Department of the Legislative Assembly, Northern Territory Government

Mr STIRLING - 1997-12-02

It is well known that X-rated videos are legally available only in the Northern Territory and the ACT. Every member in this House knows that, if the Territory Commissioner of Police were caught purchasing illegal pornographic material in another state, he would be sacked. As Minister for Police, this minister must have known that the sale of Hot Firemen and Highway Hunks to him in Kings Cross in Sydney was illegal. However, the Minister for Police claims to have no knowledge of a law which is widely understood by the general community. Is the minister a fool or is he a liar?

ANSWER

Madam Speaker, I answered this question yesterday. I went into a retail outlet and bought some material that I will use to demonstrate a matter that I believe is of great public importance. If members opposite, in the light of the world’s worst suicide rate among young male Australians, youth unemployment, drug addiction and the recent revelations of paedophilia across this country ...

Mr Bailey interjecting.

Mr REED: You are not interested.

Mr DUNHAM: A point of order, Madam Speaker! While I am very pleased to be in this House, I am not pleased with my seat in here. It is difficult to hear on this side of the House. I am very close to the interjections and I find it very difficult to pick up what the minister is saying. I believe the interjections are offending at least 3 standing orders. I ask you to afford some protection to the speaker.

Madam SPEAKER: Member for Wanguri, I do not know why you even bothered to have this question asked because, as soon as the minister stood up, you started interjecting. Take note that I am giving you a warning that your interjections are not allowing the minister to answer the question. Please settle down.

Mr REED: If members opposite are not prepared to take this issue seriously, then so be it. Let Territorians make the decision as to who they believe is right or wrong. I do not believe that I broke the law.

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Last updated: 09 Aug 2016