Page 4761 - Week 16 - Wednesday, 28 November 1990
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imposed on them. They have had to reform and, in fact, restaff largely, in some respects, and in others adjust to differing priorities of self-government. I am sure Mr Connolly did not mean to suggest that there were any shortcomings in the Law Office or the Legislative Counsel's office. Sitting on a file in front of me - I will not table it; I will not be churlish - is an indication, going back to July-September correspondence last year, that the Leader of the Opposition would shortly be bringing in an amendment that reflects very much in spirit what we have done and are doing here today.
Other amendments, Mr Deputy Speaker, include the introduction of a new special licence category for applications which do not fall neatly into the existing licensing categories. That was a matter from memory, which I discussed with Mr Justice Higgins, as he is now, and the executive officer of GALA some months ago. I doubt that that issue is one that needed to go out, as Mr Connolly contends, to widespread community consultation. All of these matters are matters that have been actually requested out in the community. It is really axiomatic that a government should not dither in that situation.
Mr Deputy Speaker, we have updated penalties in the Act. We have replaced the automatic cancellation of a licence for a late licence fee payment with a 10 per cent late fee payment. That will cover the problems that occurred last year. Elements of the industry did not look to the dates that they needed to adhere to and then complained bitterly when there was an automatic cancellation forced upon them by the operation of the statute. Cancellation will follow if the licence fee is not paid within 30 days. We are said to be a tax raising body, but there is another concession we have given to assist business. We give them 30 days to check on their correspondence and we will charge a 10 per cent late fee payment, but we will not put them through the whole re-registering process.
There are a number of other amendments to enhance the general administration of the Act. My colleague Mr Humphries, who is Minister for Health, has quite appropriately explained why we will move an amendment on the floor today to take some anachronistic words out of section 79 of the Act, and I do commend that amendment. I do not know whether the members opposite will support that amendment. I am almost certain they will.
The amending Bill does not include amendments relating to the abolition of the ACT Gaming and Liquor Authority. Those amendments are subject to a separate legislative package. Mr Wood asked some specific questions in debate this morning and this afternoon. The answer is that police do have the power to deal with the situation as recommended by his Assembly committee and that appears at clause 66 of the amending Bill. The police have those effective powers
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