Page 786 - Week 03 - Thursday, 2 April 2020
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an attempt to secure supply of these items. This is one example of how these amendments would work.
I recognise that this industry continues to have an important role in our community by continuing to operate, thereby ensuring the security of guns and ammunition that they hold. In drafting these amendments directorate officials liaised with some firearms business operators. It is also my intention to consult, where possible, with the firearms consultative committee, as well as advising and briefing the shadow minister in the event that declarations are needed.
I want to acknowledge and thank Mrs Jones and her office for their constructive engagement on this matter. These discussions have been very useful and have helped to craft these sensible amendments. These amendments provide a balanced approach, recognising that licensed firearms owners in our territory are responsible.
MR WALL (Brindabella) (3.18): I will speak briefly about the provisions that relate to changes to the long service leave scheme—both the portable long service leave scheme and the 1976 legislation. The opposition will be supporting this. I note that, whilst most provisions of the COVID response bill have a sunset clause, this is one of the few areas where the legislative changes will be permanent. The opposition are supportive of this in principle, but we will continue to watch the operation of it going forward, particularly with the portable long service leave scheme.
With the changes outlined to the 1976 act, which apply to everyone outside the portable scheme legislation, the 60-day waiting period will be waived. Certainly, at this time, there is an opportunity for workers to access their entitlement at short notice, by agreement with their employer. This will ensure that, where the work might not necessarily be there, there is at least an opportunity for a salary to continue to be paid.
As far as the portable long service leave scheme changes are concerned, the changes set up a framework for the minister to make determinations via a notifiable instrument. We will be very keen to see the detail of those in coming weeks. They will allow a worker to access their entitlement early, under a health or emergency declaration. There is the question of how that will operate in future under, say, a bushfire emergency declaration. The opposition will keep a keen eye on that, and on what changes will be made post the COVID response.
I note that, as has been reiterated by Mr Coe in his comments, it was very difficult to be briefed on legislation that we had not seen and did not see for many hours following the briefing. I note that some things that were articulated to me as being part of this legislation, such as sunset provisions and the like, certainly do not feature as part of the legislation. I know there has been a frantic rush to put this bill together, but earlier consultation and engagement with the opposition on such measures going forward will ensure that there is not only certainty and clarity around what is being passed but also better scrutiny and a better outcome for the community in this time of need.
MS STEPHEN-SMITH (Kurrajong—Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs, Minister for Children, Youth and Families and Minister for Health) (3.21): I wish to speak on the amendments to the Children and Young People Act that
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