Page 457 - Week 02 - Tuesday, 4 March 2008

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MR CORBELL: Thank you, Mr Temporary Deputy Speaker.

MR TEMPORARY DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! I have received some further advice in regard to the adjournment of debate. Mr Stefaniak is not permitted to move that debate be adjourned on this matter; another member of the Assembly needs to do that.

MRS DUNNE (Ginninderra) (5.44): I move:

That the debate be adjourned.

Question put:

That Mrs Dunne’s motion be agreed to.

The Assembly voted—

Ayes 6

Noes 11

Mrs Burke

Mr Barr

Mr Hargreaves

Mrs Dunne

Mr Berry

Ms MacDonald

Mr Pratt

Mr Corbell

Mr Mulcahy

Mr Seselja

Dr Foskey

Ms Porter

Mr Smyth

Ms Gallagher

Mr Stanhope

Mr Stefaniak

Mr Gentleman

Question resolved in the negative.

MR TEMPORARY DEPUTY SPEAKER: The question now is that clause 25 be agreed to.

MR CORBELL (Molonglo-Attorney-General, Minister for Police and Emergency Services (5.46): Can I just clarify the situation in relation to Telstra’s representations to the government. Telstra have raised concerns about the application of the Door-to-Door Trading Act and, in particular, the provisions around the cooling-off periods and whether or not they should apply in certain circumstances where people request changes to existing telephone contracts or whether they do so in the course of a telemarketing call.

The government’s view needs to be made clear on this. First of all, changes to the Door-to-Door Trading Act clarify existing provisions in the act. We are not making any new provisions in relation to the Door-to-Door Trading Act per se, but we are clarifying their application. Secondly, the Door-to-Door Trading Act does apply, I am advised, in relation to telemarketing activities. It was of concern to me that Telstra appeared to be unaware that our act did apply in those circumstances and that they viewed these provisions in the bill as new legislative or regulatory impositions. That is not the case. These are existing provisions clarified in this bill in terms of their application. The Door-to-Door Trading Act, I am advised, does apply in relation to telemarketing activities. Having had that meeting with Telstra yesterday, I am more

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