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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1996 Week 10 Hansard (3 September) . . Page.. 2921 ..

Mr De Domenico: And the Chinese.

MR BERRY: It has united the world more on nuclear issues. Our response to these actions and how we might embarrass governments of the ilk of these opposite in the future because of their hopeless response to this issue is improving world unity. The result has not been a perfect result. Of course, the atomic tests went on, but the French took notice. There were fewer tests, and it has made an impact on the world community.

The Liberals would like to laugh this off and say that it had no effect. Mrs Carnell was saying, "Nobody else in Australia implemented bans". That just shows how much further in front this Assembly is - - -

Mr Humphries: Yes, sure, Wayne.

MR BERRY: That shows that we have more cause to be proud than do other communities around Australia. Helicopter Humphries interjects, "Sure, Wayne". Well, I am right, because the rest of the community were marching in an entirely different direction to you lot and you were shown up for your appalling and pathetic response to these important world and environment issues. Your lack of understanding has been demonstrated; and long may you live with it.

The appalling situation we are still faced with is that we have not yet received an apology from the French Government for what they have done in the South Pacific. I long for the day when we get an apology and there is some retribution paid to the people of that region for the damage that has been done in the area. I think it is time for the bans to be lifted, but it should leave - and I think it has left - a nasty taste in the mouth of the French because of their arrogance. They have paid a price, and they have to weigh up in their own minds whether they want to continue to pay that sort of price. I think it has sent a strong message to the rest of those world powers who have nuclear weapons and who might want to test them in the future that there will be a world reaction to what they do.

I heard Mr De Domenico make an interjection about the Chinese. Unless it has escaped Mr De Domenico's notice, the South Pacific is quite a deal closer. We are an important part of the South Pacific community. Every word they speak in relation to this matter just drags them further down in the community's estimation of them on this issue. They are completely out of step; they look like fools; their leader looked like a real goose in relation to the matter. The lot of you deserved it.

MR MOORE (11.05): Mr Speaker, I thought I would continue Mr Berry's theme of world reaction to the French nuclear tests. Indeed, the same point was raised by Ms Tucker in her speech on her amendment. I represented this Assembly at the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association meeting in Sri Lanka last year and was very proud to do so. I was part of a group of people who were seeking to ensure that an agreement was reached at that Commonwealth Parliamentary Association meeting expressing our horror at the reaction of the French in ignoring worldwide entreaties to stop their nuclear testing in the Pacific. It was not possible to get a unanimous reaction,

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