Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .

Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 1 Hansard (20 February) . . Page.. 197 ..

MR MOORE (11.29): Mr Speaker, it is appropriate for the Legal Affairs Committee to look into this issue. Mr Osborne and other members clearly are going to be very busy over the next little while. I must say that one has to be very careful when talking about dismissing the notion of 10c drinks or something like that, and saying that this is in some way absolutely terrible. I think it is very important for the committee to look at it. I do not know the exact arrangement in the particular case that Mr Osborne spoke about. If in fact it was an advertising gimmick, saying, "We will give you one only 10c drink", to try to lure people into the club, I must say I do not have a problem with that - not if it was one only.

Mr Osborne: It is contrary to the code of practice.

MR MOORE: Mr Osborne interjects that it is contrary to the code of practice.

Mr Humphries: It certainly is.

MR MOORE: It is reiterated by Mr Humphries. Maybe their code of practice needs looking at as well, and that is the exercise that we have before us. The intent of the code of practice is, clearly, to avoid encouraging people to drink to excess. Alcohol is a very important part of the way our society operates, when used appropriately. I am very comfortable about using alcohol myself in what I consider an appropriate way. Mr Osborne determines for himself that he does not use it. That is fine. I know he is very comfortable because I have been with him when I have had a drink. He drinks soft stuff.

I do not have a problem with that, but I think we do have to be careful that we do not take on a wowserish element and wind up getting very conservative values inflicted on the society. I think there is a very good midway process that we have to deal with very carefully. I believe that we have been quite effective in getting that process in terms of tobacco. We have been absolutely hopeless in getting that process in terms of what are currently illicit drugs. I think with alcohol we have been improving, but there is still some way to go. I think this exercise by the committee will be a useful way to assist us in determining what is the most effective way to minimise the harm associated with alcohol.

MR HUMPHRIES (Attorney-General) (11.32): Mr Speaker, I rise to support the reference to the committee that Mr Osborne has moved. I believe it is time for us to look again at the effectiveness of the code of practice and the way in which we, as a community, might ensure that high standards are adopted at all times and in all venues where alcoholic beverages are served. The Government over the last couple of years has had to pursue a number of issues, which has put us on a collision course with members of the hoteliering industry. I note that Mr Moore appears to be on very good terms with the industry at the moment, if his legislation yesterday is any indication.

Mr Osborne: They paid for his legislation to be drafted.

MR HUMPHRIES: That could be the case. I have no knowledge of that.

Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .