Page 3293 - Week 11 - Thursday, 12 September 1991
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On another occasion, Mr Speaker, I received complaints from neighbours who lived across a major road from a club near an overpass which served a group centre and the club. Problems caused by late night revellers in the car park, including foul language and broken bottles, and on the walkway near their residences were of concern. We are talking about amenity, and there is adequate planning case law which identifies this problem. The volume on town planning law and practice refers to this issue.
MR SPEAKER: Order, Mr Jensen! Your time has expired.
MR DUBY (4.49): Mr Speaker, this afternoon's debates on, firstly, the matter of public importance, and, secondly, the motion by Mr Collaery about an inquiry to be established into the effects of alcohol and ways that its effect upon society can be reduced, have been most illuminating and invigorating. To be honest, I must admit that I was not aware that the problem was as severe as it is. Having listened to Mr Collaery, Dr Kinloch and Ms Maher this afternoon, I am quite surprised at the breadth of this problem and its spread throughout our community.
As I said, today's debate has been most illuminating. I think it has demonstrated once and for all just how much attention this Labor rabble opposite pay to social justice and just how much social compassion they are able to demonstrate. Indeed, this afternoon's proceedings, starting with question time, have demonstrated that. We had the Chief Minister, this afternoon in question time, being quite frivolous in regard to matters relating to domestic violence and the issues affecting women. That was further reflected in the comments she made this afternoon in this debate about alcohol.
One of the major issues and problems that alcohol brings into society is that of domestic violence. There is also the effect upon the innocent victims of alcohol abuse. A lot of people have concentrated upon under-age drinkers, but there are the innocent victims - the wives, the battered children of alcoholic husbands and alcoholic wives and women who overindulge. You would think that something that was going to examine those issues, something that would come up with some recommendations which might in some way alleviate the problem, which is a large one - according to Ms Follett, in this morning's paper, it is a large problem - would have the broad support of all members of this Assembly. But, no.
Instead, what have we had this afternoon? We have had Ms Follett, Mr Berry and Mr Connolly sitting there, tittering and laughing and chuckling like young school boys and girls discussing sex education. That is what it has been like.
Mrs Grassby: Oh!
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