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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2003 Week 8 Hansard (20 August) . . Page.. 2884 ..

MR PRATT (continuing):

There has been a continual flow of complaints and anecdotal evidence about the illegal use of powerful "bangers", which often has a window-shaking impact on households and strikes fear into small children, the elderly, pets and others. Serious damage has often been caused to property and some cases of injury have been reported.

In the weeks leading up to this year's Queen's Birthday long weekend the illegal use of bangers was constantly reported, and this continued after the long weekend for weeks-indeed, in some suburbs it still continues. Anecdotal evidence would indicate that bangers are getting bigger each year. Concurrently, there has been a significant number of complaints that police have not attended or were simply not able to-reports of acts of vandalism and personal attacks on elderly people, involving legal and apparently illegal uses of fireworks, bangers, rockets and other types of products.

Mr Speaker, the current legislation does not allow the sale of bangers, but it is very noticeable that in the period fireworks have been legally on sale the increased usage of bangers has suddenly materialised. This indicates a very serious situation-that the retail of shopgood fireworks is a conduit for or encourages the illegal provision of trafficked "beyond specification"fireworks, including powerful and dangerous bangers. It is apparent that some retailers are operating beyond the law by either directly selling illegal fireworks or indirectly encouraging an illegal trafficking of such goods.

The illegal trafficking of "beyond specification"fireworks is a matter often discussed by youth. This is the feedback that we get. If somebody desires to acquire such goods, it can be done. There is a strong view within the youth community that one can acquire illegal drugs and illegal fireworks for the purpose of "vandalistic fun"in exactly the same way and often from the same sources.

While the closing down of the retail sale of fireworks will not eradicate illegal trafficking, it is felt that the removal of the legal trade, at least in the retail sense, and the market will significantly minimise illegal trafficking. This, therefore, would reduce the disruption to the community. It certainly would not eradicate it, but it would reduce it.

Mr Speaker, over some months now I have run a petition calling for a ban on the retail sale of fireworks, and there has been a steady response to that. For example, on the first weekend that I ran the petition outside the Canberra Centre the response was surprising. Approximately 220 signatures were collected over 21/2 hours. Many other hurrying passers-by wished us well. Six people announced their objection-the adults' objection being along the lines of the doubtful and predictable claim of "restricting liberties".

Not surprisingly, mothers were in the majority of those objecting to the retail sale of fireworks; and, surprisingly, so too were young women, including a significant proportion of female school students. I must point out, Mr Speaker, I was very grateful to radio 2CC and 2CA for advertising the petition throughout that and subsequent Saturday mornings. Incidentally, the call-back response on radio on those programs has been overwhelmingly in favour of the proposed ban.

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