Thursday, 21 February 1985 COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES SENATE Hansard 1985 FIRST SESSION OF THE THIRTY-FOURTH PARLIAMENT (FIRST PERIOD) Honourable senators were, by proclamation, discharged from attendance on 26 October 1984 until the day appointed for the commencement of the next session of the Parliament. The Parliament was convened for the dispatch of business on 21 February 1985 and the First Session commenced on that day. The Senate met at 11 a.m., pursuant to the proclamation of His Excellency the Governor-General. The PRESIDENT (Senator the Hon. Douglas McClelland) took the chair. The Clerk read the proclamation. The Deputy appointed by His Excellency the Governor-General for the opening of the Parliament-the Right Honourable Sir Harry Talbot Gibbs, GCMG, KBE, Chief Justice of Australia-having been announced by the Usher of the Black Rod, entered the chamber and took his seat on the dais. The Deputy directed the Usher to let the members of the House of Representatives know that he desired their attendance in the Senate chamber forthwith. The members of the House of Representatives being in attendance, The DEPUTY said: Members of the Senate and members of the House of Representatives: His Excellency the Governor-General, not thinking fit to be present in person at this time, has been pleased to appoint me his Deputy to declare open the Parliament of the Commonwealth, as will more fully appear from the instrument of appointment which will now be read by the Clerk of the Senate. The instrument having been read by the Clerk- The DEPUTY said: Members of the Senate and members of the House of Representatives: I have it in command from the Governor-General to let you know that, after certain members of the Senate and members of the House of Representatives shall have been sworn, the causes of His Excellency calling this Parliament will be declared by him in person at this place; and, it being necessary that a Speaker of the House of Representatives shall first be chosen, you, members of the House of Representatives, will retire to the place where you are to sit, and there proceed to the choice of some proper person to be your Speaker; and later this day you will present the person whom you shall so choose to His Excellency at such time and place as he shall appoint. I will attend in the House of Representatives for the purpose of administering the oath or affirmation of allegiance to honourable members of that House. The Deputy and members of the House of Representatives having retired- The PRESIDENT again took the chair. The PRESIDENT —I inform the Senate that on 5 November 1984 I received a letter from Senator Kathryn Jean Martin resigning her place as a senator for the State of Queensland. Pursuant to the provisions of section 21 of the Constitution, I notified the Governor of the State of Queensland of a vacancy in the representation of that State caused by the resignation of Senator Martin. I have now received through His Excellency the Governor-General a certificate by the Governor of the State of Queensland of the choice by the Parliament of Queensland of Warwick Raymond Parer as a senator to fill the vacancy. The certificate was laid on the table and read by the Clerk. The Clerk-I lay on the table the certificates for the election of senators for the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory, elected at the general election held on 1 December 1984, as follows: Australian Capital Territory- Susan Maree Ryan Margaret Elizabeth Reid Northern Territory- Bernard Francis Kilgariff Edward Albert Robertson The PRESIDENT —I inform the Senate that, pursuant to the Representation Act 1983, which provided for an increase in the number of senators from 64 to 76, 12 senators were elected at the general election held on 1 December 1984 to serve in the Senate from and including the day of the first meeting of the next Parliament: The Clerk-I lay on the table certificates of election of senators elected on 1 December 1984, as follows: New South Wales- Christopher John Guelph Puplick David Gordon Cadell Brownhill Queensland- Glenister Sheil John Rees Black South Australia- Amanda Eloise Vanstone David Bernard Vigor Tasmania- Terry Aulich Ray Devlin Victoria- Barney Cooney James Robert Short Western Australia- James Philip McKiernan Susan Christine Knowles The following senators made and subscribed the oath or affirmation of allegiance: Terry Aulich John Rees Black David Gordon Cadell Brownhill Barney Cooney Ray Devlin Bernard Francis Kilgariff Susan Christine Knowles James Philip McKiernan Warwick Raymond Parer Christopher John Guelph Puplick Margaret Elizabeth Reid Edward Albert Robertson Susan Maree Ryan Glenister Sheil James Robert Short Amanda Eloise Vanstone David Bernard Vigor Sitting suspended from 11.32 a.m. to 3 p.m. His Excellency the Governor-General entered the chamber and, being seated, with the President on his right hand, commanded that a message be sent to the House of Representatives intimating that he desired the attendance of honourable members in the Senate chamber forthwith. Honourable members having come with their Speaker, His Excellency was pleased to deliver the following speech: Honourable Members of the Parliament of Australia: The 34th Parliament assembles following general elections on 1 December 1984 in which the people of Australia confirmed their choice of national direction by returning the Government with a substantial majority. The Government is pledged to carry out the clear mandate of the Australian people to build upon the achievements of its first term in creating a stronger, fairer and more equitable Australian society. In its first term of office the Government received the support and co-operation of Australians in embarking on a course never previously attempted in Australia during peacetime-a course of national reconciliation, recovery and reconstruction. The Government is confident that the co-operation so essential for Australia's success will be maintained. In the period since Labor won office Australia has experienced its strongest and most sustained economic performance for decades, the inflation rate has been brought down from twice the rate of other industrial countries two years ago to a level now close to the OECD average, and the unemployment rate has also been drastically cut during the period. At the same time the Government has created a strong momentum toward the change which is necessary to eliminate unemployment, poverty and inequality in our society. The Government is determined to maintain strong economic and employment growth with low inflation, to ensure that the benefits of a growing economy are fairly shared in the community, and to sustain the sense of national purpose that has returned to Australia. You, the members of the Parliament of Australia, have been called together to provide the legislative basis upon which the commitments made by the Prime Minister on behalf of the Government at the recent election will be carried out. The Economy The Government's major task in its first term was the revival of the nation's economy. Economic policy was directed toward the simultaneous reduction of inflation and unemployment. The success of this approach in the past eighteen months has been clear. The economy has grown rapidly and the conditions have been established for further strong growth in the period ahead. The Government intends to maintain the approach to economic policy which has been so successful in its first term of office. It will continue to pursue responsible economic policies which will lead to continued growth in the Australian economy, particularly in the private sector. The Prices and Incomes Accord has played a crucial role in Australia's economic success. The Accord will continue to be the centrepiece of the Government's economic strategy and the basis for sustained non-inflationary growth. The Government maintains its commitment to the policies in the Accord and will give particular emphasis to the maintenance of an effective wage fixing system to protect real living standards whilst ensuring moderation in labour cost increases. The Government proposes a major review of the Australian tax system during 1985. The Government has given the people of Australia explicit commitments regarding the budget deficit, budget expenditures and taxation. None of these will be increased as a proportion of gross domestic product in 1985-86 and over the Government's second term. The taxation review will be undertaken within the framework of the nine basic principles and objectives enunciated by the Prime Minister on 31 October 1984. These are designed to ensure that reform will make the tax scheme simpler, fairer and more efficient. An integral part of the taxation review process will be a National Tax Summit, with full community representation, to be held in the first week of July this year. The Government will also continue to give the highest priority to measures against tax avoidance and evasion. It will reintroduce the ''bottom-of-the-harbour'' bills rejected during the last Parliament. The Government will move further towards its objective of removing unnecessary controls in the financial system and increasing the efficiency of the financial and business sectors. The successful applicants for new banking authorities will be announced shortly. Legislation will be introduced if necessary to ensure the adequacy of arrangements for the prudential supervision of banks and insurance intermediaries following a review of existing provisions. The present arrangements for determining general revenue assistance to the States expire on 30 June 1985 and the Government will conduct a comprehensive review of Commonwealth-State financial relations early in its term of office. This will include a special Premiers' Conference in May of this year in addition to the regular June Premiers' Conference and Loan Council Meetings. Employment and Industrial Relations The Community Employment Program was launched in August 1983 and by December 1984 nearly 57,000 jobs had been created under the program. During the current financial year up to 65,000 people will be assisted under the Community Employment Program. The possible extension of the program in the private sector will also be explored. In conjunction with State and Territory Governments, a New Enterprise Initiatives Scheme will be established on a pilot basis during 1984-85. This will enable unemployed people with viable business propositions to be eligible to receive continued income support for up to a year while they establish their own small enterprises. The Government remains deeply concerned at the disproportionate share of unemployment which is borne in Australia by young people. In its first term the Government undertook a range of specific measures to improve youth employment prospects. These included greater support for apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship training, work experience opportunities, and community youth support programs. Now, on the basis of recommendations received from the independent Committee of Inquiry, chaired by Mr Peter Kirby, the Government intends reforming labour market programs to give greater emphasis to improved training and work skills development. Particular emphasis will be given to providing broad skill-based training as one way to improve the opportunities open to our young people in the labour market, and especially for young people who have experienced prolonged unemployment or who are otherwise disadvantaged. The Government will be undertaking extensive consultations with State Governments, unions, employers and other groups concerning the implementation of policies in this area. Further, the Government will give high priority to reforming the industrial relations system in the light of the report of the Hancock Review into Australian Industrial Relations Law and Systems and to implementing a comprehensive national occupational health and safety policy. Legislation will be introduced to establish the National Occupational Health and Safety Commission on a statutory basis. Community Welfare The Government believes that economic growth is not an end in itself, but a means to greater ends-a means towards the achievement of high social goals of equity and fairness. On the basis of the strong economic growth achieved, the Government during its first term provided low income groups with substantial additional assistance. Unemployment benefits for single adults were increased by over 25 per cent. There has been a real increase in pensions, and the tax burden on low income families, including pensioner and beneficiary families, has been reduced. In its coming term the Government will continue to give a high priority to improving the living standards of the most needy in the community. Reflecting the priority the Government attaches to ensuring more equitable access to a range of community services the Government has established a new Department of Community Services which will ensure that services are equitably distributed and better co-ordinated with those of States, local government and community groups. Those requiring special assistance will have greater access to the resources of our society. In its second term of office, the Government will ensure the maintenance of the Medicare program which has extended health services and an insurance system to all Australians on a fair, affordable and stable basis. The Medicare levy of 1 per cent of taxable income will not be increased during the Government's second term. Medicare will be extended to provide reciprocal health care arrangements for countries with which Australia has close ties. The Government has demonstrated its firm commitment to the veterans who have served this country. A comprehensive review of the Repatriation Act and associated legislation is nearing completion which will consolidate and clarify the present complex series of Acts. The new legislation, to be introduced in the Autumn Sittings, will not adversely affect current beneficiaries. The Government regards a sound housing and construction industry as an important social and economic objective. It will continue to give priority to this sector. The highly successful First Home Owners Scheme will continue and the new ten year Commonwealth-State Housing Agreement will make a direct attack on housing related poverty. Education The Government is convinced of the primary importance of enhancing the quality of education at all levels of the education system in Australia. The Government is already committed to directing greater financial resources to the education sector to meet this need. The Government is committed to providing both government and non-government schools with substantial real increases in funding over the next eight years. The forthcoming report of the Quality of Education Review Committee chaired by Professor Peter Karmel will be an important further step in developing the Government's policy of using education funding to produce the most effective and highest quality education system possible. Measures which the Government has already introduced to improve resource levels and increase participation and equity in tertiary education will be continued. The Commonwealth Tertiary Education Commission will soon report on measures to further increase tertiary participation and on ways to improve tertiary education output in terms of employment related skills. Industry Development The Government remains committed to developing a strong and competitive manufacturing industry. In its first term long range plans for the revitalisation of the steel industry, the passenger motor vehicle industry and the shipbuilding industry were set in place. The Government will continue to formulate positive policy approaches to industry development. One of our objectives is to build closer links between industry and research, so that Australian industry gains the greatest benefits possible from the work being done by the CSIRO and tertiary institutions. The major review of business regulation which is already underway will be carried through. The Government will thoroughly examine current and proposed law and regulations, liaise with State Governments to harmonise regulatory regimes and implement deregulatory procedures as soon as possible. Primary Industry The revival witnessed in the last two years in the rural sector has emphasised the important contribution it makes to the general level of Australia's economic activity and, more specifically, to Australia's export earning capacity. A major report on primary industry to the year 2000 will be developed this year. The Government will continue to place great importance on the rapport it has achieved with rural communities, industries and their representatives. The Government will soon meet with the executive of the National Farmers Federation to examine increasing farm costs. The Government will also continue its vigorous efforts to secure and further develop overseas markets for Australia's rural producers. Measures will be taken to assist the restructuring and revitalization of industries such as fishing, sugar and dairying which are facing long term, market related, structural difficulties. Trade Australia's export performance in recent decades has declined significantly. Our trading prospects now, particularly in commodities, are uncertain. New forms of protection and export support are proliferating around the world, food self-sufficiency is increasing and increased competition in minerals and manufactured exports is coming from developing countries. The Government is determined that Australia will be in a position to meet this challenge by targeting particular markets and products and, through co-operation with the countries in our region, seeking ways to reduce barriers to trade and promote the interests of the people of the Pacific region. Recognising that growth in world trade is in manufactured goods and services, the Government will continue the steps being taken to ensure the close integration of our trade and industry policies which is needed to reflect these changing opportunities. Resources In its first term the Government established the Australian Coal Consultative Council and the Iron Ore Consultative Committee. Changes to the coal export duty have assisted the coal industry, and improved taxation arrangements have allowed mineral exploration to be deducted from income from any source, a measure which has benefited all mining and mineral industries. In its second term the Government will continue the support which it has given to petroleum exploration and development in offshore areas. The Government will introduce legislation to establish a resource rent tax to apply to new petroleum developments offshore in place of royalties and excise which would otherwise apply. The Government will introduce a cash bidding system for highly prospective petroleum areas in the territory of the Ashmore and Cartier Islands and will hold discussions with the States with a view to introducing the new tax regime in other offshore areas. The Government will also introduce Nuclear Non-Proliferation Safeguards legislation and create a successor to the Atomic Energy Commission. Foreign Relations, Disarmament, Defence and Security Australia was elected to membership of the United Nations Security Council for 1985-86. As a member of this and other United Nations bodies the Government will be active in seeking peaceful, practical solutions to global