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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 4 Hansard (6 May) . . Page.. 964 ..

Title read by Clerk.

MRS CARNELL: I move:

That this Bill be agreed to in principle.

Mr Speaker, the responsibility to protect public health carries with it the obligation to ensure that health requirements are timely, equitable and likely to achieve the desired outcome. This is particularly true of groundbreaking landmark legislation such as the Smoke-Free Areas (Enclosed Public Places) Act 1994. I think we all recognise that implementing the Act in licensed premises such as bars and taverns presents very different issues than implementing it in shopping centres and dining areas. After considering a range of factors which are likely to influence the successful introduction of smoking prohibitions and restrictions in these premises, we have concluded that an active form of transition should be made available.

The Smoke-Free Areas (Enclosed Public Places) (Amendment) Bill 1997, which I present today, proposes transition arrangements for licensed premises consistent with the objective of the 1994 Smoke-Free Areas (Enclosed Public Places) Act to reduce people's exposure to environmental tobacco smoke. The Bill also maintains the overall goal of smoke-free public places unless specific provision is made, with a view to all places either becoming smoke free or being granted an exemption. The role of government is to make and implement sensible legislation which both leads and, to a certain extent, reflects community attitudes. The implementation of the Smoke-Free Areas (Enclosed Public Places) Act has, by all standards, been a success. Very rarely do we hear of, or see, people smoking in enclosed public places. People who visit the ACT often remark positively on this, and people who live in the ACT often comment - - -

Mr Berry: What about the people who spent the money, the law-abiding people? Those who threaten to break the law are going to get off.

MR SPEAKER: Order! Mr Berry, if you want to have a conversation with yourself, go outside and have it.

Mr Berry: I am putting my speech together, Mr Speaker.

MRS CARNELL: I am sorry; you cannot write.

Ms McRae: So, gratuitous insults are okay, are they, Mr Speaker?

MR SPEAKER: Order! Everybody settle down.

MRS CARNELL: Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. People who visit the ACT often remark positively on this, and people who live in the ACT often comment, in despairing terms, about the fact that when they travel outside the ACT they have no protection from tobacco smoke in restaurants, shopping centres and other enclosed public places. The ACT is regarded as a national and international leader in implementing smoke-free areas. Senior government officers, legislators and Ministers from other jurisdictions have visited the ACT to review our success in this area.

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