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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 5 Hansard (15 May) . . Page.. 1554 ..

MR BERRY (continuing):

Mrs Carnell argues for jobs. I do not think there are many people out there who want a job at the expense of somebody's health. In the end, sometimes you have to make these decisions. Every time this comes up, people argue, "It is about jobs. Businesses will go broke". They said that in relation to restaurants, and it did not happen.

Mrs Carnell: We did not say it with regard to restaurants.

MR BERRY: The restaurant people said it and the AHA said it. I have no particular objection to the AHA. We have a political difference on this issue, and we will fight like cats and dogs over it. I suspect that we will never agree. They play hard ball, and on this question I am happy to play hard ball too. It is as simple as that.

The issue is one of concern for the community. It is an issue of community health, and it is a principle that you cannot afford to walk away from. Bottom lines and community health do not often mix. I am afraid that the bottom line has won out on this one. That is regrettable, because I think this puts off a chance to do something - watered down, yet better than what existed before. Those are the facts of the matter. But, at the end of the day, it puts into somebody else's hands in the future - who knows who it will be - a decision about whether there is another extension. Mr Speaker, I have said as much as I need to say about that. I think it is another backward step. I do not think the ACT will be held in high regard by people right across the country - indeed, across the world - who understand these issues.

MRS CARNELL (Chief Minister and Minister for Health and Community Care) (6.27): Let me say very briefly, Mr Speaker, that this legislation will place us at the forefront of smoking legislation in Australia. It will keep us at the forefront. The fact that, in pubs, clubs and taverns, you will be able to smoke in only 33 per cent of those areas, you will have to be 1.5 metres away from the bars and all the rest of it, or in 50 per cent of the premises, if there are smoke extraction systems, means that we will be a country mile ahead of any other jurisdiction in Australia and ahead of most in the world. But, as well as being ahead of other jurisdictions in Australia, we will be able to make sure that the legislation that we put in place here is workable and is legislation that we actually can enforce. That is absolutely essential, and that is what this is about. I think it is the way to go.

Amendment agreed to.

Bill, as a whole, as amended, agreed to.

Bill, as amended, agreed to.

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