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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2000 Week 5 Hansard (9 May) . . Page.. 1283 ..

MR HUMPHRIES (continuing):

when that legislation came to the Senate. I do not think anyone would have a clear idea of what the Democrats would do, based on what they have said in the last couple of weeks in the media.

Our position is unambiguous about that, Mr Speaker. It is very difficult to prevent access to the Internet. We have taken that position when it comes to offensive images. We take the same position when it comes to access to gambling. It is simply too difficult to conceive of a practical way of preventing people, particularly Australians, from obtaining access to support a moratorium of the kind which has been talked about by the Commonwealth.

MS TUCKER: I have a supplementary question, Mr Speaker. I do recall from the act for the gambling commission that they are required to keep minutes. For the information of the Assembly, could you please table by close of business today the minutes of the proceedings of the commission when it made the decision to take that position? I would really like to see the clear argument that the commission is actually putting to support that position. You have given a summary of it, but could you please do that for the Assembly because the act allows for that?

MR HUMPHRIES: I think Ms Tucker did not listen fully to what I had to say in my answer to the question. I said that my advice came from the chairman of the commission and from the chief executive of the commission. Neither of those people has met with me in the presence of the rest of the members of the commission and there are no requirements for meetings between the chief executive, the chairman and me to be minuted, nor should there be.

Ms Tucker: No, the minutes of the meeting of the commission. You gave us the impression that this was the position of the commission, but you are now saying that it was not.

MR HUMPHRIES: Mr Speaker, I repeat what I said in my original answer to Ms Tucker's question. I have not met with the commission. I have met with the chairman of the commission.

Ms Tucker: But doesn't the chair represent the commission?

MR HUMPHRIES: I do not know what discussions the commission-

Ms Tucker: You should.

MR HUMPHRIES: I am sorry to disturb Ms Tucker with my answer. I can simply say that I have not met with the commission as a whole. I met with the chairman and the chief executive. I have asked them for advice. They have given me advice. That advice was given in a meeting I had in my office sitting down with my advisers and with them. It is therefore a matter which was not minuted. I do not take minutes of meetings I have in my office as a rule. Perhaps you do, Ms Tucker, but I certainly do not. Mr Speaker, if the commission has discussed the matter, there would be minutes of that. I am happy to approach the commission about producing minutes of meetings they have had about this subject.

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