Page 1149 - Week 04 - Thursday, 21 March 1991
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that matters encompassed by the Government's announced policies are dealt with in an effective and appropriate manner in the period until the new legislation takes effect.
In closing, Mr Speaker, I would like to comment briefly on the issue of retrospectivity which Mr Connolly and, I think, Mr Moore have already commented on. I would like to refer to the comment made by the Standing Committee on Scrutiny of Bills and Subordinate Legislation in their report No. 5 dated 20 March 1991. In there it refers to the nature of retrospectivity in relation to the City Area Leases (Amendment) Bill, and goes on to say:
Although this provision -
that is, the increase in betterment charges -
is retrospective in effect, the provisions that are being made retrospective are similar to taxation and budgetary provisions which it is usual to make retrospective to the date of the announcement. This ensures that in such situations no financial gains can accrue between the date of the announcement and the passing of appropriate legislation.
That, Mr Speaker, is one of the reasons why, because of our desire to make sure that the community can consult fully on the planning legislation, it is necessary to bring this legislation in today, and it is one of the reasons why the Government wishes to have it passed as soon as possible.
MR STEVENSON (11.52): Mr Speaker, I move:
That the debate be adjourned to 14 April 1991.
MR SPEAKER: Mr Stevenson, you will have to seek leave to speak to that adjournment motion.
MR STEVENSON: I seek leave to speak to the motion.
Leave granted.
MR STEVENSON: Mr Speaker, the majority of Canberrans do not want Bills passed through this Assembly in less than 30 days unless they are emergency Bills. In a recent survey of towards 300 people, one of the questions we asked was, "Should any Bill be passed through the Assembly into law in less than 30 days after being tabled, unless it is a genuine emergency Bill?". The results of that survey were that 65 per cent of Canberrans said no, 20 per cent said yes and 15 per cent were unsure or felt that it was irrelevant.
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