Page 4270 - Week 14 - Tuesday, 29 November 1994
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created to complement the high-level conservation values in the adjacent nature reserves in the Murrumbidgee River corridor and the Urambi Hills. The PDI Committee supports the proposal and recommends that immediate steps be taken to prepare the management plan for the area, which should deal with the management issues of fire prevention and control. I am pleased to add this significant area to Canberra's already generous provision of nature reserves and to cooperate with interested parties in the preparation of an appropriate management plan.
These two variations show the Government's commitment to the too often conflicting objectives of enhancing the environment on the one hand and building our economy and creating employment for the community on the other hand. This has been tackled in a dedicated and creative manner. In accordance with the provisions of the Act, I table those variations.
SMOKE-FREE AREAS (ENCLOSED PUBLIC PLACES) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1994
MR CONNOLLY (Attorney-General and Minister for Health) (10.13), by leave: Madam Speaker, I present the Smoke-free Areas (Enclosed Public Places) (Amendment) Bill 1994.
Title read by Clerk.
MR CONNOLLY: I move:
That this Bill be agreed to in principle.
These amendments to the Smoke-free Areas (Enclosed Public Places) Act 1994 are essential, as they correct anomalies in the current legislation. The amending legislation proposes four major areas of change. First, the use of the word "enclosed" in the definition of restaurant is causing confusion as to the status of restaurants which are not separately enclosed but which are located within other enclosed premises; for example, malls, clubs or hotels. To help clarify this, the amendment defines two classes of restaurant: In enclosed licensed premises, any dining area or area for consumption of non-alcoholic drinks, irrespective of whether the area is separately enclosed or not; and, in any other place, separately enclosed restaurants. The amendment also reflects the policy intent that coffee shops and similar premises are included under the definition of restaurant. It provides a basis for more efficient administration of the exemption system by requiring businesses to keep records of air-conditioning operation. These records could then be submitted as evidence that businesses are likely to be meeting the air-conditioning standard.
The legislation also provides for a three-year period for an exemption and makes provision for an annual fee to be levied to fund a cost recovery of the exemption system. Under the provisions of the amendment, occupiers will be required to take all reasonable steps to prevent smoke from smoking areas within their premises from entering their smoking prohibited areas and from entering other occupiers' smoking prohibited areas.
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