Page 2757 - Week 13 - Tuesday, 21 November 1989
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Mr Duby: The point of order was, of course, that the Leader of the Opposition is incorrect in his statement, Mr Speaker. The thrust of Dr Kinloch's speech was the banning of X-rated material.
MR SPEAKER: Members, please recognise that points of order are, as per the standing orders, not debates on the issue.
MR BERRY: The introduction of a business franchise in relation to the X-rated video industry should be seen in the light of taxing a significant industry. I think the tax outcomes demonstrate the significance of the industry and it will be a tax on a legal industry, a very legal industry. The emotional line which has been taken by the Leader of the Opposition in some way suggests that it is not legal, but of course we know it is. It is a lead-in to the expected debate we might have in the future. I am quite confident that we can expect the Liberals to move to ban it, and we know the results of those sorts of prohibition tactics.
Mr Jensen: Your crystal ball has fogged up, Wayne.
MR BERRY: You will get your turn, Norman.
There was, of course, some criticism from the Leader of the Opposition about Labor's commitment to women. I do not need to, if you like, labour on our commitment. It is very clear. The mumbles I heard during the course of the budget process from the conservative benches when women's initiatives were taken by the Government were clearly from the conservative benches and, of course, they were critical that the Government did have a commitment to women. Our record is clear. But this is about a legitimate tax, as I have said, on a significant and legal industry, and it is important that we are able to deliver that tax.
Now, I know that the effects of a reduction in the budget will impact on my portfolio and I am very sensitive about that. Of course, the people from the conservative benches opposite have been keen to try to find flaws in the management of my portfolio but they have been in some difficulty.
Mr Kaine: You have not heard the end of it yet, either, mate.
MR BERRY: Well, it will be the same old tune on an old fiddle.
Mr Kaine: No, it will not; we will surprise you.
MR BERRY: Not another 70 questions!
As mentioned by the Chief Minister in her introductory speech, legislation is already in place in the form of the ACT Publications Control Act which protects Canberra
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