Page 252 - Week 02 - Tuesday, 12 May 1992
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Madam Speaker, all I have to say is that if that is the best the Liberals can do we have not much to worry about. It will not make many headlines, but at least it will keep some of us amused. It gave many of us the opportunity for a short nap. Most importantly, what we have to do from this point forward is get on with the business of the Assembly. I am pleased to announce, again, that the Government will be opposing the amendment and supporting the motion before the chamber.
Amendment negatived.
Original question resolved in the affirmative.
LIGHT VEHICLE TRANSPORT AGREEMENT
Motion
MS FOLLETT (Chief Minister and Treasurer) (4.32): Madam Speaker, I seek leave to move a motion relating to the light vehicles agreement.
Leave granted.
MS FOLLETT: Madam Speaker, as I indicated in the statement that I made, quite some time ago now, on the outcomes of yesterday's heads of government meeting, I would like to move a motion in relation to the extension of the national heavy vehicles scheme to light vehicles. Members will recall that last year, in fact on 6 August 1991, the Assembly consented to the making of Commonwealth legislation for the ACT to give effect to the heavy vehicles scheme. Today we are being asked to extend that consent.
Following agreement at yesterday's meeting to extend the role of the National Road Transport Commission to cover light vehicles, the parties to the agreement have sought our consent - that is, the consent of this Assembly - to have legislation enacted for the ACT to bring about this extension. This would be achieved by our agreeing to the Commonwealth, firstly, legislating to extend the role of the National Road Transport Commission to cover light vehicles. Our consent is also sought to the enactment of light vehicles legislation for the ACT by the Commonwealth. However, Madam Speaker, the form of such legislation would be finalised only following consideration by the Ministerial Council for Road Transport, of which the ACT is a member. Other jurisdictions would then adopt the light vehicle legislation enacted for the ACT.
I should point out that the light vehicles agreement in fact envisages that the ACT's consent should be sought by a parliamentary process in acknowledgment of the fact that other jurisdictions will undergo such a process by their enactment of legislation. I should also emphasise, Madam Speaker, that, as with the heavy vehicles agreement, our participation in the scheme would be on an equal basis with other jurisdictions.
It would also be necessary to ensure that certain safeguards are observed to protect our distinctive position, as an extension to the safeguards put in place in relation to the heavy vehicles scheme. These would, for example, relate to the date of operation of the legislation relating to light vehicles, and arrangements with regard to our continued participation in the light vehicles scheme. As with the heavy vehicles agreement, these matters could be the subject of a separate agreement between the ACT and the Commonwealth.
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