Page 81 - Week 01 - Tuesday, 9 February 2010
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
Sentencing arrangements will also be addressed through the Crimes (Sentence Administration) Amendment Bill, which will improve the enforcement of court-imposed fines by giving the courts the power to assess a person’s income and assets and to redirect earnings in accordance with relevant legislation, seize and sell property, report bad debtors to credit providers and impose voluntary community work orders in which the defaulter agrees to perform community service to discharge the fine. The new scheme will retain imprisonment for defaulters but this will be the absolute last resort.
Victims of crime have not been forgotten. A Victims of Crime Amendment Bill will clearly define and articulate the rights of victims of crime through a victims charter, define and clarify the role and functions of the Victims of Crime Coordinator and strengthen the role of the Victims Advisory Board.
The government is also, as members know, committed to road safety. This will be improved by the Road Transport (Alcohol and Drugs) Amendment Bill, which will bring the ACT’s drink-driving laws more into line with those of other Australian jurisdictions. The changes are expected to provide a greater deterrent to drink driving and to reduce the Magistrates Court’s workload in relation to drink-driving matters.
Community protection is also to be enhanced by a rewrite of the Liquor Act to incorporate a number of key reforms. These include strengthening the liquor licensing regime to better reflect harm minimisation and community safety principles, the introduction of a risk-based liquor licensing system, stronger enforcement of ACT liquor laws and improved streamlining of licensing and regulatory procedures.
In conclusion, the Working with Vulnerable People Checks Bill will establish a centralised background checking and risk assessment system for people working with children or vulnerable adults in the ACT. Mandatory background checking will reduce the risk of harm or neglect of vulnerable people by identifying and prohibiting people who may pose an unacceptable risk from certain types of contact with vulnerable people.
I commend the autumn legislation program to the Assembly.
Financial Management Act—instruments
Papers and statement by minister
MS GALLAGHER (Molonglo—Deputy Chief Minister, Treasurer, Minister for Health and Minister for Industrial Relations): For the information of members, I present the following papers:
Financial Management Act—
Pursuant to section 14—Instruments, including statements of reasons, directing a transfer of funds within:
Department of Disability, Housing and Community Services dated 8 December 2009.
Department of Education and Training, dated 20 January 2010.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video