Page 2730 - Week 09 - Wednesday, 26 September 2007
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Section 224 of the act the Assembly passed in 2004 requires me as Minister for Industrial Relations to review its operation and to present a report on the outcome of the review on or before the Assembly’s third sitting day in 2008. As we do not have the sitting pattern yet for next year, my expectation is that this time is likely to be late February or early March of next year. In particular, the review of the Dangerous Substances Act will see the government better placed to fully consider the future regulation of fireworks over the Queen’s Birthday long weekend. This is indeed an important part of the review and one which the government is very keen to conduct in a comprehensive and transparent manner.
The act and associated explosives regulations do include strict rules on how consumer fireworks are supplied, bought and used. Only approved fireworks can be sold by licensed dealers for the week leading up to the Queen’s Birthday long weekend, and, as Ms Porter indicated earlier, can be used only between 5 pm and 10 pm on the Saturday, Sunday and Monday of the long weekend. This ensures that fireworks can be enjoyed with a reduced likelihood of disturbing or endangering people, animals or property.
The clear message, Mr Deputy Speaker, is that people who use fireworks must do so safely and legally. But unfortunately, I and, I am sure, most members of the Assembly have received a considerable amount of correspondence suggesting that some of our fellow Canberrans have not complied with the strict rules that apply to the use of fireworks. Some concerns have also been expressed that some illegal fireworks may have been available for purchase over the Queen’s Birthday long weekend this year, and it is clear that these illegal fireworks can significantly inconvenience residents and their pets and may expose the community to unnecessary danger.
Mr Deputy Speaker, other Australian jurisdictions have considered these issues and the costs to the community of the use of fireworks. New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia have all prohibited the use of fireworks by members of the public. So apart from us in the ACT, only Tasmania and the Northern Territory allow the purchase and discharge of consumer fireworks. Tasmania allows small retail fireworks with a permit, and discharge is restricted to a location that is at least 50 metres from a building, vehicle or roadway. The permit process requires the consent of the police, the fire service and the local authority. I understand, Mr Deputy Speaker, that Tasmania are currently reviewing their regime.
In the Northern Territory, consumer fireworks are available to the public for only one day each year—Territory Day, which is celebrated on 1 July in the Northern Territory—and fireworks can be sold by licensed persons to persons over 16 years of age and they are available for sale only on 30 June and 1 July between 9 am and 9 pm. The fireworks may then only be ignited on 1 July between 6 pm and 11 pm.
Mr Deputy Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to outline to members of the Assembly the government’s plan for engaging the community, particularly on the consumer fireworks component of the overall review of the act. Members may be aware that yesterday I announced the commencement of the consultation period and released a discussion paper to facilitate the review. The discussion paper is intended to assist individuals and organisations to understand the purposes of the Dangerous
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