Page 224 - Week 01 - Thursday, 15 December 2016
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note that the ACT government is also the only state or territory government to supplement commonwealth funding to the Aboriginal Legal Service. Going further, to help future‐proof the community legal centres in the face of the current tight fiscal environment, the ACT government will continue to assist them with service planning to support and improve service delivery.
As Attorney-General in a proudly progressive government, I will lead a progressive and inclusive law reform agenda. I will enhance electoral integrity and democratic participation by banning political donations from developers and by changing enrolment time limits.
Here in Canberra we know about and value the privilege of democratic participation and strong democratic institutions. Through the Select Committee on 2016 ACT election and Electoral Act, we will consider lowering the voting age, improving donation rules and reporting time frames, and encouraging more people to enrol, vote and participate more widely in political activity.
I am honoured to be working closely with such a strong team in this government, and I am dedicated to a collaborative, whole-of-government approach to the way in which Canberrans can fully participate. So, working with the Deputy Chief Minister, I will be further progressing reforms for the ACT in responding to domestic, family and sexual violence in our community.
Building on a range of recent initiatives, we will streamline processes and better support victims of family violence who are seeking protection. I believe firmly that the measure of a community is how it treats and supports its most vulnerable members. My priorities are intended to make sure that our community measures up.
I will lead the government’s ongoing work to progress liquor, racing and gaming reforms to support a safe community, a vibrant night-life and viable liquor, hospitality and gaming and racing industries. The government’s commitment to liquor reforms includes changes around licensing and education, as well as extra police to ensure that our city maintains its vibrant night-life and minimises the incidence of late‐night, alcohol‐related violence.
The government has also committed to a range of initiatives which will address harm minimisation and support the contribution of clubs to the ACT community. It is great to see that over the past 16 months 441 poker machines have been removed from active use here in the ACT. I will continue and accelerate this important action, further reducing the numbers to a maximum of 4,000 by 2020. I will be working collaboratively with the clubs sector to implement this more ambitious target and to assist clubs to diversify their business models as electronic gaming machine numbers are reduced.
We will also be seeking to work collaboratively with the racing industry to implement the parliamentary agreement’s commitment to end government funding to greyhound racing after 30 June 2017. This includes a commitment to take steps towards ending the industry in the ACT. I am strongly mindful that this will affect members of the community involved in the industry and it is my intention to work with them on appropriate transition steps both for the people and for the animals affected.
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