problems. The Government remains deeply committed to advancing the cause of peace, arms control and disarmament. At the Review Conference of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty to be held in Geneva in August and September this year, the Australian Government will make efforts to stop the spread of nuclear weapons and will continue to urge the nuclear weapon powers towards a complete ban on all forms of nuclear testing. It will actively promote programs for the International Year of Peace in 1986, and will advance the South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone proposal. The Government will continue to give priority to developing Australia's relations with our neighbours in South East Asia, Papua New Guinea, New Zealand, the South West Pacific, the Indian sub-continent and the Indian Ocean region. In the wider Asia-Pacific region, Australia's very significant and wide ranging relations with Japan will be maintained. The Government will continue to give very high priority to further diversifying and deepening relations with the People's Republic of China. The Government will continue to support economic co-operation among countries of the Pacific. In its second term the Government expects to continue to enjoy a mature relationship of mutual respect and close co-operation with our major ally the United States of America. The relationship between Australia and the United States under the ANZUS Treaty remains as firm as ever, and Australia's rights and obligations assumed under the Treaty are undiminished. Australia will continue to maintain defence co-operative arrangements with New Zealand. During the Government's first term Australia's development assistance was substantially increased. In its current term it will be giving particular attention to maximising the effectiveness of Australian aid. Urgent attention has been given to the needs of people whose lives have been affected by natural disasters or civil conflict. Australia will continue to play its part in the international effort to give relief and emergency aid to Ethiopia. Australia's own substantial defence effort is fundamental to our security. The Government has initiated a major review of the content and priorities of defence forward planning. The principal aim of the review is to examine systematically Australia's major defence capabilities so that the Government can see the options available to it and take the necessary decisions. The Government will continue to attach the highest importance to its efforts to achieve defence self-reliance. Within the parameters of economic policy, it will increase investment in the capacities of Australian industry to design, manufacture and maintain Defence Force equipment. The acquisition of new diesel submarines for the Royal Australian Navy will provide a substantial boost to Australian industry, and the Government is in the process of reaching a decision on the awarding of contracts for project definition studies. A major advance was made in the arrangements for fixing the pay and financial conditions of the Defence Force when the Government established the Defence Force Remuneration Tribunal. In 1983 the Government appointed a Royal Commission with very broad terms of reference to inquire into the roles and functions of all Australian security and intelligence agencies. The final reports of that Royal Commission have now been presented to the Government, and will assist it in deciding future policy with respect to all the security agencies. Transport and Communications In the period since gaining office the Government has undertaken a comprehensive review of Australia's transport industry. Reviews of the road freight transport industry and of aviation cost recovery have been conducted. Other inquiries have been commenced into land based shipping costs and overseas liner shipping arrangements. A study of the current economic regulatory arrangements for domestic aviation will begin this year. The Government will legislate both to establish a land transport program to continue the major road building effort and to provide funding for mainline railway upgrading as part of a rail industry restructuring package which will be negotiated with rail unions and management. The Government is looking closely at the developments in communications services which will accompany the introduction of the Australian domestic communications satellite. This major advance in technology will provide all Australians with the opportunity to enjoy enhanced broadcasting and communication services and keep the nation abreast of current developments in satellite communications technology. Social Policy In its second term the Government intends to review the Racial Discrimination Act, review the structure and operation of the Human Rights Commission and enact legislation for the adequate protection of privacy in areas of Commonwealth concern. The Government continues to place great emphasis on achieving a cohesive multicultural community in Australia in which all residents can expect justice and equity regardless of ethnic or cultural background. The Migration and Citizenship Acts have been amended to remove any discrimination on the grounds of sex, ethnic origin and nationality, and action has been taken to ensure that human rights and civil liberties are fully recognized at all stages of the migration process. In the coming term the Government will continue to promote good relations between groups in Australia. In its first term of office the Government paid particular attention to advancing the interests of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians. Every regard has been paid to the principle of self-determination, and Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders will enjoy, under the law, the same rights and obligations as all other Australian citizens. The Government will vigorously pursue the programs in health, housing, education and employment for Aborigines which are now in place and initiate new ones where necessary. A Committee of Review into all Federal employment and training programs for Aborigines has been established. The Government recognises the fundamental importance of the land to Aborigines. Extensive discussions are in progress with relevant groups with the object of establishing principles for national land rights legislation. In 1985 young Australians will be participating in International Youth Year activities. Our participation provides the opportunity to examine the issues affecting young Australians and to give new emphasis and direction to youth affairs including youth employment as earlier mentioned. The Government is acutely aware of the threat that drugs pose to all Australians and Australian youth in particular. Moves will be made soon to introduce a national campaign against drug abuse. State Premiers have been invited to attend a meeting in April to discuss ways in which the campaign can be implemented and financed. The campaign will place a strong emphasis on educating our youth about the damage caused by drugs and on rehabilitating those with drug-related problems. The Government regards organised crime and drug trafficking as a scourge in our society. The Government is firm in its resolve to fight organised and drug related crime and the National Crime Authority, established last year, will lead and co-ordinate the attack on a national basis. All of the references sought by the National Crime Authority have been granted. Any legislative changes sought by the Authority will be promptly and sympathetically considered. The Government is equally committed to supporting the Australian Federal Police and other Commonwealth and State law enforcement agencies. In particular, AFP staff levels will be further expanded at the national level and its computer capabilities greatly enhanced. The raising of the status of women in all parts of our society will remain at the forefront of the Government's policy objectives. Many measures to remove discrimination against women in Australia were initiated in the Government's first term. The Affirmative Action Pilot Program is well under way. Participating companies and higher education institutions have introduced affirmative action in the workplace and are providing valuable input to the Government's Working Party on Affirmative Action. In its coming term the Government will establish a National Consultation and Assistance Program for women, create an additional 20,000 places in child care and, through the Office of the Status of Women, continue its review of the implications for women of Government policy on employment, taxation, industry and the public sector. Legislation which contravenes the Sex Discrimination Act will be amended before 1 August 1986. Arts, Heritage and Environment In the last Budget the Government substantially increased its allocation to the Australia Council. The Government will ensure that sufficient additional funds are available in this financial year to maintain the real level of funding for companies of excellence in the performing arts. The Government will continue to foster the development of the national collections. The Government will be taking new measures to preserve our natural environment. These will include the development of a National Conservation Strategy to protect Australia's renewable resources, the further extension of Kakadu National Park in the Northern Territory and the regulation of tourist installations on the Great Barrier Reef. The Government will continue, in consultation with State and Territory Governments, to explore ways in which the long term protection of Australia's rainforests can be achieved. Tourism, Sport and Recreation The Government recognises the importance of tourism to the Australian economy and in particular its significance as an employment generator. The Government will maintain its major initiatives in tourism development in Australia and continue the promotion of tourism domestically and internationally. During the last term of Government, sport and recreation was accorded a much higher priority than under previous governments. In this session of the Parliament the Government intends to introduce legislation to establish the Australian Sports Commission as a statutory body. The Commission is expected to increase the level of direct involvement by the sporting community in defining the priorities for sport in Australia, and to help in the generation of private sector funding. Government Administration During the Government's first term, measures were taken to reform Australian government budgeting, to enhance financial and staff management in the Public Service, and to make the Public Service more efficient, responsive and accountable. The Government will continue to pursue these goals and intends to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the Public Service by strengthening its management systems. Legislation will be introduced in this session to reconstitute the Superannuation Fund Investment Trust as a body able to operate on a fully commercial basis in the interest of contributors. . . . The program I have outlined is a program for consolidation of the great gains which have been achieved in the past two years. The Government and people of this nation have, by acting in concert, brought a new approach to solving the problems facing Australia. It is the Government's desire that the momentum which has been thus built is not lost. As you consider the program which has been put forward, I ask you to remember that the people of Australia have placed upon you, as their representatives, a trust and a duty of the highest order. I have every confidence that you will carry out your task to the utmost of your abilities. I leave you to your high and important deliberations. His Excellency the Governor-General and members of the House of Representatives having retired- Sitting suspended from 3.45 to 5.15 p.m. The PRESIDENT took the chair, and read prayers. The PRESIDENT —I inform the Senate that I have received a copy of the opening Speech which His Excellency the Governor-General was pleased to deliver to both Houses of the Parliament. Motion (by Senator Button) agreed to: That consideration of the Speech of His Excellency the Governor-General be made an order of the day for the next day of sitting. Senator BUTTON(Victoria-Leader of the Government in the Senate) —I have the honour to inform the Senate that following the election held on 1 December 1984 the Ministry was sworn in on 13 December 1984. I seek leave to incorporate in Hansard the details of the Ministry. Leave granted. The document read as follows- COMMONWEALTH GOVERNMENT Second Hawke Ministry Representation in other Chamber *Prime Minister The Hon. R. J. L. Hawke, A.C., M.P. Senator Button *Deputy Prime Minister, Attorney-General, Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Commonwealth-State Relations and Vice-President of the Executive Council The Hon. Lionel Bowen, M.P. Senator Evans *Leader of the Government in the Senate and Minister for Industry, Technology and Commerce Senator the Hon. John Button **Mr Dawkins **Mr Jones *Deputy Leader of the Government and Manager of Government Business in the Senate and Minister for Community Services Senator the Hon. Don Grimes Mr Howe *Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations and Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Public Service Industrial Matters The Hon. Ralph Willis, M.P. Senator Walsh *Treasurer The Hon. P. J. Keating, M.P. Senator Walsh *Special Minister of State and Leader of the House The Hon. Michael J. Young, M.P. Senator Evans *Minister for Finance and Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Public Service Matters Senator the Hon. Peter Walsh *Mr Hurford *Mr Willis *Minister for Foreign Affairs The Hon. Bill Hayden, M.P. Senator Evans *Minister for Education and Minister Assisting the Prime Minister on the Status of Women Senator the Hon. Susan Ryan Mr Dawkins *Minister for Resources and Energy, Minister Assisting the Prime Minister and Minister Assisting the Minister for Foreign Affairs Senator the Hon. Gareth Evans, Q.C. Mr Jones *Minister for Trade and Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Youth Affairs The Hon. J. S. Dawkins, M.P. Senator Button *Minister for Primary Industry The Hon. John Kerin, M.P. Senator Walsh *Minister for Housing and Construction The Hon. Stewart West, M.P. Senator Ryan *Minister for Defence The Hon. Kim C. Beazley, M.P. Senator Evans *Minister for Immigration and Ethnic Affairs and Minister Assisting the Treasurer The Hon. Chris Hurford, M.P. Senator Grimes *Minister for Social Security The Hon. Brian Howe, M.P. Senator Grimes Minister for Transport and Minister for Aviation The Hon. Peter Morris, M.P. Senator Gietzelt Minister for Sport, Recreation and Tourism, and Minister Assisting the Minister for Defence The Hon. John Brown, M.P. Senator Ryan Minister for Health The Hon. Neal Blewett, M.P. Senator Grimes Minister for Science and Minister Assisting the Minister for Industry, Technology and Commerce The Hon. Barry O. Jones, M.P. Senator Button Minister for Territories The Hon. Gordon Scholes, M.P. Senator Gietzelt Minister for Communications and Minister Assisting the Minister for Defence The Hon. Michael Duffy, M.P. Senator Walsh Minister for Arts, Heritage and Environment and Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Bicentennial The Hon. Barry Cohen, M.P. Senator Ryan Minister for Aboriginal Affairs The Hon. A. C. Holding, M.P. Senator Ryan Minister for Veterans' Affairs Senator the Hon. A. T. Gietzelt Mr Holding Minister for Local Government and Administrative Services The Hon. Tom Uren, M.P. Senator Gietzelt * Minister in the Cabinet. ** Mr Dawkins to represent the Minister for Industry, Technology and Commerce in Industry and Commerce matters, and Mr Jones to represent in Technology matters. * Mr Hurford to represent the Minister for Finance, and Mr Willis to represent the Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Public Service Matters. Senator BUTTON —The list shows those Ministers who constitute the Cabinet and provides details of representation arrangements in each House. I also advise that Senator Robertson has been elected Government Whip and that Senator McIntosh has been elected Deputy Government Whip. Senator CHANEY(Western Australia-Leader of the Opposition) —by leave-Mr President, I advise the Senate that I will be Leader of the Opposition in the Senate and that Senator Peter Durack will be Deputy Leader of the Opposition. The Opposition Whip will be Senator Bernie Kilgariff and the Deputy Whip will be Senator Margaret Reid. The Opposition has assigned responsibility for various shadow portfolios in accordance with the list which I seek leave to incorporate in Hansard, and Opposition senators will be representing shadow Ministers in the other place in accordance with the list which I also seek leave to incorporate in Hansard. Leave granted. The documents read as follows- [N Portfolio Senator Chaney Minister for Industry, Technology and Commerce Senator Durack Minister for Resources and Energy Senator Peter Baume Minister for Education and Responsible for Status of Women Senator Peter Rae Minister for Finance Senator Messner Minister for Community Services Senator Lewis Minister for Territories Senator Collard Minister for Veterans' Affairs SHADOW MINISTER REPRESENTATION IN THE SENATE Shadow Minister Senator Chaney Shadow Prime Minister Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs Senator Durack Shadow Minister for Defence Shadow Attorney-General Shadow Minister for Trade Senator Peter Baume Shadow Minister for Arts, Heritage and Environment and Responsible for Public Service Shadow Minister for Health Shadow Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Shadow Minister for Communications Senator Peter Rae Shadow Treasurer Shadow Special Minister of State and Shadow Minister for Science Shadow Minister for Transport Senator Messner Shadow Minister for Social Security Shadow Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations and Responsible for Youth Affairs Shadow Minister for Immigration Senator Lewis Shadow Minister for Local Government and Northern Development Shadow Minister for Small Business and Administrative Services Shadow Minister for Housing and Construction Senator Collard Shadow Minister for Primary Industry Shadow Minister for Sport, Recreation and Tourism Senator CHIPP(Victoria-Leader of the Australian Democrats) —by leave-Mr President, I inform the Senate that I remain Leader of the Australian Democrats, my colleague Senator Mason remains the Deputy Leader of the Australian Democrats and Senator Michael Macklin remains the Party Whip. I seek leave to incorporate in Hansard a list of Australian Democrat senators who will be spokespersons on the various portfolios of the Government. Leave granted. The document read as follows- PORTFOLIO DISTRIBUTION-AUSTRALIAN DEMOCRATS SENATOR DON CHIPP, LEADER Prime Minister Immigration and Ethnic Affairs Nuclear Issues SENATOR COLIN MASON, DEPUTY LEADER Resources and Energy Foreign Affairs Arts and Heritage Defence Environment Employment SENATOR JACK EVANS Treasury Industry and Commerce Finance Small Business Aviation Sport, Recreation and Tourism Industrial Relations SENATOR JANINE HAINES Women's Affairs Housing and Construction Attorney-General Health Social Security Community Services SENATOR MICHAEL MACKLIN Education Primary Industry Special Minister of State Veterans' Affairs Aboriginal Affairs