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PRIME MENISTER j
CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY
ADDRESS BY THE PRIME MINISTER, MR R. J. L. HAWKE, TO THE
TOWNSVILLE DISTRICT DEVELOPMENT BUREAU, TOWNSVILLE
INTERNATIONAL HOTEL, 10 AUGUST 1983.
I AM DELIGHTED TO BE WITH YOU TODAY AT THIS MEETING OF THE
TOWNSVILLE DISTRICT DEVELOPMENT BUREAU.
I,; I WAS LAST IN TOWNSVILLE IN FEBRUARY JUST PRIOR TO THE
LAST ELECTION.
1 I SPOKE THEN OF LABOR'S STRONG COMMITMENT TO NORTH
I QUEENSLAND AND OF THE RANGE OF LABOR POLICIES TO PROMOTE THE
WELFARE OF THE PEOPLE OF NORTH QUEENSLAND.
ALTHOUGH IT IS ONLY 5 MONTHS SINCE THE ELECTION ON MARCH
WE HAVE ALREADY MADE GREAT PROGRESS.
2 IN JUNE, WE ANNOUNCED WE WOULD HONOUR OUR COMMITMENT TO
BUILD A COMMONWEALTH GOVERNMENT CENTRE HERE IN TOWNSVILLE TO
HOUSE FEDERAL DEPARTMENTS.
i THE CENTRE WILL BE THE FIRST FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OFFICE BLOCK
BUILT IN AUSTRALIA IN THE LAST 10 YEARS.
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IT WILL COST ABOUT $ 12 MILLION AND ITS CONSTRUCTION WILL
BOOST JOB OPPORTUNITIES BY ABOUT 300,
INDEED IT WILL MAKE A CONSIDERABLE CONTRIBUT ION TO
RESUSCITATING THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY IN NORTH QUEENSLAND.
THE BENEFITS To TOWNSVILLE INCLUDE THE PURCHASE OF
EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES, LONG-TERM WORK FOR BUILDERS AND
SUB-CONTRACTORS AND A BOOST TO THE SPENDING POWER OF THE
COMMUNITY. LAST MONTH I ANNOUNCED A DECISION OF MOMENTOUS IMPORTANCETHE
CONSTRUCTION OF STAGE 1 OF THE BURDEKIN DAM,
THIS IS THE FIRST TIME AN AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT HAS
UNDERTAKEN A PROJECT OF TRULY NATIONAL SIGNIFICANCE
SINCE THE POST-WAR RECONSTRUCTION PERIOD.
WE HAVE ALLOCATED UP TO $ 13 MILLION THIS FINANCIAL YEAR
FOR THE DAM.
PROMISES TO BUILD THE DAM HAVE BEEN MADE REPEATEDLY SINCE
THE SECOND WORLD WAR.
BUT FOR THE FIRST TIME, AN AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT HAS
GIVEN A TOTAL COMMITMENT TO THE DAM,
IT'S ALL THE DIFFERENCE IN THE WORLD BETWEEN SPECIOUS,*
OPPORTUNISTIC PROMISES, AND POSITIVE ACTION.
IT IS DIFFICULT TO OVERSTATE THE BENEFITS THAT WILL FLOW
FROM THE DAM JOBS, IRRIGATION, CONSTRUCTION, NEW
CONTRACTS, DEMAND FOR MATERIALS AND TRANSPORT AND A LIFT IN
BUSINESS CONFIDENCE AND TOURISMTHE
DAM IS PROBABLY THE MOST SIGNIFICANT BOOST TO NORTH
QUEENSLAND SINCE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE SUGAR AND MINING
I NDUSTRI ESTHE
SUGAR INDUSTRY, OF COURSE, IS VITAL TO NORTH QUEENSLANDHOWEVER,
IN RECENT TIMES THE INDUSTRY HAS SUFFERED THE
COMBINATION OF LOW WORLD PRICES AND ADVERSE SEASONAL
CONDITIONSIN RESPONSE TO THE SEVERE LIQUIDITY CRISIS FACED BY MANY
GROWERS, WE PROVIDED $ 10 MILLION TO THE INDUSTRYTHIS
MONEY IS BEING MADE AVAILABLE IN THE FORM OF CARRW-ON
LOANS AND WILL KEEP GROWERS IN THE INDUSTRY WHO WOULD
OTHERWISE HAVE BEEN FORCED OUTWE
KNOW THE GREAT CONCERN NORTH QUEENSLANDERS HAVE FOR THE
UPGRADING OF THE BRUCE . HIGHWAY AND THE IMPROVEMENT OF LOCAL
ROAD$-
THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT REGARDS THE BRUCE HIGHWAY BETWEEN
BRISBANE AND CAIRNS AS THE NUMBER ONE PRIORITY FOR THE
ALLOCATION OF NATIONAL ROAD FUNDS WITHIN QUEENSLAND.
