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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 6 Hansard (19 June) . . Page.. 1797 ..

MR KAINE (continuing):

three years for people with permanent disabilities and for periods of three, six, nine or 12 months for people with temporary disabilities. Current medical eligibility requirements remain in place. However, I am pleased to advise that, in addition to current entitlements, blind people will now be eligible for parking labels, enabling them to be transported by carers and volunteers with the same entitlements as others with disabilities.

The Bill also provides for community organisations to be issued with Class B parking labels for vehicles used by, or on behalf of, those organisations. The amendments allow for parking spaces to be designated specifically for the use of particular community organisations. Volunteers transporting people with disabilities will also be entitled to labels. They will be able to park free for up to two hours in government-operated car parks. The expansion of the parking rights of people with disabilities brings the ACT into line with New South Wales and the other States and Territories. The Bill also gives effect to one of the Government's pre-election commitments.

I now turn to the changes affecting loading zones. This amendment follows changes implemented in January 1997, whereby owners of goods vehicles have the option of private registration in preference to the more expensive commercial registration. This Bill formalises the intention that loading zones can be used only by commercially registered and certified vehicles carrying out deliveries. In conclusion, Mr Speaker, I believe that this Bill will improve greatly the accessibility of parking for people with disabilities, it will reward the invaluable efforts of volunteers in our community and it will free up loading zones for those who have a bone fide need to use them. I commend this Bill to the Assembly.

Debate (on motion by Mr Whitecross) adjourned.

MR KAINE (Minister for Urban Services and Minister for Industrial Relations) (10.53): Mr Speaker, I present the Occupational Health and Safety (Amendment) Bill 1997, together with its explanatory memorandum.

Title read by Clerk.

MR KAINE: I move:

That this Bill be agreed to in principle.

Mr Speaker, the Occupational Health and Safety (Amendment) Bill 1997 amends the Occupational Health and Safety Act 1989 in a number of important areas. The primary purpose is to repeal Acts and associated regulations that have been part of ACT law for over 40 years but are now sadly outdated. Those Acts are the Scaffolding and Lifts Act 1957 and the Machinery Act 1949. This gives effect to the Government's commitment to review pre-1980 Acts and to remove them where they are no longer required.

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