Page 4694 - Week 15 - Thursday, 16 December 1993
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to appoint inspectors to enforce the law. These inspectors will be able to assist managers to encourage compliance. The proposed Bill sets penalties for offences, which will be handled by means of prosecutions. That is not to say that such enforcement mechanisms are commonly used.
Overseas experience over the past 20 years or so indicates that as long as the law's requirements are clear, simple and reasonable the vast majority of people are willing and able to comply without difficulty. To help clarify where smoking is and is not permitted, the proposed legislation will allow the Government to prescribe signage. It will also allow the Government to set conditions on places where smoking is still permitted, such as requiring that clear and obvious signs be displayed. All these elements will be implemented through disallowable instruments.
Madam Speaker, the introduction of this Bill is an historic moment in this country. It represents the first Australian State or Territory action to ensure that the air we breathe in public places is free of the 4,000 chemicals, including the 40-odd carcinogens which make up tobacco smoke. I firmly believe in the inevitability of this legislation, as do many of the individuals, businesses and organisations who have put their views to me. I have no doubt that when non-smoking is assumed to be normal practice in all public places people will be mystified that there was once any objection to government action to protect non-smokers from tobacco smoke.
When the public discussion paper was released Mr Humphries referred, admiringly, I think, to the Government's action as a "fairly game move". The Government considers that formalising non-smoking as the norm in enclosed public places is a sensible and responsible move, and is well overdue. It will mean that the health of Canberrans is protected to the extent that their exposure to other people's smoke is eliminated or substantially reduced. This is particularly important for babies, young children, pregnant women, the elderly, people suffering from heart and respiratory ailments, and a whole host of others whose daily lives no longer will be compromised by having to breathe other people's smoke in public places. Finally, Madam Speaker, as I said at the outset, this is another Government promise which has been implemented. I present the explanatory memorandum.
Debate (on motion by Mrs Carnell) adjourned.
JUDICIAL COMMISSIONS BILL 1993
MR CONNOLLY (Attorney-General, Minister for Housing and Community Services and Minister for Urban Services) (11.18): Madam Speaker, I present the Judicial Commissions Bill 1993.
Mr Cornwell: Perhaps we could have one into the Electoral Act, Mr Connolly.
MR CONNOLLY: Are you calm over there? Are we settled?
Mrs Carnell: No.
MR CONNOLLY: Oh well; Christmas is coming.
Title read by Clerk.
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