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

Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 5 Hansard (14 May) . . Page.. 1380 ..

MR MOORE (continuing):

When prohibition is applied to an action that somebody takes that does not hurt others, it does not work. That is a reasonable interpretation, I think, of what is put out as a fairly simple statement that prohibition does not work. Usually when people hear the phrase that prohibition does not work, we understand, and I think Ms McRae and Mr Berry, who was guffawing next to her, understand that that is the policy position. But it was a convenient debating point, and no doubt it will be raised again on many occasions.

Even underlying that principle, and it is the same principle that underlies this, is that I seek to ensure the minimisation of harm as far as possible. In other words, I seek to find a healthier society for as wide a range of people as can be managed. Sometimes that will be done through debate; sometimes it will be done in what I have referred to before as the marketplace of ideas. Indeed, that is why much of what Ms McRae said made sense. That is how this change of policy has occurred - in the marketplace of ideas. In the end, there comes a point at which it is appropriate to make that final step, and today I think it is a great credit to this Assembly that members have indicated that they are ready to take the final step and ensure that it is not the prerogative of one person to hit another person. That is the crunch, and I certainly appreciate the fact that members have recognised that. Mr Speaker, I do not think there is any point in my reiterating the issues I raised in my introductory speech. Rather, I indicate to members that I appreciate the support.

Question resolved in the affirmative.

Bill agreed to in principle.

Leave granted to dispense with the detail stage.

Bill agreed to.

Debate resumed from 4 December 1996, on motion by Mr Moore:

That this Bill be agreed to in principle.

Question resolved in the affirmative.

Bill agreed to in principle.

Leave granted to dispense with the detail stage.

Bill agreed to.

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