Page 2759 - Week 13 - Tuesday, 21 November 1989
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .
suitably enclosed areas or kept under the direct control of staff, with the imposition of appropriate penalties under the Publications Control Act if breaches are detected.
It is worth restating, Mr Speaker, that there have been no recorded complaints to the Federal Police from the public about alleged breaches of the law in relation to minors obtaining access to restricted areas or X-rated videotapes. The police are satisfied - and Mr Stefaniak will appreciate this - that the laws applying to X-rated materials are adequate and they are being complied with.
The passage of this Bill cannot be seen as direct support for the adult video industry in the ACT in the same way as the taxing of cigarettes under the Business Franchise (Tobacco and Petroleum Products) Act cannot be regarded as support for the tobacco industry. I think that all of the members in this place accept that the tobacco tax is an appropriate measure, and I am sure that members opposite will agree that the increased tobacco levy is an appropriate measure for the development of a health promotion fund in the Territory. That in some way parallels the taxes which will be achieved if members opposite support the Government. If these taxes are achieved, they can be applied in a useful way in the Territory's economy.
Now, if the people opposite seek to continue with their sabotage, or attempted sabotage, of the budget, then of course there will be reductions in services. That is not something that the Liberals have ever backed away from, because they have made it clear in the past that public sector services should be cut back in favour of reduced taxes. I see that their actions in this case are the actions of saboteurs and they are keen to undermine the Government's budget.
Most importantly, this will put pressure on very important services in my portfolio and others, but in particular in relation to my portfolio, where I am certain that with the withdrawal of these funds from the budget significant pressure will be put onto the Government to reduce services to those most in need. Of course, these will not be the rich friends of the Liberals. These will be the people most in need in the Territory. Pressure will be put on the services normally provided through the progressive policies of the Labor Government.
Mr Speaker, I urge all members in this Assembly to support this legislation. It is a key part of the budget strategy. It is a significant piece of legislation in terms of delivery of the Government's budget and the Government's policies, and I think it would be a most irresponsible act - the act of a saboteur - if the legislation were to be opposed.
MR STEFANIAK (8.50): Mr Speaker, I want to thank Mrs Grassby for the photocopy; it is great. I commence by
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .