Page 2742 - Week 13 - Tuesday, 21 November 1989
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measure, when the Klugman committee failed after long and direct scrutiny.
So, while I have my own approaches to resolving the moral and philosophical questions about non-violent erotica, they are out of place here. I want to raise only one issue which, in view of what I have been saying about the revenue implications of existing illegal or morally questionable business, is entirely relevant. That is the issue of prohibition. Prohibition seems in general to be the ultimate goal of many opponents of this tax, even if they use the term "banning". Prohibition, as history ought to have taught us by now, does not work. It does not work with alcohol; it does not work with gambling; it does not work with drugs, as the proliferation of heroin over the last 20 years - - -
Mr Kaine: I take a point of order, Mr Speaker. I would remind the current speaker that he himself said only a few minutes ago that introduction of irrelevant matters like prohibition would be going outside the bounds of this debate. I would suggest that he keeps to his own rules in debating the matter.
MR SPEAKER: Thank you, Mr Kaine. Please proceed, Mr Moore. Stick close to the point.
MR MOORE: Prohibition does not work with sexual practices, but it is relevant in this particular case, Mr Speaker, and I shall illustrate that as I move on. We are not encouraging a better moral climate by entertaining thoughts of a ban; instead we are opening up the possibility of a far worse climate, a climate in which black markets and organised crime and corruption will undoubtedly flourish.
Now, as we are all aware, the leader of the Residents Rally has taken it on himself to sniff out corruption in every quarter, and we heard him earlier today hot on the trail of links between the ALP and the X-rated video industry. I do not know how he will vote on this Bill, but here we have a man who is concerned about corruption. He, in fact, lies awake at night tormented by a recurring vision. It is a vision of a dark hand drawing slowly and malevolently across a page - a receipt book, perhaps - and as he follows the hand he sees it write, "To Paul Whalan, for services rendered".
MR SPEAKER: Order! That is quite inappropriate. Please proceed.
MR MOORE: Thank you, Mr Speaker. That sort of thing pales into insignificance beside the reality of crime and corruption. We will no doubt win this if non-violent erotica joins all other items on the failing prohibition list. That reality will generate money, illicit money, out of all proportion to the value of the industry as it now is. Most of the money will go unnoticed in the rest of society, but occasionally an arrest here, a confiscation of
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