THE FIRST YEAR
STATEMENT BY THE PRIME MINISTER
THE HON. E. G. TWHITLAM, Q. C. M. P.,
ON THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE LABOR GOVERNMENT'S
FIRST YEAR OF OFFICE
( With summaries and tabulations of
legislation, reports, inquiries
and decisions.)
2 DECEMBER 1973
THE FIRST YEAR
The first Australian Labor Government in 23 years has been
in office for just one year.
I submit this document to mark that anniversary and to bring
to the attention of the Australian people the record of that year,
to give you the evidence of promises fulfilled and reforms begun.
I include also the evidence of unwarranted obstruction by the
non-Labor forces in the Senate; their obstruction of the Government's
clear mandate from the people to get things done.
The year has been one of great industry and great purpose.
What has already been done stands in striking contrast to the record
of sloth and incompetence which characterised the decaying years
of the outgoing Government.
The program I presented to the Australian people on 13 November
1972 had three great aims. I restate them. They are:-
to promote equality
to involve the people of Australia in the
decision-making processes of our land
to liberate the talents and uplift the
horizons of the Australian people.
In pursuit of those aims we have introduced a record number of
bills into the Parliament. We have swept away anachronistic and
unnecessary relics of the past selective national service by ballot
and the death penalty in Australian territories.
We have withdrawn the last remnants of our unhappy " presence"
in Vietnam.
3
LEGISLATION Since the 28th Parliament assembled on
27 February this year a record total of 244 bills
has been introduced, with the session still unfinished.
Never before in our history has such a wideranging,
reforming program come before the Parliament.
The nearest to it was the total of 169 bills in the year
1968, of which 157 were passed.
Of the 244 bills so far introduced and there
are more to come before the year is out 163 have already
been passed, even though the Government lacks a majority
in the Senate. There are still 68 bills before the Parliament
as the session draws to a close and possibly about 10 more
to be introduced. Thirteen bills have already been deferred or
stand rejected in the Senate. They include major bills for
reform of the electoral system.
A legislative program of the magnitude I have
described imposes an extremely heavy work-load on the
Parliament and the administration.
I pay tribute to the Public Service and to the
many distinguished Australians outside government who have
given so much of their time, energy and skills to help bring
our programs forward.
( Details of bills passed, those before the
Parliament and those rejected, deferred or
amended by the Senate, are attached in
Appendix B.)
-2
We have introduced new policies for our cities and country
regions and in social welfare and education.
We have introduced new policies in our foreign relations,
particularly in our own region of Asia and the Pacific.
We have brnuQht new vigour and vitality to the arts.
We have tackle2 the greatest immediate problem of all
domestic inflation with resolution.
We have moved swiftly to protect Australia's natural resources
and reverse the trend to foreign ownership and control of our industries
By using special task forces of experts, consultants, commissions
and committees of inquiry, as well as the customary interdepartmental
of the Public Service, we are overhauling every f ie]. d of
government responsibility at home and abroad.
In my recent Robert Garran oration I explained how the
Government had combined these elements with the Public Service and
added F, " think tank" to advise on l~ ong-term priorities.
A total of 90 Commissions of inquiry, committees and task forces
have been at work during the year reporting to the Government.
It has been our practice and this will continue to make
public, through the Parliament and in other ways, the reports and
recommendations of these committees and inquiries.
This year 29 reports on inquiries instituted by the Government
have been tabled in Parliament and 19 statements issued on meetings
and discussions with State Governments.
This commitment to open government was a pledge we made and
a pledge we shall keep.
( A list of reports released is contained
in Appendix A) / 3
4
THE ECONOMY In its first year the Government's over-riding consideration
has been to contain and reduce so far as a national government can
the inflationary pressures in the economy.
With the limited powers we already possess we have:-
Established a Prices Justification Tribunal
and a Joint Parliamentary Committee on Prices.
Revalued the Australian dollar twice and
reduced tariffs by 25% " across the board"
to make imports cheaper and ease domestic
demand pressures.
Used other fiscal and monetary measures to
restrain demand by mopping up liquidity and
checking capital inflow. These include some
increases in indirect taxation, an increase in
the Statutory Reserve Deposit Ratio and active
intervention by monetary authorities in the
bond market.
Introduced a Trade Practices Bill to eliminate
price rings and cartels and unwarranted pricing
arrangements.
Called a representative Industrial Peace Conference
to consider ways of securing greater industrial
peace and stability.
Established an Interim Commission for Consumer
Standards to ensure that people buying goods get
value for their money.
Introduced certain price controls in the A. C. T. as
an example to the States and to protect the
community.
In addition, we are seeking national powers over
prices and incomes at the referendum on 8 December.
This follows the refusal of some States to refer these
powers freely to the Australian Government so that a * national
attack on inflation can be made. Valuable time has been lost
through no fault of ours.
Our referendum proposals have been opposed by the
Opposition, whose careless management of the economy during
its last term in office created most of the inflationary
problems we are tackling today.
RE SOURCES Just over a year ago I said in my policy speech:
" We are determined that the Australian people
shall be restored to their rightful place in
their own country as participants and
partners in government or the owners and
keepers of the national estate and the
nation's resources
we will put Australians back into the business
of running and owning Australia."
This pledge is well on the way to fulfilment.
