I move:—
Section 2, sub-section (2). After the word "and" in line 6, to insert the words "the schedules (b), (c) and (d) the publication of which is required by sub-section (1) of Section 10 of this Act."
I think the Senators understand the object of this amendment. Section 2 of the Barrow Drainage Bill provides for the lodgment of the usual documents. In the past these had invariably to be lodged in connection with drainage schemes. The Bill excludes one important, if not the most important, of the documents—the schedule showing the names of occupiers whose land will be affected and the area of the land and the improvement that it is expected will be effected. It will be obvious to Senators that a great many debatable questions will arise on this matter. If a man does not find out how much of his land is going to be affected, and if normal intimation is not given him, or if the rate for improvement differs from the rate put on his neighbours, many questions will arise. It would be only fair that the owner of the land should be given an opportunity of having the matter fully thrashed out. The Bill excludes such information. Section 3 provides that the owners of the lands that are to be acquired may send in objections. Section 4 provides for a public inquiry into such objections, and appearance by counsel. After amendments by the inspector the final plans are submitted to the Minister for Finance for approval. Section 6 provides for any further alterations that may be desired and Section 7 for the execution of the work. After the works are completed Section 10 provides for the publication for the first time of documents under which the owners of land will be called upon to pay for the work. That depends on a great many considerations —the area of the land, over which differences of opinion may arise, and the valuation, which, in the opinion of the owner, may be wholly excessive compared with what his neighbours are charged. Section 12 provides for the holding of an inquiry and the inspector who holds it may report to the Commissioners, who may make alterations. There is no power given to the owner to approach the Commissioners direct, and there is no appeal from the decision of the inspector such as the owners would have, if the important schedules referred to in Section 2 were lodged. These schedules must be prepared and lodged sooner or later, as is required by Section 10.
What I am asking is that these schedules, which in any circumstances will have to be prepared, should be lodged in time. This question of the Barrow drainage has been for many years under consideration, and scheme after scheme has been prepared. I am inclined to think the schedules are probably already in existence, or if not, any schedules that are in existence will require very little amendment. Therefore, I cannot see any great delay or inconvenience arising under the scheme. That is the last thing I desire. I want that schedules (b), (c) and (d), which are required to be lodged by Section 10, shall be lodged at the same time as the other information and before the execution of the works. That will give an opportunity for amending the scheme and for appeal and for general consideration, which I think is most desirable. I know that the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Finance stated the last day that these schedules were omitted in this case because there was no vote of the owners to be taken. That is quite true, but the schedules served a great many purposes besides that. I have very considerable experience of these matters, and I have known people in a district, when it was known that certain other people's lands were going to be affected, asking "Why is not our land included?" They asked for inclusion in the drainage scheme. On the other hand, other people may say that their land does not require draining and may wish to be excluded. There will be no opportunity for that unless the schedules are lodged as in the past. I cannot see why all this secrecy is resorted to, and why a well-established principle has been departed from in this case.
