Page 2733 - Week 09 - Wednesday, 26 September 2007
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .
MR MULCAHY (Molonglo) (5.38): Mr Deputy Speaker, I will not make a long address on this particular motion, because I am essentially comfortable with the sentiments contained in Ms Porter’s proposal. They seem to make sense. I am well aware of the matters that the minister went through in some details in terms of consultation. As indicated in public comment yesterday, provided they are done according to the normal standards of survey work, particularly the telephone work, then I think that would give us some reasonable indication of public view, and I think that is something which I would certainly be comfortable with going forward.
I guess I am one of those here who have an open mind on this particular issue and am still settling my own thinking on the matter of fireworks. I am conscious of the issues. I suppose I see five issues involved, the first and one of the most visible is the distress that I am informed by the RSPCA is caused in relation to animals. I am also aware of the general annoyance factor that people properly complain about when fireworks go off late at night, and there are concerns there. I am concerned about the possible impact on people physically—injury and the like. I suppose the fourth and fifth issues that come to light, and there may be others—I know, Mr Deputy Speaker, you had a long involvement in this issue—relate to the consequential acts of vandalism that happen with younger people sometimes misusing fireworks, as well as issues related to the regulation of the industry and the sale. I recall that before I was elected to this place there were some real issues of probity that emerged in relation to the way in which the industry was operating, and it brought itself under substantial scrutiny by WorkCover at that time.
In relation to the issue of pets, we need to be sensitive to the fact that, based on data that is provided by the RSPCA, they do report that June is the busiest month in the shelter in terms of the number of dogs coming in. In June 2005, for example, even though we had a wet June long weekend, the RSPCA say that they had an increase of 14 per cent in the number of dogs coming to the shelter. It was even more dramatic in the previous year, with 75 per cent more dogs being brought to the shelter in June 2004 than May 2004. In their terms that was the worst in recorded history. I do not like seeing animals being subjected to this level of distress, and if that data is sound then it is an issue of concern to us in a civilised society.
I grew up in an era where it was a pretty free and easy approach to fireworks. We used to celebrate Empire Day—which I am sure the minister would not be very fond of; I think it was May 24, as I recall—rather than Guy Fawkes Day. I am not sure what happens now on Empire Day; that seems to have slipped off the calendar. I know the minister is rather fond of proclaiming public holidays. Mr Deputy Speaker, rather than ruining the Melbourne Cup, the minister might want to think about Empire Day, notwithstanding his republican tendencies.
Mr Barr: Well, as long as we can have North Korean type celebrations.
MR MULCAHY: Well, this could happen too. This could happen with your Chief Minister; I think I see some parallels.
On a more serious note, I did look at the report of the Standing Committee on Legal Affairs of June 2002, and there was a series of recommendations which I understand
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .