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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1996 Week 5 (Hansard) 16 May) . . Page.. 1333 ..

MR BERRY (continuing):

This is an entirely different practice and I am most disappointed that the Minister would try to draw those comparisons. I think it shows a lack of sensitivity to the issue. Many politicians who hitherto would not have sanctioned gun control in this country have been swept up in a wave of action to do something about the issue across this country. I repeat, Mr Speaker, that I think it would demonstrate an appalling hypocrisy to the community if we were to approve the changes which have been proposed by this Minister and this Government.

MR MOORE (11.02): Mr Speaker, when Mr Berry speaks the way he does about hypocrisy in terms of the Government, I think we have to be very careful not to confuse simple solutions to a very complicated set of issues. Quite a number of times in this house I have quoted from a report published in 1990, Violence - Directions for Australia, by the National Committee on Violence. You may see the worn-out tags on this copy of the report. I think it is appropriate for me to take this opportunity to quote from the conclusion on page 103. It states:

Although there are still gaps in our knowledge, we have begun to acquire substantial insights about the causes of violence in general, and about the distribution of violence across time and social space in Australia. This knowledge is of much more than mere intellectual interest, as it can serve as the basis for policy interventions which can lead to a reduction in violence.

I think that is the goal that we are talking about. I think everybody here would agree on that. The report continues:

However, for present purposes it is important to bear in mind that no single policy or program can be regarded as a panacea in dealing with violence in Australian society.

As the above review suggests, factors which contribute to violence in Australia are many and varied. Moreover, their influence occurs not in isolation but rather in interaction with numerous other forces.

Essentially, it is the Committee's view that the experiences of childhood and the influence of the family are paramount in determining whether or not an individual becomes violent in his or her behaviour. We acknowledge that biological and personality factors may predispose individuals to violence, but strong evidence suggests that in almost every case a loving and secure environment can overcome such predispositions. Likewise, although alcohol, the media, peers and school may all exert their influence, what children observe and learn in their homes - what they come to recognise as norms of behaviour - will largely determine their reaction to these influences.

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