Page 3927 - Week 15 - Tuesday, 15 December 1992
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .
Question put:
That the amendment (Mr Cornwell's) be agreed to.
The Assembly voted -
AYES, 6 NOES, 9
Mrs Carnell Mr Berry
Mr Cornwell Mr Connolly
Mr De Domenico Ms Ellis
Mr Kaine Ms Follett
Mr Stevenson Mrs Grassby
Mr Westende Ms McRae
Mr Moore
Ms Szuty
Mr Wood
Question so resolved in the negative.
Clause agreed to.
Remainder of Bill, by leave, taken as a whole, and agreed to.
Bill agreed to.
ORGANOCHLORINE PESTICIDES
Ministerial Statement
Debate resumed from 19 November 1992, on motion by Mr Wood:
That the Assembly takes note of the paper.
MR WESTENDE (9.57): Madam Speaker, I would like to make some brief comments in response to Mr Wood's ministerial statement on banning organochlorine pesticides in the ACT. Madam Speaker, from the inquiries I have made since the Minister delivered his statement, I have come to the conclusion that the proposed banning of chlordane and heptachlor has come about as a result of misinformation and overreaction on the whole matter of organochlorines. The irrefutable facts pertaining to the use of the two pesticides chlordane and heptachlor are as follows: They have an excellent record in the successful long-term prevention of termite infestation - 20 to 30 years, according to the Flick Pest Control head office in Sydney. Secondly, there is no substantive proof in Australia, or for that matter anywhere else in the world, that these pesticides are unsafe to humans. Thirdly, Canberra is located in a termite infested area.
From a commonsense point of view, one cannot but ask why these pesticides are being banned at all; but it is even more astonishing from scientific evidence. They are effective in treating termites and there is no medical evidence of harm to humans. We gather that the green movement has been extremely successful in mounting a scare campaign to suggest that these pesticides are in fact harmful.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .