Page41 - Week 01 - Wednesday, 2 December 2020

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I encourage everyone to keep up our vigilance and help avoid the risk of undoing the good work that has put Canberra in such a good position.

I present the following paper:

COVID-19—Update on Government response—Ministerial statement, 2 December 2020.

I move:

That the Assembly take note of the paper.

Question resolved in the affirmative.

COVID-19 Emergency Response Legislation Amendment Bill 2020 (No 3)

Mr Barr, pursuant to notice, presented the bill, its explanatory statement and a Human Rights Act compatibility statement.

Title read by Clerk.

MR BARR (Kurrajong—Chief Minister, Treasurer, Minister for Climate Action, Minister for Economic Development and Minister for Tourism) (10.44): I move:

That this bill be agreed to in principle.

This bill extends certain COVID-19 measures that were adopted under the Emergency Response Act 2020 and the Emergency Response Legislation Amendment Act 2020 as it relates to COVID. The measures are due to expire, so extending them will maintain flexibility under certain ACT laws and assist operational areas to continue to provide services during the pandemic.

This is the fourth in a series of government omnibus bills enacted in response to the pandemic. The bills have made necessary changes to our legislative framework to ensure that the government is able to continue to carry out various tasks in a way that reduces risks associated with the emergency. In common with other COVID omnibus bills, the bill will amend a range of territory laws across ministerial portfolios. It primarily amends current expiry provisions for COVID-19 measures so that they can continue to be used for the duration of the emergency.

Certain measures, including those in the Bail Act, Corrections Management Act, Crimes (Sentence Administration) Act, Crimes (Sentencing) Act, Education Act, Family Violence Act, Personal Violence Act and Retirement Villages Act are due to expire on 8 April next year. Some of these measures have been identified as continuing to be of value during the pandemic and need to continue, particularly as the emergency will likely persist beyond April next year.


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