Page 3619 - Week 12 - Tuesday, 28 October 2014
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Tuesday, 28 October 2014
MADAM SPEAKER (Mrs Dunne) took the chair at 10 am, made a formal recognition that the Assembly was meeting on the lands of the traditional custodians, and asked members to stand in silence and pray or reflect on their responsibilities to the people of the Australian Capital Territory.
Security
Statement by Speaker
MADAM SPEAKER: Members, before we commence today, I would like to take this opportunity to update you on arrangements for the Assembly in the light of last week’s events in the Canadian parliament. Members will be aware that, about six weeks ago, the federal government raised Australia’s national terrorism public alert level to high, based on advice from security and intelligence agencies. In announcing the increased public alert level, the government stressed that the change was not based on knowledge of a specific attack but rather a body of evidence that points to the increased likelihood of a terrorist attack in Australia.
For the Assembly, the process of assessing security risks is ongoing and, in this period of heightened risk and alert, I have been briefed by the ACT’s Acting Chief Police Officer and have agreed to some new arrangements to mitigate risk. I have scheduled further briefings in the near future,
Additional resources have been deployed and we will be exploring enhanced training and awareness for key staff. Access control policies are being reviewed and, while they are largely effective, I cannot rule out some revisions or finetuning of existing arrangements. The continued cooperation of members, their staff and other Assembly staff is vital.
Most importantly, members, you, your staff and other Assembly staff should remain alert and vigilant to anything that is unusual and you should report such matters immediately to the Assembly’s principal attendant or to the director of business services—that is, Mr Ian Duckworth.
Justice and Community Safety—Standing Committee
Scrutiny report 25
MR DOSZPOT (Molonglo): I present the following paper:
Justice and Community Safety—Standing Committee (Legislative Scrutiny Role)—Scrutiny Report 25, dated 27 October 2014, together with the relevant minutes of proceedings.
I seek leave to make a brief statement.
Leave granted.
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