Page 2669 - Week 12 - Thursday, 16 November 1989
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shall not be separated from his or her parents against their will.
And so the convention goes on. It is also a fact that the draft convention contains the first concrete international steps to prevent sexual exploitation of children and sexual abuse of children. Now I see Mr Stevenson snickering over that.
Mr Stevenson: That is because from someone that would legalise pornography it does not sound particularly relevant.
MS FOLLETT: I repeat that the convention contains steps aimed at preventing sexual exploitation and sexual abuse of children. Article 34 requires parties to this convention to take measures to prevent the inducement or coercion of a child to engage in any unlawful sexual activity, the exploitative use of children in prostitution or other unlawful sexual practices, and the exploitative use of children in pornographic performances and materials. It is a measure towards recognising internationally the responsibilities of communities to protect children from those kinds of activities. I cannot for the life of me understand why Mr Stevenson has interpreted it differently. I have before me a copy of a letter signed by Terry W. Shulze of Macquarie Street, Sydney, I presume circulated by Mr Stevenson. Is this from you, Mr Stevenson?
Mr Stevenson: No.
MS FOLLETT: If it is not from Mr Stevenson I do not know why I have got it.
Mr Stevenson: Not me. I did not know anything about it.
MS FOLLETT: But it has appeared on my desk and I think on other people's desks as well.
Mr Stevenson: It appeared on my desk too.
MS FOLLETT: This Terry W. Shulze exhorts us not to support this UN convention. I might say that his spelling is about as good as his logic; it is totally up the creek. He says:
I have not read this convention in order to make an assessment of the treaty, therefore, I would not be so bold as to state an opinion of it.
Gosh, that is really convincing! I have read this convention. I believe that it offers some provisions which offer greater protection for children. It is an international convention. We cannot assume that internationally children are afforded the same sort of protection and rights as they are in Australia, and I think we should support it.
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