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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1998 Week 10 Hansard (26 November) . . Page.. 3035 ..

Mr Humphries: Who was that?

MS CARNELL: That is an interesting question, Mr Humphries. Mr Speaker, for the interest of members, I just quoted Mr Kim Beazley, Leader of the Australian Labor Party - - -

Mr Kaine: Is that supposed to impress us?

MS CARNELL: - - - who, as a former Federal Finance Minister, made these observations in an address to the National Press Club. It does impress me, Mr Kaine. I think it shows beyond all doubt that there really are very few choices here. The fact is that the ACT has to maintain the value of the asset and avoid risk or minimise risk. I think Mr Beazley really made quite clear what we have to do.

Finally, as the issues contained in both the Bill that I have presented and the motion I have foreshadowed are inextricably linked, the Government will be proposing that both be subject to a cognate debate on the first sitting day in the next sitting week of this Assembly. That will be 8 December.

Mr Speaker, I commend this Bill to the Assembly. This is a really important decision for every member of this Assembly to make. This is certainly not complicated legislation but this is something that has been subject to much debate already in this place and in the community. I urge members of the Assembly to look at this issue very carefully, not look just at politics or next week, but look at what this Territory will look like in the next century.

Debate (on motion by Mr Stanhope) adjourned.

VICTIMS OF CRIME (FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1998

MR HUMPHRIES (Attorney-General, Minister for Justice and Community Safety and Minister Assisting the Treasurer) (10.40): Mr Speaker, I present the Victims of Crime (Financial Assistance) (Amendment) Bill 1998, together with its explanatory memorandum.

Title read by Clerk.

MR HUMPHRIES: I move:

That this Bill be agreed to in principle.

Compared with many other parts of the world the ACT is a safe place in which to live, work and raise a family. However, we are not immune from crime. It is little consolation to the victims of violent crime in the Territory that their experience is comparatively uncommon. They share with victims around the world the devastating consequences of violent crimes such as murder, rape, assault and armed robbery.

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