Page 1364 - Week 05 - Tuesday, 10 May 1994
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I agree that a little bit of consultation, perhaps in confidence, especially where other governments will have to amend legislation, could be in order; and I will see what I can do about that. I do not expect that I will be heard with a great deal of sympathy, for the reason that I have given. It is a fair point that Mr Stevenson makes. I regret having to make legislation that has a retrospective effect, but in this case I think it is the only fair thing to do for our Canberra businesses. The payroll tax which this Government administers was not meant to operate in the way that the Federal Government's changes now imply. I thank members for accepting the point that in order to be fair to our Canberra businesses we need to take this legislative action.
Question resolved in the affirmative.
Bill agreed to in principle.
Leave granted to dispense with the detail stage.
Bill agreed to.
CHILDREN'S SERVICES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1994
[COGNATE BILL:
COMMUNITY ADVOCATE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1994]
Debate resumed from 14 April 1994, on motion by Mr Connolly:
That this Bill be agreed to in principle.
MADAM SPEAKER: Is it the wish of the Assembly to debate this order of the day concurrently with the Community Advocate (Amendment) Bill 1994? There being no objection, that course will be followed. I remind members that in debating order of the day No. 3 they may also address their remarks to order of the day No. 4.
MR HUMPHRIES (4.20): Madam Speaker, I am pleased to rise and indicate the Opposition's support for both of these Bills. It appears that there have been some problems with the management of child protection services in the Territory arising from the fact that there are two areas of authority in respect of those matters, namely, the Community Advocate and the Director of Family Services. I am sure that all members in the chamber would be quick to agree that in this area, above most others, it is essential that we have efficiently operating Territory services in order to prevent abuses of children or matters affecting their welfare from going unattended to within a proper period of time.
These Bills are about ensuring that a clear line of authority or responsibility exists for managing child protection services in the Territory. It is very important that we support legislation designed to do that. The advice I have received from organisations in the Territory responsible on a day-to-day basis for these matters is that these initiatives will achieve that objective. I cannot comment on the nature of the friction that must have occurred between the Director of Family Services and the Community Advocate.
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