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Ms Tucker has raised environmental issues. She is right to identify those issues. We must be sure that we address those things. The ecological and environmental elements of those parts of the Canberra Nature Park are very valuable to the Territory. We cannot lightly threaten them or put their present use at risk by virtue of some change, but we must also look at the options. Anything of this kind raises the question of the value of particular environmental assets. How much is a piece of nature park worth versus, say, the cost of building a more expensive motorway? All those sorts of issues are real. Much as we would like to pretend that we do not need to think about affecting any of the existing nature parks, the fact is that that is an option we have to explore. I hope that Ms Tucker's motion does not exclude exploration of those issues.
Debate (on motion by Mr Wood) adjourned.
PURCHASE OF FRENCH PRODUCTS
MR BERRY (11.43): The motion standing in my name requires a small amendment to have it make sense. I seek leave to move Notice No. 4 as indicated by the amendment I have circulated.
Leave granted.
MR BERRY: I move:
That this Assembly requires:
(1) the Government to provide a list of products purchased by them which are manufactured by French companies or are produced in France; and
(2) that an indefinite ban be implemented against the purchase of products which are manufactured or supplied by French manufacturers or suppliers or are produced in France, whether by French establishments or otherwise. This ban will apply in respect of all new contracts and also contractual arrangements in place which allow the Government to opt out.
This gives us the opportunity to put our money where our mouth is, given the debate which is going on in relation to the atrocity which is being committed in the South Pacific. Most of us have taken a strong stance against French nuclear testing in the Pacific. We have stood up and we have said that it is wrong. We have had the benefit of the support of the community on this issue. A significant campaign has developed across the Australian Capital Territory. It has the support of the whole community, as far as I can make out. For a place so small, the community ought to be congratulated for the strength of the campaign that they have put up on this important issue.
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