Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .

Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1998 Week 10 Hansard (24 November) . . Page.. 2815 ..

MR STANHOPE (continuing):

Mr Speaker, this Bill is a very sensible piece of legislation. It is legislation designed to protect members of the public who put their faith in particular agents, and it is legislation which the Labor Party is accordingly very happy to support. Indeed, we commend the Minister for bringing it forward. It is very sensible. It protects the community from predatory or not particularly sound agents, and it is worthy of our support.

MR HUMPHRIES (Attorney-General, Minister for Justice and Community Safety and Minister Assisting the Treasurer) (4.20), in reply: Mr Speaker, I want to thank the Opposition for its support for the amendments. This Bill is part of a national scheme, the national travel compensation scheme. The travel compensation fund is a fairly significant part of the process of protecting those who use the services of travel agents. I suppose the question that crosses my mind is: What would we do if the Assembly was not inclined to support such amendments one day? The result would be that we would be at odds with other States on the provision of the travel compensation fund and its operation. That, I suggest, would be a rather unfortunate state of affairs to find ourselves in, but it is not the case today, I am pleased to say. I thank members again for their support for this legislation.

Question resolved in the affirmative.

Bill agreed to in principle.

Leave granted to dispense with the detail stage.

Bill agreed to.

DRUGS OF DEPENDENCE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1998

Debate resumed from 29 October 1998, on motion by Mr Moore:

That this Bill be agreed to in principle.

Debate (on motion by Mr Wood) adjourned.

ELECTORAL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1998

Debate resumed from 19 November 1998, on motion by Mr Humphries:

That this Bill be agreed to in principle.

MR STANHOPE (Leader of the Opposition) (4.21): I first heard of this proposal when the Electoral Commissioner indicated to the Select Committee on the Report of the Review of Governance that he would be making this proposal to government. As everybody knows, that committee is looking at a range of proposals some of which potentially impact on the number of members of the Assembly and the size of electorates. We received some very interesting submissions, including one from Mr Hird that the ACT move to seven electorates of three members.

Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .