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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2003 Week 1 Hansard (20 February) . . Page.. 275 ..

MR STANHOPE (continuing):

Part 5 of the bill sets out the powers of the tribunal and the matters that the tribunal must consider in making a decision.

Part 6 provides for parties to appeal tribunal decisions to the Supreme Court. Appeals can only be made on a question of law and with the leave of the Supreme Court. This enables the Supreme Court to assess whether the appeal is on a question of law and will enable the court to dispose of vexatious appeals. If leave to appeal is not granted by the Supreme Court, the parties can appeal the Supreme Court's decision to the Appeals Court.

Part 7 of the bill deals with enforcement of tribunal decisions and sets out a number of offences, such as providing the tribunal with false or misleading information or obstructing or hindering the tribunal.

Part 8 of the bill protects tribunal members from incurring liability for acts honestly done in carrying out their functions. This part also provides that information from a preliminary conference cannot be used against a party in criminal proceedings or in a civil proceeding.

Part 9 deals with transitional matters. Part 9 provides that the existing members of the Agents Board will sit as tribunal members until their appointments expire in 2005. I also anticipate that additional members will be appointed to the tribunal.

It is not anticipated that the costs to the government will increase, as the tribunal will replace already funded existing dispute resolution bodies.

This bill has been drafted in consultation with the members of the Agents Board and the chair of the Essential Services Consumer Council and the Real Estate Institute of the ACT. Key stakeholders in the security industry have also been extensively consulted.

Mr Speaker, I commend the bill to the Assembly.

Debate (on motion by Mr Stefaniak ) adjourned to the next sitting.

Appropriation Bill 2002-2003 (No 2)

Mr Quinlan , pursuant to notice, presented the bill and its explanatory memorandum.

Title read by Clerk.

MR QUINLAN (Treasurer, Minister for Economic Development, Business and Tourism and Minister for Sport, Racing and Gaming) (10.39): I move:

This bill provides for an increase in appropriation of $17.295 million for the government's immediate response to the January 2003 bushfires. This puts beyond doubt the source of funding for many departments during a very challenging period when efforts are focused on addressing the immediate needs of those affected.

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