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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1996 Week 14 Hansard (10 December) . . Page.. 4571 ..
MR HUMPHRIES (continuing):
Compensation is provided for by the application of Part VI of the Lands Acquisition Act 1994. The Part will apply in relation to an acquisition under this Bill as if it were an acquisition under the Lands Acquisition Act. The Executive may dispose of an interest acquired under this Bill in accordance with the provisions of the Land (Planning and Environment) Act 1991. In disposing of an interest, the Executive is not required to comply with Part IX of the Lands Acquisition Act 1994. This Bill has effect despite anything contained in the Lands Acquisitions Act 1994.
I am well aware of the reaction that this legislation will attract, particularly from the current occupier of the lease; but I am determined to have the matter resolved. This Bill in no way challenges or compromises the power of the Supreme Court to determine the interests of the disputing parties. It provides only for the acquisition of the lease and compensation of persons according to their entitlement. Northbourne Oval should be used primarily as a sporting facility, not as a commercial car park. It should be occupied and used by the peak rugby league body in the Territory. By acquiring the lease and disposing of it to appropriate parties, the Government will ensure that this valuable Territory asset is put to its proper use. I commend the Bill to the Assembly, Mr Speaker, and indicate that I intend to bring it forward for debate on Thursday of this week.
Debate (on motion by Ms McRae) adjourned.
Debate resumed from 26 September 1996, on motion by Mr Humphries:
That this Bill be agreed to in principle.
MS FOLLETT (10.37): Mr Speaker, the Bill that is before us today actually establishes a licensing scheme for the sale of X-rated material in the Territory. I want to make it clear at the outset that in dealing with X-rated material we are dealing with a product which is legal, which is classified as X-rated under the Commonwealth censorship laws and which is probably best described as non-violent erotica. I know that is the term which the industry prefers. It is erotic material which depicts activity between consenting adults. There is no coercion shown in this material; there is no violence shown; there is no involvement of children. It is, as I say, a legally classified product under the Commonwealth's laws.
The material which is so classified has been the subject of a great deal of debate in this Assembly over the years. I think it is fair to say that only my own party's position on the availability of such material has been consistent over the years. We have held the view that adults have the right to view or to read legal material without censorship. I am very pleased, although somewhat surprised, to see that the Liberal Party has now come to that position as well. At their recent policy conference they, in effect, completely reversed their previous stance, which was to work towards the banning of this material in the Territory.
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