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![]() ![]() OA many considerations, not the least of which are the Commonwealth’s budgetary problems and, as a first requisite, I should think, the satisfactory completion of the current standard gauge project which is under construction from Broken Hill to Port Pirie. The Commonwealth is committed to it as a standardisation project, but its commencement depends As the honourable member will be aware, this again is a project that will be undertaken at some time in the future. The rapid industrial growth of Whyalla makes this a more economic proposition from day to day, but I do not expect that the project will be undertaken before the standard gauge railway is extended from Port Pirie to Adelaide. A study was undertaken by the Commonwealth Railways of the economics and general feasibility of this project, lt is quite apparent that at some time in the future a standard gauge railway line will be constructed from Port Augusta to Whyalla. – Some time ago the previous Government of South Australia, under Sir Thomas Playford, raised with the Commonwealth the possibility of extending the railway line from Port Augusta to Whyalla. In view of the rapid development and consequent growth of population of Whyalla, can the Minister inform me whether the extension of the Commonwealth railway line from Port Augusta to Whyalla has been given a higher priority? Mr FREETH: – My question is directed to the Minister for Shipping and Transport. QUESTION PORT AUGUSTA TO WHYALLA RAILWAY Mr JESSOP: One of the achievements of the Kennedy Round is the stability that will ensue from 1st July 1968, when the new international agreement on wheat will take effect. The present level of wheat prices reflects the occurrence of some of the contingencies against which the Minister for Trade and Industry was trying to negotiate a price for the future on behalf of Australia. If anything, there has been some excess production. Soft wheats in particular are now abundantly available and Australia principally produces soft wheats. North America has also, on the whole, had a good wheat season. I understand that in particular this means that the Soviet Union is not likely to purchase additional wheat during this year. The fall in the world price of wheat seems to result from the good seasons that have been enjoyed by many of the major wheat producing countries. The Minister for Trade and Industry attended these discussions in Geneva this year. The agreement will come into effect from 1st July 1968 and will be in accord with decisions taken in the Kennedy Round negotiations, which were held within the framework of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade. ![]() – As the honourable member will be aware, the Minister for Trade and Industry made a statement yesterday to the effect that negotiations had just been completed in Rome to finalise the technical writing in of the new International Grains Arrangement. Minister Assisting the Minister for Trade and Industry – The Minister assisting the Minister for Trade and Industry will answer the question. In view of the crisis facing Australian wheat growers through failure of the Government to complete a wheat agreement guaranteeing a minimum price for this year’s wheat crop, what action does the Government now propose to take to prevent the bottom falling out of the wheat market? Mr Harold Holt: – My question is addressed to the Prime Minister in the absence of the Minister for Trade and Industry. Similar petitions were presented by Dr Mackay, Mr O’Connor and Mr Costa. Mr CURTIN presented a petition from certain electors of the Commonwealth praying that the Government implement Article 25 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by providing increased social service and housing benefits for the aged, the invalid. I have to inform the House that I have this day issued the writ in connection with the by-election for the Capricornia Electoral Division and that the dates fixed were those announced to the House yesterday. CAPRICORNIA ELECTORAL DIVISION Mr SPEAKER: Aston) took the chair at 2.30 p.m., and read prayers. Commonwealth Electoral Office (Question No.Postal Department: Aboriginal Employees in Northern Territory (Question No.NATURAL GAS PIPELINE (SOUTH AUSTRALIA) AGREEMENT BILL 1967.View PDF View XML View in Voyant House of Representatives
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