Page 3667 - Week 10 - Tuesday, 18 September 2018
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bill clarifies that it is the scientific committee that does this, rather than the minister. We do support this.
I understand that there has been a nomination for a key threatening process and that the double handling in the legislation became more apparent, so fixing this today will enable the process to continue more clearly. It also seems that there were many places in the Nature Conservation Act where it referred to lists such as key threatening processes lists and that replacing that phrase in the act with “conservation advice” makes more sense in these cases.
Another key part of these provisions better enables the scientific committee to adopt commonwealth conservation advice where relevant. However, it is important to emphasise that these clauses do not water down the ability of the scientific committee to make their own decisions.
I note that the other remaining amendments to the other acts are mainly administrative in nature. For instance, the amendments to the Planning and Development Act simply make sense and ensure that existing processes can be administered more smoothly. The Greens will be supporting the Red Tape Reduction Legislation Amendment Bill 2018.
MR RAMSAY (Ginninderra—Attorney-General, Minister for the Arts and Cultural Events, Minister for Building Quality Improvement, Minister for Business and Regulatory Services and Minister for Seniors and Veterans) (11.48), in reply: I thank Mr Wall and Ms Le Couteur for their support of the Red Tape Reduction Legislation Amendment Bill 2018. This is the government’s fifth red tape reduction omnibus bill. As has been noted, it covers a broad range of matters, simplifying life for businesses, for community groups and for members of the public.
These bills form part of our commitment to continually review the existing legislative and regulatory settings to reduce unnecessary costs, remove duplication and improve regulation so that it continues to be both relevant and effective.
The ACT government recognises and values the significant contribution that sporting, religious, art, seniors, multicultural, environment, music, social service, veterans, housing, and many other community organisations make to the ACT. They are indeed at the heart of our Canberran community. Many of these community-based organisations are incorporated associations. They rely on the commitment and enthusiasm of volunteers and members. They may also be charities or service providers that deliver essential advocacy or support services for our community.
This government has a longstanding commitment to removing red tape for not-for-profit organisations so that they can focus on what they do best, which of course is helping the people of Canberra.
Changes this year build on the work that we did last year to reduce duplicate reporting for charities registered with the ACNC. This year we are undertaking the next stage of the reforms by modernising the Associations Incorporation Act 1991, as was requested in our consultations in 2017. In making these changes we are aware that
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