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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1996 Week 9 Hansard (29 August) . . Page.. 2773 ..

MR HUMPHRIES (Attorney-General) (11.59): Mr Speaker, I present the Prohibited Weapons Bill 1996, together with its explanatory memorandum.

Title read by Clerk.

MR HUMPHRIES: Mr Speaker, I move:

That this Bill be agreed to in principle.

I will be brief in my remarks on this Bill. As a consequence of introducing the Firearms Bill and repealing the Weapons Act 1991, it is necessary to introduce a Bill to deal with weapons not classed as firearms. The process of dealing with those weapons is much simpler than that of dealing with firearms. Thus the legislation is shorter, simpler and easier. The penalties for possession or use of a prohibited weapon are severe but not as severe as those for firearms. The penalties are a fine of up to $10,000 or imprisonment for 12 months for a person, or a fine of up to $50,000 for a body corporate.

The list of prohibited weapons attached to Schedule 1 reflects those weapons presently listed in Schedule 3 of the Weapons Act 1991. In the case of prohibited weapons or articles, the registrar, being for the time being the Registrar of Firearms, may issue a permit stating the conditions for use and possession of the item. Mr Speaker, the Government is considering adding one item to the schedule for prohibited weapons and one item to the schedule as a prohibited article. They are slingshots and handcuffs respectively. However, before adding weapons or articles to this list, I think it appropriate that I refer them to the Weapons Advisory Committee for advice. I will not do so until this legislation is passed, and I encourage other members who may have concerns about articles which can be used as weapons to bring them forward in this debate so that they too may be considered. I commend this Bill to the Assembly.

Debate (on motion by Ms Follett) adjourned.

MR HUMPHRIES (Attorney-General) (12.01): Mr Speaker, I present the Public Trustee (Amendment) Bill 1996, together with its explanatory memorandum.

Title read by Clerk.

MR HUMPHRIES: Mr Speaker, I move:

That this Bill be agreed to in principle.

The purpose of the Public Trustee (Amendment) Bill 1996 is to make a number of amendments to the Public Trustee Act 1985 which will remove a number of deficiencies in the principal Act which have become evident in recent times. The Public Trustee prepares wills, acts as an executor of wills or an administrator of estates for deceased

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