Page 5056 - Week 16 - Wednesday, 27 November 1991
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MR DUBY (12.09): Madam Chair, a psychoanalyst examining the work we undergo in this Assembly would, I am sure, have some very interesting comments to make about our deprived childhoods. For example, this morning is a good example. We spent our time talking about prostitution and now we are into X-rated videos. It seems that, no matter what we do, sex must rear its ugly head in this place.
This Crimes (Amendment) Bill is a jolly good idea. Everyone accepts the concept that nobody supports or endorses child pornography. I think that goes without saying. The intended result of some of the amendments that have been circulated by Mr Collaery and Mr Jensen, endorsed enthusiastically by Mr Stevenson, is that we clamp down on and in effect emasculate the X-rated video industry here in the ACT. Perhaps that was a clever use of words.
There is no question that child pornography is abhorrent and should be eradicated. There should be very stiff penalties for it. But, for the life of me, when I look at the various amendments which are to be proposed, I cannot support, in conscience, these backhanded attempts to close down the X-rated video industry in the ACT. I shall say that in principle I support the Bill. I shall save my further comments until later in the debate on the various amendments which are to be proposed by people who frankly, in my view, are nothing but bigoted fanatics.
MR HUMPHRIES (12.11): As a bigoted fanatic, I feel that I ought to say something about this Bill. There has been some confusion about the effect of this Bill and what it is intended to do and whether it would succeed in that intention. We initially rejected some provisions of this Bill before amendments were circulated, as Mr Stefaniak has indicated. We are more satisfied with the amendments put forward by Mr Collaery and the amendments to those amendments by Mr Jensen.
I might say at this stage, Madam Temporary Deputy Speaker, that it is a matter of concern to the Liberal Party that we do find ourselves not infrequently in the position of having a plethora of amendments, sometimes amendments on amendments, to complicated legislation - legislation which is sometimes very technical - and the expectation that we will deal with that here on the floor of the Assembly through the process of conferring with our colleagues and with such advices as may be available in the gallery at very short notice. That is not a desirable way of dealing with legislation generally and it is not a desirable way, I would think, in normal circumstances, for private members' business either.
But, Madam Temporary Deputy Speaker, we have considered, we believe comprehensively, the amendments put forward today. We believe that this will achieve desirable objectives. We have perused the eminent advice of Mr Crispin, the Director of Public Prosecutions. I believe that the case he makes for change is convincing and that argument has been addressed in the amendments.
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