Page 2074 - Week 08 - Tuesday, 5 June 1990
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .
That was not supported, so I am trying to make the best out of it that I can. At least I have enough sense to do that, and at least I have been consistent in all my moves. I think this is a perfect opportunity to reinforce the Chief Minister's notion. He perceived himself as an idiot before certain events occurred and I would just like to reinforce that.
Mr Kaine: I did not say that I perceived myself as an idiot. Do not misquote me, Michael. You are getting as bad as your Labor mates.
MR MOORE: Yes, you did, and I agree with it - on this issue.
MR BERRY (9.50): The Labor Opposition is opposed to this particular section of the legislation for the reasons that have been espoused by the Leader of the Opposition. In addition, the Labor Party is opposed to these general proposals of the Government because they are really the result of a search for something different - no more than that. This legislation achieves exactly the same end as that which would have been achieved had the restrictions been placed on premises in whatever suburb they were operating. What it boils down to is a form of censorship by another means, and that is what Mr Collaery is on about.
There is another issue here that I think will at least create some public interest again in the Publications Control (Amendment) Bill, and that is how the Liberal Party members perform in relation to the regulations which Mr Collaery has promised to make at some time in the future. I suspect that the Liberals will now not be able to say that it was not their fault, it was Bernard Collaery's, because they have it in their hands to do what they wish about X-rated videos. In fact they probably have it in their hands to implement their own policies now because, on my count, they have the numbers in the Government. This is an issue that will be under the microscope, particularly because Liberal voters will put their members in some difficulty over this. I am sure that Mr Stevenson will make sure that Liberal members are in difficulty, just as he will make sure that Mr Collaery is in a bit of a spot as well.
The proposed amending Bill is no more than humbug. It is about a government searching for a position which is different from that which was put forward by the Labor Party in the original Bill. I have to say that the Labor Opposition will not support censorship by any other means, and in particular by the means proposed by Mr Collaery.
Amendment negatived.
Clause agreed to.
Remainder of the Bill, by leave, taken as a whole, and agreed to.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .