Page 2770 - Week 13 - Tuesday, 21 November 1989
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MR HUMPHRIES: Clearly, by passing this tax, Mr Berry, we are legitimising this industry. The proof of that fact, Minister, is that if you go out into the street and you ask 100 different people, "Would you care to have taxation on you increased?", they will of course say, "No". In this case you ask the principals of the pornography industry in this town, "Do you want this tax imposed on you?", and they say, "Yes". Now, why, Minister? Why do they say they want this taxation on them? For one reason only: it legitimises the industry; it legitimises their activities. Clearly, that is the reason why they support this tax and that is the reason why we oppose this tax.
Mr Moore indicated that we had no power to ban X-rated videos. That is clearly not the case, and I suggest you check with reputable legal advice. You will find that is simply not the case.
Mr Duby: There is no such animal.
MR HUMPHRIES: Well, the No Self Government Party interjects, and I have a comment to make about the No Self Government Party as well. It is very curious, Mr Speaker, that three taxation measures have come before this Assembly - this is the third - and every one of those taxation measures has been supported by the No Self Government Party, this one included. Yet they went to the last election saying to the people of Canberra, "Support us because we are going to diminish the impact that self-government will have on you and we'll stop you having to pay more through self-government". Well, that is the opposite of what you have done in the course of your votes in this place. It is the opposite of what you have done. You have increased taxation - - -
Mr Berry: I think we got pretty close to a legitimate point of order there; I think he got well off the track. I think we were right in the middle of a legitimate point of order.
MR SPEAKER: Thank you, Minister Berry. Please proceed, Mr Humphries.
MR HUMPHRIES: Mr Speaker, clearly, the reputation of the No Self Government Party when it comes to claiming at the next election that they are reducing the impact of self-government by keeping tax off the backs of the people of Canberra will not hold much water.
Mr Duby: The people in Canberra are not paying this tax, Gary; it is the people in Sydney and Melbourne.
MR HUMPHRIES: No, Mr Speaker; taxation levels apply to anybody.
MR SPEAKER: Order! Your time is up, Mr Humphries.
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