Page 1223 - Week 05 - Thursday, 4 June 2020
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comments. I should point out that we make regular changes to these bills in an omnibus fashion to ensure that they are up to date. There is no indication that we are not up to date because of actions this government has not taken in the past. It is usually because there has been a national change to policy and procedures. Therefore, to stay in line with national codes and agreements we make changes to our legislation as well.
This bill is part of the government’s regular program of omnibus amendments that make minor policy and technical amendments to the statute book. Omnibus bills are an effective means of keeping the ACT’s legislation up to date and give the government the ability to respond quickly to changing circumstances, like those in the environment space where we look at native beekeeping as opposed to honey bee keepers. It is an opportunity for the government to respond quickly to those circumstances.
This bill contains minor policy and technical amendments to nine pieces of legislation, administered by Access Canberra, the Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate and the Transport Canberra and City Services area. I thank members for their contributions and commend the bill to the Assembly.
Bill agreed to in principle.
Leave granted to dispense with the detail stage.
Bill agreed to.
Sitting suspended from 11.51 am to 2.00 pm.
Questions without notice
Business—COVID-19
MR COE: My question is for the Chief Minister. In regard to COVID-19 restrictions in the hospitality sector, earlier this year, in March, you are quoted as saying:
We must also face the reality that, as a Territory within NSW, it would be impossible for the ACT to have different arrangements than those in our surrounding region.
You then went on to say:
I’d like Canberra people to spend money locally first.
Chief Minister, why have you now gone back on your word to keep in step with the arrangements in New South Wales that you committed to in March?
MR BARR: Firstly, I have not. There are, and have been and will continue to be, through this process, some differences between the ACT and New South Wales. For example, the ACT did not enforce stay-at-home measures, the ACT did not fine anyone for buying a kebab after going for a run, and the ACT did not fine anyone for
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