Page 1074 - Week 03 - Wednesday, 21 March 2012
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
(2) After subparagraph (1)(g), insert:
“(1B) unequivocally condemns the actions alleged in paragraph (1)(aa); and”.
(4) After existing subparagraph (2)(a), insert:
“(aa) continue to advocate for an agreed national approach to cage egg production through the Primary Industries Ministerial Council; and”.
(6) After existing paragraph (2)(b), add:
“(3) calls on Mr Speaker to write to relevant advocacy groups encouraging them, when conducting protests, to do so lawfully and peacefully.”.
As I said at the outset, we cannot discuss the issue of Pace Farms at Parkwood without addressing the unconscionable vandalism that occurred on the evening of 12-13 March. I know that Ms Porter touched on it in her remarks but, given the performance of some members in this place, I think that we need to send a very strong message that we as the law-makers in the ACT condemn the breaking of the law no matter what the cause. I think that it is important that we send a strong message. I know that this is something that is a little unpalatable for the Greens, but the major parties, the Liberal Party and the Labor Party, should not find it difficult to uphold the law and to take a very strong stance on this.
My amendment (1) draws attention to the vandalism on 12-13 March. My second amendment calls on the Assembly to unequivocally condemn those actions. My amendment (4) is a little like one of Ms Le Couteur’s amendments, but it is a lot less prescriptive for governments. I ask the government to continue to advocate for a national agreement on cage egg production through the primary industry ministers council. Most importantly, I think that we should set an example.
My amendment (6) calls on the Speaker to write to relevant advocacy groups—he can make that decision himself or perhaps consult with members of the Assembly as to who the relevant advocacy groups might include—encouraging them and reminding them that protests should be done lawfully and peacefully. It is not unprecedented for the Assembly to ask the Speaker to write to people on behalf of the Assembly. It was done a couple of years ago when the Assembly asked Mr Rattenbury to write to the non-government schools council to set the record straight about some comments that had been made by Mr Barr—comments that Mr Barr had been asked to rectify and that were eventually rectified by a resolution of this Assembly that the Speaker should write to people. So it is not unprecedented, and I think that it is a reasonable course of action.
The issue of cage egg farming is a fraught one. I want to reinforce the message that we think that there should be an orderly approach to any changes. I am glad that the government agreed to Ms Le Couteur’s amendment, which was word for word the amendment that I had but that I have not moved.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video