WE REMAIN COMMITTED TO ITS UPGRADING BY 1988.
THE ALLOCATION OF FUNDS FOR 1983-84 UNDER THE AUSTRALIAN
BICENTENNIAL ROAD DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM AS BETWEEN STATES
AND CATEGORIES OF THE PROGRAM Ib BEING FINALISED.
WE EXPECT TO SPEND SOME $ 65 MILLION ON THE HIGHWAY THIS
FINANCIAL YEAR AN ALL-TIME RECORD,
THIS IS NOT ONLY A WELCOME INFUSION OF FUNDS TO A HIGH PRIORITY
AREA BUT ALSO AN EXTENSIVE EMPLOYMENT GENERATION PROGRAM IN
ITSELF. OVER 3,000 JOBS WILL BE CREATED, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLYVIE
ALSO RECOGNISE THE MAJOR DEFICIENCIES IN THE LOCAL ROADS
NETWORK IN QUEENSLAND AS A WHOLE AND PARTICULARLY IN NORTH
QUEENSLAND$ LOCAI. ROADS IN ALL STATIES WILL BENEFIT FROM THE 37 PER CENT
INCREASE IN COMMONWEALTH ASSISTANCE IN 1983/ 84 UNDER THE
COMBINED ROADS GRANTS AND BICENTENNIAL ROAD PROGRAMS.
WE ARE ALSO PROVIDING $ 70 MILLION IN 1983-84 FOR JOBS O1N LOCAL
ROADS UNDER OUR COMMUNITY EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM TANGIBLE EVIDENCE
OF OUR CONCERN FOR THE UPGRADING OF LOCAL ROADS.
OVER $ 12 MILLION HAS B EEN ALLOCATED TO QUEENSLAND AND WILL
PROVIDE UP TO 1,000 JOBS.
WE ALSO APPRECIATE THE SPECIAL AIR TRAVEL NEEDS OF
NORTH QUEENSLANDERS,
I AM PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THAT TOWNSVILLE AIRPORT'S NEW
DOMESTIC TERMINAL WILL GO AHEAD,
SHORTLY AFTER THE ELECTIONj MY COLLEAGUE, KIM BEAZLEY,
THE MINISTER FOR AVIATION, ASKED HIS DEPARTMENT TO STUDY AND
REPORT ON THE NEED FOR IMPROVED DOMESTIC TERMINAL FACILITIES
AT TOWNSVILLE AIRPORT.
THIS STUDY RECOMMENDED THAT NEW DOMESTIC TERMINAL FACILITIES
WERE NECESSARY TO PROPERLY OVERCOME THE LONG-STANDING
INADEQUACIES OF THE EXISTING TERMINAL COMPLEX.
OTHER LESS EXPENSIVE OPTIONS SUCH AS A GREATER USE OF THE
INTERNATIONAL TERMINAL FOR DOMESTIC TRAFFIC WERE
CONSIDERED BUT WERE REJECTED, DUE TO THE CONFLICTING NEEDS
OF THE DOMESTIC AND INTERNATIONAL AIRLINES,
TOWNSVILLE, BECAUSE OF ITS FAVOURABLE GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION
TOWNSVILLE THE GATEWAY TO THE NORTH HAS DOUBLED ITS
REGULAR INTERNATIONAL SERVICES SINCE THE TERMINAL WAS
OPENED AND IS NOW ATTRACTING CONSIDERABLE USE BY
INTERNATIONAL COMMER! CAL AIR TRAFFIC.
