Page 4848 - Week 16 - Monday, 25 November 1991
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MR BERRY (Minister for Health and Minister for Sport) (5.11): Unquestionably, the Government endorses the review of the present inequitable laws concerning prostitution. This Government is also in favour of a well-planned reform of prostitution laws, if it is done, of course, to protect both public health and the health of sex workers in a viable manner. This Bill, while including some of these points, has many shortcomings, and for that reason I will be speaking against its passage in the course of debate.
Mr Moore: You have had months and months to tell us what those shortcomings are.
MR BERRY: Settle down. If prostitution laws are to be reformed in Canberra, it must be done with a view to the future. Rushing head on into something as complex and emotional as the sex industry can only lead to the creation of laws that are not in the best interests of, and do not cover the needs of, sex workers and Canberrans. That is why Labor will be moving today to adjourn this matter and refer it to the Community Law Reform Committee. The Community Law Reform Committee is made up of a retired judge, I think, a magistrate, some eminent lawyers, and some community representatives.
Mr Moore: Anything to put it off for the election.
MR BERRY: Mr Moore says, "Anything to put it off for the election". There is no question about it; if you want to talk about the Government's commitment to the review of the present inequitable laws concerning prostitution, you can say that the Labor Government supports that. You can say that the Government is also in favour of well-planned reform of prostitution laws, if done to protect both public health and the health of sex workers in a viable manner. Labor supports these changes. But we are not in a great big hurry about it; we need to get it done properly; it has to be considered by a proper process. To be quite frank, I do not think the people of the ACT would appreciate this Assembly, given its constituent members, rushing into important changes in laws which affect the people of the ACT. The Bill does - - -
Mr Collaery: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. I think that is a reflection on members. You are a constituent member. It is a reflection on the Chair and on the rest of us here. It is a snide comment, and a sly comment.
MR BERRY: It was a snide comment.
Mr Collaery: Perhaps the member will clarify his comments and say that he means no slight on the members. He is saying that these constituent members are not fit to legislate. That is what he is saying, Mr Speaker. He should withdraw it. It is a reflection on the house.
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