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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2004 Week 03 Hansard (Tuesday, 9 March 2004) . . Page.. 903 ..

range of new initiatives and reforms, including the introduction of pre-sentence orders and strengthening of current breach mechanisms.

Under the third stage of the ACT’s response to the insurance crises, it is proposed to harmonise the rules for the Supreme Court and the Magistrates Court to improve the management of civil claims in courts. In addition, the government intends to introduce proportionate liability and professional standards legislation in line with the legislative developments in other jurisdictions.

Mr Speaker, health issues remain a major government priority. In December last year the government released an exposure draft of the Gene Technology (Genetically Modified Crop Moratorium) Bill in advance of introduction of this legislation. Among other things, the bill proposes a moratorium on the cultivation of certain genetically modified plants.

The government also intends to introduce a bill to allow ACT optometrists to prescribe certain therapeutic ocular preparations. This would be consistent with legislation introduced in other jurisdictions.

Following extensive community consultation, the Mental Health (Treatment and Care) Amendment Bill will be introduced. This legislation will enable the care co-ordinator to approve certain treatments as necessary for the amelioration of mental dysfunction.

Following extensive community consultation, amendments to the Disability Services Act 1991 are also proposed to provide for the establishment of a disability services commissioner with statutory powers and responsibility for the independent monitoring of compliance with standards and legislation. This fulfils a commitment made in the government’s response to the recommendations of the board of inquiry into disability services.

The government also intends to replace the Architects Act 1959 with new legislation that will enable more effective regulation of architects, focused on consumer protection and maintenance of professional standards. A bill to amend the Land (Planning and Environment) Act is proposed to address the issue of speculation in land occurring when a lease is on-sold before buildings required under the lease are commenced.

Proposed Cemeteries and Crematoria Act amendments will enable a review of perpetual care trust percentages at least every five years and allow for operators of cemeteries and crematoria to invest their perpetual care trust funds at a higher rate of return.

In 2004 the government will continue its commitment to improving conditions for ACT workers through several industrial relations bills. The government has already introduced the first of these bills, the Occupational Health and Safety Amendment Bill 2004. It will improve the ACT’s occupational health and safety compliance and enforcement framework, complementing the government’s achievements in enacting industrial manslaughter legislation in Australia.

Further amendments to the Workers Compensation Act will also be introduced to improve safety net arrangements for injured workers. If an employer fails to take out workers compensation insurance or a workers compensation insurer goes out of business,

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