Page 3448 - Week 12 - Wednesday, 18 September 1991
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into finance houses in London, Switzerland and the Cayman Islands. He further nominated that Australian trading banks were choosing to ignore what was going on under their very noses, and that either the internal security of some banks was being administered by idiots or they too had been infiltrated by the crime networks. It is on record in this Assembly that the ACT Labor Party accepted $8,000 from pornographers during the lead-up to the 1989 ACT election. The ACT ALP failed to declare this money, as required under the Electoral Act.
In Victoria this morning there was an announcement that the inquiries already well under way into organised crime will also focus on the business empire of Mr John Lark. Mr Lark and his companies are, I believe, facing collection procedures from the ACT Revenue Office over the franchise fees for X-rated videos that came into effect on 1 July 1990. This financial year the cost of collecting these fees and the amounts of fees received will almost cancel each other out.
Of what further value is it to this Assembly to have Mr Lark and other pornographers say that it is of benefit to have the porn trade operate in the ACT? The budget papers clearly establish that these fees cannot be collected due to the closure and bankruptcy of some wholesalers. I have already established that pornography firms are prepared to engage in any number of devious techniques to avoid taxes. The only people we do not see suffering are the directors of these companies.
The police officer who I indicated had been engaging in a misinformation campaign is a member of the Victoria Police Force and has been investigated at that force's Internal Investigations Branch.
Mr Berry: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. Again, Mr Stevenson moves on a track which I think would probably attract some sort of defamation action if he were to do it outside this place. I warn Mr Stevenson that, while it is not the position of the Labor Party to gag debate, if he continues with this we will move that the question be put.
MR STEVENSON: It is expected that internal disciplinary action will be taken against him. There are other matters under investigation and individuals currently before the courts which I am unable to reveal at this time - - -
Mr Moore: He is just continuing.
Mrs Grassby: What are you the Speaker for?
MR SPEAKER: Order! Mrs Grassby, I resent that implication. The situation is that the issue has been debated in this house before. Mr Stevenson was asked to present information to the assembled members for their edification on this particular issue. You called him to his feet at some previous date. You suggest that I not
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