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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2004 Week 08 Hansard (Wednesday, 4 August 2004) . . Page.. 3451 ..

I thank members for their support and contributions to this debate. I note that amendments are to be circulated and I will talk to them in the detail stage.

Question resolved in the affirmative.

Bill agreed to in principle.

Detail stage

Bill, by leave, taken as a whole.

MR SMYTH (Leader of the Opposition) (4.38): Mr Deputy Speaker, I seek leave to move amendments Nos 1 to 3 circulated in my name together.

Leave granted.

MR SMYTH: I move amendments Nos 1 to 3 circulated in my name [see schedule 2 at page 3471].

I have already made the case for the amendments—that the bill should coincide as closely as possible with the 1 December 2006 changes that will affect all licensed premises. It gives the clubs and the pubs time to adjust as appropriate, and will have the long-term effect desired by Ms Dundas.

MS DUNDAS (4.39): Mr Deputy Speaker, these amendments seek to change the commencement of this bill to September 2006. As the original bill stands, the provisions would commence in September 2005, as this was the earliest possible time for provisions to commence, given the administrative needs of the change. The date of 1 September has been identified as the time when the tobacco licences expire, and the new tobacco licences could easily be issued to take into account the changes created by this bill.

So we are seeing a delay in implementation of the bill, and I note that the government has indicated they support that. Of course, I would prefer this to be implemented as soon as possible, but I acknowledge there is an argument that the changes would be useful in the lead-up to the ban on smoking in enclosed public places that will take place in December 2006, particularly as part of increasing public awareness that the ban will be about to take place.

I would like to indicate for the benefit of members that in an article published by NOW.UC, Mr Samarcq of ClubsACT indicated that whilst this was not necessarily ClubsACT’s position, he did see the benefit of the removal of cigarette vending machines in the lead-up to the ban on smoking in enclosed public places, and that they would work together hand in hand. So that is one view.

Whilst I remain convinced that this measure should be commenced at the earliest opportunity, I note that these amendments will enable the bill to receive the support of the Assembly. I thank members for recognising the need, at least some time in the future, to remove cigarette vending machines from public places.

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