Page 3274 - Week 11 - Thursday, 12 September 1991
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MR BERRY: When you consider that, in conjunction with this Government's positive attitude to health strategies to counter alcohol abuse - and we do those sorts of things through the Health Promotion Fund and, of course, the Federal Labor Government does it through the national health program - it is very obvious that we are trying to ensure the well-being of Canberrans.
Dr Kinloch mentioned the youth refuges. He should talk to some of the other members, in particular, Ms Maher. I understand that she was down at Royal Canberra Hospital recently and talked to the head of accident and emergency down there. I understand that she asked him about the number of young people who were admitted for alcohol abuse and I think the answer was: "Very few".
I am a little unsure what this member wants to achieve out of this inquiry. We have heard it said that there is a declining number of cautions being handed out to young people who are affected by alcohol. Of course, it is very clear now that the Residents Rally members, particularly, are very sensitive about being found out on chasing another populist issue, along with Dennis Stevenson. It is a great race; a great double.
Dr Kinloch: A cheap shot.
MR BERRY: Not a cheap shot; spot on. This is about kicking up a bit of a storm to enhance your chances for election next time.
Dr Kinloch: I used to admire the Labor Party.
MR SPEAKER: Order!
MR BERRY: I do not mind a bit of rowdy debate. Like my colleague Mr Connolly, I can put up with Dr Kinloch's interjections. Perhaps he wants to be able to say that he did his bit to solve the problem of alcohol abuse. The reality is that all he will be able to say is that he has supported punitive and reactionary measures in this place - and I cite the move-on powers as one instance - while this Labor Government is promoting responsible use of alcohol and controlling its sale and distribution.
We are not into the punitive response. We are about sorting the problem out. There are no Bill Stefaniaks in the Labor Party; there are no Bill Stefaniaks in the Labor Party's ACT Assembly team - and may I say that there will not be many of them in the Liberal Party's after the next election. I am also unsure about what recommendations he would hope to achieve from this inquiry. We have seen the support of various members for punitive measures, particularly amongst the Residents Rally. We have also seen Mr Stefaniak's support of dry areas. Perhaps he would like to try to introduce some more punitive measures such as the banning of the sale of alcohol in supermarkets.
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