Page 5589 - Week 17 - Wednesday, 4 December 1991
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Amendment agreed to.
Clause, as amended, agreed to.
Clauses 147 to 150, by leave, taken together, and agreed to.
Clauses 151 to 153, by leave, taken together
MR MOORE (6.13): I am going to seek an informal opinion of the members of the Assembly as to whether or not they think this is an appropriate spot to adjourn.
Mr Berry: Press on regardless.
MR MOORE: I know that Mr Berry wants to press on regardless, but he may not have the numbers on this occasion. We are now talking about the power of entry, search warrants, and the powers of search and inspection. These are quite extraordinary powers, Mr Speaker. I asked my staff to get some more information from the library, but the library is closed. That does make the situation more difficult for me. I do think that this is an appropriate time to deal with the other issue that Mr Wood had and I think that we should proceed with the debate on this matter on the next day.
Mr Berry: This is a 30-second job. It will come on immediately debate on the Bill is adjourned.
MR SPEAKER: Mr Moore, could I propose that you postpone this clause and that we go on with others?
MR MOORE: No, I think it applies to the whole lot. I have to tell you, Mr Speaker, that I am glad you offered, but I am ready to pack it in. I will test it by a motion that I move - - -
Mr Berry: You cannot.
MR SPEAKER: You have already spoken.
MR MOORE: I cannot do that? Because I am already speaking. Ha, tricky! Do not worry; I can do it on the next one, should I need to.
In that case I will certainly raise the issues with reference to these powers of entry. Some of my opinion on this has been expressed publicly. There was a significant article in the Canberra Times with reference to these rather extensive powers that are lifted almost directly from the Royal Commissions Act and the Inquiries Act. Whilst I accept that they have a most important and appropriate place in a Royal Commissions Act, I have great reluctance about seeing them in a Bill of this kind.
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