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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1999 Week 13 Hansard (9 December) . . Page.. 4232 ..

MR STANHOPE (continuing):

A delay would also give the Minister time to reflect on how best to ensure that the scheme is protected from claims that more appropriately should be made from workers compensation and other insurance schemes. Police officers, bank tellers and shop assistants who are traumatised in the course of their duties must be assisted by their employers rather than this scheme. This is clearly an employer's responsibility. If any payment is made from this scheme, it should be recoverable from the employer. This would force the employer to take appropriate action to ensure, as far as possible, safe conditions and methods of work.

The Opposition recognises the need for economy in the provision of government services and would support the reform of this scheme if the Government would take into account and follow the recommendations of the various committees that have reported on this Bill. We cannot support the Bill as it stands. I do not think we should be debating it tonight. I do not think community organisations have had time to respond to the fact that the Government is not accepting any of the standing committee's recommendations. I believe the community should also have an opportunity to comment on some of the amendments that are being proposed at this very late stage by a number of members of the Assembly.

Question (by Mr Kaine ) put:

The Assembly voted -

AYES, 8  	NOES, 9

Mr Berry 	Ms Carnell
Mr Corbell 	Mr Cornwell
Mr Hargreaves 	Mr Hird
Mr Kaine  	Mr Humphries
Mr Quinlan 	Mr Moore
Mr Stanhope 	Mr Osborne
Ms Tucker 	Mr Rugendyke
Mr Wood 	Mr Smyth
		Mr Stefaniak

Question so resolved in the negative.

MS TUCKER (12.20 am): The Greens are also concerned about this legislation. We supported the motion to adjourn the debate, because we think we need more time. We are of the view that too many victims of crime remain unassisted and unsupported by our community - particularly the poor, the less educated, the most vulnerable and victims of sexual assault and domestic violence. It is also our belief that this legislation as it now stands makes the situation worse, not better.

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