Page 1041 - Week 06 - Thursday, 27 July 1989
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no longer conceded to politicians, priests, parsons, professors or presidents of the Returned Services' League -
and much of that is excellent -
the right to draw up codes of behaviour, or prescribe what could or could not be read. The people broke the Tablets of the Law. The people killed their gods. The people turned to the worship of the Golden Calf.
I plead with my friends and colleagues in this Assembly to recognise that this is a decision only marginally made; that it was done in great haste. It was done, to be sure, with an honest intent. I bear no ill will to any of those on either side, but I ask that this case now come before this Assembly.
I do indeed promise this: that whatever happens I will be introducing a private members Bill to repeal the ordinance which allows gambling casinos in this Territory and then we will certainly have a chance to declare our yea or nay. Mr Speaker, thank you for the indulgence for the extra time. I ask that your prayer, the prayer that you read, may rest upon this Assembly.
MR BERRY (Minister for Community Services and Health) (11.15): Mr Speaker, I, like other speakers, welcome the full and open inquiry that was conducted by the Select Committee on the Establishment of a Casino and I congratulate them on the work that they carried out and the energy that they put into that inquiry. All of the people of Canberra and the interested groups had the opportunity to make submissions to that inquiry and, as the Leader of the Opposition has said, as to those who chose not to do so that was a choice of their own and, of course, the day is over for submissions and the decision has been made.
Labor, like the Liberal Party, was elected with a pro-casino policy, and I think it is now clear that on the basis of the numbers in this house the people of Canberra have made a decision about a casino. Both parties were elected with a pro-casino policy and both parties are moving to deliver on that promise, and I think that is the most appropriate course.
Mr Jensen: 34 per cent, Wayne.
MR BERRY: Well, the fact of the matter is if you have not got the numbers in the Residents Rally party you do not win the day.
Mr Collaery: There is always another day.
MR BERRY: Labor and Liberal were elected on a pro-casino policy. I suppose you would move to pull it down, Bernard. Both the political parties with the pro-casino policy are now moving to deliver on their promises. We in the Labor
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