Page 1366 - Week 05 - Tuesday, 10 May 1994
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MR STEVENSON (4.25): It seems that the services that will be provided will be an improvement on what may have been a contradiction in some areas. There are, however, two areas that I wish to comment on. The first is - I quote from the introductory speech - "the importance the Government places on child protection measures in the ACT". We could do a lot in the area of pornography. It is not particularly X-rated videos that I mention, but the fact that children can go into family retail stores in the ACT and be assaulted visually by pornography. Secondly, as we know, some people are encouraged by pornography to commit certain acts. There is no doubt that the very least that we could do is to work towards pornography not being available in family stores such as newsagencies or in service stations and so on, where children also go. That would be one beneficial thing we could do towards protecting our children.
Also in the introductory speech mention was made of bringing the child protection system in the ACT into line with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. As members will recall, I have brought up the matter of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child previously.
Mr Berry: You opposed some of those elements.
MR STEVENSON: Mr Berry said that I opposed certain things. The answer to that is, of course, a clear yes. Whenever government tells someone that they should have rights, one should also keep in mind responsibilities and obligations. The major responsibility and obligation in the area of children is with their parents, not with the state. The taking away of parental responsibilities by the state is not the way we should go. Mr Lamont shakes his head, and I would agree that it is not the way we want to go - although that may not be what he meant.
Mr Lamont: Dennis, I just wish that you would get a new speech.
MR STEVENSON: Mr Lamont mentions that he wishes that I would get a new speech. Why? The role that the Labor governments in particular in Australia are playing is moving us towards ever-increasing centralised power.
Mr Lamont: Have you done a poll on this? What are the results, Dennis?
MR STEVENSON: I did one that you might find interesting.
Mr Lamont: Madam Speaker, I withdraw the interjection.
MADAM SPEAKER: Just as well. Thank you, Mr Lamont.
MR STEVENSON: I agree that it is just as well. He should be concerned about what he says before he puts his mouth into gear.
It is important that this Assembly and the Commonwealth Parliament be prepared to look at any suggestion from anywhere regarding welfare in Australia, economics or any other matter, including the welfare of our children and the welfare of families.
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