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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2001 Week 9 Hansard (22 August) . . Page.. 3222 ..

MR STEFANIAK (continuing):

These amendments are very simple. They make sure that any decisions to declare an event a major event are made by the executive rather than by a minister acting alone. They will ensure that the special powers under the act are invoked only after careful consideration by the executive and following the usual consultation processes involved in executive decision-making.

MR STANHOPE (Leader of the Opposition) (6.28): Whilst we oppose the bill, we think that, were it passed, these amendments would be sensible.

Amendments agreed to.

MR MOORE (Minister for Health, Housing and Community Services) (6.28): I move the amendment circulated in my name [see schedule 6 at page 3230].

The bill would now read:

The Executive may not declare a public protest or demonstration to be a major event.

This is what I refer to as the Bjelke-Petersen amendment, and I think that explains exactly the concern I have.

MR STANHOPE (Leader of the Opposition) (6.29): The Labor Party accepts the wisdom of the amendment but opposes the bill.

MR OSBORNE (6.29): If this really were a police state, I would be opposed to Mr Moore's amendment, but I am not. I will support it.

Amendment agreed to.

MR STEFANIAK (Minister for Education and Attorney-General) (6.29): Mr Speaker, I seek leave to move amendments 4 to 6 together.

Leave granted.

MR STEFANIAK: I move amendments 4 to 6 [see schedule 5 at page 3229].

For the same reasons as I gave before, these amendments delete "Minister" and substitute "Executive".

Amendments agreed to.

Bill, as a whole, as amended, agreed to.

Question put:

That this bill, as amended, be agreed to

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