Page 1633 - Week 06 - Thursday, 13 August 1992
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this Bill deferred. The racing industry, we understand, brings some $6m annually to the coffers of the ACT Government. Bartter Enterprises, as late as this morning, were on the radio, saying that 80 jobs might be lost if they have to close down or if this Bill goes through. We have already said enough about the Circus Federation. The Australian National University is concerned. The John Curtin School of Medical Research is concerned.
Madam Speaker, we are not opposed to an animal welfare Bill. But clearly this Bill is badly drafted; it is vague; it is lacking in community consultation. It is recognised that the Bill is a start in targeting the area of animal welfare, but the uncertainties of the Bill have to be addressed. They are causing unnecessary concerns in the community and unfair pronouncements against well-meaning, hardworking Australians. Madam Speaker, I commend my motion.
MR WOOD (Minister for Education and Training, Minister for the Arts and Minister for the Environment, Land and Planning) (11.11): Madam Speaker, we have had this debate. We had it yesterday when an effort was made to suspend standing orders to deal with it, and we have had it at other times in the debate on this legislation. The Government opposes this reference. I need say no more than that.
MR KAINE (Leader of the Opposition) (11.12): Madam Speaker, I, quite frankly, am concerned about this Bill and the ramifications of it. I am not prepared to have this very serious proposal shrugged off so lightly by the Government, as the Minister just did - "We have heard your arguments, so we do not care any more". That, Madam Speaker, is not good enough. Mr Westende spelt out in great detail, and very eloquently, that there are major problems with the Bill; that there is major concern out there amongst many groups - not just one or two - as to what the ramifications of this Bill are for them. To simply say, "We are going to ram this Bill through today and we do not care about those concerns; we have no concern whatsoever for the fact that it is a divisive issue in the community - - -
Mr Cornwell: The Government does not understand.
MR KAINE: They obviously do not understand. They obviously do not understand that there is already the beginning of a massive reaction against this Bill.
Mr Lamont: Filibuster, filibuster.
MADAM SPEAKER: Order!
MR KAINE: I am not interested in filibustering, Mr Lamont. I am interested in an intelligent debate.
Mr Lamont: You are.
MR KAINE: I am not interested in filibustering.
Mr Lamont: You are.
MR KAINE: You can keep repeating it, but it does not make it so. Of all the people in the Assembly, when you start making statements like that you have probably the least credibility of the lot. By all means keep repeating it, but you are not impressing anybody.
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