Matters of public importance
—your Assembly @ work
Non sitting and sitting weeks—2 to 20 November 2015
Issue 13/2015
Condolence Statements
On 17 November 2015, the Chief Minister made a statement of condolence expressing horror at the recent attacks in Paris, Beirut and Ankara, sadness at the loss of life and sympathy for family and friends of the victims of the attacks. Mr Hanson (Leader of the Opposition) and Mr Rattenbury (Minister for Territory and Municipal Services) also made statements in relation to this matter.
Government business
Includes all business items presented to the Assembly by the Executive including bills, motions, and papers
Bills introduced
Crimes (Sentencing and Restorative Justice) Legislation Amendment Bill 2015—
This bill will amend the Crimes (Sentencing) Act 2005, Crimes (Sentence Administration) Act 2005 and the Crimes (Restorative Justice) Act 2004 to introduce a new sentencing option for courts and implement stage two of the restorative justice scheme to provide access to the scheme for a broader range of offenders and victims (presented 19November 2015).
Protection of Rights (Services) Legislation Amendment Bill 2015—
This bill will repeal the Public Advocate Act 2005 and amend a number of Territory laws to establish a restructured Human Rights Commission and expand the Office of the Public Trustee and Guardian. It will provide more streamlined governance arrangements and better coordination of processes for complaints handling, conducting investigations into systematic matters affecting rights and raising awareness of rights (presented 19November 2015).
Health Legislation Amendment Bill 2015—
This bill amends a number of Territory laws to reduce red tape by reforming legislative requirements that add an unnecessary administrative burden or have become redundant. The bill also makes legislative amendments to progress the Government’s social inclusion and equity commitments (presented 19November 2015).
Justice Legislation Amendment Bill 2015—
This bill will make amendments to a number of laws relating to the registration of births, deaths and marriages to provide recognition on interstate parentage orders, increase flexibility in the processes for name changes on certificates and remove gender specific terms (presented 19November 2015).
Planning, Building and Environment Legislation Amendment Bill 2015—
This bill will make minor editorial, technical and consequential amendments to the Building (General) Regulation 2008, the Environment Protection Act 1997, the Environment Protection Regulation 2008, the Nature Conservation Act 2014, the Planning and Development Act 2007 and the Planning and Development Regulation 2008 (presented 19November 2015).
Powers of Attorney Amendment Bill 2015—
This bill will amend the Powers of Attorney Act 2006 to allow people with impaired decision-making capacity to participate in medical research projects that may provide them with beneficial treatment options not usually available to them by removing barriers and intruding safeguards to be followed by substitute decision-makers making medical decisions on their behalf (presented 19November 2015).
Terrorism (Extraordinary Temporary Powers) Amendment Bill 2015—
This bill will amend the Terrorism (Extraordinary Temporary Powers) Amendment Act 2006 to extend the operation of the Act for a further five years (to 19 November 2021) (presented 19November 2015).
Workers’ Compensation Amendment Bill 2015—
This bill will amend the Workers Compensation Act 1951 to establish the regulatory framework for the Territory’s private sector workers’ compensation scheme (presented 19November 2015).
Bills debated
Animal Diseases (Beekeeping) Amendment Bill 2015—
Summary: This bill will amend the Animal Diseases Act 2005 to provide for the registration of beekeepers in the ACT to ensure that beekeepers and their hives can be quickly and effectively located in the event of a bee biosecurity incident.
Proceedings: Debate resumed on the proposed legislation on 19 November 2015 with all parties in the Assembly supporting the passage of the bill.
The bill was agreed to without amendment.
Courts Legislation Amendment Bill 2015—
Summary: This bill will amend several pieces of legislation to make improvements and efficiencies to the ACT court and tribunal structures and processes while also improving the operation of the justice and coronial systems.
Proceedings: Debate on the bill resumed on 19November 2015. The Government moved an amendment to the bill that was passed by the Assembly.
The amended bill was then agreed to by the Assembly.
Holidays Amendment Bill 2015—
Summary: This bill amends the Holidays Act 1958 to provide for Easter Sunday to be declared an official public holiday.
Proceedings: Debate resumed on the proposed legislation on 17 November 2015 with all parties in the Assembly supporting the passage of the bill.
The bill was agreed to without amendment.
Revenue (Charitable Organisations) Legislation Amendment Bill 2015—
Summary: This bill amends a number of Territory laws to reform the charitable tax exemptions that apply to various organisations.
Proceedings: Debate resumed on the proposed legislation on 17 November 2015 with the Opposition expressing concern at the lack of consultation and short time frame since the bill’s introduction to debate for passage of the bill.
The bill was agreed to without amendment.
Revenue Legislation Amendment Bill 2015—
Summary: This bill will make a number of minor and technical amendments to the ACT’s statute book in relation to taxation law administered by the ACT Revenue Office.
Proceedings: Debate resumed on the proposed legislation on 17 November 2015 with all parties in the Assembly supporting the passage of the bill.
The bill was agreed to without amendment.
Road Transport (Public Passenger Services) Amendment Bill 2015—
Summary: This bill will amend the Road Transport (Public Passenger Services) Act 2001 to allow for the entry of ridesharing into the public transport market in the ACT and provide a regulatory framework for ridesharing to ensure community safety and accessibility.
Proceedings: Debate resumed on the proposed legislation on 17 November 2015 with all parties in the Assembly supporting the passage of the bill.
The bill was agreed to without amendment.
Statute Law Amendment Bill 2015—
Summary: This bill will make a number of minor and technical amendments to the ACT’s statute book.
Proceedings: Debate resumed on the proposed legislation on 17 November 2015 with all parties in the Assembly supporting the passage of the bill.
The bill was agreed to without amendment.
Ministerial statements
On 17 November 2015 the Chief Minister made a statement reporting on a delegation to USA and Japan, from 5 to 14 October 2015, to promote the ACT’s capability as a knowledge economy, explore investment opportunities and to reinforce the Government’s commitment to the Canberra-Nara sister city relationship.
Two further ministerial statements were made on 17 November. First was the Minister for Education and Training outlining the importance of work done by apprentices and trainees in the ACT community followed by the Minister for Housing providing the Assembly with an update on homelessness services.
The Minister for Urban Renewal, in response to an Assembly resolution from 6 May 2015, made a statement on 19 November updating the Assembly on the public housing renewal program that provides replacement housing for relocating tenants. The Minister for Education and Training also made a statement on 19 November concerning the report by the Expert Panel on Students with Complex Needs and Challenging Behaviours and presented the following papers:
Schools for all children & young people—Report of the Expert Panel
Government response to the report—Schools for all children & young people—Report of the Expert Panel
The full text of statements can be found here.
Private Members’ business
Includes all items presented to the Assembly by all non-Executive Members, including bills and motions
Motions debated
On 18 November 2015 Mr Coe MLA moved a concerning Public Transport Infrastructure calling on the Government to cancel the light rail project and commit to investment in the ACTION bus network. During debate the Government moved an amendment that called on the Government to continue to invest in a convenient, efficient, affordable, reliable and integrated public transport network. The amendment was agreed to after a vote of the Assembly.
The amended motion was passed by the Assembly.
Taxation Reform was the subject of a motion moved by Mr Brendan Smyth MLA on 18November 2015. The motion called on the Government to conduct an analysis of the impact of rates increases on ACT households and businesses. During debate the Government moved an amendment that reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to taxation reform and to provide a five year program of reform within the 2016-2017 ACT Budget. The amendment was agreed to after a vote of the Assembly.
The amended motion was passed by the Assembly.
Ms Lawder MLA moved a motion on 18November relating to weed management calling on the Government to reinstate funding cut in the 2015-2016 ACT Budget, restart meetings of the ACT Weeds Advisory Group and report back to the Assembly in February 2016 on progress on weed management. During debate the Government moved an amendment noting the Government’s commitment to weed management and undertook to provide a progress report on weed management by the last sitting day in February 2016. The amendment was agreed to after a vote of the Assembly.
The amended motion was passed by the Assembly.
Also on 18 November a motion concerning the Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector was moved by Ms Fitzharris MLA. The motion congratulated all ACT nominees at the Australian Training Awards and called on the Government to continue investing in the ACT VET sector.
