Page 2016 - Week 07 - Thursday, 13 August 2020
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The ACT government knows it will take more than laws to prevent abuse of the most vulnerable in our community. These legislative changes complement existing legislative and non-legislative measures that are in place to protect vulnerable adults in the ACT.
In 2019 the ACT government invited public submissions on the potential for legislative reform to address elder abuse, in the proposed response to elder abuse in the ACT discussion paper. There was much community feedback across a number of conversations and that highlighted the need for a range of legislative protections not only for older people but also adults who have a vulnerability arising not only from their age.
The ACT government listened to this feedback and that is why the protections in this bill apply to both adults with a disability and vulnerable adults over the age of 60. In fact, during this year I have personally engaged in consultations with advocates for and within the disability sector to ensure that I have heard those voices directly, and again I thank them for that. I thank everyone who has been part of these consultations.
It was Sue Salthouse who put forward the recommendations that form the government amendments that I will be moving shortly. The government amendments to this bill include a formal review mechanism which will enable consideration of any unintended consequences that may arise and an eight-month delay in the commencement to allow time for implementation and training for staff in the relevant sectors.
Before I finish, I take time again to acknowledge the contribution to the development of this bill by Sue Salthouse. Sue spent her life in the service of the community, working tirelessly to make our city a more inclusive place to live. Sue demonstrated an unwavering commitment to promoting an inclusive Canberra community that supports people with a disability. Sue was instrumental in the work that underpins this bill and, as always, Sue was a solutions-focused person, achieving important outcomes for the community. We owe her a world of gratitude for her tireless work. I present a revised explanatory statement to the bill. I commend the bill to the Assembly.
Question resolved in the affirmative.
Bill agreed to in principle
Detail stage
Bill, by leave, taken as a whole.
MR RAMSAY (Ginninderra—Attorney-General, Minister for the Arts, Creative Industries and Cultural Events, Minister for Building Quality Improvement, Minister for Business and Regulatory Services and Minister for Seniors and Veterans) (6.08): I seek leave to move together amendments Nos 1 to 3 circulated in my name.
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