Page 399 - Week 02 - Wednesday, 13 May 1992
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Smoking in Public Places
MR WESTENDE: Madam Speaker, my question is directed to Mr Berry, the Minister for Health. In your ministerial statement of 12 May dealing with the replacement of tobacco company sponsorship of the Canberra Raiders you stated:
... the Government promised action in the area of smoking in enclosed public places ...
Why then does the Government allow bus drivers to smoke on buses while disallowing it for passengers, and why is smoking permitted around the entrance doors at the Woden Valley Hospital where many patients and visitors sit, even though the no-smoking signs are there displayed?
MR BERRY: I will deal with the bus driver issue first. It seems that there is a certain passion amongst the Liberal Party about ACTION, or about doing something to ACTION - selling it, I suspect; selling the most profitable bits, I suspect, to their mates. We discourage smoking amongst ACTION bus drivers.
In relation to the Woden Valley Hospital, I do not know whether you went out there and put this question together yourself; but if you had done so you would have noticed that the area that you are talking about is outside. We do not intend to prohibit people from smoking outside, even though it still could be injurious to their health. I have seen the signs of which you speak; but there is no law, I think, that would prevent somebody from standing near a sign that says "no smoking", outside, and smoking. It would merely be discourteous for somebody to do so, because non-smokers might be in the region. I would have hoped that people who do smoke would pay people who do not smoke the courtesy of not smoking in their presence, but we do not intend to legislate to prevent people from smoking outside.
Industrial Relations
MR LAMONT: My question is directed to the Minister for Industrial Relations. Does the Minister support statements by the Tasmanian Premier Ray Groom that APPM's industrial relations tactics are ham-fisted and heavy-handed?
Mr De Domenico: I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. I cannot see what the opinion of Mr Groom or any other State or Territory Premier has to do with the workings of this Assembly.
MADAM SPEAKER: The question is in order. Let Mr Berry answer it, please. Mr Berry, answer the question.
Mr Kaine: It is asking for an opinion, Madam Speaker. I suggest that it is out of order.
MADAM SPEAKER: Let Mr Berry answer the question, please.
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