The motion was passed by the Assembly.
Other motions debated on 18 November 2015 related to:
Autism Spectrum Disorder—Support—MrWall MLA
Arts Policy Framework—Mr Smyth MLA
The full debate on the above motions can be accessed from the Assembly Hansard site.
Matters of public importance
The following matters of public importance were discussed in the Assembly this week—
The importance of community councils in the ACT—MsLawder MLA
The importance of good staff culture in the ACT Public Service—MrSmyth MLA
Executive Members’ business
Includes all items presented to the Assembly by Executive Members, including bills and motions
Motion debated
On 19 November 2015 a motion regarding future use of gas was moved calling on the Government to undertake a review of the use of gas in the ACT. Both the Government and the Opposition indicated they would not be supporting the motion.
The motion did not pass in the Assembly.
Assembly business
Includes any business relating to the establishment or membership of a committee or the proposed referral of a matter to a committee. It also includes business which proposes to amend, disallow, disapprove or declare void any instruments which are made under specific Acts agreed to by the Assembly. Assembly business also includes any notice or order of the day which deals with the administration of the Assembly or how the Assembly conducts its proceedings
Motions debated
On 19 November 2015 a motion was moved requesting the Standing Committee on Administration and Procedure investigate how the Assembly could instigate a proxy voting process for breastfeeding women in the Assembly. During debate the Government moved an amendment to expand the inquiry to include, in addition to proxy voting, flexibility for breastfeeding women, emergency care for family members and pairing arrangements to report back to the Assembly by the last sitting day in May 2016.
The amended motion was passed by the Assembly.
Also on 19 November debate resumed on the motion proposing a new standing order which would refer all petitions with more than 500 signatories to the relevant Assembly standing committee. The Speaker had made a statement on behalf of the Standing Committee on Administration and Procedure on 18 November 2015 indicating its support for this motion.
The motion was passed by the Assembly.
Papers presented
The following is a list of papers of interest that were presented:
Auditor-General’s Report—
No 9/2015—Public Transport: The Frequent Network (presented by the Speaker on 17November 2015)
2014-2015 Annual and Financial Reports—The following reports were presented by the relevant Ministers:
. ACT Children and Young People Death Review Committee (presented by the Minister for Children and Young People on 17November 2015)
. Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (presented by the Minister for Health on 19November 2015)
. Climate Change and Greenhouse Gas Reduction Act—Minister’s annual report (presented by the Minister for the Environment on 19November 2015)
. Education and Care Services Ombudsman, National Education and Care Services Freedom of Information and Privacy Commissioners (presented by the Minister for Education and Training on 17November 2015)
. Official Visitor for Children and Young People (presented by the Minister for Children and Young People on 17November 2015)
. Official Visitor for Disability Services (presented by the Minister for Disability on 17November 2015)
. Official Visitor for Homelessness Services (presented by the Minister for Housing on 17November 2015)
ACT Active Ageing Framework 2015-2018 (presented by the Minister for Ageing on 19November 2015)
ACT Criminal Justice—Statistical Profile—September quarter (presented by the Attorney-General on 19November 2015)
ACT Multicultural Framework 2015-2020 (presented by the Minister for Multicultural Affairs on 19November 2015)
Mature Workforce Strategy—Statement of Intent (presented by the Minister for Ageing on 19November 2015)
Mr Fluffy loose-fill asbestos—Update on the Government’s response to the issue—Quarterly report (presented by the Chief Minister on 17November 2015)
ACT Asbestos Response Taskforce—Pilot demolition programs lessons learnt workshop—Executive summary (presented by the Chief Minister on 17November 2015)
Statement of Planning Intent 2015 (presented by the Minister for Planning on 19November 2015)
Wind auction review—Summary report and the Government response to the summary report (presented by the Minister for Environment on 17November 2015)
Variation No. 343 to the Territory Plan—Residential blocks surrendered under the loose fill asbestos insulation eradication scheme (presented by the Minister for Planning on 17November 2015)
Petitions
On 17 November 2015 the following ministerial responses to petitions were lodged—
Riverview development site, West Belconnen. Acopy of the response can be found here.