Mr BELL - 1994-10-11
Does the Attorney-General support the Commonwealth's proposed privacy legislation? Does he stand by his comments that the Commonwealth has no role in legislating to protect privacy? Will the Northern Territory government support the Tasmanian government in a High Court challenge on the coverage of the proposed Commonwealth legislation?
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, like the governments of Western Australia, South Australia and Tasmania, the Northern Territory government believes that the federal government ought to keep its nose in its own business. The Commonwealth uses its powers to intrude constantly into domains that belong properly with the territory and state governments that are properly elected by their people whether that be in relation to road traffic or other issues. We have heard about the 0.05% blood-alcohol limit and speed limits. On those, the Commonwealth, Big Brother, knows best what is good for citizens of the Northern Territory despite the fact that our situation and conditions are totally different to those that apply elsewhere.
Mr Ede: You did not have the guts to stand up then.
Mr Hatton: You were actively promoting their cause.
Mr FINCH: The use of blackmail in the case of road traffic was the approach it adopted there ...
Mr Ede: And you gave into it.
Mr FINCH: In relation to the intrusion through the Aboriginal roads funding program, the Commonwealth used the power of the cheque book again. Its use of its external powers in regard to what it believes is inappropriate legislation in Tasmania is, in my view, totally inappropriate. The age of consent was changed in Western Australia by the same federal legislation. The Western Australian government said that the matter was its business, not Canberra's. However, it did not have a say in respect of that intrusion, and that is where I believe Big Brother does not have a role.
Members interjecting.
Mr FINCH: If the legislation in Tasmania is found to be onerous and on the nose by Tasmanians, they will tell their government. They will chuck it out and vote in a government that they believe has appropriate policies. It is not my place to comment about the merits or otherwise of Tasmania's legislation, any more than I would expect Tasmanians to comment about the age of consent in the Northern Territory.
Mr Poole: Or the dam at Alice Springs.
Mr FINCH: Or many other examples, including the dam in Alice Springs, that demonstrate the use of Big Brother powers. Territorians are best governed by Territorians.
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ANSWER
Mr Speaker, like the governments of Western Australia, South Australia and Tasmania, the Northern Territory government believes that the federal government ought to keep its nose in its own business. The Commonwealth uses its powers to intrude constantly into domains that belong properly with the territory and state governments that are properly elected by their people whether that be in relation to road traffic or other issues. We have heard about the 0.05% blood-alcohol limit and speed limits. On those, the Commonwealth, Big Brother, knows best what is good for citizens of the Northern Territory despite the fact that our situation and conditions are totally different to those that apply elsewhere.
Mr Ede: You did not have the guts to stand up then.
Mr Hatton: You were actively promoting their cause.
Mr FINCH: The use of blackmail in the case of road traffic was the approach it adopted there ...
Mr Ede: And you gave into it.
Mr FINCH: In relation to the intrusion through the Aboriginal roads funding program, the Commonwealth used the power of the cheque book again. Its use of its external powers in regard to what it believes is inappropriate legislation in Tasmania is, in my view, totally inappropriate. The age of consent was changed in Western Australia by the same federal legislation. The Western Australian government said that the matter was its business, not Canberra's. However, it did not have a say in respect of that intrusion, and that is where I believe Big Brother does not have a role.
Members interjecting.
Mr FINCH: If the legislation in Tasmania is found to be onerous and on the nose by Tasmanians, they will tell their government. They will chuck it out and vote in a government that they believe has appropriate policies. It is not my place to comment about the merits or otherwise of Tasmania's legislation, any more than I would expect Tasmanians to comment about the age of consent in the Northern Territory.
Mr Poole: Or the dam at Alice Springs.
Mr FINCH: Or many other examples, including the dam in Alice Springs, that demonstrate the use of Big Brother powers. Territorians are best governed by Territorians.
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Last updated: 09 Aug 2016