The pace we are making is limited only by the road-blocks the
opposition parties are erecting in the Senate.
We are almost the last country in the world to take
steps to check the uncontrolled growth of foreign ownership of
industries and our natural resources.
Time was running out when the responsibility was passed
to us. We wasted no time. Here are some of the things we
have done:
6
Three months after the election we decided
that all minerals would be subject to export
controls to ensure the orderly development
of the mineral industries.
We have begun to increase Australian control
over our natural resources and have set, as an
objective, full Australian ownership of uranium.
We also regard this as. a desirable objective in
development projects involving natural gas,
oil and coal.
We have closely scrutinised take-over activity
by foreign interests among Australian companies.
Nearly 500 proposed take-overs have been brought
to notice.
We have refused 19 takeovers which we considered,
on balance, to be not in the national interest;
49 ( mainly mining) have been deferred; 51 are
under consideration and 29 have lapsed.
There have been 322 cases allowed to proceed.
We have set up a Pipeline Authority which will
establish a nationwide pipeline system to
distribute petroleum, natural gas and other
hydrocarbons from the wells to the main centres
of population
We have brought legislation before the Parliament
to strengthen the Australian Industry Development
Corporation. This will allow greater Australian
participation in major enterprises ( provided the
Opposition does not block it in the Senate). / 7
-7
We initiated a review of foreign investment
in real estate. Until this review is complete
overseas interests are being discouraged from
significant purchases for the time being, and
the Reserve Bank will not normally grant foreign
exchange approval for such purposes.
A Committee of Inquiry into the National Estate
is in progress to give advice on areas and
historic places which should be protected and
preserved as part of the Australian heritage.
We have introduced a bill to establish an
Industries Assistance Commission based on a
report by Sir John Crawford. This bill
will give industries primary and secondarythe
opportunity to present publicly a case for
Government assistance and to obtain assistance
when circumstances warrant it.
HEALTH AND WELFARE
I have said that one of our great aims was " to liberate the
talents and uplift the horizons of the Australian people."
This is possible only in a climate of personal and national
security and in a congenial environment.
As my colleague the Treasurer said when he brought down the
August Budget, " Australia was once a leader in the provision of
welfare services. It is so no longer, but this Government intends
to change that state of affairs."~
We have already done so, in a year.
New benefits, flowing from the Budget, are already relieving
the pressures on our less fortunate citizens and other benefits,
including the national health insurance scheme which is central to
our program, are well advanced. ./ 8
-8-
Pensions have been increased all round and the first step
has been taken in the abolition of the means test over a period
of three years for residentially-qualified people of 65 years
and over. Our policy objective is to raise the pension rate
twice a year until it reaches 25% of average weekly earnings.
Welfare services of all kinds for the young,
the old, the handicapped and the neglected have been extended.
The universal national health insurance scheme, which
will give every Australian access to medical and hospital care
either free or at minimal cost, has been developed and refined
after full public debate.
It will give us one of the most advanced and comprehensive
public health schemes in the western world when it is joined with
the new programmes flowing from the work of the Sax Commission.
It will be a far better and cheaper scheme than
those we have now.
EDUCATION In our first Budget we committed $ 843 million to
education for 1973/ 74 almost double that given by our predecessors
the year before. This great thrust will be applied through existing
authorities and a new permanent Australian Schools Commission
for which legislation is before the Parliament. In the meantime
it is being directed by an Interim Committee, set up only ten days
after the election, which will continue to do the job if the
Opposition delays the creation of the Commission itself. / 9
-9-
This program is already lifting Australian education from
the doldrums. It is giving new opportunities to young
Australians. In a month from now the Australian Government will take
over full financial responsibility for tertiary education.
Fees will be abolished and increased living allowances will be
paid to students who need them. Teaching scholarships have been
trebled. Aid will be available to all schools, without distinction,
on a " needs" basis.
This and much else was part of this year's Budget commitment
to education. ( Details of new social welfare benefits
and education provisions are in
Appendix E.)
CITIES We came to office determined to make our cities decent
places to live in and to develop new regions for a growing population.
We have set up the new departments of Urban and Regional
Development and Environment and Conservation. We have a Cities
Commission. All have been active.
In October we signed an agreement between the-Australian,
New South Wales and Victorian Governments for the development of
Albury-Wodonga as the first of our planned regional centres.
-11-
HUMAN RIGHTS This Government is committed to taking all possible
legislative and administrative action to prevent discrimination
on the grounds of colour, race, sex, language, religion,
political or other opinion, national or social origin,
property, birth or other status.
We have made this commitment clear in regard to our
Aboriginal citizens. We have eliminated all racial implications
from our immigration policies.
We have made it clear to other Governments by our
early decision six days after the election to exclude raciallyselected
sporting teams from Australia.
We are pledged to appoint an ombudsman. We have already
appointed an ombudsman for the armed services.
In a wider context, we have enshrined these principles
in legislation. Two complementary bills one on Human Rights
and the other on Racial Discrimination are now before the
Parliament. WOMEN The Australian Government is able, and therefore bound,
to remove or reduce many aspects of legal, social, educational,
and economic discrimination against women. We are trying to do so.
In June this year the Government ratified a basic ILO
Convention on discrimination in employment and occupation which
will be of benefit to women. It is also committed to ratify the
ILO Convention on equal pay for women.
