Page 17 - Week 01 - Tuesday, 10 February 2015
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In coming days, we will debate legislation already before the Assembly—to make our criminal justice and wider judicial system simpler to understand and fairer for all; to strengthen our electoral system; and to make our public sector more efficient, responsive to the community and effective in the delivery of programs.
And the legislation we will bring forward in these sittings and throughout the year will always put the needs of Canberrans first.
For the information of members, I will table the government’s priority items for these sittings.
This month, the Dangerous Substances (Asbestos Safety Reform) Legislation Amendment Bill will be introduced into the Assembly. I take this opportunity to urge all members to continue to work cooperatively to ensure the right outcome for householders and the general community, as we deal once and for all with the legacy of loose-fill asbestos. I am pleased to say that this cooperation is happening in large part. This should continue. The government is continuing the work of resettling home owners affected by loose-fill asbestos insulation. This is important work, this is urgent work, and we are working with the community to get it done. I am pleased to note that we have strong support from the business community, who have come on board to help these families. In recent times, ACTEW Water and ActewAGL have announced that they will give special assistance, including fee waivers and dedicated contacts, for home owners.
Other legislation coming forward delivers on our commitment to renew the urban environment, to create economic opportunities and to encourage economic growth. The unit titles and University of Canberra amendment bills will allow our great local university to significantly expand its role in our city, through the cultural, sporting, professional and other services it provides to the community. These reforms and these opportunities will generate significant economic activity in Belconnen.
We are reducing the red tape burden on significant sectors of business and governance through a package of reforms for the ACT’s community clubs that operate gaming machines and through improved access to the ACT’s judicial system.
The gaming package maintains a strong focus on harm minimisation while simplifying the way regulation works. It will ensure the greatest protection for problem gamblers at the lowest cost to the general community who are members of registered clubs. We recognise the need to provide certainty to local community clubs and we recognise the contribution they make to the broader community. This year will see the introduction of a trading scheme, reducing unnecessary red tape whilst maintaining strong protection for our community.
This is, of course, a long-discussed package of changes. It embodies a complicated area of policy, and we will engage with all stakeholders to ensure that we get the balance right in these reforms.
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