Page 463 - Week 02 - Thursday, 14 May 1992
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MR KAINE: The document was not given to me in my capacity as a member of the Public Accounts Committee; it was given to me as a private member of this Assembly. It is private business. It has nothing to do with the Public Accounts Committee. It has nothing to do with Mr Lamont, and it has nothing to do with Mr Berry, who is waving a copy of it around. I say, unequivocally, that the copy of the document that Mr Berry has, with a cover sheet, is not a copy of the document that was given to me.
AIDS Bus
MR STEVENSON: My question, which is to the Minister for Health, Mr Berry, concerns the vehicle that we know as the AIDS Bus. On behalf of a constituent, I ask whether or not there is any age restriction on the distribution of condoms, needles and literature from the bus.
Mr De Domenico: That is B for "bus" or A for "AIDS".
MR BERRY: I thank Mr Stevenson for the question. I appreciate the advance notice that was given in relation to it. Of course, you will be given an accurate answer. That is something for which Mr De Domenico does not have much regard when it comes to his statements in this place, as we recall over ACTION, when he was done over comprehensively. So, do not stick your head up again, Tony.
There is no age restriction on materials provided by the AIDS Bus; the age of the client is not asked. However, condoms, needles and syringes and literature are not handed out indiscriminately. Each client is assessed individually by trained staff working on the bus. Bus workers investigate the level of knowledge, such as the need for further education or information for the client and the reasons for wanting the condoms and/or syringes. Requests for needles and syringes which are made by a young person are carefully evaluated and may be refused if considered inappropriate.
I think the AIDS Bus caters for all ages. Just about everybody here is, or could be, covered. It is a comprehensive service that is provided for the community. It was started in the ACT in advance of that which occurs in other States, and it has been criticised in some quarters. It is a service that I am sure will assist in the campaign against AIDS, and it is recognised as such by experts in the field.
Pornographic Material
MR HUMPHRIES: My question, which is directed to the Attorney-General, concerns moves for tighter regulation of the display of pornographic material in newsagencies in the ACT. Has the Minister met with the Independent Women's Rights Group on this issue? If so, what occurred at that meeting and what was its outcome? What action does the Government intend to take to protect children from premature exposure to soft pornographic publications in newsagencies and other everyday retail outlets, particularly in light of the evidence presented in the report on the problem which was recently circulated by Mr Connolly's Labor colleague the member for Capricornia, Mr Keith Wright?
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