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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2000 Week 8 Hansard (29 August) . . Page.. 2546 ..

MANDATORY SENTENCING LAWS

MR SPEAKER: Members will also recall that, on 24 May 2000, the Assembly passed a resolution regarding mandatory sentencing laws, the stolen generation and reconciliation. I have presented that paper for members' information:

PRESENTATION OF PAPERS

Ms Carnell presented the following papers:

Administrative Arrangements (Gazette S32, dated 29 June 2000).

Ministerial Travel Report-1 April to 30 June 2000.

Spring 2000 Legislation Program.

SPRING LEGISLATION PROGRAM

Ministerial Statement

MS CARNELL (Chief Minister): I ask for leave to make a brief statement in relation to the spring legislation program.

Leave granted.

MS CARNELL: I am pleased to present this government's sixth legislation program. The focus of this program has moved from being primarily concerned with financial and business matters to continuing the government's drive for administrative reform and responsible management of the territory. This program is also responsive to community concerns.

I intend to comment only on a few items that are a priority for the government. Time does not allow for comment on all the proposed legislation, even though some items may be of particular interest to members.

At the end of 1999 the Assembly put in place interim arrangements to extend the application of the now repealed Commonwealth Merit Protection Act review processes until 31 December 2000. The Public Sector Management Amendment Bill 2000, which was tabled as an exposure draft during the last sitting week in June, will be introduced to amend the Public Sector Management Act 1994, and the Fire Brigade (Administration) Act 1977. The bill will provide a new legislative framework for discipline, inefficiency and review arrangements for staff employed under these acts.

Several legislation items will be of particular interest to Assembly members. The government will seek the Assembly's agreement to amend the Legislative Assembly (Members' Staff) Act 1989, to clarify conditions for the staff of Assembly members. This bill replaces the interim arrangements extending the application of the now repealed Merit Protection Act review processes mentioned earlier, as they relate to Assembly staff.

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