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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2002 Week 9 Hansard (20 August) . . Page.. 2457 ..

MR STANHOPE (continuing):

The bill provides an improved system for restraining property pending the outcome of forfeiture action and contains new powers to locate the proceeds of crime and to link profits to criminal activities. This bill was released as an exposure draft last year and has been revised to take account of consultation comments.

Also to progress reform of the ACT's criminal legislation process, the Criminal Code Bill 2002 will be introduced. The process commenced in September last year, when the Legislative Assembly passed the Criminal Code 2001. That act sets out some but not all of the general principles of criminal responsibility recommended by the national model of criminal code officers committee.

This additional bill will incorporate all the chapter two general principles of criminal responsibility in the ACT criminal code. It will also insert a new chapter four, which will modernise the ACT's computer and property damage offences. Most importantly for these uncertain times, it will also provided the ACT with a comprehensive and effective range of offences to do with sabotage and activities relating to the damage and disruption of public facilities and infrastructure.

Legislation will also be proposed to establish a fund that would act as a reinsurer to the ACT compulsory road transport third-party insurance scheme in the event of an act of terror. As this is another flow-on from the effects of the present insurance crisis, it will be a short-term measure only, with the proposed Road Transport General Amendment Bill 2002 to have a two-year sunset clause.

Mr Speaker, the government believes education to be a key investment in our future, and we will be investing $27 million more in the ACT's education system than any other territory government since self-government. By doing so, we have recognised that the Canberra community expects the highest quality of education. Introduction of an Education Bill 2002 will provide a framework for the provision of such high-quality education. It will consolidate into one act provisions now spread over four acts and provide for governance of government schooling and regulation of non-government and home schooling.

The government will also be introducing the ACT Tertiary Accreditation and Registration Bill 2002 for the regulation of higher education in the ACT, based on model legislation being developed at a national level.

Other legislation of note to the community includes amendments to be introduced to the land act in relation to compliance improvement. This will simplify processes and also deal with encroachments. An exposure draft of the Heritage Bill 2002 will also be released to provide for new and improved procedures to the registration and protection of heritage places and objects.

On 27 June 2002 the Standing Committee on Legal Affairs reported on its inquiry into the size of the Assembly. I have discussed the issues raised with the Electoral Commissioner, and today I hope to discuss these issues with Mr Tuckey, the Commonwealth Minister for Regional Services, Territories and Local Government. I am also meeting with other members of the Assembly on this matter.

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