Page 5529 - Week 15 - Wednesday, 9 December 2009
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Mr Seselja: You’ve had the commencement for a year.
MR STANHOPE: But you have introduced a provision now in relation to the methodology for the appointment of the reviewer which is different from the methodology proposed in your bill. Today, you have circulated an amendment, which was finalised at 10 past nine this morning, that the reviewer be appointed by a two-thirds majority of the Assembly. That cannot happen for two months, yet you expect the legislation to commence immediately. So what happens to government advertising between now and the appointment, which cannot happen for perhaps three months? What is to happen, Mr Seselja? Is there to be a ban on government advertising? This legislation passes, but without a reviewer. Does that mean that the government cannot advertise? I understand—indeed, the Minister for Health spoke to me yesterday about this—there is a very important and significant health campaign scheduled to start in the next week.
Mr Seselja: They are specifically exempted.
MR STANHOPE: So all health campaigns? I am pleased to hear that.
Mr Seselja: Just not party-political health campaigns, Jon.
MR STANHOPE: We do not have party-political health campaigns.
Mr Seselja: The ones that are designed to tell us how good you are in health.
MR STANHOPE: I am pleased to hear it. I guess that is the sort of explanation I wanted. The Leader of the Opposition has just indicated, in response to my question, that all health advertising is exempt.
Mr Seselja: No, I haven’t.
MR STANHOPE: It is not?
Mr Seselja: No.
MR STANHOPE: So—
Mr Seselja: Just as set out in the legislation, Jon. Have you read it?
MR STANHOPE: So if this bill passes today, with the commencement period being that it commence immediately, but without a reviewer being able to be appointed for three months, what happens in the three-month period? This is a significant flaw in the legislation. I was seeking to address the flaw in your legislation by saying that the legislation should not commence until after those provisions in relation to the appointment of a reviewer can come into place.
Mr Seselja: But they won’t work.
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