Page 4285 - Week 14 - Tuesday, 29 November 1994
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As well as this Bill, the Opposition will not be opposing the Intoxicated Persons (Consequential Amendments) Bill 1994. We believe, Madam Speaker, that this Bill is a very appropriate way to go, although I cannot stress enough that we cannot let ourselves be distracted from the main issue, which is to teach our young people that drinking to excess is dangerous and can do irreparable damage to a person's health. I refer the Assembly to one of the reports of the Drugs Committee which spoke at length about a number of issues that could have been addressed, many of which have not been addressed by this Assembly. I request the next Assembly - hopefully, we will have some sort of say in that - to take on board a number of the education issues that that committee report put forward, issues that have not necessarily been taken up by this Government. I hope that the Government does not forget its obligation, and that is to educate the people of the Territory, but also to protect them. This Bill goes a long way to providing that protection.
MR MOORE (11.08): Madam Speaker, I rise to congratulate the Government on bringing this Bill forward.
Mr Berry: Mr Moore is consistent. On 1 May you voted the same way.
MADAM SPEAKER: Mr Berry!
MR MOORE: There was an interjection, Madam Speaker, from Mr Berry - - -
Mr Stevenson: From the right, over here.
MR MOORE: From the right. Mr Berry indicates that I am consistent. I cannot see why that would be a surprise at all, Madam Speaker. I remain consistent on almost all issues in this Assembly. I say "almost all", Madam Speaker, because there are times when it is appropriate and intelligent to change one's mind when new evidence is presented. Perhaps Mr Berry has learnt that.
Madam Speaker, the Bill we have before us, dealing with the care and protection of intoxicated persons, is, indeed, long overdue. I say that without attributing any blame, Madam Speaker, because I think any one of us was in a position to be able to prepare a Bill like this. We are in a position now to look much more at those key words, "the care and protection of intoxicated persons". We are part and parcel, ironically enough, of a drinking society which still looks down on people who are intoxicated. Mrs Carnell raised the issue of the select committee's report on youth and alcohol in which we raised a series of issues, and this was one of them.
Madam Speaker, it is appropriate that the clauses of the Bill which deal with the care of people and the power of carers are monitored carefully, because quite extensive power and protection is given to carers. I refer to clause 13 in particular, which says:
No action, suit or proceeding lies against a person who is or has been a licensee or carer in relation to any act done or omitted to be done by that person ...
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