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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1996 Week 9 Hansard (29 August) . . Page.. 2772 ..

MR HUMPHRIES (continuing):

This is not mandatory reporting, Mr Speaker. The wording of the legislation is carefully chosen to include "may", not "will". The Government recognises that a requirement to report would place considerable pressure on doctors, both ethically and literally. The clause is framed so as to absolve the medical practitioner of any civil or criminal remedy or proceeding arising from expressing that view to the registrar. I would hope that the medical community would see this provision as being in the community's best interest. I want to draw the Assembly's attention to clause 127 of the Bill, which says that three years after the commencement of the Act it will be reviewed to ensure that the policy objectives contained in it remain valid and that the terms remain appropriate for securing the objectives. Subclause (3) requires that a report be tabled in the Legislative Assembly within 12 months from the time that the three-year period concludes.

Mr Speaker, in conclusion, the Government's commitment to tough but fair firearms laws is unequivocal. I am pleased that that view is held by, I believe, all members of this Assembly. The Bill is the culmination of some months of work by governments all over Australia. It is modelled particularly on the New South Wales legislation, but it has been changed to reflect the individual needs of this jurisdiction. Four months ago yesterday, our nation reeled in horror at the events which occurred at Port Arthur. It is important that we never allow ourselves to forget those who died at the hands of one gunman there and those who will feel the effects of that incident directly forever. In an effort to make our community a safer one, we need to remove high-powered weapons from circulation, not because lawful gun owners will necessarily use them for unlawful purposes but because having these high-powered firearms in circulation can lead to these horrific incidents. For the memory of those killed at Port Arthur, as well as the many Australians who have died and been injured by bullets fired from these firearms, the nation came together and acted as one to address a problem which had gone unresolved for some years.

I put on record my admiration for the leadership demonstrated by the Prime Minister. During times when it looked that a national agreement would not have been possible, it was his leadership and his determination to see this done that drove all States and Territories to support his position. I know he will not mind if I quote from what he told Ministers at that meeting on 10 May. He said:

We do this because the people of Australia demand it, and the national interest requires it.

I commend the Bill to the Assembly.

Debate (on motion by Ms Follett) adjourned.

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