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As IT IS N'ECESSARY TO CHECK ALL THIS TRAFFIC FOR CUSTOMSJ
IMMIGRATION AND HEALTH REQUIREMENTS SEPARATE FROM DOMESTIC
TRAFFIC IT WAS FOUND IMPRACTICABLE TO USE THE INTERNATIONAL
TERMINAL FOR REGULAR DOMESTIC USE*
WHAT WE ARE NOW PROPOSING IS THE UPGRADING OF THE DOMESTIC
TER. MINAL AS SPEEDILY AND REALISTICALLY AS POSSIBLE,
SUCH A COMPLEX PROJECT REQUIRES A GREAT DEAL OF SPECIALIST
PLANNING AND DESIGN EFFORT.
AND WHILE, OF COURSE, WE ALL WANT TO SEE THE PROJECT BECOME
A REALITY AS QUICKLY AS PRACTICABLE, NOTHING WILL BE GAINED
BY PROCEEDING ON THE OPPORTUNISTIC LINES PROPOSED BY THE
PREVIOUS GOVERNMENT.
FOR EXAMPLE, IT REQUIRES THE APPROVAL OF THE PARLIAMENTARY
WORKS COMMITTEE, WH-ICH HAS TO CONSIDER AND REPORT TO THE
PARLIAMENT ON MAJOR PROJECTS OVER $ 2 MILLION,
My GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN ADVISED THAT, EVEN THOUGH A GREAT
DEAL OF THE PRELIMINARY PLANNING IS COMPLETE, AT LEAST A
FURTHER TWELVE MONTHS IS REQUIRED TO COMPLETE THE NECESSARY
DETAILED DESIGN WORK AND SUBMIT THE PROPOSAL TO THE PUBLIC
WORKS COMMITTEE FOR ITS CONSIDERATION. I HAVE INSISTED THAT
THIS PRELIMINARY WORK BE COMPLETED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
BUT I STRESS; AS SOON AS THIS PROCESS CONCLUDES, DEVELOPMENT
WILL COMMENCE. s. i s7
THE GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN ENCOURAGING THE
AIRLINES TO INTRODUCE DISCOUNT AIR FARES. AT LEAST
PARTLY REFLECTING THIS, ANSETT AND TAA RECENTLY
INTRODUCED 45 PERCENT DISCOUNT FARES, THIS INITIATIVE
SHOULD BENEFIT NORTH QUEENSLANDERS AS IT INCLUDES
ROCKHAMPTON, MACKAY, TOWNSVILLE, CAIRNS AND PROSERPINE,
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CONDITIONS WHICH MAKE THESE FARES UNATTRACTIVE TO MULTI'-STAGE
TRAVELLERS ARE BEING REVIEWED BY THE AIRLINES AT THE REQUEST
OF KIM BEAZLEY, THE MINISTER FOR AVIATION,
HE IS ALSO PURSUING WITH THEM THE CONCEPT OF LOW COST AIR
SERVICES AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO EXISTING SCHEDULED SERVICES.
ANOTHER DISABILITY TO WHICH NORTH QUEENSLANDERS ARE SUBJECT
IS THE PROBLEM OF TROPICAL ILLNESS AND DISEASE,
PRIOR TO THE LAST ELECTION4 WE PROPOSED THE ESTABLISHMENT OF
A TROPICAL MEDICINE RESEARCH INSTITUTE AT JAMES COOK UNIVERSITY
HERE IN TOWNSVILLE.
THAT COMMITMENT REMAINS.
WE HAVE ASKED THE COMMONWEALTH TERTIARY EDUCATION COMMISSION
TO REPORT ON THE ESTABLISHMENT, TIMETABLE AND COST OF THE
INSTITUTE IN SUFFICIENT TIME FOR CONSIDERATION IN THE 1984
BUDGET. THIS WILL ENABLE OUR PROPOSAL TO BE CONSIDERED AND PROGRESSED
ON A SOUND, INFORMED BASIS.
