1 November 2004

Fireworks ban needs consideration

Completely irresponsible use of fireworks should make the public think seriously about whether they should be banned from individual sale, Fire Service Chief Executive/National Commander Mike Hall said today.

With four days to go until Guy Fawke's night incidents have included a school classroom burnt to the ground, a kindergarten badly damaged by fire, letter boxes blown up by sparkler bombs, a house roof set on fire and a teenager injured by a firework thrown through a car window.

The Fire Service's position to date has been that the public should support public displays run by licensed operators and it issues safety advice to families who want to hold their own backyard displays.

"This week's destruction and injury has made me question whether we need to go the next step and open the public debate about banning fireworks from individual sale," Mr Hall said.

"It is the usual problem where a destructive few ruin it for the majority. Many families are responsible with firework use, but too many fireworks are getting into the hands of young people bent on causing mayhem."

Mr Hall said he would welcome public debate on the issue. "I'm sure those communities who have lost treasured educational facilities and those families whose children and properties have been injured would have quite strong views on this issue."

ENDS

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Gordon Campbell: On the Sony cyber attack

Given the layers of meta-irony involved, the saga of the Sony cyber attack seemed at the outset more like a snarky European art film than a popcorn entry at the multiplex.

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