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House of Assembly - Fifty-Second Parliament, Second Session (52-2)
2013-03-06 Daily Xml
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FESTIVAL OF HISTORY

The Hon. S.W. KEY (Ashford) (14:19): My question is directed to the Attorney-General. Attorney, can you please update the house on the reasons for the recent change to the Summary Offences (Weapons) Regulations 2012?

The Hon. J.R. RAU (Enfield—Deputy Premier, Attorney-General, Minister for Planning, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for Business Services and Consumers) (14:20): I thank the honourable member for her question and I also want to acknowledge the member for Hammond and, of course, the member for Mitchell, who have both been lobbying me on behalf of people concerned about this matter for some time. Both of them have served their constituents well.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. J.R. RAU: I will not be running against you, member for Hammond, so I am not so worried about it. Anyway, I just want to explain something about this anyway, we will get back to the topic. I am pleased to report the recent changes to regulations will allow the Festival of History to be held at Old Reynella this weekend and it will go ahead now as planned. The festival will feature theatrical re-enactments of famous battles, amongst other exciting events. The ability of these thespians to display bayonets during enactments—

Mr Venning: Real bayonets?

The Hon. J.R. RAU: Real bayonets—was put in doubt by a recent decision of the Supreme Court, and when members of the Festival committee, together with the member for Mitchell and the member for Hammond, approached me about this issue, I was more than happy to arrange for an exemption so these re-enactments could proceed as rehearsed. It is important that responsible members of our communities are not prevented from engaging in legitimate pursuits. The exemption I have granted will secure the future for these pursuits whilst imposing harsh penalties on the idiots who use items, such as bayonets, for illegal purposes.

The Supreme Court decision has also cast doubt on the ability for members of archery clubs to continue to offer crossbow events. The exemption I have granted will also ensure the use of crossbows during legitimate sporting events will not be put in jeopardy. This is a fantastic example of the way in which members of this parliament can and have worked together to achieve a great outcome. I wish all the participants in the Festival of History a very happy and successful weekend this coming weekend. I say on behalf of the members involved that they are expecting a large crowd and anyone who has friends interested in this, please let them know. Apparently it is going to be an absolute ripper of an event, with authentic bayonets.

The SPEAKER: I call the member for Bragg to order for her interruption of the Attorney-General during that answer.

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