Mr NEVILLE (1:02 PM) —I would like to support my colleagues the members for Cowper and the Northern Territory in speaking to this report of the Joint Standing Committee on the National Capital and External Territories entitled Island to islands . It is a particularly significant title because I think it highlights two things. When we talk about islands we talk about national responsibility. We have been very quick as a nation to condemn those who, through colonial structures of one sort or another, have not treated subservient communities appropriately. We have had plenty to say about Timor. We have had plenty to say about colonial powers that have walked away from their responsibilities. While I am not suggesting that Norfolk Island and Cocos (Keeling) Islands and the Antarctic territories are in the same category, I am making the point that a country as rich and prosperous as Australia is not in a position to abandon territories for which it has responsibility.

We are also very quick in Australia to recognise the tyranny of distance for regional and rural communities, and so we should. When you come to talk about the territories, it is not just the physical distance that is important; it is the fact that we have to cross water to get to those particular places, and they are big distances. Effectively the only reliable, prompt service is provided by air traffic. Sea voyages are slow and are not the most adequate in supplying the sorts of services that the member for the Northern Territory has talked about.

The two things that would improve the quality of life, from both a social and an economic point of view, in the territories are good telecommunications and good transport. I do not wish to go over the same territory covered by my two colleagues, but I would like to touch on a few issues. One is that for the Cocos (Keeling) Islands and Norfolk Island to participate adequately in the social fabric of Australia there must be a 64-kilobit per second service to those islands for Internet connection. If we do not do that, then we are failing those areas because it deprives them of participating in the very rapid advances that are occurring on the mainland.

The other important matter is that transport to the islands needs be looked at. One thing that occurred to me personally on the inspection—although we do not deal with it in any detail in the report it is something I would like looked at in further inquiries—is the need for decent wharves and jetties at Norfolk Island. They would facilitate greater efficiency for the transport of things that have to come in by sea, particularly the larger items. As well, they would give the island a second string for tourism, which at the moment is almost totally dependent on air traffic. That is something I would like to see happen to improve communications.

The other thing I noticed, and I would like to commend the communities for it, was that they were very friendly, innovative and focused communities that were quite able to carry out most of the functions of government adequately themselves. But with some of the big-ticket items where Australia is concerned, I hark back to Winston Churchill when he said to the Americans during the Second World War, `Give us the tools and we'll do the job': that sentiment should apply to the external territories. We should give them the tools to be able to run their affairs adequately. Telecommunications, jetties and the like are part of that.

One other point I would like to touch on is about pathological specimens getting to and from the island. This is a very important matter. I call on Australia Post and our Customs Service to smarten up their act in respect of that. We found that a diabolical situation and one that affected the lives of the people on those islands. I would also like to thank the members of the staff who worked on this report.

Mr SPEAKER —Order! The time allotted for statements on this report has expired.

Mr NEHL —I move:

That the House take note of the report.

I seek leave to continue my remarks later.

Leave granted.

Mr SPEAKER —In accordance with standing order 102B, the debate is adjourned. The resumption of the debate will be made an order of the day for the next sitting, and the member will have leave to continue speaking when the debate is resumed.