Page 4662 - Week 15 - Wednesday, 15 December 1993
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FOOD (AMENDMENT) BILL (NO. 2) 1993
Detail Stage
Clause 6
Debate resumed.
MR BERRY: It is about other matters under the powers - - -
Mr De Domenico: Which other matters?
MR BERRY: Mr De Domenico interjects, "Which other matters?". It is about the powers of health officers. I will read all of this, if you like. It is two pages.
Mr De Domenico: No; we have read the Act. Tell us your views of the other matters. Can they send the tanks in if they think something might happen?
MR BERRY: These are the other matters. They can inspect, examine, take measurements in relation to, inspect and test any containers, inspect and test any food, open or require a person to open, take such photographs, and so on. But if it is in relation to an offence that will be committed, Mrs Carnell wants the power to do those things to be withdrawn. That is the sort of process that Mrs Carnell supports. All she has to do is read the legislation and it will become crystal clear to her.
In any event, I recognise, Madam Speaker, that the numbers are not going the Government's way on this score. At the same time I think that this Food (Amendment) Bill will survive, and it will survive as a great big credit for the Labor Party because it was the Labor Government that brought this into play. It will survive as among the most advanced food legislation around. It will be less effective as a result of the actions of the members opposite, but it will survive and it will provide better care for the people of the ACT. I have said that, if this is withdrawn and it becomes a problem in the short or long term, we will be back here trying to change this; but I am not prepared to see the Food (Amendment) Bill as it stands further delayed as a result of the actions of the members opposite. We can count the numbers, but I think it is regrettable that an important power should be taken away.
Mr Moore: Helen has not even spoken yet. Hold your breath.
MR BERRY: If Ms Szuty is convinced, once she has had a look at the legislation, I will congratulate her.
Mr De Domenico: This is Wayne the Grim's clairvoyancy service.
MR BERRY: There is one thing we can always guarantee about you, Mr De Domenico. There is one instrument you can always play in this place; you can play the fool. You do it really well. Madam Speaker, I look forward to Ms Szuty's support.
MS SZUTY (4.34): In opening my remarks I would like to recall a very emotive debate on this issue in this Assembly last week in which we spent some time - I think it must have been upwards of about an hour - before we adjourned to further consider the issue over a longer period. I would like to compliment my colleague Mr Moore, who has actively sought to research this issue and to arrive at an appropriate resolution which would meet the Assembly's concerns.
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