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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2004 Week 02 Hansard (Thursday, 4 March 2004) . . Page.. 779 ..

MS GALLAGHER (Minister for Education, Youth and Family Services, Minister for Women and Minister for Industrial Relations) (4.54): I move amendment No 7 circulated in my name [see schedule 1 at page 816].

This amendment has been suggested to the government by Ms Dundas. The government believes that this amendment will improve the bill. Currently clause 51(2) of the bill allows the chief executive to seek further information about a person who has applied for a licence to handle a dangerous substance. All paragraphs of clause 51(2) are expressed to be limited to seeking further information that is relevant to the consideration of the licence application. This was inadvertently omitted from paragraph (d) and the amendment will introduce this limitation to paragraph (d).

MS DUNDAS (4.55): I thank Ms Gallagher for moving this amendment. This was an issue that was raised, along with briefings, with my office. I thank the government for taking up the suggestion. This clarifies giving the chief executive the authority to ask for information in relation to things contained in the Dangerous Substances Act. I think it is a minor but very important issue.

Amendment agreed to.

Clause 51, as amended, agreed to.

Clauses 52 to 84, by leave, taken together and agreed to.

Proposed new part 5.1A.

MR PRATT (4.56): I move amendment No 6 circulated in my name which inserts a new part 5.1A [see schedule 2 at page 816].

The second group of amendments to part 5.1A are consistent with the Liberal opposition’s legislation tabled and debated last year which dealt primarily with fireworks, their sale to the public and penalties relating to any breach of the legislation. In brief, the amendments state that no person can use a firework unless that person is issued with a display permit, a government-approved licensed pyrotechnician or community group or if the firework is a distress flare or the like.

In addition, the amendments state that no person can supply a firework to another person unless the receiver of the firework holds a display permit. They come with strict liability penalties if breached. They will basically amend the government legislation that is being debated here today that allows members of the public to buy consumer fireworks in the week leading up to the June long weekend. The amendments state that only government-approved community groups and licensed pyrotechnicians are allowed to be supplied with fireworks for use only at government-approved events.

The amendments are straightforward: they ban the sale of consumer fireworks to the public all year round. This is another bid by the Liberal opposition to protect the community and their pets from disturbance and danger. Against the general concern of community safety and generally disruptive behaviour and property damage, complaints

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