Page 1511 - Week 05 - Thursday, 18 April 1991
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that. But, at the same time, we should keep in mind, as Mr Jensen has illustrated, the serious side of Anzac Day and use it as a time to consider all the problems associated with war.
Mr Speaker, I back Mr Connolly's comment, too, in congratulating the Government for being able to get this Bill through in such a short time. On the other hand, I draw attention to the fact that, as a rule, the notion of having Bills coming through very quickly is not the appropriate way to run them. In a matter that is clearly an administrative matter like this and makes regular something that has been part and parcel of Canberra society, I think it is a quite appropriate way to deal with the issue. As far as that goes, I would certainly like to congratulate the Government and the Attorney-General for getting this through.
MR STEFANIAK (11.08): I, too, would like to congratulate the Attorney-General and the Government on getting this Bill through quickly. I think the timing is quite obvious. It simply had to get through today so that the law could be in force for 25 April. I think we also cannot lose sight of what Anzac Day means. It is more than two-up, and I heartily endorse Mr Jensen's comments, not only, of course, in relation to our Vietnam veterans who now have well and truly come home, but also, of course, in relation to all Australians who have fought and died in all the wars that this country has been involved in, going back to colonial times.
Mr Speaker, there is another reason for this legislation to come in. As a few members have said, no policeman would ever bust a place playing two-up on Anzac Day; that simply goes against Australian tradition. However, New South Wales has legislated to make two-up legal on Anzac Day, and I think the fact that we are wholly in New South Wales is relevant there.
Mr Moore was concerned about pennies not being around. I do not think there is much of a problem there. There are certainly a lot of old pennies around and, in fact, I was surprised to hear - - -
Mr Kaine: There are not too many double-headed ones around.
MR STEFANIAK: There are not too many double-headed ones, although, Chief Minister, I am not too sure about some of the two-up games I have been at. Mr Jensen told me that his father played two-up but he did not, which I thought was a bit of a pity. But he is probably very sensible because - - -
Mr Jensen: I am better at poker, Bill.
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