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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1996 Week 4 Hansard (18 April) . . Page.. 1103 ..

MR STEFANIAK (Minister for Education and Training and Minister for Sport and Recreation) (3.52): Mr Speaker, one thing that maybe Ms Follett is forgetting here is that, according to my understanding, the Weapons Advisory Committee - which has not changed in format or, indeed, personnel since the time of the Labor Government - had no problems at all with this. It looked at the issue; it accepted it; and, according to my understanding, had no problems at all with it. I think that is a very relevant fact. The Weapons Advisory Committee, of course, advises my colleague in terms of effective gun control. I think it is no secret - and, indeed, everyone in this Territory is very proud of the fact - that the Territory has the toughest gun laws in Australia. I think all of us really are very proud of this fact. The Weapons Advisory Committee advises my colleague in terms of appropriate amendments to the Act. He recently introduced some amendments to tighten up certain areas, and properly so. That was unanimously supported by the Assembly. So, I think that is a very important factor to bear in mind here.

Mr Wood: Irrelevant.

MR STEFANIAK: It is not irrelevant. Also, one has to bear in mind the fact that this game is now played, successfully and without mishap, in many other parts of Australia. Indeed, I understand that at Michelago there is a paintball park or area. Also, I think, not too far to our north there is another one.

Mr Humphries: At Gunning and Goulburn.

MR STEFANIAK: At Gunning and Goulburn; thank you, Mr Humphries. Also, according to my understanding, a large number of Canberra people, including firms, take their members to play paintball.

Mr Humphries: Government departments.

MR STEFANIAK: Government departments do, because it is team building. It is a lot of harmless fun, but it does build a bit of esprit de corps in the team. It is used quite effectively there. It is something that has been around in Australia for a number of years now. It is not a new phenomenon which we should be incredibly cautious about. We have had a lot of time to have a look at it to see whether there is anything insidious, dangerous, or maybe superdangerous rambo about it. Quite clearly, that does not seem to be the case.

Accordingly, it would seem to me that our Weapons Advisory Committee - a cautious bunch of people, well representative of all persons who would have an interest in effective and proper gun control - have given this a tick in the box. Really, I think people who are opposed to the introduction of it now, at this point in time, are being somewhat prudish, are overreacting, and are really just stopping people from having what appears to be, including to the Weapons Advisory Committee, legitimate, harmless fun. I commend the Minister for his attitude in relation to this, and I think it could well bring some tourist dollars into our fairly cash-strapped Territory.

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