Page 3169 - Week 11 - Tuesday, 20 September 1994
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Mr Connolly, in his remarks, indicated that we do not know what a safe level of exposure to environmental tobacco smoke is. That is really the nub of the debate. We do not know. It is an area that I think we are going to revisit many times in the future. I think the committee's recommendations as regards the way to go in the near future are appropriate.
Mr Berry made some fairly curious remarks towards the end of his statement, asking whether we, as the ACT Legislative Assembly, are going to permit smoking forever. I thought that that was a very intriguing comment. This Assembly obviously reviews issues from time to time. When we pass legislation, I do not think any of us have the view that it is set in concrete forever. Certainly, I do not believe that we are endorsing the culture of tobacco consumption. If we were doing that, we would be looking forward to an eventual total ban on cigarette smoking in our community.
The Assembly has already indicated, by 16 votes to one, that we support this Bill in principle. We have disagreed with the methods by which the Government has gone about bringing the Bill into effect. I think the situation with regard to licensed premises bears that point out conclusively. Smoking in licensed premises is an issue that the Government was not prepared to tackle.
MR CORNWELL (9.57): Madam Speaker, I rise briefly to thank Mr Lamont for correcting an error that I made earlier this evening with reference to ACTION bus drivers. I am delighted to hear from Mr Lamont that the bus drivers have been pulled into line after years of getting away with transgressions of the anti-smoking law. I understand that Mr Lamont's edict came into force in August, last month. I welcome it, if only upon the basis of consistency. I trust, Mr Lamont, that this can be enforced either by you as Minister for Industrial Relations - - -
Ms Ellis: What are you suggesting?
MR CORNWELL: These are government employees, Ms Ellis, and I trust that the agreement can be and will be enforced and will be adhered to. If Mr Lamont does not seek to enforce it, I am sure that his colleague Mr Berry will, because I have not heard from any member such enthusiasm as I heard from Mr Berry since listening to some rather scratchy records of the Nuremburg rallies.
MR LAMONT (Minister for Urban Services, Minister for Housing and Community Services, Minister for Industrial Relations and Minister for Sport) (9.58): Madam Speaker, I rise predominantly to address one issue - the question raised by Ms Szuty in relation to the technical implications of the clean air standard. If I misquote you, Ms Szuty, please correct me; but I understood you to say that, if you can be shown that that standard does not provide for adequate protection of employees and/or patrons, you will reconsider your vote. Does that mean that you will change your vote, or does that just mean that you will reconsider it? That is the question which I suggest that you should consider before you vote on this matter tonight.
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