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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1996 Week 13 Hansard (5 December) . . Page.. 4523 ..

MR HUMPHRIES (continuing):

board's members would be appointed to the tribunal for the remainder of their term of appointment to the board. That term of appointment expires shortly. The presentation speech reflected the intention that the Bill be introduced into the Assembly in an earlier sitting than it actually was, which would have provided the board's members with a meaningful period of time on the tribunal prior to the expiry of their term of office. In the event, of course, introduction of the Bill was delayed, and the speech did not reflect that delay.

At this stage, I believe that it is appropriate to appoint Dr Elizabeth McKenzie, chair of the Land and Planning Appeals Board, and Dr Don McMichael, a member of the board, to the tribunal. Dr McKenzie had already been appointed earlier this year as a member of the tribunal, and that appointment expires on 6 December, although I think there has been agreement by members of the Assembly to an extension to 31 January next year, I think for all members who are presently members of the board. Dr McKenzie was appointed to the tribunal in contemplation of the transfer of the board's functions. I do not propose, however, after consultation with Professor Curtis, the president of the tribunal, and Dr McKenzie, necessarily to appoint all the other members of the Land and Planning Appeals Board to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal. I would like to see how the workload of the board is handled by the tribunal and what areas of expertise Professor Curtis, the president of the tribunal, sees as being necessary to add to the membership of the tribunal to provide a balanced range of skills for the tribunal in both the land and planning division and the general division of the tribunal. Obviously, before we make any decisions about appointments to the tribunal I will, as usual, consult with members of the Assembly about proposed appointments.

Finally, I want to mention, in respect of a matter discussed yesterday, the trading hours legislation. I also want to quote onto the record something that has been published in recent days. A press release from the Confederation of ACT Industry reads:

"The ACT Government is to be congratulated on reaching a sensible decision about Christmas trading hours ... This is a pragmatic solution to a vexed issue, but it recognises both the needs of the major centres and their satellite businesses, as well as those of the suburban shopping centres who are concerned about the impact of extended trading by the centres", Mr Alves added.

That is Mike Alves. He continued:

"It is to be hoped that all parties can see the commonsense approach the government has taken over this issue, and that the decision is fair" ...

He concluded:

"What Canberra now needs is a bumper retail period, with business and the community sharing in a renewed prosperity".

Question resolved in the affirmative.

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