Youth Affairs SENATOR DAVID VIGOR Technology Trade Transport Science Communications Local Government and Administrative Services Territories Senator SCOTT(New South Wales-Leader of the National Party of Australia) —by leave-Mr President, I advise that I remain the Leader of the National Party of Australia in the Senate, that the Deputy Leader is Senator Collard and that the National Party Whip is Senator Sheil. The PRESIDENT —I understand that a number of senators wish to give notices of motion. With the concurrence of the Senate and in accordance with past practice, to expedite the proceedings I propose to allow the leaders of the Government, the Opposition and the Australian Democrats and Senator Harradine to give notices of motion of their own and on behalf of other senators in accordance with the lists that have been circulated in the chamber. I will then have the notices of motion put on the Notice Paper in the order in which I would have called honourable senators if the notices had been given in accordance with the Standing Orders. Senator BUTTON(Victoria-Leader of the Government in the Senate) —I give the following notices of motion and contingent notices of motion: The Leader of the Government (Senator Button): To move- No. 1-Suspension of Standing Order 14: That Standing Order 14 be suspended to enable the Senate to consider business beyond what is of a formal character before the Address-in-Reply to the Governor-General's Opening Speech has been adopted. No. 2-Appointment of Legislative and General Purpose Standing Committees: That, in accordance with Standing Order 36AA, the following Legislative and General Purpose Standing Committees be appointed: (a) Constitutional and Legal Affairs; (b) Education and the Arts; (c) Finance and Government Operations; (d) Foreign Affairs and Defence; (e) Industry and Trade; (f) National Resources; (g) Science, Technology and the Environment; and (h) Social Welfare. No. 3-Appointment of Estimates Committees: That, in accordance with Standing Order 36AB, six Estimates Committees be appointed, to be known as Estimates Committees A, B, C, D, E and F; and that, unless otherwise ordered, the Committees consider the Proposed Expenditure in relation to Departments, as follows: Estimates Committee AParliament Industry, Technology and Commerce Prime Minister and Cabinet Trade Science Estimates Committee BCommunity Services Immigration and Ethnic Affairs Social Security Health Estimates Committee CFinance Employment and Industrial Relations Treasury Primary Industry Communications Estimates Committee DEducation Housing and Construction Sport, Recreation and Tourism Arts, Heritage and Environment Aboriginal Affairs Estimates Committee EResources and Energy Attorney-General Special Minister of State Foreign Affairs Defence Estimates Committee FVeterans' Affairs Transport Aviation Territories Local Government and Administrative Services No. 4-Standing Committee on Appropriations and Staffing: That- (a) the Committee known as the Standing Committee on Appropriations and Staffing, constituted by Resolution of the Senate of 25 March 1982, be re-constituted, under the same terms, and with the same functions and power, as varied by Resolution of 11 May 1983; (b) the Committee have power to consider Minutes of Evidence and Records of the Standing Committee on Appropriations and Staffing appointed in previous Parliaments; and (c) the foregoing provisions of this Resolution, so far as they are inconsistent with the Standing Orders, have effect notwithstanding anything contained in the Standing Orders. No. 5-Standing Committee for the Scrutiny of Bills: That- (a) the Committee known as the Standing Committee for the Scrutiny of Bills, constituted by Resolution of the Senate of 25 May 1982, be re-constituted, under the same terms, and with the same functions and powers; (b) the Committee have power to consider Minutes of Evidence and Records of the Standing Committee for the Scrutiny of Bills appointed in previous Parliaments; and (c) the foregoing provisions of this Resolution, so far as they are inconsistent with the Standing Orders, have effect notwithstanding anything contained in the Standing Orders. No. 6-Select Committee on Animal Welfare: That- (a) the Committee known as the Select Committee on Animal Welfare, constituted by Resolutions of the Senate of 16 and 17 November 1983, be re-constituted under the same terms and with the same functions and powers; (b) the Committee have power to consider Minutes of Evidence and Records of the Select Committee on Animal Welfare appointed in the previous session; and (c) the foregoing provisions of this Resolution, so far as they are inconsistent with the Standing Orders, have effect notwithstanding anything contained in the Standing Orders. No. 7-Select Committee on Private Hospitals and Nursing Homes: That- (a) the Committee known as the Select Committee on Private Hospitals and Nursing Homes, constituted by Resolution of the Senate of 24 September 1981, be re-constituted under the same terms, and with the same functions and powers as varied by Resolution of 11 May 1983; (b) the Committee have power to consider the Minutes of Evidence and Records of the Select Committee on Private Hospitals and Nursing Homes appointed in previous Parliaments; and (c) the foregoing provisions of this Resolution, so far as they are inconsistent with the Standing Orders, have effect notwithstanding anything contained in the Standing Orders. No. 8-Select Committee on Volatile Substance Fumes: That- (a) the Committee known as the Select Committee on Volatile Substance Fumes, constituted by Resolution of the Senate of 10 May 1984, be re-constituted under the same terms, and with the same functions and powers as varied by Resolutions of 4 June 1984, 15 June 1984 and 9 October 1984; (b) the Committee have power to consider the Minutes of Evidence and Records of the Select Committee on Volatile Substance Fumes appointed in the previous session; and (c) the foregoing provisions of this Resolution, so far as they are inconsistent with the Standing Orders, have effect notwithstanding anything contained in the Standing Orders. No. 9- 1. Days and Hours of Meeting: (1) That, unless otherwise ordered, the days and hours of sitting of the Senate shall be as follows: (a) during the first sitting week- Tuesday, 2 p.m.-6.30 p.m. 8 p.m.-10.30 p.m. Wednesday, 10 a.m.-12.45 p.m. 2 p.m.-7 p.m. Thursday, 10 a.m.-6.30 p.m. 8 p.m.-10.30 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m.-12.45 p.m. 2 p.m.-4.15 p.m. (b) during the second sitting week- Monday, 2 p.m.-6.30 p.m. 8 p.m.-10.30 p.m. Tuesday, 2 p.m.-6.30 p.m. 8 p.m.-10.30 p.m. Wednesday, 10 a.m.-12.45 p.m. 2 p.m.-7 p.m. Thursday, 10 a.m.-6.30 p.m. From the termination of the last sitting in the second week, the Senate shall stand adjourned until 2 p.m. on the third Tuesday after that termination, or such other day and/or hour as may be fixed by the President or, in the event of the President being unavailable due to illness or other cause, by the Deputy-President, and that the day and/or hour of meeting so determined shall be notified to each Senator; and the 4-weekly cycle will then be repeated: Provided that the President, upon a request or requests by an absolute majority of the whole number of Senators that the Senate meet at a certain time, shall fix a day and hour of meeting in accordance with such request or requests, and such time of meeting shall be notified to each Senator. For these purposes a request by the Leader or Deputy-Leader of the Opposition in the Senate shall be deemed to be a request by every Senator of the Opposition and a request by the Leader or Deputy-Leader of the Australian Democrats shall be deemed to be a request by every Australian Democrat Senator. Provided further that the request or requests may be made to the President by leaving the same with, or delivering the same to, the Clerk of the Senate, who shall immediately notify the President. In the event of the President being unavailable, the Clerk shall without delay notify the Deputy-President, or, should he be unavailable, any one of the Temporary Chairmen of Committees, who shall be deemed to be required by the Senate to summon the Senate on behalf of the President, in accordance with the terms of this Resolution. (2) That the Sessional Order relating to the adjournment of the Senate have effect at the terminating time each day. 2. Adjournment of the Senate: That, at the terminating time each day, the President shall put the Question-That the Senate do now adjourn-which Question shall be open to debate; if the Senate be in Committee at that hour, the Chairman shall in like manner put the Question-That he do leave the Chair and report to the Senate; and upon such report being made the President shall forthwith put the Question-That the Senate do now adjourn-which Question shall be open to debate: Provided that if the Senate or the Committee be in Division at the time named, the President or the Chairman shall not put the Question referred to till the result of such Division has been declared; and if the business under discussion shall not have been disposed of at such adjournment it shall appear on the Notice Paper for the next sitting day. 3. Routine of Business: That, notwithstanding anything contained in the Standing Orders and unless otherwise ordered, the Senate shall proceed with its ordinary business in the following routine: Week 1 Tuesday: (1) Petitions (2) Notices of Motion (3) Questions (4) Any proposal pursuant to Standing Order 64 (5) Consideration of Government Papers pursuant to Sessional Order (6) Formal Motions-Discovery of Formal Business (7) Postponement and re-arrangement of Business (8) Government Business, Notices of Motion and Orders of the Day, or vice versa, as set down on the Notice Paper Wednesday: (1) Petitions (2) Notices of Motion (3) Formal Motions-Discovery of Formal Business (4) Postponement and re-arrangement of Business (5) Government Business, Notices of Motion and Orders of the Day, or vice versa, as set down on the Notice Paper (6) At 2 p.m., Questions (7) Any proposal pursuant to Standing Order 64 (8) Consideration of Government Papers pursuant to Sessional Order (9) Consideration of Committee Reports pursuant to Sessional Order (10) Further consideration of Government Business, Notices of Motion and Orders of the Day, or vice versa, as set down on the Notice Paper Thursday: (1) Petitions (2) Notices of Motion (3) Formal Motions-Discovery of Formal Business (4) Postponement and re-arrangement of Business (5) Government Business, Notices of Motion and Orders of the Day, or vice versa, as set down on the Notice Paper (6) At 2 p.m., Questions (7) Any proposal pursuant to Standing Order 64 (8) Consideration of Government Papers pursuant to Sessional Order (9) General Business (10) Further consideration of Government Business, Notices of Motion and Orders of the Day, or vice versa, as set down on the Notice Paper Friday: (1) Petitions (2) Notices of Motion (3) Formal Motions-Discovery of Formal Business (4) Postponement and re-arrangement of Business (5) Government Business, Notices of Motion and Orders of the Day, or vice versa, as set down on the Notice Paper (6) At 2 p.m., Questions (7) Any proposal pursuant to Standing Order 64 (8) Consideration of Government Papers pursuant to Sessional Order (9) Further consideration of Government Business, Notices of Motion and Orders of the Day, or vice versa, as set down on the Notice Paper Week 2 Monday: (1) Petitions (2) Notices of Motion (3) Questions (4) Any proposal pursuant to Standing Order 64 (5) Consideration of Government Papers pursuant to Sessional Order (6) Formal Motions-Discovery of Formal Business (7) Postponement and re-arrangement of Business (8) Government Business, Notices of Motion and Orders of the Day, or vice versa, as set down on the Notice Paper Tuesday: (1) Petitions (2) Notices of Motion (3) Questions (4) Any proposal pursuant to Standing Order 64 (5) Consideration of Government Papers pursuant to Sessional Order (6) Formal Motions-Discovery of Formal Business (7) Postponement and re-arrangement of Business (8) Government Business, Notices of Motion and Orders of the Day, or vice versa, as set down on the Notice Paper Wednesday: (1) Petitions (2) Notices of Motion (3) Formal Motions-Discovery of Formal Business (4) Postponement and re-arrangement of Business (5) Government Business, Notices of Motion and Orders of the Day, or vice versa, as set down on the Notice Paper (6) At 2 p.m., Questions (7) Any proposal pursuant to Standing Order 64 (8) Consideration of Government Papers pursuant to Sessional Order (9) Consideration of Committee Reports pursuant to Sessional Order (10) Further consideration of Government Business, Notices of Motion and Orders of the Day, or vice versa, as set down on the Notice Paper Thursday: (1) Petitions (2) Notices of Motion (3) Formal Motions-Discovery of Formal Business (4) Postponement and re-arrangement of Business (5) Government Business, Notices of Motion and Orders of the Day, or vice versa, as set down on the Notice Paper (6) At 2 p.m., Questions (7) Any proposal pursuant to Standing Order 64 (8) Consideration of Government Papers pursuant to Sessional Order (9) General Business (10) Further consideration of Government Business, Notices of Motion and Orders of the Day, or vice versa, as set down on the Notice Paper 4. Proposals pursuant to Standing Order 64: That, unless otherwise ordered and notwithstanding anything contained in the Standing Orders: (1) On Fridays in week 1 and Thursday in week 2 the discussion of any proposal submitted to the Senate pursuant to Standing Order 64 shall not exceed one hour. (2) The written statement of the proposed matter of public importance or urgency shall be handed in to the President not later than 12.30 p.m. on each sitting day. 5. Government and General Business-Precedence: That, on all sitting days of the Senate, unless otherwise ordered, Government Business shall take precedence of General Business, except that General Business shall take precedence of Government Business on Thursdays after Questions, any proposal pursuant to Standing Order 64 and consideration of Government Papers pursuant to Sessional Order, until the expiration of two and one-half hours or until there is no further debate; and that, unless otherwise ordered, General Business, Orders of the Day shall take precedence of General Business, Notices of Motion on alternate Thursdays. 6. Petitions-Procedure for Presentation: Notwithstanding anything contained in the Standing Orders, the procedure for the presentation of petitions shall be as follows: (1) A Senator wishing to present a petition shall lodge it with the Clerk. (2) The Clerk shall make an announcement in respect of petitions lodged with him, indicating in respect of each petition the Senator who presents it, the number of signatures, and the subject matter of the petition. (3) Every petition so presented shall be deemed to have been received by the Senate unless a motion, moved forthwith, that a particular petition be not received, be agreed to. (4) The terms of the petitions presented shall be printed in Hansard. 7. Legislative and General Purpose Standing Committees-Reference of Annual Reports: (1) Unless otherwise ordered, all annual reports of Government departments and authorities, including statutory corporations, laid on the Table of the Senate, shall stand referred, without any Question being put, for consideration and, if necessary, for report thereon, to the Legislative and General Purpose Standing Committees. (2) The President shall transmit a copy of each report so tabled to the Committee which he deems appropriate. (3) The Legislative and General Purpose Standing Committees may, at their discretion, pursue or not pursue inquiries into reports so received; but any action necessary, arising from a report of a Committee, shall be taken in the Senate on motion after notice. 8. Legislative and General Purpose Standing Committees-Reference of Bills: After the Second Reading of a Bill (other than an Appropriation Bill, Supply Bill, or Bill imposing taxation), and notwithstanding anything contained in the Standing Orders and without limiting the operation of Standing Orders 36AA and 196A, the following procedure shall apply: (1) A motion (of which notice need not be given) may be moved to refer the Bill to a Legislative and General Purpose Standing Committee: Provided that if no such motion be moved, or if moved and negatived, the Senate shall forthwith resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole for consideration of the Bill. (2) Upon motion to refer a Bill to a Legislative and General Purpose Standing Committee, no debate thereon shall be allowed for more than one hour, and in speaking thereon no Senator shall exceed ten minutes. If the debate be not sooner concluded then forthwith upon the expiration of that time the President shall put any Questions on any amendment or motion already proposed from the Chair. (3) On reference of a Bill to a Legislative and General Purpose Standing Committee, a day shall be fixed for the reporting of a Committee's proceedings to the Senate, by which day the final report of the Committee shall be brought up, unless further time be moved for and granted: Provided that the Senate may at any time prior to such day receive the final report of the Committee. (4) Upon a Bill being committed to a Legislative and General Purpose Standing Committee pursuant to this Order, it shall be set down on the Notice Paper as an Order of the Day for further consideration following report from the Committee. (5) The procedure to be adopted by a Legislative and General Purpose Standing Committee shall, as far as possible, be the same as that in Committee of the Whole: Provided that a Committee may ask for explanations from the Minister in charge of a Bill, or officers, relating to the clauses of the Bill. (6) A Legislative and General Purpose Standing Committee shall have no power to make amendments to a Bill, but may recommend amendments or requests for amendments. No amendment or request for amendment may be proposed which would not be in order if proposed in a Committee of the Whole. (7) A report from a Legislative and General Purpose Standing Committee, relating to a Bill, shall be received by the Senate without debate and its consideration deferred until the reading of the Order of the Day for the further consideration of the Bill, when the procedure, unless otherwise ordered, shall be as follows: (a) motion may be proposed that the report be adopted, and such motion shall be open to debate; (b) on the motion for the adoption of the report, amendments may be proposed; (c) in these proceedings, the same right of speech and time limits shall apply as in debate in Committee of the Whole; (d) if amendments or requests for amendments be made, additional to any recommended by the report of a Standing Committee, the Chair shall propose a Question-That the Bill as reported (with or without amendments or requests for amendments), and as further amended, be agreed to; (e) a motion may be moved, by any Senator, that the Bill as reported from a Standing Committee be recommitted, in whole or in part, to the Standing Committee or that the Bill as reported be committed, in whole or in part, to a Committee of the Whole; and (f) when the report from the Committee, or from a Committee of the Whole, is finally adopted, the Bill may be proceeded with in the usual way. 9. Consideration of Government