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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1999 Week 8 Hansard (24 August) . . Page.. 2301 ..

MS CARNELL (continuing):

Transport (Vehicle Registration) Bill, the Road Transport (Safety and Traffic Management) Bill, the Road Transport (General Machinery) Bill and the Road Transport (Legislation Amendment) Bill.

Two Bills will also be introduced to restructure and streamline bus transport in the ACT. The Government has already announced its intention to establish ACTION as a statutory authority. A Bill to give effect to this will be introduced during the spring sittings. A second Bill will streamline the regulatory framework for efficient, cost-effective bus services in the ACT. The proposed legislative provisions will introduce a scheme where operators must comply with minimum standards for vehicle maintenance and safety of passengers and the public, and they will ensure that operators are financially viable. The Bill also requires operators providing regular public passenger services in the ACT to hold a contract with the Territory.

Mr Speaker, community concerns about drugs in sport is growing, particularly as the Olympics draw closer. We will introduce and implement a revised ACT drugs in sport policy that is consistent with the national framework on drugs in sport. The proposed legislation supports the decision of the Sport and Recreation Ministers Council that there is a need for complementary state and territory legislation. The legislation will enable the Australian Sports Drug Agency to conduct sports drug testing and education in respect of defined categories of ACT state-level athletes. Athletes under the age of 18 who are selected for testing may be requested to provide a sample only with their consent and the consent of their parent or legal guardian. Through this legislation, the ACT will subscribe to the goal of the national drugs in sport framework to achieve an internationally recognised drug-free environment in Australian sport that protects the wellbeing and rights of the individual and the ethical values of sport.

Mr Speaker, this legislative program continues to build on my Government's commitment to improve the health and wellbeing of the community. The amendments to the Tobacco Licensing Act 1984 were introduced during autumn 1999 sittings. To improve the legislative arrangements under the Act, the administration of the licensing provisions under the Act will be transferred from the Commissioner for Revenue to the Registrar of Tobacco during this sitting period.

In tabling the legislation program, the Government is indicating to members the legislative items it considers important. I seek the cooperation of members in the timely consideration of these Bills. I am sure that members will find the Government's legislation program extremely helpful in planning their own program and preparing for debate on relevant issues at the appropriate time. I commend the program to the Assembly.

MS CARNELL (Chief Minister) (3.55): For the information of members, in relation to the retail sector study undertaken by BIS Shrapnel, I present the following papers:

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