Page 4654 - Week 12 - Thursday, 15 October 2009
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .
Crime—organised
(Question No 277)
Mr Hanson asked the Attorney-General, upon notice, on 20 August 2009:
(1) In relation to the Government report into Serious and Organised Crime and any further action on the issue of serious and organised crime in the ACT, when will the Government seek to introduce the legislative changes outlined in the report that it identified as being useful measures in combating serious and organised crime.
(2) Will all the legislative changes outlined in the report be introduced; if not, why not.
Mr Corbell: The answer to the member’s question is as follows:
I refer the Member to my comments made on 25 August 2009 during the Assembly debate on the government response to the Assembly resolution.
Consumer protection—nanomaterials
(Question No 280)
Ms Bresnan asked the Minister for Health, upon notice, on 25 August 2009 (redirected to the Attorney-General):
(1) Does the ACT Government have a policy or position in regard to consumer products containing manufactured nanomaterials; if so, what is it.
(2) What is the ACT Government’s understanding of the health impact of consumer products containing manufactured nanomaterials.
(3) Is it possible for the ACT Government to regulate the release of consumer products containing manufactured nanomaterials.
Mr Corbell: The answer to the member’s question is as follows:
1) The Office of Regulatory Services (ORS) has the power under the Fair Trading (Consumer Affairs) Act 1973 to recommend to me as the responsible Minister whether a consumer product safety standard should be prescribed in the ACT. To be mandated a safety standard must be reasonably necessary to prevent or reduce the risk of injury to any person. At this stage the ORS would not consider regulating consumer products containing nanomaterials. In May 2007, the then Australian Government announced the National Nanotechnology Strategy (NNS) with funding of $21 million over four years. However this was superseded as part of the “Powering Ideas” Innovation Agenda. On 13 May 2009 the Government announced it would provide $38.2 million over four years for an enabling technologies strategy. The Strategy will provide a framework for the responsible development of enabling technologies such as biotechnology and nanotechnology in Australia. It is intended to help Australian industries capitalise on growth opportunities and ensure Australia can benefit from the technologies while addressing any potential risks to health, safety and the environment. It is appropriate to wait for the outcome of the National Enabling Technologies Strategy, before acting to implement a policy or form a position regarding consumer products which contain manufactured nanomaterials.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .