Page 1649 - Week 06 - Wednesday, 18 May 1994
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PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION CARDS
MR MOORE (12.05): Madam Speaker, I move:
That this Assembly instructs the Minister for Urban Services to facilitate the distribution of personal identification cards by Motor Registry in the same format as a driver's licence for those people who choose to have identification showing their address and date of birth.
This morning is the morning for identifying backflips. The Government has been particularly resistant on the issue of a proof of age card. It has put argument after argument as to why it is that we cannot possibly have a proof of age card. So why the recent backflip? Madam Speaker, just too many committee reports have come down and said to the Government that this is an issue that it is going to have to deal with. I would like to congratulate the Minister for having indicated that he will carry out the intent of this motion.
This is a good opportunity to draw attention to the report Civic by Night, prepared by the ACT Community Safety Committee, which the Minister tabled in the Assembly earlier this week, I believe. The report is dated March 1994. That was a short while before the Minister did his backflip on this issue as well as the other issue. On the issue that we dealt with before, Madam Speaker - far be it for me to reflect on a vote of the Assembly; I certainly would not do that - - -
Ms Ellis: You would never dream of it.
MR MOORE: Never let it be said. On that issue, Madam Speaker, there was some discussion over the Government's role and the change of Minister. On the issue of a proof of age card, this Minister has been responsible all the way through and we are delighted that he has seen the light, Madam Speaker. He has changed his mind; he has been persuaded by the evidence. It has taken a great deal of effort to get that evidence before him and to have him see the light, but that is what he has done. The ACT Community Safety Committee stated at page 17 of its status report:
8.3 The Committee is aware of the debate and status surrounding the introduction of a proof of age card in the ACT. It notes that the card has been recommended by several Committees including the Select Committee on Drugs Report on Alcohol and Youth. However, the Committee understands the Chief Minister's Youth Advisory Council rejected the introduction of such a card.
8.4 Based on information and views presented to the Committee, there is still strong support for the card by police, licensees, a number of young people, and the aged.
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