Page 1115 - Week 04 - Wednesday, 20 March 1991
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .
that; it will join in that push. We would like to see more cooperation in the area of tobacco. In that regard the ACT can only be said to be leading the way. Nonetheless, it is not possible, in the case of some things, to move beyond the pace that other jurisdictions are setting. As far as the labelling of alcoholic products is concerned, it is particularly important that we have a consistency across the country. It would be inconceivable that the ACT should impose, for example, labelling restrictions which did not apply in New South Wales, thereby making it impossible for people to sell in the ACT products that were freely available in New South Wales.
A whole range of matters are referred to here which, in a sense, are becoming a bit out of date. The report was tabled a year ago. It is not surprising that there should be some issues that have been adequately dealt with in some way by the Government since that time. I am aware, for example, that the Government has provided some additional facilities in the way of skateboarding facilities in the ACT. Not ever having used a skateboard or having children who use skateboards, I can only assume that to be a valuable development. I am aware, certainly, that skateboards do cause a problem, particularly for elderly people, in public places, in shopping centres, and so on. It is very appropriate that we should be developing that particular sort of facility. We have also had some movement on major national events such as the Summer Nationals. I believe that as a result of the approach taken at this year's Summer Nationals the concerns of many in the community have been greatly relieved.
There is much work in the future in these recommendations. The Government will have to look very carefully at the way we can enhance the general recommendations here; for example, cooperation between different arms or agencies of government, such as AFP and GALA. I would like to see that advanced. As I said at the beginning of my remarks, this work has been valuable. It does not solve the problems, but it does point to a number of steps that the Government ought to take. I remain convinced that there are other measures which must be considered in conjunction with this. I will not mention move-on powers, because I have not time. I believe that there is a wider picture which we all need to bear in mind when we look at preventing and curing breaches in public behaviour.
MR COLLAERY (Attorney-General) (4.04): The Government generally supports the thrust of the recommendations made by the committee. I will run through a few issues and make a more detailed comment on one aspect of the report from my perspective and my portfolio perspective. I want to put into the record a number of points that my advisers have picked up from the report in relation to government policy or actions. Firstly, this Government has been working to identify areas where skateboarding might be banned. We have also provided special skateboard facilities throughout Canberra. My colleague Mr Duby has put a lot of effort
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .