Page 2173 - Week 07 - Thursday, 7 August 2014
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
As members will be aware, the ACT government has declared cat containment areas in Gungahlin, Molonglo and north Canberra—in Bonner, Crace, Coombs, Denman, Prospect, Forde, the Fair at north Watson, Lawson, Molonglo and Wright. These areas are adjacent to sensitive bush ecosystems that could be negatively impacted by the close vicinity of roaming felines. Residents within these cat containment areas are required to keep their cats contained to their premises 24 hours a day. It is anticipated that this amendment will enhance residents’ understanding of the objective of the legislation and their obligations.
Amendments are also proposed in this bill to the Magistrates Court (Domestic Animals Infringement Notices) Regulation 2005. An infringement notice scheme in relation to cats in declared areas already exists. The new regulation, in effect, is a consequential amendment allowing for the issuing of infringement notices consistent with the new term “containment”.
The final act which the bill amends is the Public Unleased Land Act 2013. The proposed changes clarify a provision in the original intention of the legislation and also correct a drafting error. During the federal election campaign in September 2013, it became apparent that the Public Unleased Land Act could be interpreted to mean that an approval is required to place any sign on unleased land, whether that sign is fixed or movable. This was not the intention of the legislation.
The bill therefore amends section 26 of the Public Unleased Land Act to provide that an approval is only required when fixed signs are placed on public land, and thus no approval is required for movable signs. The placement of movable signs in public places must however comply with the relevant code of practice, and offences may attract a penalty.
The bill also amends an incorrect reference in section 98(4)(d)(i) of the Public Unleased Land Act by replacing the incorrect reference to section 101 with the correct reference to section 99. Amendments to the Public Unleased Land Act will improve the laws that govern the use of public land by providing clarity about these matters.
The amendments proposed in this bill are only of a minor or technical nature. The changes do not change the application of the acts that are to be amended. Importantly, the amendments to the animal diseases legislation provide for the ACT to ensure its laws are consistent with those of other Australian jurisdictions. Proposed changes to the Domestic Animals Act and Public Unleased Land Act will provide clarity in application of the law.
I believe it is important to regularly review and strengthen the ACT’s statute book to ensure that our legislation is both up-to-date and responsive to the ACT community. I thank members for their input into this debate and for their support for this legislation today.
Question resolved in the affirmative.
Bill agreed to in principle.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video