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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2003 Week 1 Hansard (20 February) . . Page.. 323b ..

MR STANHOPE (continuing):

In the long term, it is envisaged that the jurisdiction of this Tribunal will be increased to consider matters relating to other licensed groups, such as second hand car dealers and car repairers.

Education is another high government priority and introduction of the Education Bill 2003 will provide a framework for the provision of high quality education to the Territory. The bill will consolidate into one act provisions now spread over four acts. It will also provide for governance of government schooling and regulation of non-government and home schooling. Members will recall that this had been flagged for the spring 2002 legislation program, but was held over due to lengthy consultations and a significant response to the exposure draft of the bill.

Some other legislation of note includes the Environmental Protection Amendment Bill 2003 and the Nature Conservation Amendment Bill 2003, both of which will amend enforcement provisions to give a more robust response to incidents of land clearing and environmental harm. Amendments will also be made to animal and plant diseases legislation to amend provisions relating to commencement of quarantine orders to allow them to have immediate effect.

A range of amendments will also be made to building legislation relating to residential building warranty protection. This will address the gap regarding on-site drainage and roads works which are not currently subject to a formal approval and certification process.

Mr Speaker, I mentioned earlier that these are but a few of the initiatives proposed in the autumn 2003 legislation program. The program reflects what the government considers important for good governance and for responding to community needs. I seek the cooperation of all members in the timely consideration of these bills.

Mr Speaker, I commend the autumn 2003 legislation program to the Assembly.

Supplementary answer to question without notice

Youth drop-in centre

MS GALLAGHER: Yesterday Ms Dundas asked me a question about Narrabundah Youth Outreach activities and after-hours drop-in services. I would like to provide some information in response to the question.

Ms Dundas asked if young people were consulted in the closure of the Narrabundah youth drop-in centre. I am advised that the decision to make changes to the service provision in Narrabundah were made by Woden Community Service, which is the service provider. The services targeted at the inner south were never specifically for drop-in services, and in 2001-02, Woden Community Service trialled a Friday night drop-in program at the Narrabundah shops. At the time, Woden Community Service advised the department that they were not attracting significant numbers of young people aged between 12 and 25 years, and that they had to consider alternative approaches. In fact, they were attracting young people but only those below the age of 12.

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