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

Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1999 Week 1 Hansard (16 February) . . Page.. 158 ..

MS CARNELL (continuing):

Safe and improved transport systems are a major concern of this Government. Subject to further assessments, the Government will introduce legislation to amend the Motor Traffic Act to allow for camera enforcement as a road safety initiative. As a result, speed and red-light cameras may be used as mechanisms for detecting traffic offences.

A Bill to streamline the regulatory framework for efficient, cost-effective bus services in the ACT will be introduced. Existing licences issued under the Motor Traffic Act will be replaced with a new scheme for the accreditation of operators of public passenger bus services. A second Bill will establish ACTION as a statutory authority. This is an important element of the Government's reform program and constitutes the package of reform to give ACTION a more commercial focus.

There will also be an urgent amendment to the Stock Act to ban the feeding of certain mammalian materials to stock. This is a commitment flowing from the agreement of the Agriculture and Resource Management Council of Australia and New Zealand after the identification of this as a possible cause of mad cow disease in the United Kingdom. The ACT currently has no ban in place. While this is not an issue for the ACT, we must play a part in setting in place a uniform legislation framework across Australia. This is an important issue for Australia's beef exports.

The Bill resulting from the review of the Children's Services Act will be introduced in this sitting period. This Act, which is now almost 14 years old, required major reform to better reflect current best practice in child welfare. In addition to widespread community consultation within the ACT, child welfare Acts in other States and Territories have also been considered. Model amendments are also being prepared nationally to allow for transfer of child protection orders between States and Territories. These amendments will be included in the new Bill.

The Government's commitment to improve the health and wellbeing of our community is also reflected in this legislation program. The Government will propose amendments to the Tobacco Act as well as the Poisons and Drugs Act. Major developments in tobacco control have occurred since the release of an exposure draft amending the Tobacco Act. The proposed amendments have been reassessed and major changes made. Updating our tobacco control legislation is an opportunity to address the important issues of young people's access to tobacco products as well as their exposure to tobacco advertising and promotion. This Bill will clarify and strengthen controls on advertising and the sale and supply of tobacco products.

Amendments to the Poisons and Drugs Act will permit the advertising of pharmacist-only medicines listed in appendix H of the Standard for the Uniform Scheduling of Drugs and Poisons. This will be a step in meeting the ACT's commitment to uniformity in poisons legislation throughout Australia.

Mr Speaker, in tabling the legislation program, the Government is indicating to members the legislative items it considers important. Those items which the Government regards as the highest priority, and which we would like to see passed by the end of the autumn sitting period, are clearly marked on the program. I seek the cooperation of members in the timely consideration of those Bills.

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