Page 2783 - Week 13 - Tuesday, 21 November 1989

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Mr Moore: Mr Deputy Speaker, on a point of order; he is talking about somebody in captivation, and that certainly does not refer to X-rated videos because that is specifically excluded by the censor. So I draw your attention to standing order 58.

MR DEPUTY SPEAKER: Continue, Mr Prowse, and I think you had better come back to the point.

MR PROWSE: I am fully aware of what the X-rated legal situation is, Mr Moore, but the point is that this is coming out of the Australian Capital Territory. I have the address of the firm in Kingston who are proudly announcing that they are from the ACT and they are supplying this information. I have been told by the members of the AVIA who are here tonight that, in fact, they are an illegal group, so we need to look into this.

The point is that we need a full investigation into the whole of the video industry. It is a must. By placing the issue before the Social Policy Committee, the findings of that committee would then be the basis for either taxing or banning some video material. But, to single out one classification of video material for the raising of income simply because it is easy, is that government? Because it is easy and because large sums of money are involved is just not good enough. So I will leave it with you. In summary, I believe that the raising of income from pornography is unacceptable for our nation's capital.

MRS NOLAN (9.58): As we have already heard from my party colleagues, the Liberal Party is opposing this Bill. As Mr Kaine said earlier, it is a money Bill which will enable this Government, desperate in pursuit of revenue, to collect revenue. The Government is prepared to sacrifice its principles and its philosophy to allow its passage.

It is the Government's principles and philosophy in relation to women that I want to speak about briefly tonight. Only yesterday the Labor Government - in fact, the Chief Minister - announced the Women's Consultative Council. I want to quote from a media release dated yesterday. It is headed "Women's Consultative Council Announced". It reads:

"I consider it important to receive the views of women in a wide range of policy areas", said the Chief Minister, Rosemary Follett, today.

"I have therefore decided to form an ACT Women's Consultative Council. It will be a community based body, with an independent chair and will advise me directly on issues concerning women in the ACT.

"The council will have a strong economic focus but will not neglect 'traditional' concerns such as child care and domestic violence.


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