Page 3283 - Week 11 - Thursday, 12 September 1991
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legal advisers, and we concede that. It will require good advice, much of which relates to information that lies wholly within the domain of the Government, particularly the Government Law Office and its advisers.
It is our view that the inquiry should review a number of principal issues. The first, judging on the recommendations of the recently released and final GALA report, is a possible review of penalties under the ACT Liquor Act. Next is a review of trading hours in relation to licensed premises, and that is, of course, the 24-hour and other hours issue. Mr Speaker, another element that is sought to be examined is access to licensed premises. That would include questions about the alleged open door policy of licensed clubs that may exist. Inquiries would need to be conducted in relation to that. The question of pub cards is an access issue. The inquiry would embrace a study as to whether that should be an appropriate measure.
More importantly, planning and leasing matters must be examined, in our view, as we move towards self-government. There are significant objections within business at times relating to a change in business amenity following the grant of licences allegedly without consultation with adjoining proprietors. I hasten to say that the registrar is not obliged to consult and conduct third party discussions in relation to the grant of licences, so that is a problem. That is an issue as well that should entertain the inquiry. I am sure the Government will agree that we need a review of services presently available for those affected by liquor. My colleague Ms Maher will certainly have more to say about that issue in the debate on this motion.
Mr Speaker, I do want to respond to some suggestions that the Residents Rally, in particular my colleague Dr Kinloch, voted against providing a proclaimed place. That is certainly not the case. A vote was taken in relation to whether a Bill that Mr Berry put forward whilst in opposition was appropriate and practicable. He will by now have had advice from his own department, giving exactly the same advice as was tendered to us when in government about the appropriate matter to bring forward in legislative terms to have a proclaimed place.
As Mr Berry knows, he has not brought forward the Bill now that he is in government. He has had plenty of time. He knows that there are problems with the proposal he put forward before. I saw someone scurrying around and showing a vote that had been taken in this house and a vote by Dr Kinloch on this issue. A squalid little document was being handed around showing, from Hansard, a vote. It was an attempt, Mr Speaker - - -
Mr Moore: An Assembly vote is a squalid little document?
Mr Berry: What are you on about?
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