The Human Rights Bill which has been introduced is
a further step in the direction of reducing discrimination.
10
We have offered to the States financial assistance totalling
$ 136 million for the establishment of 12 growth centres, for land
acquisitions in urban areas and for aid in upgrading urban public
transport systems and reducing the sewerage back-log in major urban
areas. We signed a new Housing Agreement with the States which will,
in particular, provide for increased advances over the next five
years at low rates of interest for the provision of welfare
housing.
ABORIGINES For too long, to the nation's shame, the Australian Aboriginals
were denied their basic rights. This we are correcting with the
utmost despatch.
We established a separate Ministry to deal with all matters
affecting Aboriginals.
A National Aboriginal Consultative Committee, elected by the
Aboriginals themselves, will act as an advisory body for the
Government. We have almost doubled, to $ 117 million, the Budget provision
for Aboriginal advancement in 1973/ 74.
We have accepted the recommendations of the first report of
the Aboriginal Land Rights Commission and made new provisions for
education, health, housing and employment opportunities for
Aboriginals. The Government has also decided to assume direct responsibility
for Aboriginal affairs in all States and is negotiating with the
States to this end. / 11
12
The Government has made a review of employment conditions in the
Australian Public Service. As a result all positions in the Service are
to be open equally to men and women applicants. Advertisements of
vacancies and the placement of staff are to be changed to avoiOd the
possibility of selection on the basis of sex.
The age limits for permanent appointments have been lifted from
all but a very few designations.
Further funds were allocated in the Budget for training and
retraining schemes for women.
The possibility of creating more permanent part-time emrlovment is
being studied and various trial schemes of fl~ exible working hours are
being introduced.
Maternity leave provisions for Government employees have been
extended tc 12 weeks on full pay and a further 40 weeks unpaid without
risk to continuity of service or status.
A cowpleLelv new benefit, the Supporting Mothers's Penefit, has
been introduced. This benefit is payable to unmarried mothers includlinoy
Oeserted de facto wives and de facto wives of Prisoners, to married
women not living with their husbands, and to wives who have been
separated for other reasons, * provided they have the care of their
children. Any woman receiving this support is eligible to participate
in the training scheme for widow pensioners.
one of the first decisions of the Covernment was to remove the
s& 1es tax on oral contraceptives and place them on the pharmaceutical.
benefits list. Prompt action has also been taken in the allocation of
grants for family planning.
Extensive grants have been made available both for research into
child care and for the construction and operation of child care centres.
The Pre-Schools Commission is shortly to recommend measures which
the Government should adopt to ensure that child care and pre-school
centres be provided for below school acre children. 11
13
CULTURE AND LEISURE
In culture and leisure, which are inseparable from a literate
and healthy society, we have opened up new horizons for Australians.
Our financial aid to the Arts has been doubled in a year to
$ 14 million. For the first time artists and writers have a new
security of income and a new incentive to exercise their creative
talents. We have enlarged and reformed the Australian Council for the
Arts, which will be established as a statutory body, with its
autonomous boards, to be known as the Australia Council.
We have given a new direction to tourism, with an emphasis on
youth and an encouragement to " Go See Australia".
We are giving direct help to the States for the preservation
of historic sites and settlements which will attract tourists.
We have committed funds to the development of recreational
and sporting acitivities.
No national Government before has given such leadership in
these matters so vital to the intellectual life and leisure of
the nation.
FOREIGN POLICY AND DEFENCE
I believe that in a year we have demonstrated a new independence
in our foreign relations, strengthened old friendships and forged
new ones. We have recognised China and made significant new trading
arrangements for wheat and sugar. / 13
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We have opened up new areas of co-operation with Japan
and initiated NARA a treaty of friendship which our predecessors
refused to negotiate.
We have told our Asian neighbours of our aspirations
for a regional association to enable us to share with all
nations in South-East Asia, including China, hopes and ambitions
for progess and prosperity.
We have re-affirmed our friendship with our nearest
neighbour, Indonesia.
We have re-affirmed our traditional friendship with
Britain and the United States, unimpared by the independence
of our policy and the steps we have taken in our region.
We have taken action against French nuclear testing
in the Pacific before the International Court at the Hague.
We have, in full understanding, and by mutual consent,
changed the Royal Style and Titles so that Her Majesty the Queen,
when she is here, is Queen of Australia.
In defence, the Australian Government has shaped its
pIicy to the realities of the day, the honouring of its pledges
ai-I the piOuh'so" of a better deal for those in the Armed forces;
Where all are Pow Vo] uiite, r.
We have brought in a new deal for servicemen in pay,
conditions and retirement benefits, a Defence Forces Ombudsman
was appointed last week to deal with individual grievances.
We have announced in accordaice with our election
undertaking the withdrawal of our forces from Singapore,
including all combat elements in the Anzuk Brigade. These will
return to Australia early next year.
Arrangements have also been made for the Minister for
Defence to have discussions with the United States Government on
the future management and control of U. S. bases and joint facilities
in Australia. We have acted to streamline the workings of defence
administration by merging the defence group of service department;
into a single Defence department. / 14
I am confident our armed forces are now being more
efficiently and effectively organised and will continue to
serve this country well.
In foreign policy and on defence we have honoured,
and will continue to honour all our treaties, arrangements
and obligations.
CONCLUSION This first year is complete. We, as a Government,
have done much. We have kept to our pledges and our program.
I believe what has been done in a year has not
been matched before.
But there is much yet to be done. We will carry on
with the same vigour and the same confidence.
We believe the Australian public will judge us
fairly on a record second to none and on an election mandate
on its way to fulfilment.
CANBERRA. A. C. T.
APPENDIX A
28 February
March
3 April
11 April
2 May
2 May
17 May
24 May May May May
31 May
21 August
21 August
22 August REPORTS TABLED IN PARLIAMENT ON
INQUIRIES INSTITUTED BY THE
PRESENT GOVERNMENT
Report by Mr Justice Moore on the
Inquiry into Steel Price Increases
proposed by B. H. P. and A. I. S.
Bilingual Education in Schools in
Aboriginal Communitiess in the
Northern Territory. ( Requested by
Minister for Education on Z2.1.73)
Report on Employment Problems in
the Port of Portland
Components of the growth of
Australia's Major Urban Centres
Report of the Health Insuraince
Planning Committee
Report from the Academy of Science
on the Biological Effects of
Nuclear Explosion Fall-out.
( Request from Prime Minister
12.2.73)
Biological Effects of Nuclear
Explosion Fall-out. ( Meeting
between Australian/ French
scientists, Canberra 7-9.5.73)
Interim Report of the Australian
Council for the Arts. ( Request
from Prime Minister 23.1.73)
The Role, Scope and Development of
Recreation in Australia prepared
by Professor John Bloomfield
Interim Report of the Australian
Schools Commission
Report from the National Hospitals
and Health Services Commission
Interim Committee
A. C. T. Education Authority
Assessment Panel on
Review of Previous Government's
Programs Possible Ways of Increasing Irports
Aboriginal Land Rights Commission Tabled By
Mr Whitlam
Mr Beazley
Mr Cameron
Mr Uren
Mr Hayder
Mr Whitlam
Mr Whitlam
Mr Whitlam
Mr Stewart
Mr Beazley
Dr Everingham
Mr Beazley
Mr Crean
Mr Crean
Mr Bryant
22 August
29 August
11 October
16 October
22 October
24 October
24 October November Summary of discussions at meeting of
Ministers responsible for recreation
held on 7 June 1973
Transcript of conference of Ministers
responsible for immigration held at
Brisbane on 11 May 1973
Transcript of minutes of meeting of
Australian Water Resources Council
held on 27 July 1973
Record of decisions of Tourist Ministers
Council held on 9 and 10 July 1973
Communique relating to Ministerial
Council Meeting on Land Commissions
held on 22 October
* Report of conference of Australian
Education Council held on 14 and
June 1973
* Summary of resolutions and recommendations
of Australian Forestry Council
meeting held on 8 June 1973
* Statement regarding meeting of
Australian Government and State
Government Ministers concerning
export of kangaroo products held on
9 March 1973 Mr Stewart
Mr Grassby
Dr Cass
Mr Stewart
Mr Uren
Mr Beazley
Dr Patterson
Dr Cass
-2-
Immipration Advisory Council Committee on Comraunity Relations
Immigration Task Forces ( All States)( P~ eports tabled 29.0.739
10.10.73, 15.11.73)
Institutions of Tertiary Education in Sydney, 1iclbourne, Alburyf
Vodong4 Location, 1-ature and ') ovelopmeiit of Gleport ta. bled-
3.5.73)
Lake Peddar Inquiry ( In-rterim R~ eport tabled 13.9.73)
National Commission on Social Welfare ( Report tabled 30.8.73)
National Estate Committee of Inquiry
National Ro p itals and Health Services Commission Interim
Commrittee ('. cport tabled 30.5.73)
National Population Inquiry ( as e:: tended on 4 1L1arch 1973)
National ' Uhabilita-bion and Conocnsation Schieme Committee of
1 acuiry
National Superannuation Committee of Inquiry
Nursing, H{ omes Fees Review Committees of Inquiry ( All States)
Open 0iiversity inquiry
Pilbara4 Study
Poverty Inquiry
Protection Commission TICuiry re formation of ( Now named
Industries Assistance % Commission ( Crawford Report)) ( ilcport
tabled1 27.9.73)
Recreation in Australia the R~ ole, Scope and Development of
( Report tabled 25.5.73)
Review of Previous Government's Programs (*. 1eport tabled 21.30.73)
2ivcr ii1urcay Commission " Uorking larty
Social Security/ W. elfare Advisory Council on
Steel2Price Inquiry into proposed increases ( iteport tabled
Superannuation pensions Cormnonwealth Inquiry into adjustments
after retirement ( ex-tended terms of reference) ( R~ eport tabled
10.4.73)
Technical and Further Education Australian Committee
Urban Centre Component-of he1 growth of ( Report tabled 11.4 .7)
Urban Land Tenure Comm-iission of Inquiry into 0 */ 4
APPENDIX A Cont....
