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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1998 Week 8 Hansard (29 October) . . Page.. 2418 ..

MR SMYTH (continuing):

The second important change to the Roads and Public Places Act is to strengthen the powers of the city rangers to remove objects from public places. This includes moveable signs which do not meet guidelines as well as some other objects in defined circumstances. The proposed amendments will give the city rangers a clear statutory power to immediately remove signs from public places where they do not comply with the code of practice. I think we all remember what occurred during the lead-up to the ACT election earlier this year. They will also give city rangers the power to remove prescribed objects which can cause a nuisance or a hazard if they are left in a public place. A draft list of these objects has been provided for the information of members.

The sorts of situations we are talking about are where a householder stores building materials or vehicles on parkland next to their house or where a business person places outdoor cafe furniture on the pavement at a shopping centre without authorisation. In the case of objects, the power for immediate removal will be limited to those situations where the object is causing a hazard or obstruction. Otherwise the options will be a direction to remove the object; a direction to apply for a permit; or, as a last resort, removal by the department after seven days.

In conclusion, Mr Speaker, these changes to the Roads and Public Places Act are designed to protect the safety and amenity of public places while keeping red tape to a minimum.

Debate (on motion by Mr Hargreaves) adjourned.

MR MOORE (Minister for Health and Community Care) (11.18): Mr Speaker, I present the Drugs of Dependence (Amendment) Bill 1998, together with its explanatory memorandum.

Title read by Clerk.

MR MOORE: I move:

That this Bill be agreed to in principle.

Mr Speaker, this Bill amends the Drugs of Dependence Act 1989. The Act seeks to lessen the chances of diversion of drugs of dependence. The Act was jointly developed as a Commonwealth, State and Territory model, following agreement in principle at the drug summit - the Special Premiers Conference on drugs strategy in 1985 - that there should be uniformity of approach among jurisdictions on legislation governing drugs of dependence. The Act clearly delineates the responsibility amongst those who are engaged in the legal usage of drugs of dependence. All States and Territories have similar legislative controls over the prescription, requisition, supply and administration of drugs of dependence.

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