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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2002 Week 4 Hansard (11 April) . . Page.. 1163 ..

In the Status Report on Fireworks 2001, the Occupational Health and Safety Commissioner recommended (at page 18) that:

The current arrangements for the sale of fireworks to the public during the Queen's Birthday long weekend be removed;

The sale of fireworks only be to licensed pyrotechnicians and licensed resellers;

Fireworks should not be allowed to be stored in retail premises, they should be stored in magazines like all other explosives.

That the penalties for breaches of the Dangerous Goods Act 1975 should be brought into line with the Occupational Health and Safety Act 1989.

The Commissioner noted that if these recommendations were adopted then the use of fireworks would be limited to notified displays conducted by licensed pyrotechnicians.

12. How many civil actions have been commenced against the Government and/or its agencies from members of the fireworks industry?

The Government is aware that members of the fireworks industry have filed seven civil matters with the ACT Supreme Court.

13. What is the nature of these claims?

Civil actions against the Government include reviewing administrative decisions, questioning the validity of fees and questioning the validity of legislation. Some members of the fireworks industry have requested review of a range of decisions in the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.

14. What are the amounts of compensation and/or damages of these claims?

One matter has been finalised. The finalised matter was found in favour of the Government

15. For fireworks displays, does the Government or its agencies purchase goods and services from the local fireworks industry?

Canberra Urban Parks and Places has been responsible for the planning and implementation of the Christmas and/or New Year's Eve fireworks celebrations since 1998. An open national tender process is used in accordance with ACT Government Purchasing Policy and the Government Procurement Act 2001.

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