Page 18 - Week 01 - Tuesday, 10 February 2015
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The Courts Legislation Amendment Bill will reduce delays and foster more efficient and consumer-focused administration, cutting the cost and time of many cases, including for commercial disputes.
The ACT’s human rights protections are already amongst the strongest in the world. The upcoming amendment bill will further ensure that, in the daily business of government and amid the pressures of politics, we govern with respect for the rights of every Canberran, in line with Australia’s best democratic traditions and with the modern freedoms that our people cherish and deserve to be able to take for granted.
And we will act to protect those without a voice of their own, such as our beloved pets, through the Domestic Animals (Breeding) Legislation Amendment Bill, which will help to stop the intensive farming of pets in situations where animal welfare is at risk.
These bills give legislative form to important components of the government’s agenda for renewal. But it is important to stress that not all of our work of renewal will take legislative form.
It was a labour activist, the 19th century US Democrat Gideon John Tucker, who wrote:
No man’s life, liberty or property are safe while the Legislature is in session.
I would have to say that I am not quite that pessimistic. But I do know what he meant.
I have made it very clear that the government I lead will only legislate as a means to an end: to grow the economy, to help people stay healthy and smart, to keep our city livable, to spread opportunity. We do not want law for law’s sake—and we certainly will not go around banning things and making new rules to pass the time in this place.
Indeed, this year will bring repeal bills which take regulation off the books altogether, following the excellent precedent set by the successful repeal of the Exhibition Park Corporation Act last year.
The work of a territory government is not only—
Mr Smyth interjecting—
MADAM SPEAKER: Order, Mr Smyth!
MR BARR: Thank you, Madam Speaker. The work of the territory government is not only, or even mostly, in here legislating. It is the building of our city and developing our priorities through the territory budget. It is not our job to keep this chamber busy for its own sake. It is our job to keep this chamber busy working to make our city strong.
It is important to recognise that this session of the Assembly comes at a very important stage of the political and economic cycle in Canberra. The territory
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