Page 2484 - Week 09 - Wednesday, 7 August 1991
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throughout the Canberra community and throughout all age groups. That is why, really, the Labor Party is going against its own fundamental beliefs, I believe, in opposing it. However, I do not think we are going to see any change from the Labor Party and I think that is somewhat sad.
Mr Speaker, I would certainly urge all members of the Assembly to support the continuation of this power when we come to debate it next Wednesday in the Assembly. It is a commonsense power; it has the support of the majority of the population; it has been proved in four police reports now to be useful. Perhaps some further improvements can be made to the legislation as time goes on. That can be done; but for that to happen, of course, the legislation must remain. That is recognised in all the police reports; that is recognised by the vast majority of people in this city.
I would also refer the Labor Party to what happened - I think I raised this issue again in June this year - when they went out and talked to a number of shopkeepers in Garema Place after I raised the fact that this power is due to lapse. Everyone they spoke to wanted the power to be retained. Mr Speaker, I conclude by seeking leave of the Assembly to present a couple more documents: Firstly, the documents in relation to the break-up of age groups and persons surveyed - I put a blue line under the relevant part in relation to the move-on power - and also an explanatory memorandum to the Bill.
Leave granted.
Debate (on motion by Mr Connolly) adjourned.
LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY (MEMBERS' STAFF) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991
MR COLLAERY (10.50): Mr Speaker, I present the Legislative Assembly (Members' Staff) (Amendment) Bill 1991. I move:
That this Bill be agreed to in principle.
Mr Speaker, I can deduce from looking around me that today's events in the Assembly are of particular interest to the good citizens of Canberra and other places who are gathered here today. It may seem somewhat of an inconvenience to discuss something that is boringly entitled the "Legislative Assembly (Members' Staff) (Amendment) Bill". But it is only through the proper staffing and the adequate resourcing of members of this Assembly that we can give attention to the vital and public issues that concern the constituents of this good Territory. A serious situation has arisen in this house in relation to matters that go to the very heart of members' capacity to deal with issues before it and issues in the public interest - issues such as pornography or anything else.
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