Papers: That, unless otherwise ordered, and notwithstanding anything contained in the Standing and Sessional Orders: (1) (a) on all sitting days of the Senate, after Notices, Papers may be presented by a Minister; such Papers shall then be considered pursuant to this Sessional Order after Questions and any proposal pursuant to Standing Order 64; and (b) when Papers are called on by the President, pursuant to this Sessional Order, a motion may be moved, without notice, that the Senate take note of one, or several, of the Papers. (2) The debate on any motion moved pursuant to this Sessional Order shall be conducted as follows: (a) no Senator shall speak for more than 5 minutes; (b) if debate pursuant to this Sessional Order is not concluded it shall be interrupted after 30 minutes, and the Senate shall proceed to the consideration of the business of the day; (c) if the debate is adjourned or interrupted by Sessional Order, a motion may be moved for the resumption of the debate either for the Thursday of that week at the time for the consideration of General Business, or for the next day of sitting; and (d) on Thursdays, at the commencement of General Business: (i) when an Order of the Day is called on under this Sessional Order, Senators who have previously spoken may speak again for 5 minutes, (ii) motions without notice may be moved to take note of Government Papers tabled during the current sitting week and in relation to which no such motion has previously been moved: Provided that debate under this Sessional Order be interrupted after one hour. (3) Where debates on motions moved under the provisions of this Sessional Order are adjourned until the next day of sitting and are called on in the normal course of business, Senators who have spoken to the motions under the provisions of this Sessional Order may speak again for the time allowed under Standing Order 407A. 10. Consideration of Committee Reports: (1) Notwithstanding anything contained in the Standing Orders, and unless otherwise ordered, where in any week there are Orders of the Day for the resumption of debate on motions for the consideration or adoption of reports of committees: (a) on Wednesdays after Questions, any proposal pursuant to Standing Order 64 and consideration of Government Papers pursuant to Sessional Order, Orders of the Day relating to reports of committees presented to the Senate during that week shall be severally called on, in the order in which the respective reports were presented; (b) if there were no committee reports presented during that week, or if debate on motions relating to such reports concludes before the expiration of one hour, Orders of the Day relating to committee reports presented prior to that week shall then be severally called on in an order which is the reverse of the order in which the respective reports were presented; (c) in any debate on such motions so called on, each Senator may speak for not more than 10 minutes; and (d) any debate pursuant to this Sessional Order shall be interrupted after the expiration of one hour. (2) Provided that, where debate on any motion debated under the provisions of this Sessional Order is adjourned or is interrupted under the provisions of this Sessional Order, Senators who have spoken to such motion under the provisions of this Sessional Order may speak again to the motion for the time allowed under Standing Order 407A when the debate on the motion is again called on in the normal course of business. 11. Time Limits to Speeches-That notwithstanding anything contained in the Standing Orders: (1) No Senator shall speak for more than 30 minutes in any debate in the Senate. Any Senator may move that the time limit of 30 minutes be extended for 15 minutes; such motion shall forthwith be put without debate: Provided that where a right of reply is allowed in any debate a Senator speaking in reply shall speak for not more than 30 minutes: Provided further that, in debate on the First Reading of a Bill which the Senate may not amend, no Senator shall speak for more than 15 minutes. (2) In Committee no Senator shall speak for more than 15 minutes at any one time on any one Question: Provided that where the speech of a Senator is interrupted by this provision, and no other Senator rises to speak, the Senator so interrupted may continue his speech for a further 15 minutes but no longer continuously on any one Question. No. 10-Contingent Notices of Motion: (1) To move (Contingent on any Bill being reported from a Committee of the Whole)-That so much of the Standing Orders be suspended as would prevent the Bill being passed through its remaining stages without delay. (2) To move (Contingent on any Bill originating in the Senate having been read a first time)-That so much of the Standing Orders be suspended as would prevent the Bill being passed through its remaining stages without delay. The Minister for Finance (Senator Walsh): To move- That leave be given to introduce a Bill for an Act relating to sugar and certain sugar products. The Minister for Resources and Energy (Senator Gareth Evans): To move- That leave be given to introduce a Bill for an Act to amend the Marriage Act 1961. Senator CHANEY(Western Australia-Leader of the Opposition) —On my own behalf and on behalf of my colleagues, I give the following contingent notices of motion and notices of motion: Senator Chaney: I give contingent notices of motion as follows: (Contingent on the President proceeding to the placing of business on any day)-That so much of the Standing Orders be suspended as would prevent the Leader of the Opposition in the Senate (Senator Chaney) moving a motion relating to the order of business on the Notice Paper. (Contingent on the Senate on any day concluding its consideration of any item of business and prior to the Senate proceeding to the consideration of another item of business)-That so much of the Standing Orders be suspended as would prevent the Leader of the Opposition in the Senate (Senator Chaney) moving a motion relating to the conduct of the business of the Senate. (Contingent on any Bill being reported from a Committee of the Whole)-That so much of the Standing Orders be suspended as would prevent the Bill being passed through its remaining stages without delay. (Contingent on any Bill originating in the Senate having been read a first time)-That so much of the Standing Orders be suspended as would prevent the Bill being passed through its remaining stages without delay. (Contingent on the Senate proceeding to the consideration of Government Papers pursuant to Sessional Order)-That so much of the Sessional Order relating to the consideration of Government Papers be suspended as would prevent the Leader of the Opposition in the Senate (Senator Chaney) moving a motion relating to the order in which the papers are called on by the President. Senator Chaney: I give notice that, on the next day of sitting, I shall move: (1) That so much of the Standing Orders be suspended as would prevent the succeeding provisions of this resolution having effect. (2) That the following Bills be restored to the Notice Paper and that consideration of each of the Bills be resumed at the stage reached in the last session of Parliament: Constitution Alteration (Appropriation Bills) Bill 1984-(Senator Peter Rae) Constitution Alteration (External Affairs) Bill 1984-(Senator Durack) Flags Amendment Bill 1984-(Senator Durack) Horticultural-Plant Variety Rights Bill 1984-(Senator Hill) Senator Baume: I give notice that, on the next day of sitting, I shall move: That the Senate- (a) having regard: (i) to the desire of all people to live in peace and freedom and to enjoy basic human rights, including the right of self-determination, (ii) to Australia's membership of the United Nations and regard for the principles of its Charter, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the United Nations Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples adopted by its General Assembly on 14 December 1960 by Resolution 1514 (XV), and the Final Act of the Helsinki Agreement, and (iii) to the fact that, whilst the Australian people have acquired these rights and freedoms, other peoples are deprived of them; and (b) taking note: (i) of the Resolution of the European Parliament on the Situation in the Baltic States (Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania) adopted on 13 January 1983, (ii) of the fact that the 3 Baltic States were independent sovereign republics and members of the League of Nations during the years 1918 to 1940, when they were occupied by the Soviet Union in consequence of an agreement between the then German Government under Hitler and the Soviet Government under Stalin (the so-called Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact). (iii) of the fact that the occupation of these states by the Soviet Union still continues, but that in accord with other democratic governments the Australian Government has not recognized de jure their incorporation into the Soviet Union, (iv) that the peoples of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania are being denied many basic human rights (as indicated in the unanimous Report of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence entitled 'Human Rights in the Soviet Union', presented in November 1979), but that they have not given up their struggle for self-determination and freedom, and (v) that an intensive process of Russification is taking place in these occupied countries aimed at elimination of the indigenous languages and culture; (c) resolves: (i) that Australia, as a member of the United Nations, should fulfil its obligations to promote and encourage respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, and should support the European Parliament's Resolution in respect of the Baltic States, (ii) that in order to do so the Australian Government should, on its own initiative, and by seeking the support of like-minded governments, bring the question of human rights and self-determination for the Baltic States before all appropriate forums of the United Nations, and especially before the United Nations Human Rights Commission as a priority topic under the agenda item 9 entitled 'The Rights of Peoples under Colonial or Alien Domination', and (iii) that the Department of Foreign Affairs should be directed to take all necessary steps in order to implement this Resolution. Senator Lewis: To move-That the Senate draws attention to the Federal Government's maladministration of the ACT and: 1. Condemns the Federal Government: (a) For its failure to provide adequate hospital services and to note that there are currently 2400 awaiting entry for surgery including 171 children; (b) For its repeated demonstrations that militant industrial action will succeed ahead of moderation thereby encouraging widespread militant industrial disputation in the ACT; (c) For its precipitate disbanding of the Capital Territory Health Commission at a time of crisis and before properly determining the nature of the authority to replace it; (d) For allowing the ACT Trades and Labour Council to dictate what secondary schools will be built and where; (e) For its disgraceful administration of the ACT Housing Loan Scheme; (f) For its failure to replace obsolete or worn-out vehicles and equipment in both the ACT section of the Australian Federal Police and the ACT Fire Brigade; (g) For its failure to encourage private enterprise to develop the Tuggeranong Centre complex; (h) For its failure to encourage private enterprise to provide low cost housing for rental to the homeless and low income families; (i) For its failure to resolve with the NSW Government the problems of parole and remissions for ACT prisoners; (j) For its failure to fill vacancies on ACT Boards and Statutory Authorities or failure to fill such vacancies with the best qualified candidates (k) For its failure to encourage Australia Post to upgrade Canberra's mail sorting facilities and provide a better postal service; (l) For its failure to provide adequate long-term parking in the Civic area; (m) For its failure to rectify the potentially dangerous underground petrol pollution in the Civic area. (n) For its failure to provide adequate mental health facilities in the ACT; 2. Calls on the Federal Government: (a) To re-introduce the repealed Commonwealth Employees (Employment Provisions) legislation so that government employees engaged in essential services in the ACT may be dealt with without delay for failure to provide those services; (b) To provide Financial Impact Statements on all proposed changes in administrative or other government arrangements affecting the ACT before implementation, so that there may be informed debate; (c) To encourage greater non-government participation in Canberra Development projects by clear demonstration that such investment is welcome and does not have to overcome favoured treatment to semi-government authorities; (d) To carry out its 1983 election campaign promise to give high priority to tourism in Canberra and quickly upgrade Canberra's airport. Senator Jessop: I give notice that, on the next day of sitting, I shall move: That the Senate agrees with the dissent by Senators Jessop and Peter Rae attached to the Final Report of the Joint Select Committee on Parliamentary Privilege. Senator Missen: To move-That the Senate, recognising the unquestioned extent of Commonwealth responsibility for the preservation of the Great Barrier Reef exercised through the operations of the Marine Park Authority and for the effective countering of any established threat to the integrity of the Reef area- (a) expresses concern about reports which indicate that large numbers of crown-of-thorns starfish have been found in many of the major reefs within the Great Barrier Reef, that the infestations are becoming widespread and posing a serious threat to the organisation and functional relationships within some reef communities; (b) notes recent reports that soil erosion arising from the building of a road in the Daintree rainforest may be creating a threat to rare coral reefs just off the Daintree coast; (c) observes that, despite former reports of committees of inquiry into the crown-of-thorns starfish since 1969-70 the present Advisory Committee has reported in January 1985 that ''present evidence is inadequate for scientists to agree on the nature and significance of the phenomenon of aggregations of large numbers of crown-of-thorns starfish and thus on the extent of any consequent risk'' and that current level of research activity is unlikely to lead to a short term resolution of the questions raised; (d) expresses its deep concern to the Commonwealth Government and the Marine Park Authority for (i) the apparent lack of urgency in commissioning urgent research which would enable scientists to ascertain the nature and significance of the crown-of-thorns starfish infestations and the extent of any consequent risk that the Reef or some substantial part of it is being destroyed; (ii) the failure to review techniques for monitoring crown-of-thorns starfish and coral conditions, and developing more efficient techniques such as biological control by predators or other action to control the infestations and (iii) the inadequacy of regulations preventing tourist spearfishermen and professional fishermen from removing large numbers of giant triton, groper and other natural predators of the starfish from the reef, and accordingly (e) calls on the Senate Standing Committee on Science, Technology and the Environment to undertake an urgent investigation into this matter, to ascertain whether the present proposals of the Advisory Committee and the Marine Park Authority are adequate to meet the situation, or otherwise to make specific recommendations relating to a co-ordinated program of crown-of-thorns starfish research, control and eradication within the Great Barrier Reef. NOTICE OF MOTION Senator Missen: To move-That the Senate- (a) Notes the report and recommendations made by Senator Alan Missen to the Senate on 11 November 1982 relating to the Inter-Parliamentary Union Conference, held in Rome in September 1982; and (b) urges the Australian Government and Parliament to enter into negotiations with the United States, Great Britain and other European and Democratic states to secede from the Inter-Parliamentary Union and to form a new union of genuinely democratic parliamentary states, which will concentrate on the promotion of the parliamentary system and the adaptation of parliament to the needs of modern government. (Notice given 10 May 1983). Senator MACKLIN(Queensland) —On behalf of the Leader of the Australian Democrats, Senator Chipp, I give the following contingent notices of motion and on my own behalf I give the following notice of motion: Senator Chipp: I give contingent notices of motion as follows: (Contingent on the President proceeding to the placing of business on any day)-That so much of the Standing Orders be suspended as would prevent the Leader of the Australian Democrats (Senator Chipp) moving a motion relating to the order of business on the Notice Paper. (Contingent on any Bill originating in the Senate having been read a first time)-That so much of the Standing Orders be suspended as would prevent the Bill being passed through its remaining stages without delay. (Contingent on any Bill being reported from a Committee of the Whole)-That so much of the Standing Orders be suspended as would prevent the Bill being passed through its remaining stages without delay. (Contingent on the Senate proceeding to the consideration of Government Papers pursuant to Sessional Order)-That so much of the Sessional Order relating to the consideration of Government Papers be suspended as would prevent the Leader of the Australian Democrats (Senator Chipp) moving a motion relating to the order in which the Papers are called on by the President. Senator Macklin: I give notice that, on the next day of sitting, I shall move: (1) That so much of the Standing Orders be suspended as would prevent the succeeding provision of this resolution having effect. (2) That the following Bills be restored to the Notice Paper and that consideration of each of the Bills be resumed at the stage reached in the last session of Parliament: Australian Capital Territory Smoking and Tobacco Products Advertisements Prohibition Bill 1983-(Senator Jack Evans). Australian Waters (Nuclear-Powered Ships and Nuclear Weapons Prohibition) Bill 1984-(The Leader of the Australian Democrats, Senator Chipp). Commission of Inquiry (Chamberlain Convictions) Bill 1984-(Senator Mason). Constitution Alteration (Electors' Initiative) Bill 1982 [1983]-(Senator Mason). Customs Amendment Bill (No. 2) 1981 [1983]-(Senator Macklin). Income Tax Assessment Amendment Bill (No. 2) 1981 [1983]-(Senator Haines). Liquor Advertising Tax Assessment Bill 1981 [1983]; Liquor Education Fund Bill 1981 [1983]-(The Leader of the Australian Democrats, Senator Chipp). Property Rights Protection Bill 1984-(Senator Haines). Rainforest Preservation Agreements Bill 1982 [1983]-(Senator Mason). Sales Tax Assessment (Rebate for Transport Costs) Bill 1981 [1983]-(The Leader of the Australian Democrats, Senator Chipp). Sales Tax (Exemptions and Classifications) Amendment Bill 1984-(Senator Macklin). Taxation (Unpaid Company Tax) Assessment Amendment Bill 1983 (No. 3)-(Senator Jack Evans). Trade Practices Amendment Bill 1984-(Senator Haines). Senator HARRADINE(Tasmania) —I give contingent notice of motion and notices of motion as follows: Senator Harradine: I give contingent notice of motion as follows: (Contingent on the President proceeding to the placing of business on any day)-That so much of the Standing Orders be suspended as would prevent Senator Harradine moving a motion relating to the order of business on the Notice Paper. Senator Harradine: I give notice that, on the next day of sitting, I shall move: That the Senate- (a) noting that the Annual Report for 1983-84 of the Public Service Board, tabled in the Senate on Thursday, 18 October 1984, shows that youth recruitment as a percentage of the total annual recruitment of the Australian Public Service has fallen to an all-time low; and (b) noting also that persons under 21 years constituted 22.6 per cent of the Australian Public Service staff in 1966; falling to 12.2 per cent in 1974, and falling further to an all-time low of 6.7 per cent as at 31 December 1983, calls on the Federal Government to instruct the Public Service Board to take positive action to remedy the apparent structural bias in appointment procedures, which at present discriminate against youth. Senator Harradine: I give notice that, on the next day of sitting, I shall move: That the Senate notes with concern that over the past two decades families have been subjected to increasing pressures from indirect taxation, as well as from direct taxation, and that moves to downgrade the spouse rebate and family allowances are a further example of this iniquitous trend of placing an inordinate taxation burden on families, particularly one-income families. Senator Harradine: I give notice that, on the next day of sitting, I shall move: That the Senate notes- (a) that the United States Government has withheld funding from the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) because of that organisation's involvement in abortion promotion and coercive family planning programs; and (b) that in Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 1984-85 under division 318.7.03 for the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Australian Government has allocated $330,000 as a grant to the IPPF during 1984/85; and the Senate calls on the Australian Government to cease providing funds to the IPPF unless a guarantee has been given that its programs do not include the promotion or provision of abortions or coercive family planning programs. Senator Harradine: I give notice that, on the next day of sitting, I shall move: (1) (a) That a Standing Committee of the Senate, to be known as the Standing Committee on Treaties, be appointed to consider all treaties laid before the Senate, and any other treaties to which the Committee may have access, and to report in respect of each such treaty: (i) whether Australia should undertake to be bound by that treaty if that treaty is not already binding upon Australia, and (ii) the effect which Australia's being bound by that treaty has or would have upon the legislative powers and responsibilities of the Australian States; and (b) that, for the purposes of this Resolution- ''treaty'' means any agreement or proposed agreement in writing between 2 or more countries which imposes or would impose rights and obligations upon those countries and which is or is intended to be binding upon those countries; and ''undertake to be bound'' in relation to a treaty refers to any action which would have the effect of making that treaty binding upon Australia, including the signing of documents, the ratification of that treaty or adherence or accession to that treaty. (2) (a) That the Committee consist of 8 Senators, 4 nominated by the Leader of the Government, 2 nominated by the Leader of the Opposition in the Senate, one nominated by the Leader of the Australian Democrats, and one independent Senator; (b) that, of the Senators appointed to the Committee pursuant to sub-paragraph (2) (a), there shall be at least one Senator for each State; and (c) that, if nominations made under sub-paragraph (2) (a) are such that appointments to the Committee in accordance with those nominations would not comply with sub-paragraph (2) (b), the President shall notify the Senate accordingly and ask for fresh nominations, and if those fresh nominations are such that appointments to the Committee in accordance with them would not comply with sub-paragraph (2) (b), the President shall notify the Senate accordingly and the Senate shall determine the appointments to the Committee in accordance with this paragraph so far as is practicable. (3) That the Committee may proceed to the dispatch of business notwithstanding that all members have not been duly appointed and notwithstanding any vacancy. (4) That the quorum of the Committee be 4. (5) That the Committee have power to appoint sub-committees consisting of 3 or more of its members, and to refer to any such sub-committee any of the matters which the Committee is empowered to consider, and that the quorum of a sub-committee be 2 Senators. (6) That the Committee elect a member nominated by the Leader of the Government as Chairman. (7) That the Chairman may from time to time appoint a member of the Committee to be Deputy-Chairman and the member so appointed act as Chairman of the Committee at any time when there is no Chairman or the Chairman is not present at a meeting of the Committee. (8) That, in the event of an equality of voting, the Chairman, or the Deputy-Chairman when acting as Chairman, have a casting vote. (9) That a Senator, though not a member of the Committee, may participate in its public sessions and question witnesses, unless the Committee orders otherwise, but shall not vote. (10) That the Committee or any sub-committee have power to send for and examine persons, papers and records, to move from place to place, and to meet and transact business in public or private session and notwithstanding any prorogation of the Parliament or dissolution of the House of Representatives. (11) That the Committee be empowered to print from day to day such papers and evidence as may be ordered by it, and that a daily Hansard be published of such proceedings of the Committee as take place in public. (12) That the Committee be provided with all necessary staff, facilities and resources and be empowered to appoint counsel to advise the Committee, and other persons with specialist knowledge for the purposes of the Committee, with the approval of the President. (13) That the Committee have leave to report from time to time its proceedings and the evidence taken and such recommendations as it may deem fit, and make regular reports on its deliberations. (14) That the foregoing provisions of this Resolution, so far as they are inconsistent with the Standing Orders, have effect notwithstanding anything contained in the Standing Orders. The PRESIDENT —Pursuant to the resolution of the Senate of 6 September 1984, I table the report of the Select Committee on Allegations Concerning a Judge which was presented to me on 31 October 1984, together with the transcript of evidence and certain exhibits. In accordance with the terms of the resolution, I have given directions for the printing and circulation of the report. Senator TATE(Tasmania)(5.21) —by leave-I move: That the Senate take note of the report. Mr President, in so far as the judge, the subject of the report, is facing committal proceedings in the Castlereagh Street Court of Petty Sessions on 4 March, I think it would be most imprudent for any discussion of the report to be undertaken by honourable senators. Mr President, I know that you would, if the occasion arose, draw attention to the bundle of principles constituting the sub judice rule, but those of us with experience in this chamber know how quickly even apparently cautious remarks can ignite a firestorm of controversy. This is an occasion for utmost restraint in the interests of securing to the judge that atmosphere in which the judicial proceedings can proceed untainted by any remarks made in this place. I seek leave to continue my remarks later. Leave granted; debate adjourned. Senator CHANEY(Western Australia-Leader of the Opposition) —by leave-The Select Committee on Allegations Concerning a Judge was established in response to very serious problems which confronted the Senate following the tabling of the report of the first Select Committee on the Conduct of a Judge. As the then Attorney-General, Senator Gareth Evans, said: The issues concerning the Government and Senate arising out of the report of the Senate Select Committee on the Conduct of a Judge are about as serious as could possibly be imagined. In short, the first Select Committee had received evidence from Mr Briese, the Chairman of the Bench of Stipendiary Magistrates in New South Wales, who made very serious allegations against a High Court judge, Mr Justice Murphy. The issue before the Senate, difficult and all as it was, was made more complex by two other factors: The first Senate Committee was divided about the conclusion to be drawn from Mr Briese's evidence before it and submissions had been made to the Committee by the senior counsel for the judge that the judge was entitled to be accorded treatment in accordance with the rules of natural justice. The first Senate Committee had not been able to accede to this submission, particularly the claim that the judge's senior counsel should be entitled to cross-examine Mr Briese on his allegations, because of the existing Standing Orders of the Senate. All parties were agreed that, in the words of the then Attorney-General, 'Further action of some kind needs to be taken to clear the air', but the Senate was divided about the nature of that action. The Opposition and the Australian Democrats were of the view that an independent parliamentary commissioner should be appointed to conduct a hearing in accordance with the principles of natural justice and to make findings of fact which would be reported to the Senate for its further consideration of the problem. The Government, however, believed that the evidence before the first Senate Committee and other relevant material should be submitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions to determine whether a prosecution should be launched. Furthermore, the Government refused to co-operate in the appointment of an independent commissioner which would have required legislation, and in the absence of such co-operation that particular option was not open. In the event, therefore, the Senate established the second Select Committee, which was given the power to appoint commissioners who would participate in the Committee's deliberations and report their findings to the Committee. This was a novel procedure for the Senate to adopt and a further step in the development of the Senate's powers and the committee system which has been such a notable feature of parliamentary life for more than a decade. Doubts were entertained in a number of quarters about the formation of a committee in this form, and indeed, the proponents of it readily conceded that it was a second best procedure. It was, however, the best procedure open to the Senate, given the lack of Government co-operation. The proceedings of the Committee, which heard evidence from a number of witnesses in public and accorded the highest principles of natural justice to all those concerned with its deliberations, not only dispelled those doubts but must now be accepted as a notable achievement by the Senate, regardless of what judgment may be made about its findings and recommendations. The Opposition accepts that, in view of the charges which have now been laid by the Director of Public Prosecutions against Mr Justice Murphy and the committal proceedings which are about to commence in respect of those charges, no comment should be made about the Committee's findings at this stage and indeed while the judicial process is taking its course. Furthermore, the Opposition does not believe that it is an appropriate time to debate the subject at all and does not propose to do so at this time. Nevertheless, the Opposition has at all times maintained and continues to maintain that the ultimate question at issue in this matter-namely, whether a Federal judge has been guilty of proved misbehaviour justifying his removal from office-is one for Parliament and Parliament alone to decide. As Senator Durack put it, speaking on behalf of the Opposition in the Senate on 4 September 1984: . . . the responsibility for this issue rests with the Parliament. It does not rest with the courts. It certainly does not rest with the Executive. It rests with the Parliament. As a matter of comity between the Parliament and the courts and in the interest of according full justice to Mr Justice Murphy while his case is before a court, Parliament should desist from giving this matter any further consideration or seeking to discharge its responsibility. It is fundamental to our system of criminal justice that a person charged with an offence is entitled to a fair trial and should not have that right compromised. Senator Gareth Evans —We know all that. We don't need a five-page statement to tell us that. Senator CHANEY —The recently discredited Attorney-General should hold his tongue. However, as the shadow Attorney-General, Mr Neil Brown, has said, the constitutional issue arising from the power and responsibility given to the Parliament under section 72 of the Constitution is quite different from the issue of Mr Justice Murphy's trial on the offence with which he is charged. This responsibility of the Parliament, as the elected representative of the people, cannot be waived and will remain, irrespective of the outcome of the trial. When Mr Justice Murphy's trial is concluded, the Opposition will consider what further parliamentary proceedings, if any, it should take. Senator HAINES(South Australia) —by leave-The Leader of the Opposition, Senator Chaney, has outlined the story which lies behind the report of the Senate Select Committee on Allegations Concerning a Judge. During the debate in the Senate prior to the establishment of the Committee I stressed, on behalf of the Australian Democrats, the Democrats' determination to ensure that Mr Justice Murphy was granted every possible right in accordance with the principles of natural justice. At the same time we accepted that it was essential for the Parliament to fulfil the heavy responsibility placed on it under section 72 (ii) of the Constitution. The lengthy negotiations which took place and the variety of options which were considered by members of the Senate before the second Select Committee, with its commissioners and counsel, was appointed have already been covered. The result of that Committee's hearings is printed in the report tabled in the Senate today. At this stage I do not want, nor do I think it is appropriate, to canvass the conclusions arrived at by the members of the Committee and the commissioners assisting the Committee. We had specific terms of reference, and we were asked to make findings on specific matters. We did so. In view of the fact that charges have now been laid against Mr Justice Murphy by Mr Temby, the Director of Public Prosecutions, and that the hearings are due to begin in a few weeks, I endorse the comments made earlier with regard to the need to avoid commenting on the issues at this stage. Nor do I believe it is appropriate or even fitting to canvass what might happen in the future with regard to this matter. Without for one moment resiling from the responsibility placed specifically on the two Houses of this Parliament in section 72 (ii) of the Constitution, I can only repeat what I said on behalf of the Australian Democrats last December: The matter is now in the hands of [the courts] and must be left to the due processes of the law. Any Parliamentary debate before the [determination of] the Judge's innocence or guilt could well be prejudicial to a fair trial and no responsible House of Parliament or member of a House of Parliament should even contemplate it. The PRESIDENT —Pursuant to the resolution of the Senate of 22 October 1984, I table the final report of the Royal Commission on the Activities of the Federated Ship Painters and Dockers Union, which was presented to me on 1 November 1984. In accordance with the terms of the resolution, I have given directions for the printing and circulation of the report. Senator GRIMES(Tasmania-Manager of Government Business) —by leave-I move: That the Senate take note of the report. I seek leave to continue my remarks later. Leave granted; debate adjourned. The PRESIDENT —Pursuant to the resolution of the Senate of 18 October 1984, I table the report of the Select Committee on Private Hospitals and Nursing Homes relating to private nursing homes in Australia, which was presented to me on 2 November 1984, together with the transcript of evidence. In accordance with the terms of the resolution, I have given directions for the printing and circulation of the report. Senator GILES(Western Australia) —by leave-I move: That the Senate take note of the report. I seek leave to continue my remarks later. Leave granted; debate adjourned. The PRESIDENT —Pursuant to the resolution of the Senate of 9 October 1984, I table the report of the Standing Committee on Education and the Arts relating to a national language policy, which was presented to me on 11 December 1984, together with the transcript of evidence. In accordance with the terms of the resolution, I have given directions for the printing and circulation of the report. Senator COLSTON(Queensland) —by leave-I move: That the Senate take note of the report. I seek leave to continue my remarks later. Leave granted; debate adjourned. The PRESIDENT —Pursuant to the resolution of the Senate of 18 October 1984, I table the report of the Standing Committee on Science, Technology and the Environment relating to land use policy, which was presented to me on 23 January 1985, together with the transcript of evidence. In accordance with the terms of the resolution, I have given directions for the printing and circulation of the report. Senator JONES(Queensland) —by leave-I move: That the Senate take note of the report. I seek leave to continue my remarks later. Leave granted; debate adjourned. The PRESIDENT —I inform the Senate that on 6 December 1984 I received a request from the Sydney office of the Australian Government Solicitors for an extract from the Senate Hansard to be adduced in evidence in certain proceedings before a court for the purpose of proving the date upon which an announcement was made by a Minister. In accordance with established practice I gave approval for this to be done, subject to the strict observance by the court of the absolutely privileged status of proceedings in the Senate. Motion (by Senator Grimes)-by leave-agreed to. (1) That, unless otherwise ordered, the Senate meet on Friday, 22 February 1985, from 10 a.m. to 12.45 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 4.15 p.m. (2) That, notwithstanding anything contained in the Standing Orders and unless otherwise ordered, the Senate, on that day, shall proceed with its ordinary business in the following routine: (a) Petitions (b) Notices of Motion (c) Formal Motions-Discovery of Formal Business (d) Postponement and re-arrangement of Business (e) Government Business, Notices of Motion and Orders of the Day, or vice versa, as set down on the Notice Paper (f) At 2 p.m., questions (g) Any proposal pursuant to standing order 64 (h) Consideration of Government papers pursuant to sessional order (i) Further consideration of Government