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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2002 Week 11 Hansard (26 September) . . Page.. 3361 ..

MS TUCKER (continuing):

The government has advised us that this bill is stage one of a three-stage process, and stage three is actually about the procedures, rules and scope of the courts. I would have expected neutral evaluation, and for that matter the reasonable prospect of success provision, to have been part of that stage-three process. I am not quite sure why the government wanted these provisions in now. Perhaps it gives it the impression of prompt action, but I am not sure that that is always the best way to make changes.

Amendment agreed to.

Clause 127, as amended, agreed to.

Clauses 128 to 136, by leave, taken together and agreed to.

Proposed new clause 136A.

MS DUNDAS (5.48): I move amendment No 9 circulated in my name which inserts a new clause, 136A [see schedule 1 at page 3369].

On first reading of section 136, I must say I was a little amused. It was clearly an attempt to access information to show that business decisions of insurance companies were the main drivers of premium increases, rather than claims for damages. Insurance companies are definitely not going to like having their books scrutinised by the minister, but their business decisions became public policy issues on the day that the market was driving community groups out of insurance.

This has led to the cancellation of numerous community events Australia-wide, and I for one am not going to let the insurance companies hold the community to ransom. I was therefore happy to support section 136, which makes it compulsory for insurance companies to provide to the minister confidential and sensitive information, but I will not allow the minister total discretion on what is to be done with this information.

My amendment ensures that the minister reports to the Assembly the key findings made on the basis of this information, so that the Assembly and the Canberra public are able to assess the government's response to the insurance crisis, holding the government accountable as the government tries to hold insurance companies accountable. In the longer term we will be able to call for improvements if required.

MR STANHOPE (Chief Minister, Attorney-General, Minister for Health, Minister for Community Affairs and Minister for Women) (5.50): The government is happy to support Ms Dundas' amendment.

Proposed new clause 136A agreed to.

Clauses 137 to 154, by leave, taken together and agreed to.

Clause 155.

MR STANHOPE (Chief Minister, Attorney-General, Minister for Health, Minister for Community Affairs and Minister for Women) (5.51): Mr Speaker, I move amendment No 14 circulated in my name [see schedule 4 at page 3372].

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