Page 4585 - Week 12 - Thursday, 15 October 2009
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The amendments mean that fireworks will now only be able to be brought into the ACT and used by licensed operators for authorised displays. However, this amendment does not affect the public’s use of a class of fireworks called general use fireworks. They are items containing small quantities of explosive and pyrotechnic substances like sparklers, bonbons, Christmas crackers and party poppers.
The regulation repeals infringement notice offences in the Magistrates Court that are associated with the repeal of the Queen’s Birthday fireworks use provisions. What it means in real terms is that from now on animals won’t be scared, they won’t be injured, they won’t be killed just so that some people can engage in inappropriate behaviour.
This action also shows that this place is united in condemning these fireworks. We are backing Mr Steve Doszpot. Mr Doszpot said last year:
I stand strong with the policy of the Canberra Liberals on this issue that the retail sale of shop-good fireworks should be banned in the ACT.
Well done, son! Aren’t you clever. Then the legendary Mr Pratt said, incidentally, that he ran a petition to ban fireworks. That is about the only good thing he did while he was here. Mr Stefaniak, one of the other leaders who got it in the back, said:
There comes a time when we need to draw a line in the sand and say enough is enough.
We are united in this ban. What did Mr Smyth say? He said:
And the sensible and reasonable thing for all members to do today would be to support this bill.
What was the bill going to do? Ban fireworks. Mr Smyth, you are a very wise man. Mrs Dunne, on the other hand, because she is far more colourful than the rest of this bunch of suits, had this to say:
It is time that the members of this place took a good hard look at themselves and, in accord with the overwhelming views of the community, supported Mr Pratt’s legislation.
I thank the Greens for their support, and I thank the unanimous bunch of suits who agreed with them.
MR SPEAKER: Ms Burch, a supplementary question?
Members interjecting—
MR SPEAKER: Order, members! Ms Burch has the floor.
MS BURCH: Before I go to my supplementary, can I ask that some members cease singing in the chamber. Can the minister respond to the assertion in the City News, in an article by Michael Moore, that he spent “considerable sums of money on polling that was ignored because it was not consistent with his own opinion”?
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