Page 5055 - Week 16 - Wednesday, 27 November 1991
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .
I think my colleague Mr Collaery has already indicated that we propose to omit "article or substance" in order to clarify what we are proposing. On that basis, Madam Temporary Deputy Speaker, we commend the Bill to the Assembly and wish it a speedy passage together with the amendments that we will be moving during the detail stage.
MR STEVENSON (12.06): I, of course, support the Bill, though it is a convoluted way to handle the problem. Mr Jensen referred to bleatings from people in other States. I would not suggest for a moment that that is the correct term to use. There are grave concerns by people in other States, victims of crime and others, who have had major cause for concern for Canberra being the porn capital of Australia. Unfortunately, it looks like we are going to be the drug, prostitution and casino capital as well, if various things that have been suggested are pushed through this Assembly.
People in other States have every right, indeed, they have a responsibility and an obligation, to let members of this Assembly and relevant organisations in this community know that we are allowing their laws to be flouted by our laws.
If the situation was one that concerned the physical environment and not the moral environment, if you like, it would be a very clear issue. If we were doing something in the ACT that allowed pollution to pour across the borders or across Australia, fallout or whatever, there would be very swift concern from people in other States, and once again we would not think that was bleating. We would simply think it was their responsibility and obligation.
Mr Jensen: Politicians bleating.
MR STEVENSON: Well, politicians may bleat; but then again they have a responsibility to represent the constituents who, in the majority, want Canberra cleaned up. While it would be better to simply ban X-rated videos in Canberra, as my Publications Control (Amendment) Bill 1990 and my Bill this year sought to do, I care not how these things are achieved, provided that they are achieved. I am sure the people will not mind either, because there is increasing concern in this town for X-rated videos specifically to be banned.
Our last survey of some 600 people showed that 61 per cent of people now approve of us voting against X-rated videos. I think the other result was about 39 per cent. That would allow for them not saying that they agree with them, but a smaller percentage might allow them. So, I too commend the Bill to the house. Indeed, it would give us an opportunity, when passed, to do something useful in the ACT this year.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .