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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2004 Week 03 Hansard (Tuesday, 9 March 2004) . . Page.. 902 ..

In 2004, the government will continue to implement initiatives to improve the wellbeing of the Canberra community as well as the territory’s economic performance and environment. Bushfire recovery efforts will also continue.

For the benefit of members, I will comment briefly on some of the government’s proposed legislation. Firstly, with the 2003 bushfire crisis still firmly in the government’s focus, the government will propose a bill to establish a new emergency management authority and to make other statutory changes in follow up of the McLeod bushfire inquiry report.

The new authority, together with other bushfire recovery measures already taken, will significantly add to the safety and wellbeing of all Canberrans. We must continue to make every effort to ensure that there is no repeat of the bushfire disaster and, where possible, also protect ourselves from other calamities.

As it is each year, the principal piece of legislation will be the Appropriation Bill 2004-5. The bill is scheduled to be tabled on 4 May. The government will bring forward amendments to the Financial Management Act to address concerns raised by the Auditor-General in relation to the Treasurer’s advance and to clarify the use of the Treasurer’s advance. Proposed amendments to the Act will also include the issue of amended budgets by simplifying the financial reporting requirements where budgets are amended during a year.

In keeping with the government’s commitment to integrity and improved accountability, a range of legislative changes are also proposed to the governance framework applying to both statutory authorities and Territory owned corporations.

The protection of the environment remains a key commitment by the government. Legislation will be introduced to adopt a scheme similar to that in place in New South Wales that requires ACT electricity retailers to source an increasing amount of electricity from environmentally cleaner and renewable sources.

The government’s commitment to addressing law and order issues also continues. Amendments to the Protection Orders Act 2001 will be brought forward to introduce a range of new initiatives and improvements designed to provide greater protection for victims of domestic violence and to give effect to the ACT’s model domestic violence laws.

Additionally, a new chapter will be inserted in the criminal code dealing with serious drug offences. The proposed legislation will be primarily directed at the illicit trade in recreational drugs and will include offences of trafficking in, and illegally manufacturing and cultivating, controlled drugs and plants; acquiring and dealing with property derived from a drug offence; and also special offences intended for the protection of children, including offences of supplying drugs to children and procuring children for trafficking.

An overhaul of sentencing laws is also proposed to provide contemporary and flexible sentencing options in response to wide community consultations conducted for the ACT sentencing review. This will also provide for consolidation of sentencing laws and a

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