Page 4361 - Week 14 - Wednesday, 8 December 1993
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can beautify and bring joy to people. It can also increase the uniqueness of a community, of an area, and increase the potential of a place as a tourist attraction. There is no doubt about that. The question remains: Will it?
I move the following amendment to the motion:
After paragraph (1), insert the following paragraph:
"(1A) the co-ordination unit ensure that proposed murals are submitted for approval before acceptance and that the themes and content are non-political.".
Approval is logical and obvious and is no doubt already a requirement. The themes and content should be non-political, because we have some murals around Canberra that are political, and when you start putting up - - -
Ms Ellis: What is wrong with that?
MR STEVENSON: Someone said, "What is wrong with that?". Let me answer the question very simply. If you agree with the political ideology, nothing; if you do not, everything. That is the problem and that is why the issue causes division. There should be - - -
Mr Connolly: All politics is art, and art is politics.
MR STEVENSON: One could say that a picture of a landscape could remind people of pink bits or developments that went ahead without community consultation. But, without going into listing 300 different things with parameters, I think the term "non-political" covers it for most people.
Mr Berry: A beautiful set of smiling teeth that demonstrate what fluoride has done for the community.
MR STEVENSON: In other words, as Mr Berry said, one could suggest that a picture of a smiling face might suggest fluoridation, but I would not suggest that for a second. I would say that a picture of a smiling face with teeth that were mottled would do more to suggest fluoridation. It would be a political statement. Such political statements should not be allowed.
Mr Berry: There is nothing wrong with that. No-one would believe you, because they all have smiling teeth at home.
MR STEVENSON: I missed that, Mr Berry.
Mr Berry: They all have kids at home with big strong teeth in their heads as a result of it.
MR STEVENSON: Fluoride does not strengthen teeth, Mr Berry. Do a little bit more research.
MADAM SPEAKER: Mr Stevenson, do not get distracted.
MR STEVENSON: I never get distracted by what Mr Berry says. It is not possible. I have long been a supporter of graffiti and street murals. I remember many years ago when the Parramatta rugby league team were buying
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