NORTH QUEENSLAND HAS A VITAL STAKE IN THE TOURIST INDUSTRY AN
INDUSTRY OF ENORMOUS POTENTIAL,
THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS DETERMINED TO TAKE WHATEVER ACTION IT
CAN TO HELP THE TOURIST INDUSTRY ACHIEVE ITS FULL POTENTIAL.
OUR NATIONAL TOURIST POLICY AIMS TO GET MORE OVERSEAS
VISITORS To AUSTRALIA AND TO ENCOURAGE MORE AUSTRALIANS TO
HOLIDAY AT HOMEAs
PART OF THIS, WE WANT TO ENCOURAGE MORE TRAVELLERS BOTH
OVERSEAS AND DOMESTIC TO VISIT NORTH QUEENSLANDTo
HELP MEET THIS OBJECTIVE WE WILL PROVIDE A SUBSTANTIAL
BOOST TO THE BUDGET ALLOCATION FOR THE AUSTrRALIAN TOURIST
COMMISSION IN 1983-84.
THIS WILL ALLOW NEW INITIATIVES TO PROMOTE INBOUND TOURISM
To AUSTRALIATHESE INITIATIVES INCLUDE
INTENSIVE ADVERTISING IN ALL MARKETS, ESPECIALLY
THE UNITED STATES
EXPANDED OVERSEAS REPRESENTATION AND
THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AUSTRALIAN TRAVEL CENTRES I
OVERSEAS MARKETS
THE GREAT BARRIER REEF IS, OF COURSE, ONE OF THE K( EY
ATTRACTIONS TO NORTH QUEENSLAND FOR INTERNATIONAL TOURISTS-
ONE OF OUR NORTH QUEENSLAND COMMITMENTS TO PROMOTE
TO URISM WAS TO EXEMPT THE GREAT BARRIER REEF ISLAND
RESORTS FROM THE DIESEL EXCISE IMPOSED 13Y THE PREVIOUS
GOVERNMENT, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS DECIDED TO EFFECTIVELY MEET
THIS COMMITMENT BY MAKING A SPECIAL GRANT OF APPROXIMATELY
$ 1 MILLION THIS FINANCIAL YEAR TO SUBSIDISE THE DIESEL
FUEL COSTS To BARRIER REEF ISLAND TOURIST RESORTS.
THIS GRANT WILL BE A TIED GRANT UNDER SECTION 96 OF THE
CONSTITUTION, THE CONDITIONS WILL BE ANNOUNCED LATER.
DIESEL IS THE LIFEBLOOD OF THE TOURIST INDUSTRY ! N
NORTH QUEENSLAND, THIS IS ESPECIALLY SO FOR THE OFF-SHORE
ISLANDS.
POWER GENERATION, AIR-CONDITIONING AND EVEN THE BOATS THAT
BRING THE DIESEL TO THE ISLANDS ARE RUNNING ON DIESEL,
THESE TOURIST ISLANDS ARE NOT PART OF THE GENERAL
ELECTRICAL GRID SYSTEM.
THEREFORE IT IS FAIR THAT SPECIAL SUBSIDIES SHOULD BE
PROVIDED AS COMPENSATION1
THESE ISLANDS ARE PROVIDING THOUSANDS OF JOBS. MILLIONS OF
DOLLARS IN REVENUE TO TIHE GoVERNMENT AND VIRTUALLY SUSTAINING
A NUMBER OF TOWNS ALONG THE QUEENSLAND COAST.
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OUR DECISION TO PROVIDE THIS $ 1 MILLION GRANT WILL PROVIDE
A WELCOME BOOST TO TOURISM IN QUEENSLAND.
THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENTr IS ANXIOUS TO ENCOURAGE MAN-MADE
TOURIST ATTRACTIONS, INCLUDING INTERPRETATION FACILITIES
AND CONVENTION CENTRES, ANDi WHEREVER PRACTICABLE, FINANCE
THEM OR PROVIDE GENEROUS LOANS.
