

Burwood, 159. Kerferd Road Pier, 810. Land Conservation Council-Changing role, q 878. Legal and Constitutional Committee-Appointment

of members, 170. Legislative Council-President's deliberative vote,

91,93, q 127, 170. Loddon-Campaspe Regional Planning Authority,

656. Marketing of Primary Products and Egg Industry

Stabilization (Amendment) Bill, 593, 828. Meat Inspection Bill, 925. Melbourne City Council-Planning powers, q 1377. Melbourne University (Amendment) Bill, 1287,

1355. Members-Maiden speech ofMrs Varty, 35. Health

checks, 579. Metropolitan Transit Authority-Noise levels of

trams, 160. Ministerial Statement-Newport "0" power station

emissions report, 1127. Mordialloc Pier, 158. Mountain District Cattlemen's Association of

Victoria-Attendance at Bar of House, 731, 793, 800.

Municipalities-Density codes, 1118. National Tennis Centre Bill, 379,380. Natural Resources and Environment Committee

Appointment of members, 170. Nunawading Province By-election-How-to-vote

cards, q 589, 686. Mountain cattlemen, 793, 800. Nurses (Amendment) Bill, 315.

(30) INDEX

Walker, Hon. E. H.-continued Walker, Hon. E. H.-continued

Parliamentary Privilege-Herald article re Mountain District Cattlemen;s Association of Victoria, 800.

Penguins-Deaths in Port Phillip and Western port bays, 980, 1037.

Personal Explanation-Veterinary research centres, 169.

Planning and EnvironmentMinistry-Relocation ofWarmambool office, q 820. Planning-Good Shepherd Convent and Chapel,

Chadstone, q 28. Brighton high-rise development, 54. Parklands used for proposed National Tennis Centre, 55. Vickers-Ruwolt site, Richmond, q 128. Orana development, Burwood, 159. Port Melbourne Bayside Development, 224, 430, 1119. Elders IXL Ltd wool store project, q 439. Parkville building extension dispute, 580. Proposed legislation, 656. Yarra River environs, q 666. Kerferd Road pier, 810. Brothel permits in Croydon and Nunawading, 810. Proposed Melbourne convention centre, 811. Dual occupancy of house allotments, q 1049. Density codes, 1118. Corinella Historical Park, 1366. Powers of Melbourne City Council, q 1377.

Points of Order-Use of party political sign, 6. Reflection on Chair, 88. Offensive remarks, 88. Personal explanations, 169,444. Scope of debate, 178, 179. Order of business, 295. Question without notice to relate to Government administration, 437, 440. Putting of question, 796. Effect of motion for postponement of business, 805. Unparliamentary expression, 1397.

Police Department-Bourke Street West station site, q 1372.

Police Regulation (Amendment) Bill, 1275. Pollution-In Port Phillip Bay, 980,1037. Port Melbourne Bayside Development-Boulevard

proposal, 224, 430. Environment effects statement, 1119.

Port Phillip Bay-Sorrento-Queenscliff ferry service, 979. Pollution, 980, 1037.

Ports and Harbors, Division of-Mordialloc pier, 158.

Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Bill, 1294, 1521.

Primary Industries-Bee!-CattleCompensation Fund, q 1291. Dairy-Debiting of milk price increases, q 50 I, q 590,

655. Marketing of milk products, 580. Report on vesting of milk, q 988. Assistance, q 1122. Stamp duty on company amalgamation, q 1229.

Fruit and Vegetable-Registration of growers, 122. General-Rural Economic Study Committee, q 26,

159, q 502, q 1231, q 1373. Survival, 163, q 587. Effects of industrial disruption, q 502. Suicides in farming community, q 504. Rural markets, q 590.

Rural CrISIS assistance, q 819, q 875. Commonwealth rural adjustment funding, q 1047.

Grain-Rail freight charges, q 442. 1985 crop, q 821. Transportation, q 1047.

Meat-Ban on overseas sales, 54. Northern Territory industrial dispute, 54. Livestock market reports, 430.

Sheep-Humane disposal of aged sheep, q 126. Black bans on live sheep transporters, q 1049.

Prostitution-Brothels, 428, 810. Neave report, q 879.


Public Bodies Review Committee-Appointment of members, 170.

Public Service-Dismissals, qn 293. Question on Notice-Answer, 1366. Road Construction Authority-Proposed Hume

Freeway Euroa bypass, q 878, q 1438. Road Traffic Authority-Road Traffic-Monitoring on Beaconsfield Parade,

1366. Road Vehicles-Motor cycle noise levels, 121. Road Transport-Black bans on live sheep

transporters, q 1049. Rural Economic Study Committee, q 26, 159, q 502,

q 1231, q 1373. Rural Finance Commission-Rural crisis assistance,

q 819. Sale-yards-Bendigo, 158, q 824. Newmarket, 430.

