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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2004 Week 08 Hansard (Thursday, 5 August 2004) . . Page.. 3476 ..

ACT Policing’s 2002-03 annual report states that last financial year resulted in 38 conferences accounting for 49 offenders. Case throughput for the proposed unit is estimated at 100 to 120 in year one and 200 cases annually thereafter, representing approximately five to 10 per cent of existing case numbers. Capacity to undertake conferences will be maintained by ACT Policing through participation within the unit.

In the first year the restorative justice model will be applied exclusively to juveniles, allowing legislative framework and administrative protocols to be thoroughly refined. The model will be extended to the adult jurisdiction in the second year, following a review. No offence categories are excluded from potentially being the subject of a restorative justice conference, but strong safeguards are built in through the limiting of referrals for serious offences that must be dealt with within the setting of the court or following a court outcome.

At times the restorative justice conference will be one element in a combination of integrated sentencing outcomes. Importantly, the inclusiveness of this new system enables restorative justice to be delivered at all stages of the criminal justice process, from pre-court to post-court stages. I commend this bill to the Assembly.

Debate (on motion by Mr Stefaniak) adjourned to the next sitting.

Utilities Amendment Bill 2004

Mr Quinlan, pursuant to notice, presented the bill, its explanatory statement and a Human Rights Act compatibility statement.

Title read by Clerk

MR QUINLAN (Treasurer, Minister for Economic Development, Business and Tourism, Minister for Sport, Racing and Gaming, and Acting Minister for Planning) (10.36): I move:

That this bill be agreed to in principle.

Mr Speaker, regulation of the provision of utility services is currently undergoing a great deal of reform at both local and national levels. The Stanhope government has been actively involved in many areas of reform and debate regarding energy market reforms, the national water policy and related environmental programs.

This commitment to a sustainable basis for the Canberran lifestyle is reflected in the Canberra plan. The plan recognises that, if we are to maintain our high standards of living, health and wellbeing while still providing for those in our community who need assistance, we must ensure that provision of the essential services of electricity, gas, and water is adequately maintained and protected.

The keystone to the sustainability of essential services is retaining and supporting the already excellent relationship between the organisations and people involved in providing and regulating these services. The government, ActewAGL and the Independent Competition and Regulatory Commission form important relationships,

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