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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1998 Week 4 Hansard (24 June) . . Page.. 900 ..
MS CARNELL (continuing):
Mr Speaker, in developing the framework of the draft Bill, the existing structures and current management arrangements within the racing industry were thoroughly examined. The legislation will establish a controlling body structure for the three racing codes that will deliver a comprehensive and cost-effective administrative and regulatory regime for the local racing industry. In broad terms, the draft Bill establishes the boundaries for lawful racing and betting; empowers the Minister to approve the annual racing calendar; establishes each individual racing club as the controlling body for that particular code of racing; sets out the powers and the functions of each controlling body; empowers each controlling body to make and administer the rules of racing; empowers the Minister to appoint an administrator to control the code, if such action is warranted; empowers the Minister to issue directions to a controlling body; establishes the ACT Racing Tribunal and sets its roles, powers and functions and operating arrangements; and repeals the existing Racecourses Act 1935.
In addition to these provisions, which are consistent with legislation applying in other Australian jurisdictions, the draft Bill has fully embraced the provisions of national competition policy agreements or arrangements. In particular, the draft Bill provides for a controlling body to apply to the Minister to conduct a race meeting on behalf of another person or body, and for any other person or body to apply to the Minister to conduct a race meeting. The Minister is empowered to make inquiries to determine whether such approvals are in the public interest and place terms and conditions on such approvals.
Mr Speaker, as I stated earlier, the draft Bill is to undergo a public interest test. Therefore, it is feasible that some provisions of the Bill may be reviewed and amended once the recommendations of the consultant and the input from the racing industries and other parties are considered. The end result will be a legislative framework that achieves its objectives, allows for the proper conduct of racing in the ACT and provides broad benefits to the ACT community.
Question resolved in the affirmative.
Paper
MS CARNELL (Chief Minister and Treasurer): Mr Speaker, for the information of members, I present, pursuant to sections 31A and 79 of the Public Sector Management Act 1994, copy of contract made with Vlad Aleksandric - a long-term contract. Mr Speaker, I ask the Assembly to take into account the usual privacy requirements.
MR HUMPHRIES (Attorney-General, Minister for Justice and Community Safety and Minister Assisting the Treasurer): Mr Speaker, for the information of members, I present information bulletins relating to patient activity data for the Calvary Public Hospital and the Canberra Hospital for April 1998. I also present the Department of Health and Community Care activity report for the September, December and March quarters 1997-98.
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