Page 1745 - Week 06 - Thursday, 19 May 1994
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Mr Moore: I believe that he has not withdrawn that imputation, Madam Speaker. I would like him to withdraw the imputation.
MR BERRY: Okay; I withdraw any imputation that the tobacco companies would pay you. But I still say that you are an apologist. You are an apologist for the tobacco companies because you have fallen into the trap that they have set for you. (Extension of time granted)
Carbon monoxide does not appear to worry members opposite. I heard Mr Westende run through a whole range of gases which were of concern environmentally, but he never mentioned carbon monoxide. He never mentioned what 1668 does with carbon monoxide. I can tell you, not much. Then I heard Mrs Carnell interject, "What about motor cars?". Mrs Carnell, you are not allowed to take them into a restaurant, and if you were you would not be allowed to start them. Under your provisions you can take a packet of smokes into the restaurant and blow the smoke in a worker's face and get away with it; it is all right. You have to really understand this issue. Obviously the Liberals do not. They have seized upon the issue of mechanical ventilation from the outset. They have collaborated with Mr Moore on this question, obviously, because they both agree on this score. Something that could have been perfect will be spoilt by these recommendations.
On the plus side, I congratulate all members of the committee for their work in so far as it does not affect restaurants, but in relation to restaurants it has been a cop-out. It has been weak; it has been gutless. It will mean that, for a long time yet, people who go to restaurants will have to suffer the effects of environmental tobacco smoke. It also means that workers in some restaurants will forever have to suffer environmental tobacco smoke if you have your way. The two-pronged approach by the Government was to protect workers.
Mr Moore: It will be exactly the same as if they were sitting outside.
MR BERRY: You have made sure, Mr Moore, that there is a chance that some workers will always be affected. You have also made sure, in this simplistic and stupid report, that some patrons will forever be affected by it. I think that is a great shame.
In relation to those other matters where recommendations have been made, without having had the opportunity to study them closely, I see that there is general support for the policies which have been talked about in this place from the Labor benches. That has to be welcomed, notwithstanding the agitation and anxiety that I feel about the refusal of the majority of committee members to bite the bullet in relation to restaurants. It is a lost opportunity. I think it is a failure that will long be remembered. It will be remembered by those people out there in the community who really expected something sensible.
Mrs Carnell: And got it.
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