Page 1964 - Week 07 - Thursday, 31 May 1990
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time that I am bringing my Bill in now that I am in Government is probably nil. As well as providing for time for that Bill to be drafted, I have used the last six months to consult widely on the implications of that Bill. It ought to be noted that some of the consultation I have been engaged in has led to conflict between me and the Chief Minister and the tobacco industry. That ought to be noted.
The fact is that Mr Berry has aided and abetted the tobacco industry in this regard by adding fuel to the fire that there has not been proper consultation. The very words used by the tobacco industry have added fuel to that fire and assisted them to make the impression, in the eyes of the community, that in some way the Government's course of action was not the right one. He knows it is the right one because he gave instructions for an identical Bill to be drafted.
Mr Berry: Why did you not consult with me on the tobacco industry? I would have told you what to do with it. It had already been told to go away.
MR HUMPHRIES: Mr Berry, I think I have just explained the reason why the Government did not consult with you - because of the way you have carried on. Now, the reality is that the Government did consult with Mr Berry. Mr Berry, of course, does not tell the Assembly but I will tell the Assembly that some weeks ago I invited Mr Berry and others in the group that he had organised to come up to the fifth floor and have a meeting to discuss the composition of the advisory committee on the health promotion fund.
Mr Berry: A token consultation.
MR HUMPHRIES: "A token consultation", says Mr Berry. In fact, that consultation led to my appointing one of the people that Mr Berry brought with him to the health promotion fund advisory committee. So much for the token consultation!
Mr Berry: Did you consult with the arts community? How many arts community people did you consult? Tell us that. Give us the numbers.
MR SPEAKER: Order, Mr Berry!
Mr Berry: No; come on, give us the numbers.
MR SPEAKER: Mr Berry, if you insist on interjecting we will use the standing orders against you.
MR HUMPHRIES: Mr Speaker, I conducted that consultation. I certainly heard Mr Berry's views on the composition of the committee. Mr Berry, for example, said he believed that there ought to be a trade union person on the committee. That was a view put to me by no-one else but Mr
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