Page 3819 - Week 12 - Wednesday, 19 October 2005
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substantive than those two limited provisions of that act. They are superfluous and are therefore subsumed into this bill.
As indicated, the Public Trustee does have a role and can be appointed to manage a person’s property still. But the class of persons has been greatly expanded and the work they can do has been greatly expanded. The process has also been simplified. It goes before the tribunal, which is a far simpler and far more appropriate jurisdiction than having to go through the process of going to the Supreme Court. Processes have been brought into line with the sensible improvements that were passed into law in New South Wales last year.
I do not think this bill is something that is going to be used all that often but it is particularly traumatic when a loved one goes missing and it is even harder for that person’s relatives, spouse or partner, business colleagues and friends, if that person’s property cannot be looked after adequately in their absence. This bill ensures a simple process whereby a person’s property and financial affairs can be protected by a properly-appointed person while that person is missing.
I thank Parliamentary Counsel for their efforts in relation to this and the work they have done. I have only recently settled the bill. I will knock up an explanatory statement that I will provide to members. I commend this bill to the Assembly.
Debate (on motion by Mr Corbell) adjourned to the next sitting.
Industrial relations
MS PORTER (Ginninderra) (10.44): I move:
That this Assembly:
(1) notes:
(a) the Federal Government is expected to spend $100 million of taxpayer money promoting its new unpopular “WorkChoices” industrial relations reforms;
(b) these advertisements are expected to run for over a year, whilst the Federal Government will only allow the changes to be examined by a Senate inquiry for two weeks;
(c) the Federal Government intends to use its “Territories Power” under the Federal Constitution to ensure these reforms apply in the ACT immediately upon their passage through the Federal Parliament;
(d) this will:
(i) make the ACT a guinea pig for these changes, particularly Commonwealth and ACT public servants; and
(ii) have a negative impact on sporting and community groups; and
(2) calls on the Federal Government to abandon its industrial relations proposals because of the negative impact they are likely to have on Commonwealth and ACT public servants.
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