Page 5611 - Week 17 - Thursday, 5 December 1991
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This process is both slow and unwieldy - a state of affairs which is unjustifiable in cases where a person's liberty is involved. Furthermore, the ACT status as a self-governing entity makes it desirable that the power to grant pardons or remit sentences be available to its executive government. This is the situation in all other Australian jurisdictions. The grant of a pardon would occur only in the most exceptional of circumstances, such as cases where a mistake had occurred as to the identity of the offender. Sentences would be remitted in situations where it could be shown that the imposition of the original sentence would cause undue hardship to the offender - but again, in relatively rare circumstances.
The Bill also creates the power to make regulations under the Act and relocates one section dealing with dishonest use of computers to a more suitable part of the Act.
I commend the Bill to members of the Assembly and present the explanatory memorandum for the Bill.
Debate (on motion by Mr Stefaniak) adjourned.
DISABILITY SERVICES BILL 1991
MR CONNOLLY (Attorney-General, Minister for Housing and Community Services and Minister for Urban Services) (11.07): Madam Temporary Deputy Speaker, I present the Disability Services Bill 1991. I move:
That this Bill be agreed to in principle.
The Disability Services Bill represents a significant stage in the efforts of government to uphold the rights of people with disabilities through the provision of services which accurately respond to individual needs.
Assembly members may recall that the International Year of Disabled Persons 1981 generated enormous interest in the potential needs and problems of people with disabilities. It highlighted the general dissatisfaction with traditional service provision in the areas of accommodation, employment and living skills. Subsequent reviews of service approaches and extensive community consultation over the last decade have crystallised the view that institutional care is largely an inappropriate response to the needs of people with disabilities.
The Commonwealth Disability Services Act 1986 was a landmark piece of legislation emphasising greater protection for the rights of people with disabilities. It provided a legislative base for the provision of financial assistance to a range of disability and rehabilitation services. A statement of principles and objectives was provided by this Act to ensure that funding and administration remained focused on the achievement of
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