Page 2086 - Week 07 - Tuesday, 2 August 2016
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It is important that under this scheme records are kept and that information can be shared between jurisdictions whose employees have direct supervision and care of children. So from now until the commencement of this legislation we will work with the relevant organisations to ensure that they have the systems in place to respond appropriately to notifications and to conduct investigations fairly, comprehensively and in a timely manner.
In closing my contribution in this in-principle stage, I would again like to acknowledge Damian De Marco who has joined us in the Assembly today for his tireless advocacy for the rights of victims of abuse within institutions and for his personal advocacy and support for this scheme. I also thank the Assembly for its support. The government is committed to the implementation of the scheme and to stronger information sharing for the better protection of children in our community. I commend this bill to the Assembly.
Question resolved in the affirmative.
Bill agreed to in principle.
Leave granted to dispense with the detail stage.
Bill agreed to.
Safer Families Levy Bill 2016
Debate resumed from7 June 2016, on motion by Mr Barr:
That this bill be agreed to in principle.
MR COE (Ginninderra) (12.03): The Safer Families Levy Bill amends the Rates Act to impose a safer families levy on all rural and residential properties in the territory. The stated purpose of the bill is to support initiatives to prevent violence against women and support the delivery of the ACT prevention of violence against women and children strategy for 2011 through 2017. The levy will be used to support integrated case management, training for front-line staff, improvements to the child protection system, and other initiatives designed to assist and protect victims of family violence.
The safer families levy will be applied to all rates bills in the same way as the fire and emergency services levy. In 2016-17 the levy will be set at $30 for every household. The budget shows that the government expects to collect $19.1 million over four years through this levy.
The opposition shares the government’s concern over the issue of family violence. It is unacceptable that thousands of incidents are reported to police every year and that many more incidents go unreported. The Assembly has agreed to a bipartisan approach to tackling family violence. The Canberra Liberals support increased attention and funding for prevention and support activities.
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