Page 804 - Week 04 - Wednesday, 2 May 2007
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I expect that Pace and the government will come to a mutual agreement to the benefit of workers as part of any compensation package. Although I am keen to see the end of battery egg production in the ACT, I will also continue to work for employment opportunities that provide job satisfaction as well as training opportunities for people who do not have a lot of scope in Canberra’s job market.
I have included poultry carcass production in this bill as well as egg production. Although this is not an issue at present, it seems better to make it clear to industry now that hens are not to be kept in battery cages for any reason, and thus prevent any future disputes.
The ACT was the first jurisdiction in Australia to introduce legislation banning tail docking in dogs. This is another important step in the improvement of animal welfare across the country. After the ACT banned tail docking in 2001, all other states and territories followed suit within a few years. The Greens believe that a ban on battery cage egg production in the ACT will be another important and firm step towards hen welfare reform in Australia. I commend this bill to the Assembly.
Debate (on motion by Mr Stanhope) adjourned to the next sitting.
Gaming Machine Amendment Bill 2007
Mr Stefaniak, pursuant to notice, presented the bill.
Title read by Clerk.
MR STEFANIAK (Ginninderra—Leader of the Opposition) (11.04): I move:
That this bill be agreed to in principle.
Mr Speaker, I present the Gaming Machine Amendment Bill 2007. A quirk of the Gaming Machine Act 2004 is a prequalification requirement that an intending applicant for a gaming machine licence must first hold a liquor licence for some 12 months. The amendments at clauses 4 and 5 of this bill remove that 12-month period of prequalification—for individuals in clause 4, and for clubs and other corporations in clause 5. The other eligibility criteria provided for in the act continue.
This matter came to my attention when a local business owner, a tavern owner, was seeking to sell his business. The prospective buyer was from Queensland and did not hold a liquor licence. The Gaming Machine Act eligibility criterion requiring an applicant for a gaming machine licence to first hold a liquor licence for a period of 12 months would bring that sale to its knees. Despite considerable legal advice and discussion with officials at the ACT Gambling and Racing Commission, no solution could be found that would enable the sale to proceed and for the new owners to comply with the licensing requirements.
As members may be aware, in the ACT in taverns there is a limit of two class B machines, in hotels with 10-plus rooms of accommodation there is a limit of, I think, 10 class B machines and, of course, for clubs there is a cap on the number of poker
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