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COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA.

JOURNALS OF THE SENATE.

No. 148.

WEDNESDAY, 24th AUGUST, 1966.

1. M eeting of Senate.—The Senate met at three p.m., pursuant to adjournment.—The President (Senator the Honorable Sir Alister McMullin) took the Chair.

2. PRAYERS.

3. Senator R. G. W ithers—Confirmation of Appointment to F ill Casual Vacancy.—The President informed the Senate that he had received, through His Excellency the Governor-General, a certificate of the choice, by the Parliament of Western Australia, of Reginald Greive Withers as a Senator to fill the vacancy in the representation of that State caused by the death of Senator the Honorable Sir Shane Dunne Paltridge, K.B.E.

The certificate was read by the Clerk as follows— Government House, Perth, Western Australia,

15th August, 1966.

M y L ord, I have the honour to inform Your Excellency that at a joint sitting of the Houses of Parliament of the State of Western Australia held at Perth on the ninth day of August, 1966, the Members of such Houses sitting and voting together in pursuance of Section 15 of “ The Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act ” did choose Reginald Greive Withers, Solicitor, of Spencer Street, Bunbury, to hold the place in the Senate of the Commonwealth vacated by the Honourable Sir Shane Paltridge, K.B.E.

I have the honour to be, Sir,

Your humble, obedient servant, D ouglas K endrew, Governor.

His Excellency, The Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, Government House, Canberra, A.C.T.

4. Leader of the O pposition.—Senator Willesee, by leave, informed the Senate that he had been elected Leader of the Opposition as from 17th August, following the resignation of Senator McKenna from that office on that date. The Minister for Supply (Senator Henty), by leave, congratulated Senator Willesee on his appointment.

5. Q uestions.—Questions on notice were answered.

6. Papers.—The President presented the following Papers, pursuant to Statute— Audit Act—Finance—Treasurer’s Statement of Receipts and Expenditure for year 1965-66, accompanied by the Report of the Auditor-General on the Statement and upon other accounts. Reserve Bank Act—Seventh Annual Report of the Board of the Reserve Bank of Australia, for

year 1965-66, together with financial statements and Auditor-General’s reports thereon.

The following Papers were presented, by Command of His Excellency the Governor-General— Tariff Board Reports— Glassware. Hot water bags.

Hollow bars, tubes and pipes of iron or steel. United Nations—Reports of Australian Delegations to Sessions of the General Assembly, New York— Nineteenth Session 1964-65, and Resumed Nineteenth Session 1965.

Twentieth Session, 21st September to 21st December, 1965.

The following Papers were presented, pursuant to Statute— Australian National University Act—Annual Report of the Council of the Australian National University, together with financial statements, for 1965. Dairy Produce Export Control Act—Interim Report of the Australian Dairy Produce Board, for

year 1965-66.

F .9058/66.

550 No. 148.—24th August, 1966.

Defence Act— Regulations—Statutory Rules 1966, No. 119. Report of Royal Military College of Australia for period 1st March, 1965 to 3rd February, 1966. Meat Industry Act—Interim Report of the Australian Meat Board, for year 1965-66.

Medical Research Endowment Act—Twenty-eighth Annual Report of the National Health and Medical Research Council, for 1965. Nationality and Citizenship Act—Return for year 1965-66. Post and Telegraph Act—Regulations—Statutory Rules 1966, No. 118. Public Service Act—

Appointment—Department of Civil Aviation—M. O. Carr. Regulations—Statutory Rules 1966, No. 120. Public Service Arbitration Act—Determinations by the Arbitrator—1966— No. 161—Amalgamated Society of Carpenters and Joiners of Australia and others.

No. 190—Australian Federated Union of Locomotive Enginemen. No. 191—North Australian Workers’ Union. No. 192—Amalgamated Engineering Union; and Boilermakers and Blacksmiths’ Society of Australia.

No. 193—Federated Public Service Assistants’ Association of Australia. Nos. 194 and 195—Amalgamated Engineering Union and others. Seat of Government (Administration) Act—Ordinance—1966—No. 14—Advisory Council. Stevedoring Industry Act—Tenth Annual Report of the Australian Stevedoring Industry Authority, together with financial accounts and the Auditor-General’s report thereon, for year 1964-65. Tariff Board Act—Report of Special Advisory Authority—Polyvinyl chloride products.

7. Public W orks Committee—R eports.—Senator Branson brought up the following Reports from the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works— Proposed Nightcliff High School at Darwin, Northern Territory. Master Plan for Progressive Rebuilding, and Construction of a Combined Mess, Galley and

Recreation Centre at H.M.A.S. “ Leeuwin ”, Fremantle, Western Australia. Senator Branson, by leave, made a statement in connexion with each Report.

8. F oreign A ffairs—M inisterial Statement, A ugust, 1966—P aper.—The Minister for Works (Senator Gorton), by leave, made a statement relating to Australia’s foreign policy. Senator Gorton then, by Command of His Excellency the Governor-General, laid upon the Table the following Paper— Foreign Affairs—Ministerial Statement, 24th August, 1966—

and moved, by leave—That the Senate take note of the Paper. On the motion of Senator Kennelly the debate was adjourned. Ordered—That the resumption of the debate be an Order of the Day for the next day of sitting.

9. H igh C ommissioner (U nited K ingdom) Bill 1966.—The Minister for Works (Senator Gorton), pursuant to notice, moved—That leave be given to introduce a Bill for an Act to amend the High Commissioner (iUnited Kingdom) Act 1909-1957 ’, and for other purposes. Question—put and passed. Bill presented, and on the motion of Senator Gorton read a first time.

Suspension o f Standing Orders.—Senator Gorton, pursuant to contingent notice, moved—That so much of the Standing Orders be suspended as would prevent the Bill being passed through its remaining stages without delay. Question—put and passed.

Senator Gorton moved—That this Bill be now read a second time. On the motion of Senator Willesee the debate was adjourned. Ordered—That the resumption of the debate be an Order of the Day for the next day of sitting.

10. P ostponement.—Ordered—That Business of the Senate, Notice of Motion No. 1, standing in the name of Senator Willesee, be postponed until Thursday, 8th September, 1966.

11. L eave of A bsence.—Senator Willesee moved, by leave—That Senator Sandford be granted leave of absence for two months on account of absence overseas as a member of a Parliamentary Delegation. Question—put and passed. Senator Willesee moved, by leave—That Senator Lacey be granted leave of absence for two months on

account of absence overseas as a member of a Parliamentary Delegation. Question—put and passed.

12. Customs T ariff Bill (N o. 3) 1966.—Message from the House o f Representatives.—The following Message from the House of Representatives was received and read— M r . P resident, Message No. 309.

The House of Representatives transmits to the Senate a Bill intituled “A Bill for an Act relating to Duties o f Customs ”, in which it desires the concurrence of the Senate. J. M cLeay, House of Representatives, Speaker.

Canberra, 16th August, 1966.

Suspension o f Standing Orders.—The Minister for Customs and Excise (Senator Anderson), pursuant to contingent notice, moved—That so much of the Standing Orders be suspended as would prevent the Bill being passed through all its stages without delay. Question—put and passed,

No. 148.—24th August, 1966. 551

On the motion of Senator Anderson the Bill was read a first time. Senator Anderson moved—That this Bill be now read a second time. On the motion of Senator O’Byrne the debate was adjourned. *

Ordered—That the resumption of the debate be an Order of the Day for the next day of sitting.

13. Queensland Beef Cattle Roads Agreement Bill 1966.—Message from the House o f Representatives.— The following Message from the House of Representatives was received and read— Mr. President, Message No. 310.

The House of Representatives transmits to the Senate a Bill intituled “ A Bill for an Act to amend the ‘ Queensland Beef Cattle Roads Agreement Act 1962 ’ ”, in which it desires the concurrence of the Senate. J. M cLeay,

House of Representatives, Speaker.

Canberra, 17th August, 1966.

Suspension o f Standing Orders.—The Minister for Supply (Senator Henty), pursuant to contingent notice, moved—That so much of the Standing Orders be suspended as would prevent the Bill being passed through all its stages without delay. Question—put and passed. On the motion of Senator Henty the Bill was read a first time. Senator Henty moved—That this Bill be now read a second time.

On the motion of Senator Willesee the debate was adjourned. Ordered—That the resumption of the debate be an Order of the Day for the next day of sitting.

14. Loan (Housing) Bill (No. 2) 1966.—Message from the House o f Representatives.—The following Message from the House of Representatives was received and read— Mr. President, Message No. 311.

The House of Representatives transmits to the Senate a Bill intituled “A Bill for an Act to authorize the Raising and Expending o f a sum not exceeding One hundred and twenty million dollars for the purposes o f Housing ”, in which it desires the concurrence of the Senate. J. M cL eay,

House of Representatives, Speaker.

Canberra, 18 th August, 1966.

Suspension o f Standing Orders.—The Minister for Housing (Senator Dame Annabelle Rankin), pursuant to contingent notice, moved—That so much of the Standing Orders be suspended as would prevent the Bill being passed through all its stages without delay. Question—put and passed. On the motion of Senator Dame Annabelle Rankin the Bill was read a first time. Senator Dame Annabelle Rankin moved—That this Bill be now read a second time. On the motion of Senator Cavanagh the debate was adjourned. Ordered—That the resumption of the debate be an Order of the Day for the next day of sitting.

15. Trade Practices Bill 1966.—Message from the House o f Representatives.—The following Message from the House of Representatives was received and read— Mr. President, Message No. 312.

The House of Representatives transmits to the Senate a Bill intituled “A Bill for an Act to amend the ‘ Trade Practices Act 1965 ’ for the purpose o f Controlling the Operations o f Shipping Conferences in relation to the Carriage o f Goods by Sea from Australia to other Countries, and for related purposes ” , in which it desires the concurrence of the Senate.

J. M cLeay,

House of Representatives, Speaker.

Canberra, 23rd August, 1966.

Suspension o f Standing Orders.—The Minister for Works (Senator Gorton), pursuant to contingent notice, moved—That so much of the Standing Orders be suspended as would prevent the Bill being passed through all its stages without delay. Question—put and passed. On the motion of Senator Gorton the Bill was read a first time. Senator Gorton moved—That this Bill be now read a second time. On the motion of Senator Murphy the debate was adjourned. Ordered—That the resumption of the debate be an Order of the Day for the next day of sitting.

16. International Finance Corporation Bill 1966.—Message from the House o f Representatives.—The following Message from the House of Representatives was received and read— Mr. President, Message No. 313.

The House of Representatives transmits to the Senate a Bill intituled “ A Bill for an Act to amend the ‘ International Finance Corporation Act 1955-1963 ’ in consequence o f an amendment o f the Articles o f Agreement o f the International Finance Corporation ” , in which it desires the concurrence of the Senate.

J. M cLeay,

House of Representatives, Speaker.

Canberra, 23rd August, 1966.

Suspension o f Standing Orders.—The Minister for Supply (Senator Henty), pursuant to contingent notice, moved—That so much of the Standing Orders be suspended as would prevent the Bill being passed through all its stages without delay.

552 No. 148.—24th August, 1966.

Question—put and passed. On the motion of Senator Henty the Bill was read a first time. Senator Henty moved—That this Bill be now read a second time. On the motion of Senator Cohen the debate was adjourned. Ordered—That the resumption of the debate be an Order of the Day for the next day of sitting.

17. International M onetary A greements Bill 1966.—Message from the House o f Representatives.—The following Message from the House of Representatives was received and read— M r . P resident, Message No. 314.

The House of Representatives transmits to the Senate a Bill intituled “A Bill for an Act to amend the ‘International Monetary Agreements Act 1947-1963 ’ in consequence o f an amendment of the Articles o f Agreement o f the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development ”, in which it desires the concurrence of the Senate.

Suspension o f Standing Orders.—The Minister for Supply (Senator Henty), pursuant to contingent notice, moved—That so much of the Standing Orders be suspended as would prevent the Bill being passed through all its stages without delay. Question—put and passed. On the motion of Senator Henty the Bill was read a first time. Senator Henty moved—That this Bill be now read a second time. On the motion of Senator Cohen the debate was adjourned. Ordered—That the resumption of the debate be an Order of the Day for the next day of sitting.

18. Senator the H onorable N. E. M cK enna—R etirement from O ffice of Leader of the Opposition.— The Minister for Supply (Senator Henty), by leave, made a statement relating to the retirement of Senator McKenna from the office of Leader of the Opposition. Senator Henty referred to Senator McKenna’s long and distinguished Parliamentary career and paid tribute to his leadership and ability. The Leader of the Opposition (Senator Willesee), the Minister for Repatriation (Senator McKellar) and

Senators O’Byrne, McManus, Mattner and Tangney, by leave, supported the remarks of Senator Henty. Senator McKenna thanked the Senate for the tributes expressed.

19. Budget Papers 1966-67.—Order of the Day read for the adjourned debate on the motion by the Minister for Supply (Senator Henty), viz.—That the Senate take note of the Papers. Senator Willesee moved an amendment, viz.—Leave out all words after “ That ”, insert “ the Senate condemns the Budget because—

(1) it fails to recognize the injustices wrought upon wage earners because real wages have fallen as prices have risen faster than wages; (2) it makes inadequate adjustments to Social Service payments; (3) it fails to recognize the serious crisis in education; (4) it does not acknowledge the lack of confidence on the part of the business community in the

future growth of the economy; (5) it does not recognize the need of further basic development, public and private, in addition to the need for adequate defence, and that balanced development can only take place by active encouragement to Australian industry and co-operation with the States; and (6) it does nothing to relieve our dependence on a high rate of foreign investment to finance the

deficit in our balance of payments ” . Debate ensued. Senator Cant addressing the Chair—

20. A djournment.—The President, under Sessional Order, put the Question—That the Senate do now adjourn. Debate ensued. Question—resolved in the affirmative. The Senate adjourned at fourteen minutes past eleven p.m. till to-morrow at eleven a.m.

J. M cLeay,

House of Representatives, Canberra, 23rd August, 1966.

Speaker.

And it being 11 p.m.—

By Authority: A. J. Arthur, Commonwealth Government Printer, Canberra