ONE, IN PARTICULAR, IS GREAT BARRIER REEF WORLD HERE
IN TOWNSVILLE.
As SOME OF YOU KNOW, I AM FAMILIAR WITH THIS PROJECT,
KNOW IT IS VERY STRONGLY SUPPORTED IN THIS CITY ANDI
BELIEVE IT HAS ENORMOUS POTENTIALl
THE TOWNSVILLE DISTRICT DEVELOPMENT BUREAU, OF COURSE, IS
HEAVILY INVOLVED, INDEED I NOTICE IT IS CURRENTLY YOUR
NUMBER ONE PRIORITY.
REEF WORLD IS SUPPORTED BY THE GREAT BARRIER REEF MARINE
PARK AUTHORITY AND HAS BEEN SUGGESTED FOR INCLUSION UNDER
THE BICENTENNIAL PROGRAM.
I FULLY ENDORSE THE COMMENTS OF MY COLLEAGUE BARRY COHEN,
THE MINISTER FOR HOME AFFAIRS AND ENVIRONMENT PROVIDED
THE QUEENSLAND GOVERNMENT NOMINATES THE PROJECT UNDER THE
BICENTENNIAL PROGRAM, GOVERNMENT FUNDING IS. LIKELY TO
PROCEED,
THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT RECOGNIZES THE TREMENDOUS WORK
BEING CARRIED OUT BY THE DEFE. NCE FORCES IN NORTH
QUEENSLAND AND IS PROUD OF THEIR ACHIEVEMENTS,
FOR EXAMPLE, 1 NOTICE LAST WEEK THE No 35 SQUADRON
Ar THE R. A. A. F. BASE TOWNSVILLE WAS PRESENTED WITH THE
DUKE OF GLOUCESTER' S CUP BY THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL FOR
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE.
MY CONGRATULATIONS! I AM VERY PROUD THE UNIT HAS
RECEIVED SUCH A DISTINGUISHED AWARD,
HERE IN TOWNSVILLE WE HAVE THE READY DEPLOYMENT FORCE,
AGAIN THERE IS AN ENVIABLE STANDARD OF PROFICIENCY.
AUSTRALIA MUST HAVE STRONG DEFENCES$
THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT UNDERSTANDS THAT AND IS DETERMINED
TO MEET ITS RESPONSIBILITIES.
ACCORDINGLY WE HAV'E DECIDED IN THE COMING BUDGET TO
INCREASE DEFENCE SPENDING SIGNIFICANTLY IN REAL TERMS.
NORTH QUEENSLANDERS ARE JUSTIFIABLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE
ADEQUACY OF COASTAL SURVEILLANCE.
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AGAINST TrHAT BACKGROUND WE EXTENDED THE COASTAL SURVEILLANCE
CONTRACT OF REPROGRAPHICS TO MARCH AT THE COST OF AN
ADDITIONAL $ 900, 000.
THIS OVERVIEW OF SOME OF OUR POLICIES INDICATES IN THE
CLEAREST TERMS THE FEDERAL LABOR GOVERNMENT'S COMMITMENT
TO NORTH QUEENSLAND,
WE ARE REWRITING THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF NORTH QUEENSLAND.
FOR TOO LONG NORTH QUEENSLAND HAS FAILED TO RECEIVE A FAIR
RETURN FOR ITS CONTRIBUTION TO THE NATIONAL WEALTH.
FRTOO LONG THE SPECIAL PROBLEMS OF NORTH QUEENSLANDERS
HAVE BEEN LARGELY IGNORED By FEDERAL AND STATE GOVERNMENTS.
THE FEDERAL LABOR GOVERNMENT IS STARTING TO RIGHT THAT
WRONG. WE CAME TO OFFICE WITH THE GREAT AIM OF " BRINGING AUSTRALIA
TOGETHER" WE ARE NOW MAKING A START IN BRINGING NORTH QUEENSLAND
CLOSER TO THE REST OF AUSTRALIA AND THE REST OF AUSTRALIA
CLOSER To NORTH QUEENSLAND,