Page 1908 - Week 07 - Wednesday, 16 June 1993
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So the matter is under discussion, and I think it is under discussion at the appropriate level, amongst the people who have the greatest contact with the industry itself, and, I must say, amongst the people who I think have the greatest expertise in the question of how Canberra ought to be portrayed and what it is about the ACT that would attract more visitors to come and more visitors to stay here with us.
Mrs Carnell has also asked about levying rates and taxes on, I think, the brothel industry. As Mrs Carnell knows full well, this industry is legal in the ACT and it ought to pay its rates and taxes like any other industry. Like any other industry, Madam Speaker, its rights to advertise are always subject to the decisions of the individual editors or publications. I know that there has been a continuing issue brought to my attention by one particular brothel owner about their apparent inability to advertise in the Canberra Times. That is the Canberra Times's decision, not mine. This industry, Madam Speaker, like any other industry, has to take its chances about when and where it may advertise. I know that they will take up that cause with their usual vigour. Madam Speaker, Mrs Carnell also asked me about Yellow Pages. This Government is not responsible for Yellow Pages and decisions on what does or does not appear in Yellow Pages are entirely up to that organisation.
MRS CARNELL: I ask a supplementary question. Why will the Tourism Commission not inform the publisher in writing as to the reason for the publication's withdrawal or, for that matter, for putting it under a counter, which is the same thing? How long will the Chief Minister allow all the other Canberra businesses who advertise in This Week in Canberra at quite definite cost to be in a position where their paid advertising is not being seen by tourists?
MS FOLLETT: Madam Speaker, I will take on notice the question about advice to the publisher. I do not have information on that. On the other question of other people advertising in this publication, that is a commercial decision for them to make. If it is apparent to them that they are not getting the best value for their advertising dollar from that publication, then the decision is up to them as to whether they continue with that advertising or seek some other form of advertising. It is a commercial decision.
Mrs Carnell: Censorship.
MS FOLLETT: There is not an issue of censorship, as Mrs Carnell has just asserted. Rather, as I have said, this is a matter which is under discussion between the Tourism Commission and the advisory board. Presumably, they will want also to get a view from the industry generally, including from other advertisers, on how they view this issue and how they want it handled. I am saying to you, Madam Speaker, that my information is that, in taking the action that it has, the Tourism Commission is acting upon a number of complaints that it has had about the current format of that publication.
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