For Craigieburn, q 822, q 1290. Salinity-Discharge into Latrobe River, q 167.

Darling-Murray Basin conference, q 985. Recommendations of Salinity Committee, Q 1048.

Sessional Orders, 403, 644, 749, 990. Small Business-Survival in rural areas, q 163, q 587,

q 819, q 875. Social Development Committee-Appointment of

members, 170. South Yarra Project (Sutxlivision and Management)

Bill, 1101, 1275. Sport-Proposed National Tennis Centre, 55. State Electricity Commission-Newport "D" power

station emissions report, 1127. State Transport Authority-Rail grain freight

charges, q 442. Transportation of grain crop, q 1047.

Town and Country Planning (Brothels) Bill, 1138. Town and Country Planning (Planning Schemes) Bill,

824,927,961, 1194. Town and Country Planning (Westernport) Bill, 315,

374,640,645,646. Transport (Victorian Ports Authority) Bill, 1033.



Urban Land Authority (Amendment) Bill, 570, 595, 596,597.

Victoria's 150th Anniversary-Gift from Aichi Prefecture, 1531.

West Gate Bridge-Removal of toll, 1366. Yarra River-Environs, q 666.

Waiter and Eliza Han Institute of Medical ResearchIndustrial dispute, q 505.

Ward, Hon. H. R. (South Eastern Province)

Ambulance Services-Restructuring, 478. For Cranbourne and Emerald, 1226.

Appropriation (1985-86, No. 1) Bill, 1074. Bank Holidays (Amendment) Bill, 405. Community Services-Residential units for

intellectually handicapped, 571. Staffing of Office of Intellectual Disability Services, 654.

Corinella Historical Park, 1361. Death-Mr Alexander Vale, 662. Education-Clyde North Primary School, 152. Health (Amendment) Bill, 1033. Law Courts-Death of Mr Alexander Vale, Chief

Stipendiary Magistrate, 662. Lotteries Gaming and Betting (Gaming Machines)

Bill, 142,207. Metropolitan Fire Brigades Superannuation

(Amendment) Bill, 280. National Tennis Centre Bill, 380, 732, 767, 768, 769,

770. Phillip Island-Summerland estate, q 167. Point of Order-Interjections, 349. Red Cross Society-Payment of grant, 1036. South Eastern Historical Society, 1361. Town and Country Planning (Westernport) Bill, 639,

645,647. Western port (Oil Refinery) (Further Agreement) Bill,

263.

Warrandyte State Par~ 286, 291, 1282, 1284. Water-Threat to Geelong supply, q 168. Water Safety-Supervision of children, 807, 811. West Gate Bridge-Removal of toll, 1365, 1366.

White, Hon. D. R. (Doutta Galla Province)

Administrative Arrangements Orders-Nos 33 and 34,262.

Alcoa of Australia Ltd-Portland smelter joint venture project, 326.

Ambulance Services-Operations manager, Melbourne, q 61. Victorian Ambulance

..

White, Hon. D. R.-continued

Commission, q 61. Government consultation, 161. Restructuring, 311, 312, 483. Husbands accompanying wives, 811. For Cranbourne and Emerald, 1227.

Appropriation (1985-86, No. 1) Bill, 628, 718, 963. Australian Optometrieal Association, q 1437. Bank Holidays (Amendment) Bill, 198, 214. Budget-Tabling of documents, 132. For 1985-86,

628, 718, 963. Burnet, Sir Macfarlane, q 126. Business of the House-Postponement, 797. Capital Works Authority-Establishment, 76,106.

Cemeteries-Eltham, 431, 811. Children-Supervision while swimming, 811. Coal Miners' Accidents Relief Board-Report for

1984-85, 1439.

Community Services-Early childhood development programs, q 259. Self-help groups, 1038.

Community Services, Department of-Transfer of functions from Department of Health, q 62, 260.


Decentralized Industry Incentive Payments (Amendment) Bill, 1229, 1270.

Dental Services-School Dental Service, qn 1542. Dental Technicians (Licences) Bill, 134, 213, 415,

416,417. Drugs-Legalization of marijuana, q 29, q 258,

q 1052. Drug-related deaths, q 1288. Education-Chisholm Institute of Technology

nursing courses, 870. Electoral-Nunawading Province by-election, 712,

799. Employment and Industrial Affairs-Youth

Guarantee Scheme, q 504. Employment and Training (Rebates) Bill, 1331, 1353,

1474. Explosives-Live hand grenades found at Monivae

College, 871. Auoride-Link with repetition strain injury, q 819 .

Gayline Telephone Counselling Service, 870, q 879. Geriatric Services-Nursing homes: beds, q 164,

1366; subsidies, 1119; capital works in Gippsland area, 1366. Home and community care program, 430.

Groundwater (Border Agreement) Bill, 818, 930, 1211.

Hairdressers Registration (Repeal) Bill, 1433, 1515. Handicapped Persons-Transfer of services to

Department of Community Services, q 62. Selfhelp groups, 1038.

(32) INDEX

White, Hon. D. R.-continued White, Hon. D. R.-continued

Health-Department-Transfer of functions to Department

of Community Services, q 62, 260. Regional directors, q 127. 225. Sale of Kilmore land, 288. Youth Guarantee Scheme, q 504. Regionalization, 811. Use of vehicles, qn 1541.

Diseases-Muscular dystrophy, 289. Giardiasis outbreak in Hamilton, q 665.

General-Women's programs, q 307. Mosquitoes in Gippsland Lakes area, 581. Non-smoking areas in restaurants, q 665, q 1373. Link between fluoridation and repetition strain injury, q 819. District health councils, q 876. Self-help groups, 1038. Insulin syringes, q 1050. Complaints procedures, q 1374.

Health (Amendment) Bill, 929, 1031, 1427, 1428, 1532.

Hospital Employees Federation-Membership at Mayday Hills hospital, q 27. Royal Melbourne Hospital dispute, q 1121, q 1123. Settlement of membership dispute, q 1230.

Hospitals-Bush nursing centres, q 27. Alfred, q 28. Waiting lists, 56, q 257, q 442. Prince Henry's, 122, 236, q 668, 811, 871, q 987. Supply of drugs, 161. Kilmore, 288, 289. Wodonga District, 289, q 1229. Colac District, 289. Nurses' salary package, q 306. Effects of nursing dispute, q 310. McClelland report on capital works needs, 581, q 665, q 1050, q 1125, q 1234, 1366, q 1371, q 1436. Brighton Community, 581,1367. Hampton Rehabilitation, 581, 1367. Nauseous allowance for cleaning staff, q 666. Board appointments, q 668. Moorabbin, 811. Eildon and District Community, 871. Ripon Peace Memorial, 871. District health councils, q 876. Seymour District Memorial, q 986. Need for services, q 1050. Royal Melbourne, q 1121, q 1123. Industrial disputes, q 1121. Report on certificate of need legislation, 1129. Gippsland pathology dispute, 1283. Dandenong and District, 1283. Capital works in Gippsland area, 1366. Renal dialysis machine for Wangaratta, 1367. Number of patients treated, qn 1543. Staff numbers, qn 1543.

Housing (Commonwealth-State-Northern Territory • Agreement) Bill, 827.

Industrial Relations (Complementary Industrial Relations System) Bill, 365, 373.

Joint Sitting ofParliament-Deakin University, 837. Labour and Industry (Registration Fees) Bill, 983,

1030, 1218. Land Tax (Amendment) Bill, 960. Liquor Control (Vigneron's Licences) Bill, 983, 1031,

1214. Long Service Leave (Portable Benefits) Bill, 1371,

1440, 1446, 1447, 1448.


Marijuana-Legalization, q 29, q 258, q 1052. Medical Services-General-Waiter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical

Research, q 505. In vitro fertilization, q 1126. Report on radiation apparatus, 1129. Gippsland pathology dispute, 1283. Renal dialysis machine for Wangaratta, 1367. Complaints procedures, q 1374. School Medical Service, qn 1541.


Nursing-Entrance requirements, 161. Salary package, q 260, q 306. Industrial dispute, q 310. Training, 870, q 1234. Overseas registered nurses, q 1376.

Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of WorksExcess water charge, 581.

Mental Health-Bendigo Psychiatric Centre, q 259, 288,430.

Ministerial Statements-Mental Retardation Division, 260. Reports on radiation apparatus and certificate of need legislation, 1129.

Monivae College-Live hand grenades, 871. Motor Car (Further Amendment) Bill, 725. Mountain District Cattlemen's Association of

Victoria-Attendance at Bar of House, 712, 799. National Mutual Permanent Building Society Bill,

720. Nunawading Province By-election-Mountain

cattlemen, 712, 799.

Nurses (Amendment) Bill, 315, 367,599.

Parliamentary Contributory Superannuation FundReport for 1984-85, 1439.