Business, notices of motion and orders of the day, or vice versa, as set down on the Notice Paper. (3) That the provisions of the sessional orders which applied at the last sitting of the Senate on 22 October 1984 have effect on 22 February 1985 in relation to: (a) The procedure for the presentation of petitions; (b) Proposals pursuant to standing order 64; (c) Consideration of Government papers; and (d) The adjournment of the Senate. Senator BUTTON(Victoria-Leader of the Government in the Senate) —I move: That the Senate expresses its deep regret at the death, on 11 January 1985, of the Rt Hon. Sir William John McKell, GCMG, AC, a former Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia from 1947 to 1953 and Premier of New South Wales from 1941 to 1947; and places on record its appreciation of his long and meritorious public service and tenders its profound sympathy to his widow and family in their bereavement. Sir William McKell was born in New South Wales on 26 September 1891. He had a very full, long and productive life which encompassed all the formative years and the most momentous events of a modern epoch of Australian history. He left school at the age of 13 and became an apprentice boilermaker and formed, at a very early age, an apprentices' union. He was subsequently a union official for some time and was then elected to the New South Wales Parliament in 1917. In his early days during his period in the New South Wales Parliament, which spanned 30 years, he studied law and was called to the Bar in 1925. He held several ministerial posts in Labor governments. He became Leader of the Opposition in 1939 and was Premier and Treasurer of New South Wales from May 1941 until his resignation in 1947. He was Governor-General of Australia from 1947 to 1953. Sir William McKell had a remarkable career of service to the Australian Labor Party, to the Parliament of New South Wales and to the people of Australia. His premiership of New South Wales embraced the entire period of the war in the Pacific, while his years as Governor-General covered the years of the post-war transition. After the burden of the war years and the two most difficult of the immediate post-war years, Sir William McKell proposed to retire into private life at the early age of 56. At that time he had no expectations that he would be appointed as the second Australian-born Governor-General. He could not have anticipated the wrath and hostility the appointment caused in certain quarters, a resentment almost incomprehensible to most of the present generation of Australians. It is a mark of a man that the tremendous personal integrity, natural dignity and strength of character McKell brought to his office as Governor-General converted all but his most ardent detractors into admirers. In the discharge of his office as Governor-General he adhered scrupulously to the fundamental principle of parliamentary democracy that the Governor-General acts on the advice of the elected government. The Australian Labor Party had a great servant in Bill McKell. He was a great party man, a great Australian and a great democrat. He was a patriot and he had great faith in the people and future of his country. He enjoyed that faith and belief in the future of this country and an active interest in public affairs until quite recently before his death. It was a remarkably long life, a remarkable career and a great contribution to this country. I am privileged to be able to move the motion which I have moved. Senator CHANEY(Western Australia-Leader of the Opposition) —The Opposition joins with the Leader of the Government in the Senate (Senator Button) and other Government senators in supporting this motion. Sir William McKell made a remarkable contribution to Australia over a very long life in a range of ways. I suppose that in an era when the position of Australian youth is under considerable scrutiny and when there is a lot of concern about the future of many young Australians, it is worth looking back on the life of Sir William McKell and seeing that in a way he represented what we would hope Australia would be for all its citizens. He was a man who had left school when he was 13, who took on an apprenticeship and different forms of studies and who was admitted to the Bar and became a Queen's Counsel. He served in many different ways. He was a very great success in many different ways. He left a lot of political monuments. I understand that he established the State Housing Commission, the University of New South Wales and the Kosciusko National Park. I suppose they are all institutions which are likely to be with us for a very long time. As I understand it, it is quite true that his appointment as Governor-General in 1947 was attacked. It is perhaps also true that the attitude of his Labor colleagues was not quite as charitable in 1951 when he acceded to the request for a double dissolution which was made by the then Prime Minister. Perhaps that also is a useful reminder to us that the contentious matters of any particular year look less contentious in retrospect and perhaps there is some evening out in these matters. My only personal contact with the late Sir William McKell really was quite indirect; we shared a common car driver in Sydney-Mr Andrew Donaghey. He expressed the greatest devotion to Sir William McKell. I really feel I got to know Sir William quite well through Andrew Donaghey, including the various periods of illness Sir William had over the last few years. The affection that that man expressed for Sir William McKell is, I suspect, the sort of respect Sir William McKell would have wished to have from the Australians he served. The Opposition expresses to the family of Sir William McKell its respect for him and its wholehearted support for the motion moved by the Leader of the Government in this place. Senator CHIPP(Victoria-Leader of the Australian Democrats) —I wish to associate the Australian Democrats with the motion of condolence for a very distinguished Australian, Sir William McKell. Senator SCOTT(New South Wales-Leader of the National Party of Australia) —I would like on behalf of the National Party of Australia to endorse the words and expressions of the Leader of the Government in the Senate (Senator Button) and the Leader of the Opposition (Senator Chaney) referable to Sir William McKell. Sir William proved over a very long time to be a fine Australian. I think his life was perhaps an exciting one in that it indicated the sorts of opportunities, the sorts of challenges and the sorts of achievements that man can have in a free society such as ours. I express the sympathy of my Party to the family of the late Sir William McKell. Senator HARRADINE(Tasmania) —I wish to associate myself with the condolence motion. For many years after Sir William McKell's public life one would meet people who had a vigorous and longstanding loyalty to the man. Obviously he affected them in their lives. One could not fail to be impressed by the type of loyalty shown to Sir William by his friends and those who adhered to his philosophies and who were appreciative of the fine work he did. Senator Sir JOHN CARRICK(New South Wales) —I add my personal tribute to the late Sir William McKell. It was my privilege to have known him throughout the whole of the post-war years. I came to know a remarkable man of very considerable, quiet dignity and strength, a man with a great vision for Australia, a vision which crossed party lines. In my view he was a person who saw many significant reforms. For example, in my own State of New South Wales he had an understanding of rural matters and in particular of the problems of the country people. He had a considerable desire to assist in that regard. I knew him in his later life. I was privileged to meet him on a number of occasions. He was a very interesting man and an interesting conversationalist. He retained until the very last a keen intellect and a great affection for Australia and for Australians. There may have been controversy in those days; that is in the past. Let us simply say that he proved that he could hold any office in this country with dignity and success. He has made for himself a niche in the history of Australia. I express my condolence. Senator SIBRAA(New South Wales) —As a senator from New South Wales I wish to associate myself with this motion of condolence for the late Sir William McKell, a remarkable Australian and one of the great Labor Premiers of New South Wales. Sir William McKell was born in 1891-the year in which the Australian Labor Party was formed. During his lifetime he saw the Labor Party emerge as the major political force in New South Wales. The Labor governments that he led clearly established a style and an agenda for all future New South Wales Labor governments. McKell was directly responsible for fashioning Labor's 1941 electoral triumph, and subsequent electoral triumphs. For example, his selection of local identities such as Billy Sheahan, Jack Renshaw and Eddie Graham, to name but a few, to run for the Labor Party in rural seats proved enormously successful. The years of McKell Labor government were responsible for many lasting reforms. Chief amongst them included an expanded workers compensation Act, a new factories and shops Act, a lay-by sales reform Act, a hire purchase Act, a money-lenders Act and pensions for miners at the age of 60. The McKell governments were also responsible for performing massive civil airport and road construction works in New South Wales. In addition to those reforms McKell was a great conservationist. In 1943 McKell was directly responsible for claiming one and a quarter million acres of the Southern Alps for the Kosciusko National Park. Bob Carr, the New South Wales Minister for Planning and Environment, in a recent article in the Sydney Morning Herald, noted: It was the first great conservationist battle and McKell was the first significant environmentalist in politics. The McKell legacy is afforded special prominence by the New South Wales Branch of the Australian Labor Party through an annual lecture named in his honour. The inaugural speech was delivered by the Premier of New South Wales, Neville Wran, in the presence of Sir William in 1982. Unfortunately, ill-health prevented him from attending the 1984 lecture delivered by the noted Australian author, Thomas Keneally. However, the lecture will continue to highlight the memory of Sir William and his distinguished career for many years to come. In conclusion, I again refer to the words of Bob Carr, who said of Sir William: His career had demonstrated that in politics a single individual with good values could make a difference. Hike to the peak of Kosciusko and look across the Alps. What memorial could beat that. The PRESIDENT —The late Sir William McKell was a close personal friend of my late father. About three months before his death I had the honour of having him as my guest for lunch one day. That lunch was one of the most memorable experiences that I will ever have. I invite honourable senators to rise in silence as a mark of respect to the late Sir William McKell. Question resolved in the affirmative, honourable senators standing in their places. Senator BUTTON(Victoria-Leader of the Government in the Senate) —I move: That the Senate records its sincere regret at the death of Mrs Indira Gandhi, Prime Minister of India, and expresses deep sympathy to her family in their bereavement. Mr President, I ask that this motion, when carried, be conveyed by you to the Government of India. The death of Indira Gandhi was a tragic and wanton act of terrorism which was deplored and regretted by all Australians. Mrs Gandhi was one of the great leaders of our time. She was the head of the world's largest democracy and she guided India's progress, against huge odds, in the fields of agriculture, manufacturing and science. Today India has one of the 10 largest economies in the world, with a strong technological and manufacturing base and having achieved a notable degree of self-reliance in agriculture. India has become a major force in international affairs. Under Mrs Gandhi, India assumed the leadership of the non-aligned movement. Mrs Gandhi, at the time of her death, was Chairman of the Commonwealth. Indira Gandhi enjoyed the greatest admiration and respect. Her strength, courage and ability will be sorely missed by the people of India and the absence of those characteristics will be noted throughout the rest of the world. Shortly before Mrs Gandhi's death, the Prime Minister (Mr Hawke) invited her to visit Australia. That was not to be. Perhaps the result of the recent election in India indicates something of the feelings of the Indian people. I do not wish to place interpretations on that result but perhaps it can be seen in some ways as a mark of respect to the life of Mrs Gandhi. The Government hopes that the new Prime Minister, Rajiv Gandhi, will be able to take up the invitation to visit Australia extended to the late Mrs Gandhi. I know that all honourable senators will join me in expressing profound sympathy at India's great loss. Senator CHANEY(Western Australia-Leader of the Opposition) —The Opposition joins the Government in supporting this motion and in expressing its condolences at the death of Mrs Gandhi. Like the Leader of the Government in the Senate (Senator Button), the Opposition deplores the circumstances of her death. It is a matter of intense regret that the leader of one of the great democracies should meet her end in such a way. Mrs Gandhi had a long and distinguished career. It was a career which was sometimes controversial and a matter of some debate. It is significant to note that after what was perhaps the most controversial period of her reign she lost government. I suppose the best test of all of whether one operates in a democracy is that when one governs in a way which is unacceptable one is rejected by the people. Mrs Gandhi was out of office for only a short time and was re-elected and served as Prime Minister until her death. The Opposition joins with the Government in expressing sympathy and regret at the death of Indira Gandhi, and I agree with the sentiments which have been expressed by Senator Button. Senator SCOTT(New South Wales-Leader of the National Party of Australia) —On behalf of the National Party of Australia, I wish briefly to endorse the comments already made about the death of Indira Gandhi, who headed the largest democracy in the world today. Hers was a complex and volatile land. The violence of her death is a sad reflection on the sometimes unbridled emotions of our time. I merely wish to express the sympathy of my Party to her family and particularly to the Indian people as they seek to meet the challenge that confronts them. Senator HARRADINE(Tasmania) —I wish to be associated with the motion which was moved by the Leader of the Government in the Senate (Senator Button). Along with a number of other members of an official parliamentary delegation to India, I had the pleasure of meeting Mrs Gandhi and of discussing with her a very wide range of issues. It was clear that she had very firm views on certain matters and she was able eloquently to express those views and to meet many of the arguments that were put forward in discussions at that time. When any leader of any nation meets such a fate, particularly a leader who was attempting to ensure that democracy be maintained in a wide and diverse community, it is a sad thing for all democracies. As such, I believe that it is particularly appropriate for the Senate to support this motion and to pass on its condolences to the Indian people. Question resolved in the affirmative, honourable senators standing in their places. The PRESIDENT —I inform honourable senators that the following former members of this Parliament have died since the adjournment of the Senate on 24 October 1984: Former Senators R. H. Wordsworth and R. H. Lacey; and former members of the House of Representatives the Hon. G. D. Erwin, the Hon. Sir William Haworth and Mr L. H. Irwin. Senator CHANEY(Western Australia-Leader of the Opposition) —by leave-I move: That the Senate expresses its deep regret at the death of Mr R. H. Lacey, a senator for Tasmania from 1965 to 1971, and Mr R. H. Wordsworth, a senator for Tasmania from 1950 to 1959, places on record its appreciation of their long and meritorious public service, and tenders its profound sympathy to their families. Because neither senator was known to me personally, I would like to step aside in favour of Senator Peter Rae who wishes to support the motion. Senator PETER RAE(Tasmania) —Major-General Robert Hurley Wordsworth was a senator from 1950 to 1959. 