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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2002 Week 7 Hansard (6 June) . . Page.. 2023 ..
MR CORBELL: Mr Speaker, the regulatory functions in relation to the enforcement of the Dangerous Goods Act, which is essentially the issue Mr Cornwell raises, are the responsibility of an independent statutory authority, ACT WorkCover.
My office is in close contact with the Commissioner for Occupational Health and Safety. She and the chief inspector of dangerous goods are taking appropriate action to monitor compliance as we go through this fireworks period.
MR CORNWELL: Mr Speaker, as a supplementary question, I ask: Mr Corbell, could you please explain, therefore, why there is an outlet operating and selling fireworks at Exhibition Park in Mitchell? Is this organisation authorised to do so, or should your office get a little closer to WorkCover?
MR CORBELL: I am aware of the operations of a number of firework retailers at EPIC. As I understand it, neither of those retailers has had their fireworks approved as being safe for sale, although they assert that they do have licences to sell. There is a distinction between these two issues. They do have a licence to sell, but they do not have goods which have been deemed, under the Dangerous Goods Act, safe to sell.
Mr Cornwell: You are confusing me, Mr Corbell.
MR CORBELL: I am happy to provide a more detailed brief to Mr Cornwell on this matter. I am not aware of whether or not those outlets are selling fireworks. If they are selling fireworks, as far as I know, they are not selling them in accordance with the act. I will seek further advice from WorkCover and provide some more information to the member.
Queanbeyan-heavy vehicle bypass
MRS DUNNE: Mr Speaker, my question is to the Minister for Planning, in relation to the proposed Queanbeyan bypass. In recent budget statements, the federal government announced that a heavy vehicle bypass around Queanbeyan CBD would be the next federally funded project to start in the national capital region. This project will be the third major road entrance to Canberra which has been partially or wholly funded by the federal government in the last five years.
The Commonwealth confirmed its commitment to the Queanbeyan bypass by allocating $2 million, or one-third of the cost. This amount will be forwarded to the ACT government, because most of the bypass work will be built within the ACT. The remaining costs are supposed to be shared between the ACT and New South Wales governments.
Minister, has your government considered a commitment to the Queanbeyan bypass? Is a consultation or planning process under way, and is it known at what stage, if any, land resumption will be required?
MR WOOD
: Mr Speaker, perhaps I can take that question, because the matter has been handled through Roads ACT. Yes, we are aware of all the information Mrs Dunne has provided in her question. I am due to meet Mr Scully, the New South Wales minister, some time at the end of this month. I do not recall the exact date. We are well aware of it.
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