Page 4120 - Week 13 - Wednesday, 24 November 1993
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MR MOORE (5.12): In speaking to the in-principle stage of this Bill, I think it is appropriate to give credit where it is due. There is no doubt that Wayne Berry has been an Australian leader in this area of reform as far as tobacco products go, and he deserves congratulations. It is interesting that, on each occasion he has brought to this house reforms in this area, he has had overwhelming and, as my memory serves me, unanimous support for those reforms. Nevertheless, he is the one that has taken the running. I am delighted to hear the Leader of the Opposition give the Liberals' support. It is appropriate that we give the positives where they are due. It is one of the reasons why I am prepared today, even with the short notice, to accept these amendments and to support the harm minimisation approach that has been taken by Mr Berry.
MR BERRY (Minister for Health, Minister for Industrial Relations and Minister for Sport) (5.13), in reply: Madam Speaker, I thank members for their support on this matter. If I could give a brief summary of its history, it all began when options on cigarette packaging were examined two years ago. One option was to have generic packaging for cigarettes, which meant that they would have been in buff packets with black writing and that was all they could have. It probably would not surprise members to hear that I supported that approach. Of course, the tobacco companies strenuously opposed it. I wonder why. Eventually an agreement was reached between all States on substantially stronger messages than are the case in this amendment.
With the changes in politics that occurred around the country following that decision, there was also a change in attitude and a lot of backsliding on that question, which was a great shame. I think what had been decided upon, though a compromise from my point of view, was far and away the strongest message in the world on cigarette packets. We then had to go through the process of dealing with changes, and there had to be a campaign to put pressure on other governments around the country so that we could come up with something that was reasonable. I was very proud to be associated with that. I am not quite sure that I would rate these days, but I was a hero for a day with the AMA.
This approach has been assisted, no doubt, by the strong support for these moves that has been shown by all members of this Assembly, and more credit to them. With a bit of luck, the ACT might be remembered in some way for making its contribution on this score. Indeed, the labelling you see in the schedules describes the dreadful things that can happen to you as a result of the consumption of tobacco. I know that there are still people out there campaigning on behalf of tobacco companies. I have been particularly critical of the Australian Hotels Association's campaigning, which in essence supports the consumption of tobacco products. We really have to reform attitudes as we move on these issues. Once again, Madam Speaker, I thank members for their support on this Bill and wish it a quick passage.
Question resolved in the affirmative.
Bill agreed to in principle.
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