'Wordy', as he was known to many of those who knew him in his later years, earned two mentions in dispatches as well as a CB and a CBE during his long period of service in both the Australian Imperial Force and the Indian Army. He was born at Collarenebri in New South Wales in 1894 and died last year in November, a resident of Longford in Tasmania, at the age of 90. He is survived by his widow, a son and a daughter. It would be true to say that he had both a long and a distinguished career in Australia, as soldier, farmer, parliamentarian and civil administrator. He joined the AIF at the outbreak of war in August 1914 and embarked for the Middle East in September that year. He spent his twenty-first birthday at Gallipoli. In Egypt he served with the Light Horse and participated in the Battle of Beersheba, which saw the world's last great mounted charge. He later transferred to the Indian Army and served in, among other places, Afghanistan. In the Second World War he served in the Middle East in Iran, Iraq, Egypt and Lebanon as a major-general in the Armoured Corps, and received significant acknowledgment of his services, having been mentioned twice in dispatches and having been awarded the CB and CBE. He retired to Tasmania in 1947 on the independence of India, and in 1949 was elected to this chamber as a representative of the State of Tasmania. Perhaps as would be expected with such a background, he became known in this place for his interest, expertise and contributions on foreign affairs and defence. He was notable for looking after the interests of returned servicemen, and in the sphere of international relations, especially in South and South East Asia, he was one of the first parliamentarians to warn of Soviet ambitions in South East Asia. Major-General Wordsworth was involved in and concerned with the development of the Colombo Plan. He laid great stress on the interdependence of the West's defences against the Soviet Union, and it may be regarded as of some significance that he was a great supporter of the importance of ANZUS. He did not at any time forget that he was a representative of Tasmania and put that State's economic interests well to the fore. He was a keen advocate of shipping and was aware of the problems of the timber industry. In 1959 he retired, again to farming, and in 1961 was elected President of the Liberal Party in Tasmania. He served in that capacity until appointed in 1962 as Administrator of Norfolk Island. Later he came home again to Tasmania and ultimately retired to Longford where he lived quietly, proudly watching his son David enter farming and, later, a political career in Western Australia, where he has been a Liberal MLC since 1971 and was a Minister from 1977 to 1982. David Wordsworth also served the party organisation in both Tasmania and Western Australia. Major-General Wordsworth's widow, Mrs Wordsworth, still lives at Longford and I am sure that all honourable senators will join me in expressing our condolences to our former colleague's widow and to his daughter and son. I believe that Australia has every reason to be proud of the public service given by this very distinguished Australian citizen. A man of courage, a man of foresight, a man of determination, a man of public spirit, he left his mark on this country. Senator GRIMES(Tasmania-Minister for Community Services) —I support the motion moved by the Leader of the Opposition, Senator Chaney, and supported by Senator Peter Rae. I wish to speak, first of all, about former Senator Robert Herbert Lacey, universally known as Bert Lacey. Former Senator Lacey was a long time servant of the Labor movement of this country and the Australian Labor Party in particular. He was formerly an organiser in the Australian Workers Union, having worked in many occupations, particularly in rural areas, in construction work, in mining and in other activities of that type. He was an organiser in that union until 1947 when he became General Secretary of the Tasmanian branch of the Australian Labor Party. He remained General Secretary of my branch of the Party until he entered the Senate in 1965. He was for a short time a member of the House of Assembly in Tasmania, representing the seat of Denison. Those were the days when general secretaries of the Labor Party had a difficult time because of lack of resources and the lack of remuneration attached to the job. Bert Lacey kept that job from 1947 until 1965. It was a difficult and onerous job, and he did it well. Even to those who had differences with him, he was a forthright man of strong views. After he left that position, which was the time I first became active in the Tasmanian branch of the Labor Party, he certainly had no hesitation in letting his views be known to those of us who were active in the Party, particularly those of us who became members of parliament. I used to say to him that he never lost his capacity to use the telephone, and he often gave his views very vigorously on the phone to me and, I am sure, to other members of the Party. Even when we differed with some of those views, we respected them very much. People on both sides of this House knew Bert Lacey. Like many others, I regret his passing at the age of 84. I am sure all honourable senators will join with me in giving condolences to his surviving relatives. In passing, I did know Major-General Wordsworth briefly. I met him after I had become a senator when he used to stay, and in fact for a short time lived, in the town of Legana in Tasmania where I lived. We first struck up an acquaintance because we were gardening and he quickly told me what I was doing wrong with my gardening, as he was likely to tell people about any subject that he had views about. He then discovered that the person he was talking to was actually a senator and he gave me his views on the Senate and senators he had known. When he found out which side of the Parliament I was on he told me exactly what he thought of my political views and of the views of my colleagues. He was a forthright man. As Senator Peter Rae said, he obviously served this country well and was respected throughout Tasmania during his years of service. I support the words of Senator Rae and join him in giving my condolences and, I am sure, the condolences of all honourable senators on this side to his relatives. Senator PETER RAE(Tasmania) —by leave -Although my Leader moved a motion in relation to both former senators, I wished Senator Grimes to speak first in relation to Robert Herbert Lacey, or Bert Lacey as he was known. He was a senator for Tasmania from 1965 to 1971 and he died in November last year at the age of 84. I had the pleasure of serving in this chamber with him for three years. As I knew him both here and generally in relation to politics in Tasmania, he was a quiet, gentle man but, as Senator Grimes has said, he was a very firm contributor both to his Party and to his constituents. He was a firm contributor to his union members when he was the Australian Workers Union organiser from 1938 to 1946 and General Secretary to the Australian Labor Party from 1947 to 1965, to the electors of Denison when he served as a member of the House of Assembly and later to the electors of Tasmania from 1965 to 1971. As I recall Bert Lacey's interests in this chamber, he was particularly interested in the welfare of his fellow man. Social services and the care of Commonwealth prisoners were two of the things to which I recall his paying particular attention. He expressed his concern in relation to the Vietnam War, a matter of considerable concern to many people in the period during which he served in this chamber. He also, like former Senator Wordsworth, did not forget his duty to look after the economic interests of Tasmania. He was particularly concerned about shipping. He was a quiet man of dignity who served his fellow man throughout his long life. Opposition senators join in paying tribute to the lifetime of dedication to public welfare displayed by Bert Lacey and in expressing our condolences to his widow and his family. Senator HARRADINE(Tasmania) —I also join in the condolences in respect of Major-General Wordsworth, whom I did not know. I express my condolences to his relatives and to the relatives of Bert Lacey, whom I knew very well and who was a very close and personal friend of myself and my family. Bert Lacey was born on 12 January 1900 at Maryborough in Victoria. He had four sisters and a brother. Bert's mother died giving birth to her sixth child and Bert became virtually an orphan. He was raised in extremely hard conditions and was provided with scarcely enough food to sustain him. He attended the Central Training School in Ballarat. He was so small and thin that the boys at the school nicknamed him 'Spider'. His family recalls the story of one of his teachers, who would often ask Bert to deliver messages to the teacher's home, knowing that his wife would reward Bert with a few slices of cake. By the time Bert was 12 years of age he was working after school on a dairy farm milking cows. Those who are best qualified to know say that Bert's childhood included periods of deprivation, hunger and bullying, so much so that at the age of 16 he weighed only six stone. His older brother served in the First World War and Bert was very anxious to serve as well, but his guardian refused to give permission for Bert to enlist. In January 1918, on Bert's eighteenth birthday, he joined the Army but the war was almost over so he did not serve overseas. After the war he returned to farm work in the Jamieson area in Victoria. The hours, of course, were long and hard. Bert then got a job at a gold mine at Woods Point, Victoria, working above ground. Here he became friendly with a couple of Italian miners who taught him how to box to defend himself. During the 1920s Bert went to Tasmania and worked at the Mathinna gold mine. He became engaged to Mary Emmeline Clark. The former mine manager from the Woods Point gold mine went to New Zealand and asked Bert Lacey to join him, so Bert and Mary were married in 1926 and went to New Zealand. Before too long the mine failed and Bert went to work in the timber industry and he and Mary lived in a logging camp. Two years later they returned to Tasmania for the birth of their first child. Bert Lacey worked at the Storeys Creek mine as a tool sharpener. However, during the Depression that mine closed and Bert was thrown out of work. It was then that his second child was born. He then went gold sluicing. About this time he became interested in politics and the trade union movement. When he found some miners were being underpaid he suggested that they join a union. The mine boss called Bert an agitator and threw a few punches at him. Bert's training from the Italians proved very useful and the mine boss soon found Bert was more than able to defend himself. Some years later that man went to Bert for help over a compensation claim and Bert worked hard to get him his rightful dues. That was typical of the character of Bert Lacey. Bert's mining experiences included open cut tin mining at Goshen and underground mining at Rosebery. It was on the west coast of Tasmania that Bert worked with Eric Reece and was appointed a union representative for the Australian Workers Union. When a union organiser was needed by the AWU on the north-west coast in 1938, Bert was appointed to that position. The west coast organiser at that time was Eric Reece and they both became active in the Australian Labor Party. While Bert was the AWU organiser on the north-west coast he was living in Ulverstone and his two youngest children were born there. In 1946 the ALP endorsed two AWU organisers for the Darwin electorate, which is now known as the Braddon electorate, for the House of Assembly election. Those two AWU organisers were Eric Reece and Bert Lacey. Bert lodged his nomination for the election at the electoral office in Devonport but, on his way back home to Ulverstone, was involved in a collision with a motor car. Bert was travelling by motorbike, which was the form of transport provided by the AWU at the time for its organisers. His injuries were very severe indeed and he spent five months in the local hospital unable to take part in the election campaign. When it was suggested in 1946 that his leg should be amputated, Bert was transferred to Hobart. However, doctors managed to save his leg. As a matter of fact, last year, a few months before his death, Bert had part of a leg removed. That election in 1946 saw the entry into the Tasmanian Parliament of Eric Reece, who went on to become the Premier of the State. No doubt Bert Lacey also would have won a seat on that occasion had it not been for the road accident. The leg injury meant the end of Bert's work as a union organiser. In 1947 the Tasmanian branch of the ALP decided for the first time in its history to appoint a full time State secretary, and Bert was selected for that office. He held that position for 18 years-until 1965, which was the year he took his place in the Senate. A successor in that office was Kath Venn. One of my regrets is that Kath is not here to pay tribute to Bert. Senator Button —A broken election promise. Senator HARRADINE —She has helped me in preparing this material. She is not here by reason of the fact that although she received the third highest primary vote of any Senate candidate at the election she was defeated because the State ALP registered its how to vote ticket to ensure that the preference votes of those who placed a number 1 in the ALP box went to a man whose vote helped bring down the Tasmanian Labor Government. During all the years in which Bert worked as General Secretary of the Australian Labor Party, the Labor Party was successfully returned to office in Tasmania on each occasion on which it faced election. That was so in most cases, of course, so far as his successor was concerned. Bert was a very loyal and conscientious servant of the Labor Party. As money was always in short supply, often he had to wait for his salary. Bert was a candidate in no fewer than eight parliamentary elections, but usually circumstances were against him. Following the 1946 House of Assembly election in Tasmania, Bert stood at two further House of Assembly elections. In 1956 he was a candidate for Denison but just missed out on winning one of the seats. In early 1959 a sitting member retired from the House of Assembly. As is the case under the Hare-Clark system, a recount was required to fill the vacancy. Bert Lacey was declared elected at the recount, but before he could take his seat in Parliament the Premier called a State election and Bert lost out again. In 1954 the ALP endorsed a candidate, Bill Hannon, for the Denison seat in the House of Representatives. About 30 minutes before nominations closed, Bert Lacey, as the General Secretary of the Labor Party, checked with the various electoral offices to make sure that the Labor Party candidates had lodged their nominations. He was informed that Bill Hannon had not done so. A frantic search took place to find Bill Hannon, who had apparently set out early that morning door-knocking in the electorate. When it seemed obvious that the endorsed candidate would not be found before the time for the closing of nominations Bert Lacey dashed into the electoral office and lodged a nomination for himself so that the Party would be represented at that election. Despite the lack of preparation for the campaign, Bert polled extremely well but failed to win the seat which was held by the redoubtable Athol Townley. Four years later the ALP was unable to find anyone willing to lodge an application for endorsement for the Denison seat so obligingly Bert contested the seat again. Once again he polled very well, but not well enough. In 1955 the Australian Labor Party endorsed three candidates for the Senate: Senator Nick McKenna, Bert Lacey and Bob Poke-in that order. This is an indication of the type of person Bert was. He was actually a member of the Australian Labor Party Executive at the time and he felt that perhaps he had been given second place by reason of that fact. Therefore, he told the Executive that, in fairness, because he was present when the vote was taken, he thought his name and that of Bob Poke should go in a hat and the name of the No. 3 candidate should be pulled out of the hat. Inevitably Bert's name was drawn out of the hat and so at the Senate election Senator Nick McKenna held his seat and Bob Poke was elected. Bert Lacey missed out again. Finally, in 1964, Bert Lacey contested and won a seat in the Senate. He served his electors unstintingly for six years from the time he took his seat in July 1965 until 1971. In 1970 Bert Lacey was awarded life membership of the Labor Party. He was also a life member of the Federated Clerks Union of Australia. During Bert's time in both those organisations I knew him very well and worked closely with him. Many other people would understand his firm and gentle advice, which was always given directly and which was clear and concise. I always found it to be very worth while. Bert was a true family man, a devoted husband for 58 years. He raised a family of three daughters and one son and also raised two of his grandchildren. As has been said, he had a great interest in prisons and voluntarily worked for many years with the St Vincent de Paul Society visiting various prisons. Bert was generous and kind-hearted and would share his last dollar with anyone in need. He once bought himself a lottery ticket in the days when the first prize in Tatts was #12,000. He visited his mother-in-law and gave her the ticket. It won first prize and no one was more delighted than Bert Lacey. One of his great qualities was his ability to remain calm and unruffled and at peace in his own mind no matter how great the stress or strain in his personal life and no matter what provocation there was in his political life. Mr President, Bert Lacey's simplicity, his honesty, his sense of loyalty, his courage, his unselfishness and his modesty marked him as a most remarkable man in political life, providing an example we could all do well to follow. He never entertained a mean thought or acted in any way vindictively. Bert Lacey was a Christian and a gentleman in the strongest and most refined sense. Mr President, Bert's wife and his children, Margaret, Stephanie and John-Huia predeceased Bert some two or three years ago-very much appreciated your condolences and those of the Prime Minister (Mr Hawke) and other people in the Parliament upon Bert's death. I simply would like to say that we have seen the passing on of a very great man who served this country long and well. Senator WATSON(Tasmania) —I wish to join my colleague Senator Peter Rae in paying tribute to a distinguished gentleman, soldier and former senator, who represented Tasmania in this place from 1950 to 1959. I refer to Major-General Wordsworth, CBE. The late Senator Wordsworth, who passed away aged 90, had a very distinguished career in the service of his country. Few men have made such a great contribution to public life, in the Army and in the Parliament. He was a respected President of the Tasmanian branch of the Liberal Party of Australia, President of the Launceston Club and Administrator of Norfolk Island. During the First World War he served at Gallipoli and in Egypt and in the Indian Cavalry. World War II dispatches bore witness to the bravery of this distinguished soldier in the Middle East. In 1944 he commanded the large Third Army in the occupation of Iran, Iraq, Syria and Lebanon. Perhaps one of the greatest tributes a father can have is for his son to follow in his footsteps. His son David has chosen a political career and is now a member of the Legislative Council in the Western Australian Parliament. I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere sympathy to the late senator's wife, daughter and son. Senator COATES(Tasmania) —I will be very brief and avoid the temptation to respond to some of the side issues that Senator Harradine raised. I knew Senator Lacey not as well or for as long as some other Labor people in Tasmania, but I would like to pay a brief tribute to him. I will not repeat the details of his service but I will point out that, as well as the things already mentioned, he served in the Australian Labor Party's Federal Executive, was Federal Vice-President in 1962 and was a delegate to the Federal Conference for seven years. He remained loyal to the ALP throughout the traumas of the 1950s split despite extreme pressure. He will be remembered as a person who gave a lifetime commitment to the goals of the Labor movement, not just through his parliamentary service but through his willingness to serve the ALP and the union movement. He was made a life member of the Australian Labor Party. Despite differences of opinion that may have occurred from time to time, all people in the Party respected him. There was an indication of this when I attended his funeral. I noticed present, apart from a huge number of family and friends, a very wide range of Tasmanian Labor people including three former Premiers, the current parliamentary leader and many past and present ALP officials. I support the motion. Question resolved in the affirmative, honourable senators standing in their places. Senator SHORT(Victoria) —by leave-Dudley Erwin, who passed away on 29 October 1984 at the age of 67, served his country in several spheres over a period of more than 40 years. I would like to take this opportunity to place on record some of the achievements of Dudley Erwin during that period. I do so for a personal reason in that I was formerly-in 1975-elected to the seat of Ballarat in the other place in succession to Dudley Erwin who had been the member for Ballarat for 20 years. Dudley Erwin served Australia very well, as I have said, in several spheres, starting with his war service during the Second World War. He was one of the Australians to join the Services early. He joined the Royal Australian Air Force early at the beginning of 1940. He served as a navigator in the south-west Pacific and rose to the rank of flight lieutenant. In June 1943, as a member of the No. 31 Beaufighter Squadron, he took part in one of that squadron's most successful raids of the Second World War. He was subsequently appointed area navigation officer for the north-west Pacific area in 