COMMISSIONS OF INQUIRY, COMMITTEES,
TASK FORCES REPORTING TO THE
GOVER) MENT
A. THOSE INSTITUTED BEFORE 31 MAY 1973
Aboriginal Land Iights Commission ( First report tabled 22,8.73)
Aboriginal Languages in Schools Advisory Group on Teaching
( Report tabled 15o4.73)
Adelaide Airport Advisory Committee
A. C. T. Education Authority Assessment Panel on ( Report tabled
31.5.73)
A. C. T. and Nvew South Vales Impact of growth of Canberra
Aircraft Industry Working Group
Australian Council for the Arts ( iReport tabled 8.11.73)
Australian Post Office Commission of Inquiry
Australian Pre-schools Committee
Australian Schools Conrmission Interim Committee ( Report tabled
30.5.73)
Biological Effects of Iuclear iEplosion Fall-out Academy of
Science ( Report tabled 2.5.73)
Biological Effects of Nuclear Explosion Fall-out Meeting between
Australian and French Scientists ( Report tabled 17.5.73)
Citizen Iilitary Forces Committee of Inquiry
Child Care Standards Committee
Child Care Research Advisory Committee
Computerisation of Criminal Data Committee
Computorisation of Legal Data Committee
Education for Community Recreation Workers
Employment Problems in the Port of Portland ( Report tabled 3.4.73)
Employment Statistics Committee of Inquiry
Health Insurance Planning Committee ( Report tabled. 2.5.73)
Homeless lien and iomen Vorking Party on / 2
B. THOSE INSTITUTD APTS. 31 MAY 1973
A. C. T. Health Commission
Australian Ionising ladiation Advisory Council
Burdekin Project Cor. mittoe
Commission of Inquiry into the Earitine Industry
Committee on Devclopment of Outdoor recretion
Committee of Inquiry into Govurnuont -rocuremont Policy
Committee of Inquiry into the rrotection of Privacy
Committee of Inquiry into workloads in Defence and Research
3stablishments
Committee of . efercnco for Defence Forces Pay
Committee on National Uniformc Safety Code for Australian
Government nmplormcit
Comnittee on Possible vcys of increasing imports ( oport tabled
Consultation with Young People
Consumer Affairs Council ( 2elated to A. C. T.)
Emergency kiousiL1g ommittce
Evaluation Study of Operation and Effectiveness of the Aboriginal
Secondary Grants Scheme
Financial Ieeds for training teachers for special education
in tertiary institutions
Financial support for approved private teachers college
Government Industry Panel on Cherries
Housing Standards Committee
Inquiry into Certain aspects of Stevedoring Industry
-Inquiry into Aboriginal/ Police Relations
Inquiry into Employment in the Building Industry
Inquiry into Technical Education in the A. C. T.
Inquiry into the Implications of Establishing Frequency
Modulation Radio Broadcasting in Australia
Inquiry into the prices of certain commodities and services in
the A. C. T. and Northern Territory
Interim Coimission on Consumer Standards
Interim Committee on the Production of Pharmaceutical Products
Interim Executive of the Australian Health Insurance Commission
Interim Primary Schools Libraries Committee
4
Legal Aid Review Committee
Medical Fees Tribunal
Molongo Parkway Inquiry
National Committee on Discrimination in Employment and
Occupations
Possible development in Australian universities of studies in
linguistics, including Aboriginal linguistics
Possible steps to encourage studies in Australian universities
of the languages and cultures of people who represent a
significant component of Australia's migrant intake
Review Panel on Land Allocations to Builders
Royal Commission into Petroleum and Petroleum Products
Second Interim Committee for the Schools Commission
Task Force on Land Tenures
The Interim Board for the Proposed Belconnen Mall Authority
West Australian Airport Advisory Committee
Working Party on Nursing Homes Fees
Working Party on the Environmental Implications of the Woodchip
Industry and the Softwood Forestry Program
Workshop on Aboriginal Health Services and Aboriginal Health
Workers
STATEMENTS, ETC., ARISING FROM MEETING
BETWEEN AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT STATE
GOVERNMENT MINISTERS Tabled by
1 March
6 March
13 March March
27 March
3 April
11 April
17 May
31 May
22 August
22 August Communique of meetings between Prime
minister and Premiers of New South Wales
and Victoria at Albury-Wodonga on
January 1973
Statement made on 2 March 1973 following
meeting between', Prime Minister and
Premiers of New South Wales, Victoria
and South Australia concerning River
Murray and River Murray Commission
Comnmunique and Points of Agreement of
the Ministerial Council Meeting
concerning Albury-Wodonga ( Aspects of
Development and Decentralisation)
Statement regarding meeting on
February 1973 between Minister for
Housing and Victorian counterpart on
proposed Commonwealth-State Housing
Agreement Statements made with regard to the
Australian Transport Advisory Council
meeting in Hobart on 16 February 1973
Meetings of Australian and State
Labour Ministers on 23 February 1973
in Melbourne
Components of the Growth of Australia's
Major Urban Centres
Proceedings of Conferences between
Australian and State Ministers for
Housing ( Canberra, 23 March 1973 and
April 1973)
Conference of Australian Government
and State Ministers with Responsibilities
for Wildlife Conservation ( Melbourne,
9 March 1973)
Transcript of conference of Australian
Government and State Ministers held at
Canberra on 10 May 1973
Communiques relating to meetings of
Ministerial Council established to
oversight the growth of the Albury-
Wodoniga areas held on 9 March, 23 May
and 4 July 1973 Prime Minister
Prime Minister
Mr Uren
Mr Johnson
Mr Jones
Mr Cameron
Mr Uren
Mr Johnson
Dr Cass
Prime Minister
Mr Uren
22 August
29 August August
12 September
13 September
27 September
27 September October
8 November
13 November November
27 November Commonwealth Bureau of Roads on
Effects of stopping freeway
Construction in State Capital Cities
Immigration Task Forces ( New South Wales,
Victoria and Queensland)
National Commission on Social Welfare
Proposal for Australian Companies and
Securities Legislation-Report by
Prof. Loss
Lake Pedder Inquiry
Protection Commission-Inquiry re
formation of
A review of Public Transport Investment
Proposals for the Australian Capital
Cities 1973-4 Bureau of Transport
Economics Migrant Task Force Committee
Wc; lern Australia
. vt~ ra, tan Council for the Arts
, ilil, re ) ort on the future workings
U10 Council and its Boards
: a Lional Estate Principles and Policies
Siilinission to the task force ( by the
Department of Urban and Regional.
