Page 402 - Week 02 - Tuesday, 15 February 2005
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identification scheme, which will enable disease outbreaks to be traced and ensure that ACT procedures are compatible with those of other jurisdictions. It will also allow for new impounding provisions which will take into account modern practice and more efficient methods for impounding and disposing of impounded stock. The proposed legislation will also ensure that a more efficient method of collecting the stock levy is established. Recognition of interstate permits, with appropriate checks, also will be implemented.
The Tree Protection Bill will provide for progressive lifting of the current Tree Protection (Interim Scheme) Act in conjunction with the establishment of a tree register to protect trees of very high value. Tree protection similar to the interim scheme arrangements is to be retained only in areas where urban forest values warrant particular protection. These areas will be declared by the relevant minister as tree management precincts.
Turning to sustainability matters, several milestones relating to the electricity element of the national energy market are anticipated to be achieved in the first half of 2005, including the introduction of a new national electricity law and supporting national electricity rules. So that this new regulatory framework may be consistently applied, all jurisdictions are required to vary their enabling legislation. Legislation will be brought forward to achieve this outcome in the ACT and significantly progress the national reform agenda.
With several jurisdictions experiencing an increasing frequency of interruptions in the supply of essential electricity and gas supplies to consumers, the government will be acting to put in place a robust scheme for the rationing of electricity and gas to guard against periods of shortage. The new scheme will be similar to that already in place for water and will bring all of the schemes together in a single act to facilitate effective and timely responses to supply shortages of low to medium intensity and duration. The new legislation will complement the operation of the Emergencies Act that will remain the means by which severe or critical incidents will be managed. The government believes that planning ahead for such eventualities is essential for the prudent and responsible management of essential services that all Canberrans rely upon.
In line with a commitment announced in the 2004-05 budget papers, the government will bring forward amendments to the Financial Management Act to implement a triple bottom line framework. The legislation will support changes to the financial management framework to improve and streamline budget management and monitoring processes and address anomalies and inconsistencies.
Following a detailed review of the ACT Insurance Authority, a bill will be introduced to effect necessary changes to the legislation establishing the authority. In particular, it will restructure the authority to reflect increases in its responsibilities and to reflect policy changes arising from the bushfires. This will provide better protection for capital and claims reserves allocated to and retained by the authority.
A bill will be brought forward to provide longer term legislative solutions in light of the government’s election commitment to the dragway. It will enable the enactment of legislation for the control and regulation of meetings for motor vehicle racing and certain
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