Parliamentary Privilege-Herald article re Mountain District Cattlemen's Association of Victoria, 799.

Pay-roll Tax (Amendment) Bill, 961, 962. Petroleum Products-Petrol prices, q 505. Motor fuel

levy, qn 585. Points of Order-Relevancy of remarks, 136. Rule

of anticipation, q 164. Incorporation of material in Hansard, 700, 701, 703. Reflection on member of judiciary, 934, 936. Offensive remarks, 936.

Red Cross Society-Payment of grant, 1038.

Restaurants-Non-smoking areas, q 665, q 1373. Road Safety Committee-Proposed, 1151. Road Traffic Authority-Motor fuel levy, qn 585.

Proposed Road Safety Committee, 1151.

Social Development Committee-Reports on radiation apparatus and certificate of need legislation, 1129.

South Yarra Project (Subdivision and Management) Bill, 1164.


White, Hon. D. R.-continued

Stamps and Business Franchise (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill, 983, 1054.

Stamps and Business Franchise (Tobacco) Bill, 1496, 1497,1499, 1532.

State Electricity Commission (Amendment) Bill, 1047, 1154.

State Electricity Commission (Tree Clearance) Bill, 921.

State Finance-Public borrowings, 76, 106. State Superannuation Fund-Report as at 30 June

1985,989. Superannuation-Report of State Superannuation

Fund, 989. Report of Parliamentary Contributory Superannuation Fund for 1984-85, 1439.

Superannuation Schemes Amendment Bill, 1395, 1475.

Taxation-Motor fuel levy, Qn 585. Union-Hospital Employees Federation, Q 1121,

Q 1123, Q 1230. University-Deakin, 837. Waiter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical

Research-Industrial dispute, Q 505. Water Acts (Amendment) Bill, 1223, 1263, 1414. Water Safety-Supervision of children, 811. Western port (Oil Refinery) (Further Agreement) Bill,

125,212,265. Women-Health programs, Q 307.

Women-Health programs, Q 307. Women In Industry Contraception and Health, 976,

981. WorkCare-Loss of employment, 1116. Claim by

shearer. 1117.

Wright, Hon. K. I. M. (North Western Province) Ambulance Services-Victorian Ambulance

Commission, Q 61. Government consultation, 156. Restructuring, 455.

Animals-Fox scalp bounty, 1361. Australian Optometrical Association, Q 1437. Children-Pre-schools: funding, Q 437; programs,

1127. Conservation-Transfer of land for conservation

purposes, 220. Dental Technicians (Licences) Bill, 411, 415, 416,

417. Education-Chisholm Institute of Technology

nursing courses, 867.

Wright, Hon. K. I. M.-continued

Fruit and Vegetable Industry-Registration of growers, 120.

Health-Non-smoking areas in restaurants, Q 665. District health councils, Q 876.

Health (Amendment) Bill, 1422. Health, Department of-Regional directors, Q 127. Hospital Employees Federation-Royal Melbourne

Hospital dispute, Q 1121. Hospitals-Bush nursing centres, Q 27. Waiting lists,

51, Q 257. Prince Henry's, 243. Nurses' salary package, Q 306. District health councils, Q 876. Royal Melbourne, Q 1121.


Lands-Transfer ofland for conservation purposes, 220. Use of Mallee land, 652.

Law Courts-Breastfeeding, 284. Medical Services-Nursing: salary package, Q 306;

training, 867, Q 1234; overseas registered nurses, Q 1375.

Ministry, The-Condemnation of Minister for Local Government, 883.

Municipalities-Condemnation of Minister for Local Government, 883.

Nurses (Amendment) Bill, 597. Petition-Pre-schools, 1127. Petroleum Products-Petrol prices, Q 505. Registration of Births Deaths and Marriages

(Amendment) Bill, 1450, 1451, 1452, 1453. Sale of Land (Allotments) Bill (No. 3), 1241. State Electricity Commission-Annual report, 347.

Advance warning of power cuts, 499. State Electricity Commission (Amendment) Bill,


Commission-Annual report, 347. Union-Hospital Employees Federation, Q 1121. Water Acts (Amendment) Bill, 1408. Rulings and Statements as Acting Chairman of

Commiuees-Debate-Use of term "chairperson", 1347. Moving

of amendments, 1398. Rulings and Statements as Acting PresidentDebate-Reflection on member of judiciary, 935,

936, 937. Offensive remarks, 937. Interjections, 949. Statement in, 953.

y

Y ooralla Society of Victoria, Q 1292.

housing (commonwealth-state-northern territory … · death of mr alexander v ale the hon. j. h....

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