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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2003 Week 1 Hansard (20 February) . . Page.. 298 ..

MR STEFANIAK (continuing):

I can recall a debate in the previous government about whether we should go down the track of the code or adopt a bill. That was a pretty fine debate, and we decided to go with the code. While this has to an extent worked fairly well, obviously there are some problems, especially in relation to other states, all of whom, I think, have a bill.

This bill will licence people operating in the security industry and will ultimately lead to a simpler system through the implementation of a national scheme. It will enable our training to be recognised nationally, which is not the case at the moment. For example, the training that ACT industry personnel receive here under the code is not recognised in Victoria, and I suppose this potentially causes some problems when people move interstate.

I am advised that all the state training and industry groups were consulted. I have spoken with the department and I thank them for the briefing they gave me. One or two locksmiths have a problem, and I will come to that. But I am pleased to see that a lot of people have been consulted, including people in the security industry. I commend the department for undertaking such very good consultation with such people as Chubb, Star Security, the industry association, the trainers-the CIT, of course, which does a fair bit of training-and some 70 employers from New South Wales, Victoria, Western Australia and the Northern Territory.

Mr John Newham has written to the Chief Minister about some concerns. I have been sent a copy, and I must admit I am waiting to hear about some of my concerns. I might indicate that I understand he does not think that locksmiths should be licensed at all. He point out the fact that there have been only eight formal complaints in five years, which actually is a pretty good record, and I am quite happy to commend people in the industry for that. However, I note that locksmiths are licensed in every other state.

It is interesting that Mr Newham maintains that New South Wales may in fact change. They are having a review-the department says it is a review they have to have by law-in about six months time. We will be closely looking at that review and obviously, if recommendations come out of that review that are relevant and would help the ACT, the opposition would be pushing for them to be adopted here.

Licenses are expensive. I know we are going towards a national scheme and that there will be only one fee and one licence once that is fully up and running Australia-wide, and that is good. Mr Newham made the very valid complaint about having to pay twice-once in New South Wales and once in the ACT. Generally, in the ACT it is some $650 for a licence plus $50 per any additional code, and some five codes apply. This means that for one year the maximum is $900. Depending on the classification, the licence fee in New South Wales could be anything from $300 to $2,050, but that is over a five-year period. I understand that this will come in by way of a disallowable instrument and we will be looking at that very closely.

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