Page 6055 - Week 18 - Thursday, 12 December 1991
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The level of understanding of the issues was very high amongst the young people participating in this event. It was certainly much higher than it would have been during my school days when we did not really take much account of the environment, I guess; it did not seem to be a major issue back in the 1950s. But it was disappointing, at that time, that the ACT was not able to assist by sending a young representative to the renegotiation of the Montreal protocol in June of that year. The Government at the time saw fit not to assist in that process. I think it would have been a very good experience for a young Canberran citizen to represent the ACT, and I know that such a person would have done it ably at that very important conference.
I think that for far too long we have ignored the role of our young people in the developing of policies like this - or any other policy, for that matter. It provides a very important process and procedure for our young people, who, after all, will be taking over from us in the future, to gain experience and knowledge about the current operations of the political process, and the lobbying process, for that matter.
I would like to comment on the two final strategies identified by the ozone strategy paper that I have already referred to. They are: The improving of industry awareness of how servicing and maintenance procedures can be improved, along with their knowledge of the alternatives available; and an improvement in public awareness of what individuals can do to reduce their use of CFCs and halon gases. It is therefore pleasing to see that the first two recommendations of the strategy document relate specifically to the consultation process. I note, from the comments made by the Minister in his speech and also from the Bill, that there is provision for this sort of activity to take place. Once again, that is a very important process to follow. We should encourage the Government to ensure that all those in industry in the ACT are assisted to quickly come to grips with this legislation.
I would like to take up just one of the points raised by Mr Humphries during his speech. It relates to the public consultation process in respect of Bills in this Assembly. It may be a useful activity to have some sort of commentary in the local media about each of the Bills tabled in this place. It would not have to be a very big commentary; it could be just a small column in the newspaper. This would enable the various lobby groups and other organisations in the ACT, when the Assembly is sitting, to have a very quick look at what Bills have been tabled and to read a few words about what each Bill proposes to do, in order to see whether they have a particular interest in that piece of legislation.
They could then, of course, contact the relevant Minister or other members with a view to seeking their advice and assistance. I am sure that members of this Assembly would benefit greatly from this sort of contact from the community, and I think, in the end, we would probably end
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