Page 2369 - Week 07 - Tuesday, 31 July 2018

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We will continue our plan to reduce the number of poker machines in the territory to 4,000. This week, as Treasurer, I will introduce legislation to implement a new betting operations tax to ensure that major betting operations pay their fair share of tax in the jurisdiction their customers live in. Later in the year Minister Ramsay will reform our gaming machine community contribution scheme, ensuring that these contributions go to those in the community that need it most.

Progressive societies tackle climate change. With our city less than two years away from being powered 100 per cent by renewable electricity, we are looking beyond 2020. Minister Rattenbury will introduce legislation to bring forward our target of achieving zero net emissions by five years, from 2050 to 2045. This is a world-leading target and something that Canberrans want action on.

The government is progressive in how we think about the rights of local workers. While the federal government has cut rights, we will stand up for working Canberrans. This week Minister Stephen-Smith will move to ensure that the ACT government awards contracts to businesses that meet the highest ethical and labour standards, through the secure local jobs code. This is an important reform. Workers deserve fair pay and secure entitlements. They have the right to organise and to be represented by their union. We will ensure that the companies and organisations that we award work to will uphold these rights.

During this sitting period we will also introduce the necessary legislation to support the territory in becoming a self-insurer under Comcare. Self-insurance will streamline workers compensation claims, currently managed by Comcare, and enable us to support ACT public sector employees better with the same entitlements but a simpler system for injured workers.

Connected societies work best when people are well informed and have equality in services and life opportunities. Housing tenants will be better connected to important information about their tenancy agreements. A bill to be introduced by the Attorney-General will improve protections for both residents and landlords and will reform issues of security of tenure, pet ownership and rent increases.

Canberrans voted for a progressive and inclusive government in a connected city. We will continue to deliver on our commitments.

I present a copy of the statement:

Government priorities—Spring 2018—Ministerial statement, 31 July 2018.

I move:

That the Assembly take note of the paper.

Question resolved in the affirmative.


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