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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1999 Week 1 Hansard (17 February) . . Page.. 189 ..

Leave granted.

MR BERRY: Thank you, kind sirs and ma'ams. I present the Dangerous Goods (Amendment) Bill, together with its explanatory memorandum.

Title read by Clerk.

MR BERRY: I move:

That this Bill be agreed to in principle.

The Bill that I have introduced, Mr Speaker, is similar in its application to the proposed amendments to the Occupational Health and Safety Bill. It will, if passed, prescribe a one-year period after the handing down of a report of an inquiry for a prosecution to be launched. The marked difference between the two Acts - the Occupational Health and Safety Act and the Dangerous Goods Act - is that the Dangerous Goods Act has a time limit of two years prescribed for a prosecution to be commenced.

Mr Speaker, something has just been drawn to my attention which I should really raise. I would urge members to look at notice No. 8 on the notice paper. It talks about, would you believe, notice that I gave yesterday to present a Bill for an Act to amend the Dangerous Goods Act 1975 of the State of New South Wales in its application in the Territory. Notice was given yesterday.

Mr Humphries: But it is not on the blue sheet. That is the problem you raised with Mr Osborne's Bill, remember?

MR BERRY: The difference is quite stark, Mr Humphries.

Mr Humphries: Mr Osborne's Bill was on the blue sheet, as I recall.

Mr Corbell: On a point of order, Mr Speaker: Mr Humphries has consistently and persistently interjected on Mr Berry throughout this whole introduction and I would ask you to call him to order.

MR SPEAKER: Thank you. I uphold the point of order. Could we get on with this, please.

MR BERRY: Thank you, Mr Speaker. The Dangerous Goods Act has a time limit of two years prescribed for prosecution - that will be retained - and the amendment which I have introduced will have the effect of adding a one-year time limit following a report of a coronial inquiry and so on, whichever is the longer. What the preparation of the amendment to the Dangerous Goods Act clearly points out is that it can be done, Mr Humphries. You will recall from my earlier comments that the time from the issuing of instructions to the introduction of this Bill was seven days. If you have a commitment to the urgency of a matter, it can be done.

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