Development) Migrant Task Force Committee
South Australia
The Report on Prices and Incomes by
Mr T. C. Winter Mr Uren
Mr Grassby
Mr Hayden
Senator Murphy
Dr Cass
Mr Whitlam
Mr Jones
Mr Grassby
Mr Whitlam
Mr Uren
Mr Grassby
Mr Whitlam
NOTE: A number of other reports have been
presented but as they are pursuance to
legislation, they are not included in this
list. Nor have reports from Parliamentary
Committees been listed.
APPENDIX B
LEGISLATIVE RECORD TO 28 NOVEMBER 1973
A. STATISTICS OF GOVERNMENT BILLS 1973 1972 1971
Number of Bills brought before the
Parliament 242 146 148
Number of Bills passed by the Parliament 158 139 137
E3. BILLS REJECTED BY THE SENATE TO 28 NOVEMBER 1973
Nine Bills were rejected by the Senate:
* Commonwealth Electoral Bill ( No. 2) 1973
* Conciliation and Arbitration Bill 1973
* Senate ( Representation of Territories) Bill 1973
* Representation Bill 1973
* Commonwealth Electoral Bill ( No. 2) 1973*
* Lands Acquisition ( Australian Capital Territory) Bill 1973
* Senate ( Representation of Territories) Bill 1973*
* Representation Bill 1973*
* Seas and Submerged Lands ( Royalty on Minerals) Bill 1973
( Those defeated a second time are marked with an asterisk)
C. BILLS DEFERRED BY THE SENATE TO 28 NOVEMBER 1973
Trade Practices Bill 1973
* Sales Tax ( Exemptions and Classifications) Bill ( No. 2)
Australian Industry Development Corporation Bill 1973
National Investment Fund Bill 1973
APPENDIX C
CONSTITUTION ALTERATION BILLS
1. Constitution Alteration ( Prices) Bill to amend
the Constitution to enable the Australian Parliament
to control prices.
2. Constitution Alteration ( Incomes) Bill to amend the
Constitution to enable the Australian Parliament to
legislate with respect to incomes.
3. Constitution Alteration ( Simultaneous Elections)
Bill to provide for simultaneous elections of the
Senate and the House of lepresentatives.
4. Constitution Alteration ( Democratic Elections) Bill
to establish electorates in each State in vhich the
number of people is, as nearly as practicable, the same,
and to enable State Houses of Parliament to be elected
directly by the people.
Constitution Alteration ( Local Government Bodies) Bill
to make funds available direct to local government, both
by way of grants and by loans at lower interest rates.
6. Constitution Alteration ( Mode of Altering the Constitution)
Dill to facilitate alterations to the Constitution.
In addition, the Government has foreshadowed the
introduction of a Bill to amend the Constitution to permit
the Australian Parliament to refer matters to any State
Parliament or Parliaments and to permit any State Parliament or
Parliaments to refer matters to the Australian Parliament with
identical provisions concerning terms and conditions, duration
or revocation.
APPENDIX D
AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS
A. DEPARTMENTS ABOLISHED, ABSORBED OR RE-NAMED
Air
Army Civil Aviation
Education and Science
Environment, Aborigines and the Arts
External Territories
Housing Interior
Labour and National Service
National Development
Navy Shipping and Transport
Social Services
Trade and Industry
Works
B. DEPARTMENTS CREATED
Aboriginal Affairs
Capital Territory
Education Environment and Conservation
Housing and Construction
Labour Media Minerals and Energy
Northern Development
Northern Territory
Overseas Trade
Science Secondary Industry
Services and Property
Social Security
Special Minister of State
Tourism and Recreation
Transport Urban and Regional Development
APPENDIX E
INITIATIVES IN EDUCATION
MAJOR INITIATIVES
ELit., 1ji-hToflnt of Interim Committee for Australian Schools Commission.
Acceptance of recommendations of Interim Committee for Schools
Commission for $ 660 million program-of assistance to schools
for 1974 and 1975.
Establishinent of Australian Pre-Schools Committee
Australian Government to assume financial responsibility for
Tertiary Education.
1ncreaSe--of 92% in expenditure on Education in 1973/ 74 Budget.
