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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1996 Week 8 Hansard (27 June) . . Page.. 2431 ..

Clause 4

MR MOORE (12.05 am): Mr Speaker, I thought I would speak to clause 4 to start off with, the interpretation clause. In clause 4 we have the definition of "large supermarket". The Bill says:

"large supermarket" means the supermarket that -

(a) exceeds 400 square metres in floor area; and

(b) is situated in a town centre.

Mr Speaker, if the Greens are serious about what they claim they are serious about, which is that this legislation should go further, there is a very simple amendment that they could have put. Simply removing paragraph (b) in clause 4, and a similar amendment to clause 6(1) removing the words between commas, would have ensured that they would get what they wished. I would have thought that this very simple amendment would have shown quite good faith on their part, and would show that they could - - -

Ms Tucker: We thought we might consult further first.

MR MOORE: Mr Speaker, I hear the interjection that they would have needed to consult further.

MR SPEAKER: Interjections are out of order.

MR MOORE: But I have taken it, Mr Speaker. I think you should be very harsh on Ms Tucker for that interjection. However, now that it has been made - - -

Ms McRae: We know what consulting is, Mr Moore.

MR SPEAKER: Order!

MR MOORE: She says that they need more consultation on this, that they did not have enough consultation, which is a most extraordinary statement, Mr Speaker, considering their view on consultation and the work that she has done as chair of the Social Policy Committee in regard to consultation, and considering that that is an issue that we will be dealing with as the matter comes before the Planning and Environment Committee. Mr Speaker, it seems to me that that was a simple amendment to be put and it really exposes them for what they are doing here. They are joining the Liberals in this sham and this pretence at legislation - legislation which they pretend is going to protect small business. The trouble is, Mr Speaker, that it is a cruel pretence because there will be some small businesses who will believe that this will make a difference. They will hang on a little longer because they think it will make a difference. A false promise has been held out in front of them and I think that is a cruel act.

Clause agreed to.

Clause 5 agreed to.

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