Page 3397 - Week 08 - Tuesday, 17 August 2010
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the government will set the minimum checking standards and apply a consistent risk assessment framework and decision-making process. A screening unit within the Office of Regulatory Services in the Department of Justice and Community Safety is to be established to assess all applications for registration, with the successful applicants to be registered for three years. A checking system has been developed with reference to the ACT Human Rights Act, and will include review and appeal mechanisms for applicants.
Drink and drug-driving laws are to be enhanced as part of the government’s road safety strategy. The Road Transport (Alcohol and Drugs) Legislation (Amendment) Bill (No 1) will make reforms to drink-driving legislation that were included in the Road Transport (Drink Driving) Legislation Bill 2010. Amendments will also be proposed to provide for the technical and operational efficiency of the new random drug testing scheme.
A further bill will seek to implement additional drink-driving reform measures beyond those included in the first bill. Another separate bill will make technical amendments to deal with the suspension of a driver licence, vehicle registration, a right to drive for non-payment of infringement notices and penalties and court-imposed fines.
Lastly, the government will look to introduce legislation to provide for the establishment of an independent statutory ACT Teacher Quality Institute, and also to make amendments in relation to gaming machines. The Excellence in Teaching—ACT Teacher Quality Institute Bill will provide the legal basis for establishing this body. It will oversee teacher registration in the ACT and accreditation to nationally recognised standards. Funding of $3.9 million has been provided in the ACT 2010-11 budget for its establishment, staffing and operations. It will report directly to the Minister for Education and Training through a board of directors led by an independent chair.
The Gaming Machine Amendment Bill 2010 will reduce the overall cap on gaming machines in the ACT and provide for a pool of unallocated machines to be established to give scope for allocating gaming machines to new clubs in future greenfield developments. Other included changes are a proposed increase to the contribution of clubs to problem gambling and revised tax arrangements. I commend the spring 2010 legislation program to the Assembly.
Papers
Mr Stanhope presented the following paper:
Public Accounts—Standing Committee—Inquiry—Auditor-General’s Report No 5/2009—Administration of employment issues for staff of Members of the ACT Legislative Assembly—Government submission.
Cultural Facilities Corporation Act, pursuant to subsection 15(2)—Cultural Facilities Corporation—Quarterly report 2009-2010—Third quarter (1 January to 31 March 2010).
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