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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 7 Hansard (26 June) . . Page.. 2320 ..

Assembly in June. I have already written to the Chair of the Public Accounts Committee, Mr Whitecross, pointing out that that would have required the introduction of the legislation during May 1997. This has not been possible due to the extensive and complex drafting involved in the amendments (relating to at least six Acts).

I am as eager as other Members of the Assembly to see the legislation introduced and passed so that the Teritory will, at last, have in place an effective scheme for encouraging payment of fines and penalties and taking action to collect fines where offenders refuse to pay. However it is important that legislation of this complexity is properly drafted.

I propose to introduce this legislation during the September 1997 sittings. This timetable for introduction will provide adequate time for the considered development of the legislation. It will also enable the Legislative Assembly adequate time to examine the legislation in time for its consideration in the November sittings.

Finally the Public Accounts Committee asked for an update on the amount of unpaid fines. As at 3 June 1997 the amounts were

Court No. defaulters Amount

Magistrates Court 1911 $ 911 410

Children's Court 87 $ 21 765

Supreme Court 25 $ 20 726

I trust that this information is of assistance to the Public Accounts Committee and to other Assembly Members.

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