Page 5305 - Week 14 - Thursday, 19 November 2009

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they would have the opportunity to watch other people do so. Has the government looked at only allowing retailers to sell fireworks at those designated community venues? It has not. This approach would increase community involvement and have less impact on the surrounding areas.

The Canberra Liberals believe there are practical solutions that have not been tested and that could lead to the reinstatement of this fun family and community event. Clearly, the government is not interested in pursuing and finding solutions. Clearly, it is not interested in serving the community. Clearly, it is interested in trying to de-emphasise its backflip today, but it is clear that there is not one person in this Assembly who has previously made a public statement in relation to shopgoods fireworks who does not now have a different opinion. Let us just suck it all in. Most people have changed their views on this, as, too, have the communities as regulations have changed and as there is better compliance with the regulations.

In concert with the Greens, the government are taking the easy way out. They have decided that it is too hard. It is not too hard, although the Stanhope government think so. It is complex, but in this place we have a duty to the people of Canberra to tackle complex issues with energy and take the community with us. We have a duty to pursue this to the very end. The end has not been reached and it is clear that the people of Canberra do not agree with what is happening today. I commend the motion to the Assembly.

Question put:

That Mrs Dunne’s motion be agreed to.

The Assembly voted—

Ayes 5

Noes 10

Mr Coe

Mr Barr

Ms Hunter

Mr Doszpot

Ms Bresnan

Ms Le Couteur

Mrs Dunne

Ms Burch

Ms Porter

Mr Hanson

Mr Corbell

Mr Rattenbury

Mr Seselja

Ms Gallagher

Mr Stanhope

Question so resolved in the negative.

Standing and temporary orders—suspension

Motion (by Mrs Dunne) agreed to, with the concurrence of an absolute majority:

That so much of the standing and temporary orders be suspended as would prevent Assembly business having precedence over Executive business and continuing until consideration of Assembly business, Notice No 2, has been completed.

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