Page 549 - Week 02 - Tuesday, 10 February 2009
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for convenience, if I might propose something, I would be happy to withdraw my amendment if it makes the drafting of that amendment simpler. I would be happy to accept August. I think that would probably suit everybody. I do not know what the procedure is for withdrawing a motion, but I seek leave to amend my amendment.
Leave granted.
MR STANHOPE: I move an amendment to my proposed amendment as follows:
Omit “June”, substitute “August”.
Amendment agreed to.
Mr Stanhope’s amendment, as amended, agreed to.
Motion, as amended, agreed to.
Dangerous Substances and Litter (Dumping) Legislation Amendment Bill 2008
Debate resumed from 11 December 2008, on motion by Mr Stanhope:
That this bill be agreed to in principle.
MR COE (Ginninderra) (7.34): I rise to speak on the Dangerous Substances and Litter (Dumping) Legislation Amendment Bill 2008. The opposition supports the government’s determination to deter illegal dumping and punish those who do so.
As all my Assembly colleagues are aware, as Canberrans we are very lucky to live in a city of many beautiful parks, nature reserves, rivers and waterways, all within the suburban area. Unfortunately, some in the community litter or dump material, including dangerous substances. Illegal dumping can cause pollution, can be dangerous to other residents and can destroy the amenity of an area. This sort of dumping can have a financial impost on residents of the ACT through clean-up costs.
The opposition is concerned, as the Chief Minister indicated when he introduced the bill, that asbestos, poisons, flammable liquids and other substances continue to be dumped in and around the ACT. Despite the offences already in place, this sort of dumping is still a problem that needs to be tackled.
The opposition endorses moves to clarify the Dangerous Substances Act 2004 and the insertion of examples in the act. We are pleased to support increasing the penalty for aggravated littering, a particularly repulsive act that could injure people or animals or damage public places.
With regard to damage to public places, making the perpetrators of illegal dumping restore the damage they may cause—in new section 21 (4) of the Litter Act 2004—is a welcome measure that will ensure that people think twice before they perpetrate illegal dumping.
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