I don't know Mr Kean the member for Hornsby, a blue ribbon Liberal seat. I assume he is at least of average intelligence, well versed in the dangers of smoking etc. Then I thought unless he is a smoker in denial or some such person, why? What motivated him to raise what he did in the secrecy (seems not so secret) of the 'party room'. Why not call a national media conference, get ones self on the 6 o'clock news to try and right the wrong! Mr Kean would know the overwhelming view of his constituency on the subject, in fact the governments action had met with almost universal approval. Then what motivated Mr Kean? I can only conclude, despite the views of his constituency, despite the overwhelming approval Mr Kean is beholding to a microscopic vested interest section of our community. I ask, does that microscopic vested interest kick in wads of cash into Mr Kean's reelection campaign, I can only conclude, most likely.

I smoked Camel plain for 25 years & I can honestly say that dealing with australian bureaucracy has proven far more detrimental to my wellbeing than all those cigarettes.

Governments haven't banned smoking. These regulations are about restricting inconvenience to others simple as that - no big conspiracy. And some are naive to think there are not profit motives behind objections to these restrictions.

Smoke by all means but do smokers have the right to inflict their fumes on others. While I agree there has to be a public place for smokers in these sorts of venues, why not create defined smoking areas but not just by drawing a line between the non-smoking areas as was done all too feebly in the past.

I remember all too well the horrible work environments when everyone was forced to endure smoky offices, public transport and even when eating. I don't see any of the pro-smoking lobbyists showing much concern over the rights of non-smokers.

Smokers had it all their way for decades and now that there is a requirement for some common courtesy suddenly out come all arguments about discrimination. A bit hypocritical now I reckon.

It just seems a bit rich to be talking about discrimination and ostracisation when for years nobody gived a toss about the restrictions on non-smokers.

Paul,
I do not know Dean MP and you also say you do not know him.

Therefore it is disigenious of you to suggest he has any ulterior motive or is influenced by others. You simply do not know why he spoke about the matter in the party room. His intentions may simply have been to ensure there were no unintended consequences from the proposed legislation.

Also, an unconfirmed leak from a confidential meeting does not give the public any 'right to know' or the right to comment on his alleged statements.

Frankly I now question why you make disparaging suggestions about Mr Dean. Surely there are far more important issues that could take up your time. I did suggest a couple.

Sorry, reference to the above post.

The mans name is Kean,

I do the man a diservice, my apologies, obvious to see I do not know him.

Banjo, That's Matt Kean, Kean with a K. Although at the moment he may well prefer to to mistaken as Mr Dean. My comments are in no way politically motivated. There has been little for me to applaud since the election of the O'Farrell government in March 2011. However I iterate once more, I applaud the action taken by the NSW State Liberal government on smoking.
You say "His intentions may simply have been to ensure there were no unintended consequences from the proposed legislation." That could be the case, but I feel to make that presumption would be naive on my part, I don't accept that was the intention at all. You describe the Kean comments as "unconfirmed" and "alleged". Yet Mr Kean has not denied making the comments nor has any other person in attendance at the party meeting questioned the accuracy of the leaked comments. On other issues Mr Kean may well be an excellent local member, but on this he is clearly out of step with the overwhelming view of both his constituency and the wider view held by the vast majority of the general public of NSW. Why?