Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .

Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2002 Week 8 Hansard (27 June) . . Page.. 2316 ..

MS TUCKER (continuing):

many people, it would not be a satisfactory answer to Mr Hargreaves' dissent from the merits of proportional representation and diversity of representation.

Question resolved in the affirmative.

Report No 3

MR STEFANIAK (11.12): Mr Speaker, pursuant to order, I present the following report:

Legal Affairs-Standing Committee-Report No 3-The Operation of the Dangerous Goods Act 1975 with particular reference to fireworks, dated 26 June 2002, together with a copy of the extracts of the minutes of proceedings and the uncorrected proof copy of the transcript of evidence taken on the inquiry of 7 June 2002.

I seek leave to move a motion authorising publication of the report.

Leave granted.

MR STEFANIAK: I move:

That the report, extracts of the minutes of proceedings and transcript of evidence of 7 June 2002 be authorised for publication.

Question resolved in the affirmative.

MR STEFANIAK: I move:

That the report be noted.

MR STEFANIAK: In December of last year the Assembly directed the Legal Affairs Committee to inquire into the operation of the Dangerous Goods Act, specifically in relation to fireworks. It required that we report by 27 June 2002. Given the committee's other inquiry, that was a fairly difficult time line to meet but we have done so.

At the outset I want to thank a number of people. I will start by thanking my committee colleagues-Mr Hargreaves and Ms Tucker-for their attention to detail and for their great assistance and contribution in this inquiry. Mr Rod Power, our committee secretary, again did a power of work, often under very difficult circumstances. It was not an easy inquiry. I would like to put on record too my thanks to the Clerk, the Deputy Clerk, Ms Weeks and other members of the secretariat staff, who also were very helpful during the inquiry. I thank the people who made the 230 or so submissions and the people who appeared in front of the committee.

The report calls for a rewrite of the legislation on fireworks. That is essential. I will come to that in a bit more detail in a minute. It also calls for that rewrite to permit fireworks to be used on three occasions: for cultural events such as Chinese New Year; for public displays such as Skyfire; and for prearranged community events during the three-day June long weekend.

Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .