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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2004 Week 08 Hansard (Thursday, 5 August 2004) . . Page.. 3573 ..

note some points. The bill clarifies the protection of services and programs for people with special needs.

The current law has long been the subject of uncertainty in the community. In particular, there has been concern about whether people with special needs are effectively protected against discriminatory practices in the provision of special measures services. (Extension of time granted.) The bill more clearly expresses the objective of protecting special measures programs for people with special needs from legal challenge by people not intended to benefit from the program, without protecting any negative discrimination within those programs.

The passage of this bill today will ensure that disadvantaged groups that receive services to meet their special needs are protected against discrimination according to the same standards as the rest of the community. It will give effect to the fundamental right of equal protection of the law without discrimination. It will mean that section 27 operates as originally intended, and not as it has been forced to operate over the last four years as a result of totally unacceptable amendments made to it by the Liberal Party in government. Thank you very much Mr Speaker.

Question resolved in the affirmative.

Bill agreed to in principle.

Leave granted to dispense with the detail stage.

Bill agreed to.

Discrimination Amendment Bill 2004

Debate resumed from 13 May 2004, on motion by Mr Stefaniak:

That this bill be agreed to in principle.

The Assembly voted—

Question so resolved in the negative.

Payroll Tax Amendment Bill 2004

Debate resumed from 24 June 2004, on motion by Mr Quinlan:

That this bill be agreed to in principle.

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