Page 1042 - Week 04 - Tuesday, 19 March 1991
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .
Weapons Legislation
MR STEFANIAK (9.38): Just on that, Mr Connolly reminded me of a point that he made in that debate which I think I should comment on. Mr Stevenson was a little bit inaccurate in terms of his history; so I feel, perhaps, that I should give him a little bit of a history lesson. Mr Stevenson thought that the Japanese did not invade Australia in 1942 because everyone had a gun and knew how to use it; and that was a real problem. Japan did not invade Australia in 1942 largely because her supply lines were overextended. I have done a fair amount of reading on that particular campaign. There was talk within the Japanese Imperial High Command as to whether they should go on and invade Australia. Preliminary steps were taken, such as the bombing of Darwin. Japan, of course, invaded Papua New Guinea. They suffered their first reversal on land there at Milne Bay by Australian militia forces, of all things. That was the first reversal suffered during the campaign in the Pacific.
Their ability to invade Australia - as I think Mr Jensen mentioned during the debate - suffered a severe setback in the Battle of the Coral Sea which effectively stopped their invasion fleet which was headed to invade Port Moresby. That would have posed a huge danger to north Queensland. Any further ability they had to invade Australia was blown out of the water in the Battle of Midway. Nowhere during my study of the Pacific campaign could I see any reference anywhere to the Japanese High Command being worried by the fact that a lot of Australians privately owned guns.
Canberra Festival
MS FOLLETT (Leader of the Opposition) (9.40): I just take advantage of the adjournment debate to speak very briefly about the Canberra Festival. At the outset I want to congratulate the organisers and all of the sponsors who were responsible for bringing to us what I believe was an extremely successful and enjoyable festival. I would like in particular to mention Ellen Blunden. I know that she is a paid employee and that it is her job to do this; but I believe that she did it exceptionally well and that her efforts and her energy during the festival, and in organising the festival, were absolutely exemplary. I would like this Assembly to pass on their congratulations to her for that job.
The festival also had a couple of firsts which I think are worth noting. The Birdman Rally went off this time; somebody actually got the money, and that is an historic occasion in the ACT. Mr Stefaniak of course attempted - disgracefully, in my view - to ram the Opposition but only managed to achieve the sinking of his own ship of state. There is some deep symbolism in there somewhere, but it will take a little while for that to work out. I notice
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .