Page 794 - Week 03 - Thursday, 22 March 1990
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In recognition of the need to be able to act quickly, should a situation of "knowingly infecting" arise before this review can be completed, my department, in conjunction with AIDS agencies, is examining possible short-term legislative changes which will enable the Government to act but which would also protect the rights of the person under suspicion. The Government has no intention, as has been suggested, of introducing draconian or unenlightened legislation in this area, but it will continue to work closely with the community in addressing this issue with the sensitivity that it deserves. I move:
That the Assembly takes note of the paper.
Question resolved in the affirmative.
HUMAN RIGHTS
Discussion of Matter of Public Importance
MR DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Stefaniak): I have received a letter from Ms Follett proposing that a matter of public importance be submitted to the Assembly for discussion, namely:
The failure of the Kaine-Collaery Alliance to protect the human rights of the residents of Canberra.
MS FOLLETT (Leader of the Opposition) (5.52): On the third day of the life of this Government, Mr Collaery issued a press release claiming that after seven months of self-government he and Mr Kaine had a full and detailed program of proposed legislation. As we saw yesterday, in debating the achievements of this Government so far, actions speak louder than words. Mr Collaery, the self-styled great reformer, the man with, by his own words, a great harvest of legislation just waiting for him to bring in, has done nothing. He has signed a couple of agreements, tabled some papers at long last, been to some openings and attended a function at Bruce Stadium which is probably a suitable forum to recognise his achievements. I think he got a suitable response there, too.
The field of human rights is an extremely important one. It is an area in relation to which I want to pressure this Government to take some action, and I will continue to pressure it. Mr Collaery has said:
I have undertaken that we will pursue a balanced anti-discrimination, equal opportunity and affirmative action program in this Territory.
That is great, but where is it? We have yet to see the results of any of those words. Even yesterday, Mr Collaery said again that he will introduce such legislation. When? We are still waiting. On 25 January 1990 Mr Collaery said:
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