Page 2152 - Week 07 - Tuesday, 15 August 2006
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“project owner”. These currently allow some owners of work to contest their liability to pay the levy. Amendments will also address the way in which approved valuers are appointed to assess the value of work and to move the approval date for annual training plans from 30 June to 30 October.
Long-term sustainability is to be assisted by amendments to the Fisheries Act 2000. One of the key and current issues affecting sustainable fisheries management in Australia is the illegal trafficking in priority species. Priority species include abalone and different types of lobster. The changes to the act will prevent the sale and trafficking of illicit priority fish species and ensure that the provisions are commensurate with those of other jurisdictions.
Animal welfare reforms will also receive attention. The Animal Welfare Act 1992 is to be amended to take into account increased understanding of the needs of animals, changing community attitudes and latest scientific knowledge. Proposed amendments will improve the offence provision and operational aspects of the act. This should accommodate the concerns raised by the animal welfare committee and meet national requirements identified by the primary industries ministerial council. Additionally, the government will review the domestic animals legislation to address issues raised by stakeholders and peak bodies and for introduction of operational enforcement issues raised by domestic animal services.
Other government legislation to be introduced includes changes to the Long Service Leave (Building and Construction Industry) Act 1981 and the Long Service Leave (Contract Cleaning Industry) Act 1999. Amendments will simplify reporting requirements, improve consistency between the schemes and more closely align the benefits available with those in other jurisdictions.
An Annual Reports Amendment Bill 2006 will also improve reporting by the government in annual reports. It will amend the present requirement for all agencies to report on the implementation of particular policies or legislation. Instead, consolidated service-wide reports will have to be prepared and tabled by agencies that have overall responsibility for implementation of a policy or piece of legislation. This form of reporting will be more useful to members of the community who are interested in a particular issue, such as environmental policy or public interest disclosures.
Mr Speaker, those are just some of the initiatives proposed for the spring 2006 legislation program. The program reflects the government’s current reform priorities and continues its other important work for community wellbeing and good governance. I commend the program to the Assembly.
Administrative arrangements
Paper and statement by minister
MR STANHOPE (Ginninderra—Chief Minister, Treasurer, Minister for Business and Economic Development, Minister for Indigenous Affairs and Minister for the Arts): For the information of members, I present the following paper:
Administrative arrangements—Administrative Arrangements 2006 (No 2)—Notifiable Instrument NI2006-206 (S3, dated Tuesday, 20 June 2006).
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