Abolition of fees in tertiary Education Institutions.
Provision of $ 188 million for Teacher Education during current
triennium.
New non-competitive means tested living allowances for all
tertiary students.
Means tested allowances for children in last two years of secondary
school. million for pre-school education and $ 8 million for construction
and operation of child care centres.
Establishment of Technical and Further Education Committee.
Extension of Aboriginal Secondary Grants Scheme.
Assistance for Education of Isolated Children.
OTHER INITIATIVES
Library Grant of $ 5 million to Colleges of Advanced Education.
Increases in Commonwealth Teaching Scholarships.
Special Scholarships for Pre-School Teachers.,
Training of Dental Therapists in New Zealand.
Increase in number of training college places for dental therapists.
Additional places for training of Social Workers.
Extra $ 10 million to States for Capital expenditure for Technical
Education.
$ 3 million for assistance to destitute tertiary students.
Child Care Standards Committee established.
Establishment of Advisory Committee on Child Care Research.
Increases in salaries for academic staff in Universities and C. A. E.' s.
Establishment of Curriculum Development Centre.
Establisihmnt of Education Research Institute.
Study of Education of Servicemens children.
Expansion of Post-graduate awards scheme.
Post-Graduate School of Management to be established.
Funds for emergency classroom accommodation for migrant children's
education.
Improvements in Apprenticeship Schemes.
Establishment of A. C. T. Schools Authority.
Investigation of proposals to finance private teachers colleges.
Inquiry into A. C. T. Technical Education.
Evaluation Study of Aboriginal Secondary Grants Scheme.
THE AUSTRALIAN LABOR GOVERNMENT'S WELFARE PEPOPMS
SOCIAL SECURITY
BENEFIT SNEDDEN BUDGET CREAN BUDFT
1972 Q173
Age and Invalid Pension
Standard ( single) rate 20. n0 23. n0*
Married rate ( combined) 3^. 50 40.50*
Widows' Pension
Class A 20.00 23.00*
Classes B and C 17.25 23.00*
Each dependent child 4.50 5.00
Unemployment Short-term,
Sickness and Special Benefit
Single Adult 17.00 23.00*
Married person with dependent spouse 25.00 40.50*
Each dependent child A. 50 5.00
Long-term Sickness Benefit
Single adult 20.00 23. nn*
Married person with dependent spouse 2P. 00 40.50*
Each dependent child 4.50
Supporting Mother's Benefit r
Pension as for Class A Widow Nil+ 23. n
Each dependent child Nil 5. n00
Vother's Allowance Nil 4.00
Double Orphan's Pension
To guardian of a child both of whose
parents are deceased, or where one
deceased and whereabouts of other
parent unknown Nil 10.00
All payments to be increased next Autumn.
Previously Australian Government reimbursed States for half
cost of this support of deserted wives, wives of prisoners
and other women with children but with no male breadwinner
after 6 months elapsed from event which aualifies.
At present support provided after 6 months negotiations
proceeding to assume responsibility from States for whole
period. It is planned to effect the take-over from the lQ74
Budget.
NOTE: The above list is restricted to Social Security benefits
for which there is personal benefit payment.
BENEFITS REPATRIATION SNEDDEN BUDGET
1972 CREAN BUDGET
1973
War Pensions
Special rate ( T PI)
Intermediate rate
General rate ( 100%)
War widows' pension
Domestic allowance
Service Pensions
Single rate
Married rate ( combined)
Each dependent child 48.00 34.00 14.00 20.00 8.50 55.60 38.80 19.00 23.00 9.50
20.00 34.50 4.50 23.00 40.50 5.00
I
APPENDIX F
TEXT OF TREATIES ETC.
PRfEENTED TO THE PfARifAMENT
3 April : United Kingdom/ Australian Trade Agreementletters
exchanged during the process of
termination of the Agreement.
4 April : International Cocoa Agreement 1972
May : Convention 131 concerning minimum wage fixing
adopted by the Interna~ tional Labour Conference
at its 54th session.
22 May : Convention 111 concerning the abolishment of
discrimination in employment and occupation
adopted by the International Labour Conference
in 1958.
29 May : Treaties to which Australia has become a party
by signature:
1. Agreement between the Government of Australia
and the Government of Malaysia relating to
Air Services, signed at Sydney on 4-October 1972.
2. Exchange of Notes between the Government of
Australia and the Government of the Uinited
Kingdom constituting an Agreement concerning
the establishmrent of a station to monitor
comnDliance with the Partial Test Ban Treaty,
signed at Canberra on 31 October 1972.
3. Agreement betwseen Australia and the Netherlands
concerning old Dutch Shipwrec] zs, signed at
The Hague on 6 November, 1972.
4. Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation
Financial Agreement 1973 drawn up at Ottawa
on 24 November 1972 and signed for Australia
at London on 30 Ma~ rch 1973.
Agreement Terminating the Commonwealth
Telec ommunications Organisation Financial
Agreement of 1969, drawn up at Ottawa on
24 November 1972 and signed for Australia a. t
London on 30 Ma-? rch 1973.
