Page 248 - Week 01 - Thursday, 15 December 2016
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world have their relationships recognised in the ACT. We are, and we will clearly remain, committed to enhancing equality for all Canberrans, and recognising the strength of love.
The amendments to the Residential Tenancies Act 1997 in this bill include a clarification to build on previous legislation. The Residential Tenancies Legislation Amendment Act 2016, passed earlier this year, introduced changes to help people who seek a protection order to end a lease. The amendments in this bill clarify that the ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal can terminate a residential lease in cases where a person seeks a protection order. The purpose is to make sure that obligations under a lease do not cause hardship to victims of violence.
The amendments to the Guardianship and Management of Property Act 1996 help deal with the management of enduring powers of attorney. The ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal will sometimes appoint the Public Trustee and Guardian to represent an incapacitated person. If that person already has an enduring power of attorney in place ACAT only has the option of revoking it. In fact the appointment might only be done on an emergency basis to review whether the power of attorney should continue in force. This amendment will allow the ACAT to suspend the enduring power of attorney for the duration of the Public Trustee and Guardian’s appointment. This amendment provides a practical option for the ACAT in the context of its guardianship jurisdiction, particularly when making emergency orders.
The last amendment I will detail today helps airline crews. The amendment to the Juries Act 1967 allows airline operating staff to claim an exemption from jury duties. This exemption was formerly available under the commonwealth’s Air Navigation Regulations 1947. Those regulations have been repealed. This amendment replaces the exemption that was in the commonwealth regulation. Introducing the amendment allows airline crew the continued opportunity to receive an exemption from serving as a juror as the nature of their work often makes jury service impractical.
All of the amendments in this bill improve government administration and respond to community needs. I look forward to introducing further justice and community safety bills throughout the term of this government. These bills help ensure that our statute book continues to serve the community as intended. As is demonstrated in this bill the government will continue to listen to the community and present efficient solutions to legal and regulatory issues. I commend this bill to the Assembly.
Debate (on motion by Mr Hanson) adjourned to the next sitting.
Statute Law Amendment Bill 2016
Mr Ramsay, pursuant to notice, presented the bill, its explanatory statement and a Human Rights Act compatibility statement.
Title read by Clerk.
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