Page 4689 - Week 16 - Wednesday, 28 November 1990

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Wednesday, 28 November 1990

___________________________

MR SPEAKER (Mr Prowse) took the chair at 10.30 am and read the prayer.

SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990

MR BERRY (10.30): I present the Sexually Transmitted Diseases (Amendment) Bill 1990. I move:

That this Bill be agreed to in principle.

This Bill sets out merely to change the name of the Venereal Diseases Act 1956 and make some consequential amendments to other related legislation. Mr Speaker, the amendment Bill sets out to amend the principal Act in a number of its sections and also to amend the Pharmacy Act 1931, where it refers to "venereal disease", by substituting the term "sexually transmitted disease". That is a more modern approach to describing the ailments which may be transmitted by sexual means, and it seems to the Labor Opposition, at least, that it is a more appropriate way to describe those diseases.

There is very little more to say, other than to point out to the Assembly that we have consulted, as is normally the case with the Australian Labor Party, those areas of the community which would be concerned with this matter, including the Australian Medical Association. I understand that the Government will have no difficulty with the matter. I have discussed the issue with the Minister for Health, Education and the Arts, Mr Humphries.

Debate (on motion by Mr Humphries) adjourned.

PUBLICATIONS CONTROL (AMENDMENT) BILL (NO. 2) 1990

MR STEVENSON (10.32): Mr Speaker, I present the Publications Control (Amendment) Bill (No. 2) 1990. I move:

That this Bill be agreed to in principle.

Canberra is tagged "the porn capital of Australia". The Publications Control (Amendment) Bill (No. 2) 1990, which is tabled in my name, will bring the ACT into line with the Australian States, all of which have banned the sale, hire and distribution of X-rated videos. It will rid Canberra and the ACT of the blight of X-rated videos and the shame and ridicule associated with that dreadful tag.


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