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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2003 Week 13 Hansard (27 November) . . Page.. 4853 ..

MR PRATT (continuing):

passed which is not going to protect the workers and is not going to advance by one millimetre safety in the workplace.

MR HARGREAVES (4.59): Speaking about blind Freddy, I listened to that diatribe from the captain of the junker corps, and I thought to myself: what a crock. But I suppose if you send a boy on a man's errand that is what you are going to get. Of all of the things that I heard, the most offensive was "the sectional interests of individual lobby groups". How appalling is that?

Through you, Mr Deputy Speaker, turn around, Mr Pratt, and look into Sue Exner's eyes and tell her she is a sectional lobby group. Turn around and look at those kids up here who have come from Sydney to support their friends and tell them they are a sectional interest.

At 5.00 pm, in accordance with standing order 34, the debate was interrupted. The motion for the adjournment of the Assembly having been put and negatived, the debate was resumed.

MR HARGREAVES: There were a couple of other things that really put my nose out of joint. According to those opposite, this legislation is going to see the death of Summernats. I do not believe you. The organisers of Summernats are not going to kill the golden goose; they are going to stick around for a while. They have nothing to fear if they have done everything. The burden of proof is enough.

Mrs Burke: On a point of order, Mr Speaker: I also request that Mr Hargreaves direct his comments and remarks through the chair.

MR HARGREAVES: I have been addressing my remarks through the chair. I have said on at least three occasions in this speech, "Through you, Mr Deputy Speaker".

MR DEPUTY SPEAKER: He has been scrupulous in that, Mrs Burke. There is no point of order.

MR HARGREAVES: Even if-and it is not so-it came to a choice between a motor sports event and a young person's life, I have no choice. You may have the choice, members opposite, but I do not want that choice and I will not make it. There is no necessity to make that choice.

Mr Deputy Speaker, many who are in small business in this town have been sucked into the vortex of propaganda. It is an absolute herring. There is no change to their responsibility at the moment. They can still get done for manslaughter if they are responsible and the burden of proof prima facie proves the case. End of story.

This legislation does two major things, apart from a few other little bits. First, it underscores the necessity for businesses, corporations and entities to have OH&S practices that do not allow the death of an employee. Second, it sorts out the food chain of responsibility, and it brings to account-and I can stand to be corrected-the directing mind and will of a corporation. Hitherto, that was not the case.

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