Page 4586 - Week 12 - Thursday, 15 October 2009
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MR HARGREAVES: I thank the member for that question. On the point of polling and reviews, I would like to take the opportunity to remind the Assembly of the number of reviews into consumer fireworks that have taken place. In 2002, the Standing Committee on Legal Affairs inquired into it, and that committee found that fireworks were commonly used illegally outside the June long weekend and were generally a public nuisance that caused distress and injury to animals and damaged property. Despite this finding, the committee agreed it was reasonable to permit their use under a stricter regulatory regime.
Mr Moore, in that illustrious, shining newspaper, the City News, which everybody finds compulsive reading, notwithstanding a circulation of 16, said that I spent considerable sums of money on polling and that I ignored it because it was not consistent with my opinion. I did no such thing. I did not spend one red cent. I did not spend anything. It was all done previous to that. It was done in 2008, before I became minister; it was done in 2007, before I became minister; and it was done as recently as August 2008. And there were other reviews; there were many surveys. Mr Moore has, yet again, got it 100 per cent wrong.
MR SPEAKER: Mr Seselja, a supplementary question?
MR SESELJA: Thank you, Mr Speaker. Thank you for that valedictory, Mr Hargreaves. Minister, now that you are going to the backbench, will you honour your promise to be as loyal to the Chief Minister as he has been to you?
Mr Corbell: I wish to raise a point of order. The question is not relevant to the previous question. It is out of order.
MR SPEAKER: The question is out of order. Ms Hunter, a supplementary question?
MS HUNTER: Thank you, Mr Speaker. Minister, have you been informed by the Liberal Party that they intend to lodge a disallowance against the new changes to the fireworks legislation?
MR HARGREAVES: I am not aware that they are going to—
Opposition members interjecting—
MR HARGREAVES: I am not aware that the Liberal Party will go back on what they said to the community like they always have done. I was expecting it today. I was expecting a blue. I was expecting an explosive party of departure. But no. But I have to say that I wanted to express my appreciation and that of my cat Andy to the Greens particularly. I know they were a bit split on the issue but common sense prevailed; they are consistent in their aims and their objectives and we now have a consistent view on this side of the chamber.
Opposition members interjecting—
MR HARGREAVES: Mr Speaker, look at it! Do you want to know why we are banning fireworks? Because of this lot of crackers. That is why we are banning
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