Agreement which has been signed by Australia and.
which will enter into force after Notes have been
exchanged by the signatories:
6. Trade Agreement between the Government of Australia
and the Government of the Republic of Indonesia,
signed at Canberra on 14 November 1972.. t
Treaties in relation to which Australia has
deposited instruments of ratification:
7. Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear
Weapons. The Treaty was opened for signature
at London, Washington and Moscow on 1 July
1968. Australia. signed the Treaty on 27
February 1970. The instruments of ratification
were deposited for Australia at London,
Washington and Moscow on 23 January 1973.
8. Treaty on the Prohibition of the Emplacement of
Nuclear Weapons and other Weapons of Mass
Destruction on the Seabed and the Ocean Floor
and in the Subsoil Thereof. The treaty was
opened for signature at London, Washington
and Moscow on 11 February 1971 and signed for
Australia on that date. The instruments of
ratification were deposited for Australia at
London, Washington and Moscow on 23 January 1973.
9o Amendment to Article 61 of the Charter of the
United Nations. The amendment was adopted by
the General Assembly of the United Nations on
December 1971. Australia deposited its
instrument of ratification on 13 November 1972.
Protocol amending Single Convention on Narcotic
Drugs drawn up at Geneva on 25 March 1972.
Australia signed and deposited its instrument
of ratification on 22 November 1972.
11. Convention concerning Freedom of Association and
Protection of the Right to Organise ( ILO
Convention No. 87), adopted at San Francisco on
17 June 1948. Australia deposited its instrument
of ratification on 28 February 1973.
12. Convention concerning the Application of the
Principles of the Right to Organise and to Bargain
Collectively ( ILO Convention No. 98), adopted at
Geneva on 8 June 1949. Australia deposited its
instrument of ratification on 28 February 1973.
Statute to which Australia has become a party by
accession:
13. Statute of the International Institute for the
Unification of Private International Law, drawn
up Pt Rome on 15 March 1940 and acceded to by
Australia on 21 March 1973.
Convention and Treaties to which . Australia is
considering becoming a party by ratification:
14. Convention on the Prohibition of the Development,
Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological
( Biological) Z'nd Toxin Weapons and on their
Destruction, open for signature dt London, Moscow
and Washington on 28 September 1971 and signed
for Australia on 10 April 1972.
Treaty between Australia and the Republic of
Austria concerning Extradition, signed at
Canberra on 29 March 1973.
16. Treaty between Australia and Sweden concerning
Extradition, signed at Stockholm on 20 March
1973.
17. Agreement between Australia and Indonesia
concerning Certain Bouindaries between Papua
New Guinea a~ nd Indonesia, signed at Jakprta
on 12 February 1973.
Oct : Treaties to which Australia has become a party
by signature:
1. Agreement establishing the South Pncific Bureau
for Economic Co-operation, signed at Apia on
17 April 1973.
2. Exchange of Letters constituting an Agreement
between Australia and New Zealand on Rates and
Mprgins of Preference, signed at Cnnberra and
Wellington on 7 May 1973.
3. Protocol relating to Mil. k Fat, drawn up at Geneva
on 2 April 1973 and signed for Australia on
11 May 1973.
4. Exchange of Notes between Australia and Laos
constituting a further Amendment to the
Agreement of 24 December 1963 concerning the
Foreign Exchange Operations Fund for Laos,
signed at Vientiano on 1 June 1973.
Protocol to Amend the Agreement on North Atlantic
Ocean Sta tions signed at Paris on 25 Feb~ rua-) ry 1954
and amended on 13 May 1970. The Protocol was
opened for signature at Montreal on 1 December
1972 and signed for Australia on 4 July 1973.
6. Trade Agreement between Australia,,. nd the People's
Republic of China, signed Pt Canberra on 24 July
1973.
7. Exchange of Notes between Australia and the
United States of America, constituting an
Agreement Extending the Agreement of 16 October
1968 relating to Scientific and Technical Cooperation,
signed it Washington on 30 July
1973.
8. Exchange of Notes between Australia and the
United Sta-tes of America constituting an
Agreement concerning the Launching of seven
Acrobee Rockets, signed at Ca-nberra on
18 September 1973.
Agreement and Conventions to which Australia hrs
become a party by accession:
9. Agreement relating to Refugee Seamen drawn up
at The Hague on 23 November 1957 and acceded to
by Australia on 18 April 1973.
Convention on Nomenclature for the Classification
of Goods in Customs Tariffs signed at Brussels
on 15 December 1950 and Protocol of Amendment
signed at Brussels on 1 July 1955. Australia
acceded to the Convention and Protocol of
Amendment on 18 April 1973.
11. Convention relating to International Exhibitions
signed at P. ris on 22 November 1928, and amended
by the Protocols of 10 May 1948, 16 November 1966
and 30 November 1972. Australia acceded to the
Convention as amended by the 1948 and 1966
Protocols on 6 September 1973 and to the 1972
Protocol on 7 September 1973.
Convention and Covenants to which Australia is
considering becoming a party by ratification:
12. Convention on International Trade in Endangered
Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, drawn up at
Washington on 3 M. rch 1973 and signed for
Australia on 21 Seltember 1973.
13. International Covenant on Economic, Social and
Cultural Rights, opened for signature at New
York on 19 December 1966 nnd signed for Australia
on 18 December 1972.
14. International Covenant on Civil and Political
Rights, opened for signature at New York on
19 December 1966 and signed for Australia on
18 December 1972.
7-