Page 1911 - Week 06 - Thursday, 2 May 1991
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city. I believe that it puts in place reasonable measures to protect our community, particularly the elderly, against an outbreak of legionnaires' disease, and it will ensure not only that workers in the Territory are appropriately protected in the workplace but also that the environment and health of the ACT community, in general, are safeguarded.
Mrs Grassby has made reference to the amendments which the Government proposes to put and which have been circulated to the Opposition. I am pleased to see that they are to be supported.
Mrs Grassby: It is our Bill.
MR HUMPHRIES: Mrs Grassby asserts that this is her Bill. There is no real way of our checking that, because - - -
Mrs Grassby: We can show you; we have the whole copy of it upstairs.
MR HUMPHRIES: I would be very happy to see this evidence. It may be a jotting on a notepad in Mrs Grassby's office; I do not know.
Mrs Grassby: No, we have the Bill already drafted; I can show it to you.
MR HUMPHRIES: Mr Speaker, when we took office, there was no evidence, I do not think, of any legionnaires' Bill which was ready to go. We were shown all the Bills in progress when we took office, so I do not know what happened to it. It must have been withdrawn in some fashion.
Mr Speaker, I think this legislation is important. I am glad that my colleague Mr Duby has brought this important piece of legislation forward, as I believe that it is time that the ACT embarked on comprehensive protection for its citizens through the passage of this Bill.
MS MAHER (12.18): Mr Speaker, firstly, I would like to say that it is encouraging to see the Government taking the advice of the Scrutiny of Bills and Subordinate Legislation Committee, and making amendments that we have recommended. I take this opportunity to once again thank Professor Whalan for his support to that committee.
Mr Speaker, I rise to support the Building (Amendment) Bill 1991. I believe that this Bill is essential if we, the ACT Government, are to ensure the safety of the ACT community and visitors to Canberra. Canberra is a city where, because of the climate, people spend a large proportion of their time indoors - in offices, at shopping malls, in clubs, in theatres and in restaurants. The quality of air we breathe indoors is as important as the air we breathe outdoors. Until now the ACT has been lacking legislation to enforce the implementation of minimum standards of
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