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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1995 Week 10 Hansard (7 December) . . Page.. 2767 ..

MR HUMPHRIES (continuing):

The Bill also allows for the possible future introduction of photographic weapons licences. Photographic licences are already in force in some jurisdictions, such as Tasmania and New South Wales. Certain categories of licence in Victoria and the Northern Territory require a photographic licence. Such requirements have not, however, been introduced in the Territory at this point, pending further consultation with the police and other agencies to determine the financial and practical implications of this proposal. There are a number of other minor amendments which are outlined in the explanatory memorandum to the Bill.

The Territory has been participating with other jurisdictions in discussions about national uniformity in firearms laws, through the Australasian Police Ministers Council. It is a matter of regret that some other jurisdictions are not committed to registration of all firearms. While the ACT supports in principle the advantages of uniform firearms laws, through the interstate recognition of gun licences, for example, this Government will not adopt any lowest common denominator approach which would mean that our own strict standards would be lowered.

Members of the Australian Federal Police, particularly in the weapons registry, have been closely involved in the development of the Bill over the past two years. I would also like to record my appreciation for the input and assistance of the Weapons Control Advisory Committee, whose members have included the magistracy, the Australian Institute of Criminology, a representative of the Territory's shooting clubs, the police and other interested agencies. I commend the Bill to the Assembly.

Debate (on motion by Mr Connolly) adjourned.

MR HUMPHRIES (Attorney-General) (10.46): Mr Speaker, I present the Legal Practitioners (Amendment) Bill (No. 2) 1995, together with its explanatory memorandum.

Title read by Clerk.

MR HUMPHRIES: I move:

That this Bill be agreed to in principle.

Mr Speaker, the Legal Practitioners Act 1970 provides for the regulation of the legal profession in the Australian Capital Territory. The Legal Practitioners (Amendment) Bill (No. 2) 1995 has been prepared to amend the Legal Practitioners Act to refine the procedure provided for the regulation of solicitors' trust moneys and trust accounts.

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