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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2004 Week 08 Hansard (Wednesday, 4 August 2004) . . Page.. 3452 ..

MRS CROSS (4.41): Mr Deputy Speaker, I also want to comment on these amendments. I think I said enough in my speech on the substantive motion but I want to add a couple of things. I have concerns about supporting these amendments. I understand Ms Dundas’s position in having to support them for this bill to get through. I will give the position I take on this matter some due consideration. I have got to say that if I do support the bill, I will do so reluctantly.

I must make a comment on what was said earlier by Mr Smyth about tinkering at the edges. I remember when you, Mr Deputy Speaker, introduced an initiative in here to ban spray cans. You considered that a good idea and I think you should be applauded for that initiative. For you and for many who supported that initiative—and I think I was perhaps one of those people—that could also be considered a small step in addressing what is a big problem. But whether or not that had gotten through, it was not the panacea or the complete solution to what is a very serious problem.

I agree with people who say in this place—and this is not just you, Mr Deputy Speaker, but also the Leader of the Opposition—that really tobacco is the problem and that we should be seriously looking at the tobacco issue. I agree. You are right—it is a serious issue. But in order for us to reach that stage we need at times to take small steps. What Ms Dundas is doing with this bill is a small step in your view. But I think it is a bit more significant than a small step—in the same way as your banning of spray cans initiative was not the total solution but a small step towards a bigger solution. I just use that as an example, Mr Deputy Speaker. I think it is irresponsible for us as legislators to stand by and not do anything unless we have the complete solution to the big problem.

I would also like to add that it is not very becoming of someone for whom I generally have a lot of admiration because of his very statesmanlike performance in this place to point to a member and say, “Well, you independent over there.” I could say, “You Liberal, you Green, you Democrat.” That is really silly and very pedestrian. We should not be getting down to the level where we refer to each other in that way just because we are not in a big pack like you are.

As I said, I have reservations about the legislation but I respect the pressure that Ms Dundas is under to support the amendments in order to get her bill through. It is interesting to note that when we were considering the smoking legislation last year there was a lot of lobbying by the clubs to either derail the legislation or convince us not to put it through. There has not been much of that in regard to this issue. If the minister’s figures are correct—and I have not seen them—the vending machine issue represents only 1 per cent—

Ms Dundas: That was adults.

MRS CROSS: If that is correct, so what? What does the figure have to be for us to take this seriously? How many children have to die?

I think the sentiment behind the opposition’s family commissioner initiative is a good one. But why is it that people come in and say that they are concerned about children, family, rights—all the things that you have also alluded to, Mr Deputy Speaker? You also alluded to perhaps the perception of a little bit of hypocrisy at times, in that we need

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