Mr PETER BESSELING (Port Macquarie) [11.25 a.m.], in reply: I thank the Minister for Local Government and members representing the electorates of Terrigal, Charlestown, Manly, Pittwater, Swansea, Port Stephens, Bathurst, Coffs Harbour, Camden, Clarence, Murray-Darling and Tamworth for their contributions to the debate. Obviously, this issue affects not just my local area in the Port Macquarie electorate. Clearly it affects all electorates across the State, whether coastal or rural. I am certain also that this issue equally affects metropolitan areas. This is an important bill. The timing of the Local Government (Confiscation of Alcohol) Bill 2010 is also important. We are focusing on prevention rather than punitive measures. It is good that some of the amendments foreshadowed by the Government will further strengthen the bill. I fully support removing the financial penalty, given that the bill focuses on removing the alcohol—the cause of the problem—immediately rather than simply imposing a punitive measure by way of fine and dealing with the problem later.

I welcome also the measures flagged by the Government amendments with respect to consultation with the Anti-Discrimination Board and local area commanders. Again, I believe these commonsense measures will be supported fully by the House. In the future I imagine that the opportunity will arise to remove some of the confusion about alcohol-free zones and alcohol prohibited areas. At some stage we will simply have one area—whether it is called an alcohol-free zone or an alcohol prohibited area—given that now police effectively have the same confiscation and tip-out powers across both zones.

The bill does not force police to confiscate or tip out alcohol; it simply gives them the power and tools to manage public amenity properly. I think that can also be managed by councils through signage. In the Port Macquarie-Hastings local government area consideration is being given to declaring all public areas alcohol prohibited areas between 9.00 p.m. and 9.00 a.m. That makes sense, given that people should not be drinking alcohol in public areas at those times other than during a special event, which can be the subject of an application for alcohol to be consumed during a specific period. As I said previously, the timing of the bill is significant given that we are approaching the Christmas and New Year period, with Australia Day just around the corner. It is extremely important that the bill be passed prior to both Houses rising in order to give police the powers to deal with situations in our community when alcohol consumption and antisocial behaviour are real issues. I thank Parliamentary Counsel, the Minister's office and the Leader of the House and his staff, particularly Priscilla, for their efforts in helping to move this bill forward prior to Christmas.

By introducing this bill and having it passed by both Houses of the New South Wales Parliament, I believe all communities across the State will receive a happy Christmas present. This will be an opportunity for legislators and police to deal with matters associated with the consumption of alcohol during the festive season. I commend the bill to the House.

Question—That this bill be now agreed to in principle—put and resolved in the affirmative.

Motion agreed to.

Bill agreed to in principle.

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