Page 5061 - Week 16 - Wednesday, 27 November 1991
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I wanted it to relate to interstate drug trafficking, although that may overlap with some other laws. I am not going to press the issue or go to the wall on it. I simply state that it is time the interstate critics of this Territory learnt that they have to bite the social bullet. Let us see whether those governments, who are constantly flicking this issue onto us, will ban the possession of millions of videos in their jurisdictions. Unless they do that, the offence is not caught up.
I trust that that explains the matter to Mr Moore's satisfaction. It certainly does not in any way force any articles underground. Any State that wants to ban possession of them will have to look at the consequences of that and attend to that issue themselves. Having responded to that, I thank members for their comments on the child pornography issue. As I indicated in my presentation speech, the advice available to me when I was Attorney was that there were paedophile networks in society and that Canberra was not excluded from it.
MR SPEAKER: Order! Members, this is getting ridiculous. There are more people standing than there are sitting. Would you please resume your seats.
Mr Moore: That is because of the way it has been done.
MR COLLAERY: Mr Moore says that it is because of the way it is being done. The fact is that there was a presentation speech that explained this issue quite explicitly. I explained that this would affect only those States that moved to ban possession, and I will wait to see those wallowing, hypocritical States move to ban possession of them.
I am a bit worried about Mr Goss, but we will see what happens there. When he bans possession he will have to go out through the suburbs, get into suburban homes and grab those X-rated videos, will he not? Quite frankly, this provision is here now to say to those States who have been defaming us month in, month out in the national press, "There now is scope for you to change your laws so that there is a law on the statute books". Until that happens, it is very difficult to see whether there could be a prosecution or any action under proposed section 151A.
MR SPEAKER: Mr Collaery, I just quickly comment on the fact that you challenged the procedures of this Assembly. It is quite open to members when they are suggesting amendments to caucus with other members before they present them on the floor, or provide a brief written explanation with the amendment. So, I do not take lightly that challenge that you issued.
Mr Collaery: Mr Speaker, it is news to me that one can circulate a brief written statement with amendments. I am pleased to hear that and I will do that in future.
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