Parliamentary record : Part I debates (02 October 1990)
Debates for 5th Assembly 1987 - 1990; ParliamentNT; Parliamentary Record; 5th Assembly 1987 - 1990
1990-10-02
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Debates
Northern Territory Legislative Assembly
Darwin
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DEBATES - Tuesda1 2 October 1990 I know that many of them are very concerned about it. The point is that it is a community problem and there is an expectation that something should be done about it. The support in Aboriginal communities for dry areas illustrates that. Honourable members opposite have argued against those laws. Mr Smith: When? Mr REED: It speaks for itself that the people want to find solutions. I know many Aboriginal people who support the 2 km law. Certainly, they have not expressed to me any great concerns about the amendments that we are talking about today. I want to turn now to comments made by the member for MacDonnell in re 1 at i on to an art i c 1 e that appeared in the Katheri ne Times. It mi ght have even been in the column that I write in the paper each week. The honourable member sai d that I had stated that the Labor Party wou 1 d abo 1 ish the 2 km law. I do not resile from that comment at all, whether it was in my column or whether I was reported as saying it. The source of my information was the party platform of the ALP. Clearly, the member for MacDonnell is not aware of what is in his party's platform. For his benefit, I will quote it to him. I will read item 30 at page 90. It is under the heading 'Privacy': 'Abolish demeaning provisions relating to search and seizure of alcohol in public places and repeal legislation prohibiting drinking alcohol within 2 km of licensed liquor outlets'. By way of interjection, the Leader of the Opposition says that that is correct. Clearly, the ALP would stand by its platform in the unhappy event that it were to win government. Indeed, the legislation would be withdrawn. That was the point that I was making to the people of my electorate because that is of concern to them. I believe that I have not on ly the ri ght but also a respons i bil i ty to draw those matters to thei r attention because the honourab 1 e members oppos itecertai n ly do not. That has been displayed very effectively in these sittings. Opposition members, including the Leader of the Opposition, have raised every possible smokescreen to take up the time of this House. Given that they believe an election is imminent, the public would expect them to be stating their policies and telling Territorians what they, as an alternative government, would do. If they are not prepared to state their own platform, I object to the member for MacDonnell saying that I was wrong to do so. It is in the ALP platform. We are all aware that Margaret Gi llespie, the President of the ALP, is on the pub 1 i c record assaying that all ALP candi dates have to sign an agreement to stand by the party platform. I do not think that J need say any more on the matter than that., The member for Sadadeen suggested that the option to seize the alcohol should be removed. I do not really see the benefit of that. If the police have an option to seize or to empty containers where people are drinking, that would be sufficient to address many of the problems in many of our towns. These problems are being experienced by members of both the Aboriginal and the white communities. Aboriginal people are also seeking legislation to relieve the problems that they are experiencing, and these amendments will help to ach i eve that. On behalf of my const ituents in the Katherine electorate, I strongly support the amendments. Mr LEO (Nhulunbuy): Mr Speaker, my address will be brief. In deference to my long-term parl i amentary colleague, the member for Koolpinyah, I shall not take up too much of the time of the House. It is my simple bel ief that, if honourable members want to do something about the 10 690