Page 935 - Week 03 - Thursday, 10 March 2016
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The bill also responds to a rapidly changing motor vehicle industry. This bill amends the Sale of Motor Vehicles Act 1977 so that high voltage batteries in electric cars, including hybrid cars, will be considered as integral to the operation of the vehicle for the purpose of warranties referred to in the act. These high voltage batteries are essential to the propulsion of electric cars. They are also a significant cost component of these vehicles. As such, it is entirely appropriate that they fall within the warranty guidelines set in the act. The definition of motor vehicle accessories in the same act will also be updated to reflect new technologies such as bluetooth-enabled entertainment devices and computerised navigation systems.
An amendment in the bill will mean that renewals to liquor licences will no longer have to be applied for at least 30 days in advance. This will lower the burden of strict timing around the start of the renewal process. There are more than 680 liquor licences issued in the territory. This amendment will have a positive administrative impact on hospitality business operators into the future while in no way compromising safety and service requirements that they must maintain as licence holders.
Through this legislation we will also be making it easier for charitable organisations to report on charitable collection activities. It will enable incorporated associations that also hold charitable collections licences to align reporting of their charitable collections with their regular reporting activity. Charitable collection licence holders do not have the capacity and resources to be tied up in red tape and dual reporting requirements. Their focus should be on delivering support for those in the community who need it most. Crucially, this bill will lower the administrative burden for charities so that they can help more people every day.
The bill also removes requirements that simply do not make practical sense for businesses and workers. Firstly, certain businesses operating non-exempt and exempt lotteries will now be able to advertise those lotteries on the interior and exterior of their premises, and no longer at distances from their premises. This makes sense since lotteries do not present a material social harm to the community and through other media, such as smart phones, access to advertising is no longer limited to a physical location.
Secondly, the bill removes a confusing requirement that prospective security workers must already be employed by a master security licence holder before obtaining a security licence. There are more than 3,300 workers in the security industry in the territory and more men and women are joining this industry all the time. This amendment will provide clarity for prospective applicants and ultimately make it easier for them to join this industry.
Finally, Madam Deputy Speaker, the bill addresses three other consequential amendments and technical corrections. The amendments that I am presenting today will provide concrete, practical benefits to business and individuals by reducing the administrative burden on them, saving them time, effort and money. They will also remove unnecessary reporting and red tape burdens for charitable organisations and the University of Canberra.
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