Page 2241 - Week 07 - Tuesday, 1 August 2017
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other sources of income, whilst also making it easier for the community to access the social impact assessments required for new gaming machine venues.
Public safety is of major importance to the government, and combating outlaw motorcycle gangs is ACT Policing’s top priority. We will better protect Canberrans by establishing fortification removal laws to give police greater powers to access premises to execute search warrants. The government will also bring forward a discussion about new crime scene powers and firearms prohibition orders to help police make Canberra even safer. We will also make our city’s night-life safer and the Attorney-General will introduce a new drink-spiking offence.
The ACT has some of the strongest laws in the country to manage dangerous dogs, but the government is seeking to make our legislation even stronger. Minister Fitzharris will outline further improvements and provide animal welfare and responsible pet ownership updates by the end of September, to keep Canberrans safe.
The government will continue to stand up for Canberra’s workers. Minister Stephen-Smith will improve access and increase the statutory benefits available to injured workers under the ACT’s private workers compensation scheme. The government will also seek to modernise workplace chemical safety and improve health monitoring of employees who work with strong substances, whilst we will also protect workers in the construction industry through regulatory reforms.
The government continues to be at the forefront of reconciliation. During this sitting period, after community feedback last year, we will amend the Holidays Act to declare a Reconciliation Day public holiday. And with the strong support of the community, as reflected in last year’s election, Minister Ramsay will introduce legislation to transition to an end of the greyhound industry in the ACT by 30 June 2018. We said during the election campaign that we would work with the industry during the transition process, particularly to help workers reskill and retrain to get employment in more sustainable and rewarding industries, and the government is continuing that approach.
Canberra is one of the world’s most livable cities because of the natural beauties that surround our city. The government is committed to conserving our environment and mitigating the impacts of climate change. During this sitting period, Minister Gentleman will introduce legislation to improve the safety and classification of our waterways, whilst Minister Rattenbury will introduce legislation to enhance energy supply and affordability, as the ACT heads towards our 100 per cent renewable energy target by 2020.
The government is focused on what Canberrans value most and what they want from their city. Our full legislative program is proof that we are getting on with the job that Canberrans elected us to do in October last year. The government will work with all in this place to ensure that this ambitious program is legislated. We will continue our approach to renewing our city’s schools, hospitals and healthcare system and transport network, while continuing to support secure jobs and the provision of high quality city and community services.
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