Page 2301 - Week 07 - Thursday, 17 August 2006
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that it is possible to have multiple carers providing assistance to a single person. The definition also recognises that a significant level of commitment is required to qualify as a carer.
Further to increasing the recognition of the role of carers under the Guardianship Act, amendments have also been suggested in clause 14 to support rights of appearance for carers before the Guardianship and Management of Property Tribunal. In its response to the report, the government gave a commitment to recognise a carer’s relationship with a potential guardian or manager of a dependent person when appointing a guardian or manager for that person under the Guardianship Act. Clause 12 of the bill amends the Guardianship Act to implement this recommendation. The bill also amends the Human Rights Commission Act 2005 to ensure that a person is not precluded from acting as an agent for the purpose of making a complaint just because the person is under a legal disability, so as to allow children and young people who are carers to lodge a complaint.
The bill also includes an amendment to increase recognition of carers, on an equal basis with near relatives, under section 26 of the Discrimination Act 1991. This provision provides a limited exemption to discrimination in rental accommodation, where the resident and/or near relatives also live on the premises. This amendment will recognise the close relationship between a carer and a dependent person for this purpose, noting that a carer relationship is much like a family relationship. These are important reforms consistent with the direction widely supported by carers and others who have an interest in this area. I commend the bill to the Assembly.
Debate (on motion by Mr Stefaniak) adjourned to the next sitting.
Justice and Community Safety Legislation Amendment Bill 2006
Mr Corbell, pursuant to notice, presented the bill, its explanatory statement and a Human Rights Act compatibility statement.
Title read by Clerk.
MR CORBELL (Molonglo—Attorney-General, Minister for Police and Emergency Services and Minister for Planning) (10.47): I move:
That this bill be agreed to in principle.
The Justice and Community Safety Legislation Amendment Bill 2006 is the 15th bill in a series of bills dealing with legislation within the justice and community safety portfolio. These bills make minor and technical amendments to portfolio legislation. The bill I am introducing today makes the following amendments. Firstly, the bill amends part 15.2 of the Civil Law (Wrongs) Act 2002, which sets out the general reporting requirements for insurance companies in the ACT. Currently the act requires insurers to provide me with particular information on insurance claims, a report on which is then tabled in this Assembly. The bill adds new provisions that allow me to issue directions to insurance companies about how to compile the data, or to request additional information after an insurer has already lodged a report. In addition, a technical amendment to chapter 9 of the Civil Law (Wrongs) Act 2002 will ensure that the definition of “Australian
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