1944, a position he held until his demobilisation after the war. After the war he retained a great interest in ex-servicemen from all walks of life. He was a very strong, staunch and long-serving member of the Returned Services League and was accorded life membership of that organisation. Until his death he was very closely associated with the RSL. Dudley Erwin was first elected to Parliament for the Federal seat of Ballarat in 1955. He was re-elected on seven subsequent occasions prior to his retirement in 1975. I felt that a great honour was accorded to me when I was chosen to succeed him as the member for Ballarat. During his 20 years of parliamentary service he served on numerous parliamentary committees. He served on both House and joint committees. In particular, during the period 1962-64 he was the Chairman of the Joint Select Committee on Commonwealth Parliamentary and Government Publications. He was the Government Whip in the House of Representatives from 1967 until 1969 when he was appointed Minister for Air in the Gorton Government. Following his retirement from parliamentary life in 1975 Dudley Erwin became the foundation president of the Australian Association of Independent Businesses Ltd. In that capacity he devoted several years to furthering the interests of small business in Australia. So it was a very rounded and full life of public service. On behalf of the people of Ballarat, whom he represented so faithfully for so many years, on behalf of the people of Victoria and, in particular, on behalf of Senator Austin Lewis and my other Victorian colleagues, I would like to convey to his widow, Gwenda, and his three children our deep sympathy at his passing. Senator GRIMES(Tasmania-Manager of Government Business) —I move, as a mark of respect to the deceased: That the Senate do now adjourn. Question resolved in the affirmative. Senate adjourned at 6.30 p.m. The following papers were presented: Administrative Appeals Tribunal Act-Regulations-Statutory Rules 1984 No. 383. Air Force Act-Regulations-Statutory Rules 1984 Nos 384, 385. Air Navigation Act-Regulation-Statutory Rules 1984 No. 314. Apple and Pear Export Charge Act-Regulations-Statutory Rules 1984 No. 386. Apple and Pear Levy Act-Regulations-Statutory Rules 1984 No. 388. Apple and Pear Levy Collection Act-Regulations-Statutory Rules 1984 No. 387. Apple and Pear Stabilization Act-Regulation-Statutory Rules 1984 No. 389. Audit Act-Regulation-Statutory Rules 1984 Nos 431, 432. Australian Capital Territory Supreme Court Act-Rules of Court-Statutory Rules 1984 Nos 313, 405. Australian Citizenship Act-Regulations-Statutory Rules 1984 Nos 351. Australian Federal Police Act-Regulations-Statutory Rules 1984 Nos 296, 297. Australian Meat and Live-stock Corporation Act- Orders 1984- MQ 10-High Quality Beef to EEC-1985 Control Scheme. MQ 11-Buffalo Meat to EEC-1985 Control Scheme. MQ 12-Sheepmeat and/or Goatmeat to EEC-1985 Control Scheme. MS 6-Contract Requirements-Shipping of Meat to East Coast of North America and Gulf Ports, USA. MS 7-Contract Requirements-Shipping of Meat to West Coast of North America. Regulations-Statutory Rules 1984 No. 424. Australian National University Act-Statutes- No. 176-Enrolment, Courses and Degrees Amendment No. 20. No. 177-Academic and Ceremonial Dress Amendment No. 11. No. 178-Staff Superannuation Amendment No. 12. No. 179-University House Amendment No. 10. No. 180-University House (Sale of Liquor) Repeal. No. 181-Enrolment, Courses and Degrees Amendment Statute No. 21. No. 182-Student Organisations (Amenities and Services) (Repeal) Statute. Automatic Data Processing Equipment Bounty Act-Return, for year 1983-84. Automotive Industry Authority Act-Regulations-Statutory Rules 1984 No. 301. Bounty (Agricultural Tractors) Act-Regulations-Statutory Rules 1984 No. 461. Bounty (Agricultural Tractors) Act-Return, for year 1983-84. Bounty (Bed Sheeting) Act-Return, for year 1983-84. Bounty (Berry Fruits) Act-Return, for year 1983-84. Bounty (Books) Act-Return, for year 1983-84. Bounty (Commercial Motor Vehicles) Act-Return, for year 1983-84. Bounty (High Alloy Steel Products) Act-Return, for year 1983-84. Bounty (Injection-moulding Equipment) Act-Return, for year 1983-84. Bounty (Metal-working Machine Tools) Act-Return, for year 1983-84. Bounty (Paper) Act-Return, for year 1983-84. Bounty (Penicillin) Act-Return, for year 1983-84. Bounty (Printed Fabrics) Act-Return, for year 1983-84. Bounty (Room Air Conditioners) Act-Return, for year 1983-84. Bounty (Ships) Act-Return, for year 1983-84. Bounty (Steel Products) Act-Return, for year 1983-84. Bounty (Steel Mill Products) Act-Return, for year 1983-84. Bounty (Textile Yarn) Act-Return, for year 1983-84. Bounty (Tractor Cabs) Act-Return, for year 1983-84. Canberra College of Advanced Education Act-Statutes- No. 55-Courses and Awards Amendment (No. 2) 1984. No. 56-Election of Non-Teaching Staff Member of Council 1984. Christmas Island Act-Ordinances 1984-No. 1-Service Corporation. Cocos (Keeling) Islands Act-Ordinances 1984- No. 2-Medical Charges (Repeal). No. 3-Postal Services (Amendment). Commonwealth Banks Act- Appointment of K. E. Deeves, under Section 96. Regulations-Statutory Rules 1984 No. 307. Commonwealth Employees (Redeployment and Retirement) Act-Regulations- Statutory Rules 1984 No. 430, 479. Commonwealth Teaching Service Act-Determinations 1984-Nos 4, 5. Compensation (Commonwealth Government Employees) Act-Regulations- Statutory Rules 1984 No. 305. Conciliation and Arbitration Act-Regulations-Statutory Rules 1984 Nos 315, 464, 465. Customs Act-Regulations- Statutory Rules- 1984 Nos 316, 317, 318, 319, 462. 1985 No. 1 Dairy Produce Act-Regulations-Statutory Rules 1984 No. 350. Dairy Products (Export Inspection Charge) Collection Act-Regulations-Statutory Rules 1984 No. 348. Defence Act-Determinations- 1984- No. 56-Travelling Allowance. No. 57-Child Education Allowance. No. 58-Overseas Rental and Utilities Allowance. No. 59-In Port Allowance and others. No. 60-Education Allowance. No. 61-Scholarship Allowance. No. 62-In Port Allowance and another. No. 63-Travelling Allowance and others. No. 64-Separation Allowance and others. No. 65-Intermediate Term Duty Living Allowance. No. 66-Intermediate Term Duty Living Allowance and others. No. 67-Payment of Financial Entitlements Consequent Upon the Death of a Member or a Former Member. No. 68-Detention Allowance. No. 69-Overseas Vehicle Allowance. No. 70-Detained Members' Dependant Allowance. No. 71-Vehicle Allowance. No. 72-Charges for Improper Use of Travel Documents. No. 73-Liability of Member for Excess Leave on Termination of Service. No. 74-Operation Epiluamuka Allowance. No. 75-Intermediate Term Duty Living Allowance and another. No. 76-Separation Allowance and another. No. 77-Special Overseas Living Allowance. No. 78-Higher Duties Allowance and others. No. 79-Pay of Reserve Force Members. No. 80-Overseas Outfit Allowance. No. 81-Compensation for Loss of, or Damage to, Clothing or Personal Effects. No. 82-Transfer Allowance. No. 83-Gratuities. No. 84-Re-engagement Bounty. No. 85-Aircraft Allowance. No. 86-Education Assistance Overseas. No. 87-Leave without Pay. No. 88-Medical Officers and Dental Officers-Bounty Payable on Appointment to a Permanent or short Service Commission. No. 89-Medical Officers and Dental Officers-Gratuity Payable on Completion of Appointment to a Short Service Commission. No. 90-Reserve Medical Officers and Dental Officers-Gratuity for Continuous Full-time Service. No. 91-Defence Force Rental Expense Assistance Allowance. No. 92-Temporary Accommodation Allowance. No. 93-Child Allowance and another. No. 94-Dwelling Purchase or Sale Expenses Allowance. No. 95-Living Out Away From Home Allowance. No. 96-Recreation Leave and another. No. 97-Charge for Rations and Quarters. No. 98-Living Out Allowance. No. 99-Travelling Allowance. No. 100-Separation Allowance and others. No. 101-Medical and Hospital Expenses of a Member's Family Overseas. No. 102-Dental Expenses of a Member's Family Overseas. No. 103-Meal Allowance. No. 104-Vehicle Allowance and others. No. 105-Meal Allowance Overseas. No. 106-Overseas Living Out Allowance. No. 107-Overseas Living In Allowance. No. 108-Supplementary Living Allowance. No. 109-Complementary Allowances Payable to Member Serving on Duty Overseas. No. 110-Separation Allowance and others. No. 111-Salary of Permanent Force Members. No. 112-Higher Duties Allowance and others. No. 113-Overseas Living Out Allowance and others. No. 114-Cadet Forces Allowances. 1985- No. 1-Temporary Accommodation Allowance. No. 2-Immediate Term Duty Living Allowance and others. No. 3-Settling In and Settling Out Allowance and another. No. 4-Air conditioning Allowance and others. No. 5-Overseas Living Out Allowance and others. No. 6-Travelling Allowance and others. No. 7-Immediate Term Duty living Allowance and others. Defence Act-Regulations-Statutory Rules 1984 Nos 390, 391, 392, 397, 402, 429. Defence Act, Naval Defence Act and Air Force Act-Regulations-Statutory Rules 1985 No. 4. Defence Amendment Act-Interim Determinations-Statutory Rules 1984 Nos 298, 299, 300, 302, 303, 327, 328, 329, 330, 331, 332, 333, 334, 335, 336, 337, 338, 339, 340, 341, 359, 360, 361, 362, 363, 364, 365, 366, 367, 369, 370, 371, 372, 373, 374, 375, 376, 377, 378, 379, 380, 381, 382, 437, 438, 439, 440, 441, 442, 443, 444, 445, 446, 447, 448, 449, 450, 451, 452, 453, 454, 455, 456, 457, 458, 459, 460. Defence Force Retirement and Death Benefits Act-Regulations-Statutory Rules 1984 Nos 393, 394, 395. Dried Vine Fruits Equalization Act-Regulations-Statutory Rules 1984 Nos 349, 396. Eggs (Export Inspection Charge) Collection Act-Regulations-Statutory Rules 1984 No. 344. Environment Protection (Sea Dumping) Act-Regulations-Statutory Rules No. 423. Estate Duty Assessment Act-Regulations-Statutory Rules 1984 Nos 412, 420. Excise Act-Regulations-Statutory Rules 1984 No. 320. Export Control Act-Orders 1984- No. 1-Meat Inspection (General) No. 2-Meat Inspection (New South Wales) No. 3-Meat Inspection (Australian Capital Territory) No. 5-Prescribed Goods (General) No. 6-Grain, Plants and Plant Products. Export Control Act-Regulations-Statutory Rules 1984 No. 343. Extradition (Foreign States) Act-Regulations-Statutory Rules 1984 No. 312. Family Law Act-Rules of Court-Statutory Rules 1984 Nos 425, 426. Fisheries Act-Fisheries Notices-Nos 104A, 117B, 123C, 127, 128, 128A, 129, 130, 131, 132, 133, 134. Gift Duty Assessment Act-Regulations-Statutory Rules 1984 Nos 411, 419. Governor-General Act-Regulations-Statutory Rules 1984 No. 467. Health Insurance Act- Regulations- Statutory Rules 1984 No. 310. Statutory Rules 1985 No. 5. Statements (3) of particulars of Ministerial determinations authorised under Section 106AA. Health Insurance Commission-Regulation-Statutory Rules 1984 No. 321. Health Legislation Amendment Act-Regulations-Statutory Rules 1984 No. 474. Honey Levy Act (No. 1)-Regulation-Statutory Rules 1984 No. 478. Income Tax Assessment Act-Regulations-Statutory Rules 1984 Nos 408, 416. International Organisations (Privileges and Immunities) Act-Regulations-Statutory Rules 1984 Nos 463, 476, 477. Judiciary Act-High Court Rules-Statutory Rules 1984 No. 406. Lands Acquisition Act- Land, etc., acquired for Broadcasting Station Services-Basin View, New South Wales. CSIRO in pursuance of its functions under the Science and Industry Research Act-Boorolong, New South Wales. Defence purposes-Coffs Harbour, New South Wales. Telecommunication Services-Belvedere, Bungendore, Genoe, Regentville, Rooty Hill, Rylstone, Springvale, Willotia and Yetman, New South Wales. Television Translator Services-Goodooga, New South Wales. Statements (8) by the Minister, describing lands acquired by agreement under sub-section 7 (1) of the Act, for specified public purposes. Live-stock Slaughter (Export Inspection Charge) Act-Regulations-Statutory Rules 1984 No. 347. Management and Investment Companies Act-Regulations-Statutory Rules 1984 No. 433. Maternity Leave (Commonwealth Employees) Act-Regulation-Statutory Rules 1984 No. 434. Meat Export Charge Act-Regulations-Statutory Rules 1984 No. 345. Meat Export Charge Collection Act-Regulations-Statutory Rules 1984 No. 346. National Crime Authority Act-Regulation-Rules 1985 No. 3. National Health Act-Regulations-Statutory Rules 1984 Nos 308, 310, 322, 427, 342. Naval Defence Act-Regulations-Statutory Rules 1984 Nos 398, 399. Navigation Act-Marine Orders 1984- No. 11-Part 1-(General) No. 12-Part 2-(Fees) No. 13-Part 3-(Cargo and Cargo Handling-Grain) No. 14-Part 4-(Marine Qualifications-Masters and Deck Officers) No. 15-Part 5-(Marine Qualifications-Engineer Officers) Navigation Act-Regulations-Statutory Rules 1984 Nos 352, 353, 354, 355, 356, 357, 358. Nitrogenous Fertilizers Subsidy Act-Return, for year 1983-84. Nursing Homes Assistance Act-Regulations-Statutory Rules 1984 Nos 309, 428. Overseas Students Charge Act-Regulations-Statutory Rules 1984 Nos 323, 472. Patents Act-Regulations-Statutory Rules 1984 No. 435. Petroleum Retail Marketing Sites-Regulations-Statutory Rules 1985 No. 6. Phosphate Fertilizers Subsidy Act-Return, for the year 1983-84. Pig Slaughter Levy Act-Regulations-Statutory Rules 1984 No. 311. Postal Services Act-By-laws- 1984- Postal Amendment No. 4. Postal (Staff) (Amendment) No. 3. 1985- Postal Amendment No. 1. Public Service Act- Appointments- Department of Aboriginal Affairs-S. Foley, R. Wunungmurra Department of Education and Youth Affairs-H. M. Harrison Department of Employment and Industrial Relations-J. I. Ingram, F. R. McGrady, M. E. Bradshaw. Department of Social Security-F. P. Carter. Determinations- 1984-46, 48, 50-73. 1985-1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11. Regulations-Statutory Rules 1984 Nos 400, 436, 468, 469, 470, 471. Remuneration Tribunals Act- Regulations-Statutory Rules 1984 Nos 401, 475. Remuneration Tribunal- Determinations 1984- No. 26-Member, Automotive Industry Authority and others. No. 27-Solicitor-General and others. No. 28-Secretary to the Department of Community Services. Sales Tax (Exemptions and Classifications) Act-Regulations-Statutory Rules 1984 No. 324. Sales Tax Assessment Acts (Nos 1 to 9)-Regulations-Statutory Rules 1984 Nos 409, 417. Sales Tax Procedure Act-Regulations-Statutory Rules 1984 Nos 410, 418. Seamen's Compensation Act-Regulations-Statutory Rules 1984 No. 306. Seat of Government (Administration) Act- Determinations made under the following Ordinances- Agents Dangerous Goods Ordinances- 1984- No. 57-Unclaimed Moneys (Amendment). No. 58-New South Wales Acts Application (Amendment). No. 59-Air Pollution. No. 60-Careless Use of Fire (Amendment). No. 61-Court of Petty Sessions (Amendment) (No. 4). No. 62-Court of Petty Sessions (Amendment) (No. 5). No. 63-Motor Traffic (Alcohol and Drugs) (Amendment). No. 64-Pharmacy (Amendment). No. 65-Water Pollution. No. 66-Trading Hours (Amendment). No. 67-Administration and Probate (Amendment). No. 68-Building (Amendment). No. 69-Dangerous Goods (Amendment). No. 70-Health Commission (Amendment) (No. 3). No. 71-Milk Authority (Amendment). No. 72-Nature Conservation (Amendment). No. 73-Interpretation (Amendment). No. 74-Seat of Government (Administration) (Amendment). No. 75-Dangerous Goods (Amendment) (No. 2). No. 76-Court of Petty Sessions (Civil Jurisdiction) (Amendment). No. 77-Court of Petty Sessions (Civil Jurisdiction) (Amendment) (No. 2). No. 78-Crimes (Amendment) (No. 2). No. 79-Oaths and Affirmations. 1985- No. 1-Legal Aid (Amendment). Regulations- 1984- No. 22-(Health Commission Ordinance). No. 23-(Motor Traffic (Alcohol and Drugs) Ordinance). No. 24-(Air Pollution Ordinance). No. 25-(Water Pollution Ordinance). No. 26-(Building Ordinance). No. 27-(Building and Services Ordinance). 1985- No. 1-(Legal Aid Ordinance). No. 2-(Health Commission Ordinance). No. 3-(Agents Ordinance). Ship Construction Bounty Act-Return, for year 1983-84. States Grants (Petroleum Products) Act-Amendments to the Schedules to the subsidy schemes in relation to the States, dated 23 October 1984. Stevedoring Industry Levy Act-Regulations-Statutory Rules 1984 No. 466. Student Assistance Act-Regulations-Statutory Rules 1984 No. 473. Superannuation Act-Regulations-Statutory Rules 1984 Nos 304, 326, 368, 403, 404, 480. Taxation Administration Act-Regulations-Statutory Rules 1984 Nos 407, 415. Tobacco Charge Act (No. 1)-Regulations-Statutory Rules 1985 No. 2. Tobacco Charges Assessment Act-Regulation-Statutory Rules 1984 Nos 413, 421. Telecommunications Act-By-Laws- Telecommunications (Charging Zones and Charging Districts) Amendments Nos 49 to 52. Telecommunications (Community Calls) Amendment No. 39. Telecommunications (General) Amendment No. 41. Trade Practices Act-Regulations-Statutory Rules 1984 No. 325. Wool Tax (Administration) Act-Regulations-Statutory Rules 1984 Nos 414, 422. 24 GOVERNOR-GENERAL'S PROCLAMA- TIONS-COMMENCEMENT OF ACTS: Proclamations by His Excellency the Governor-General were presented, notifying that His Excellency has proclaimed the following Acts and sections of Acts to come into operation on the dates specified: Broadcasting and Television Amendment Act 1984-Provisions other than those specified in sub-sections 2 (1) and 2 (2)-1 December 1984 (Gazette No. S 507, 30 November 1984) Dairy Products (Export Inspection Charge) Amendment Act 1984-1 December 1984 (Gazette No. S 506, 30 November 1984) Dairy Products (Export Inspection Charge) Collection Amendment Act 1984-1 December 1984 (Gazette No. S 506, 30 November 1984) Eggs (Export Inspection Charge) Amendment Act 1984-1 December 1984-(Gazette No. S 506, 30 November 1984) Eggs (Export Inspection Charge) Collection Amendment Act 1984-1 December 1984 (Gazette No. S 506, 30 November 1984) Family Law Amendment Act 1983-Part III-2 January 1985 (Gazette No. S 532, 20 December 1984) Meat Export Charge Act 1984-1 December 1984 (Gazette No. S 506, 30 November 1984) Meat Inspection Act 1983-1 December 1984 (Gazette No. S 506, 30 November 1984) Petroleum (Submerged Lands) Amendment Act 1984-Sections 12 and 27-1 November 1984 (Gazette No. S 462, 31 October 1984) Public Service Acts Amendment Act 1982-Sections 27, 30 and 50, sub-section 51 (1), sections 55, 58 and 63, sub-section 65 (2) and sections 66, 71, 76 and 89-22 December 1984 (Gazette No. S 539, 21 December 1984) Public Service Reform Act 1984- sub-sections 38 (2) and 53 (1), section 54, sub-section 56 (2) and section 94-23 December 1984 (Gazette No. S 539, 21 December 1984) Sections 139, 140, 141 and 154-24 December 1984 (Gazette No. S 539, 21 December 1984) Statute Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act (No. 1) 1984-Amendments of the Family Law Act 1975, other than the amendments of sections 37A, 44 and 87 of that Act-2 January 1985 (Gazette No. S 532, 20 December 1984) Statute Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act (No. 2) 1984-Omission and Substitution of Schedules 2 and 3 of the Public Service Act 1922-13 December 1984 (Gazette No. S 519, 13 December 1984) Torres Strait Fisheries Act 1984-15 February 1985 (Gazette No. S 38, 14 February 1985) Court of Disputed Returns-Election Petition, dated 6 January 1985, received from the Registrar of the High Court, under section 355 of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918, namely-Petition of Dieter Soegemeier in the matter of the Constitution Act of 1900, in the matter of the Election Act 1918-1984, in the matter of the Crimes Act 1914, in the matter of the Rules of the High Court 1980, in the matter of the Dieter Soegemeier Senate Candidate and Mr Michael John Macklin and others.