Page 992 - Week 06 - Wednesday, 26 July 1989
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regulation of the industry concerned should be made. So I think it is a good idea to hear both sides in committee, but I truly think we should be very concerned before we legislate on the matter.
MR SPEAKER: I believe that the debate is concluded, and I would like now to take a vote on the amendments. The question is: That amendment (a) be agreed to; that is, Mr Whalan's amendment naming the members of the committee.
Question resolved in the affirmative.
Amendment agreed to.
MR SPEAKER: The question now is: That amendment (b) be agreed to.
Question resolved in the affirmative.
Amendment agreed to.
Motion, as amended, agreed to.
CARELESS USE OF FIRE ACT
MR KAINE (Leader of the Opposition) (4.18): Mr Speaker, I have been approached on a number of occasions in recent weeks by members of the volunteer bushfire brigade who have difficulty with the fact that, as volunteers devoting a great deal of their time in protection of public property, they have no protection at law from any damage that they might inflict on themselves or others in the course of their activity.
Mr Speaker, members will know that within the ACT we have a number of rural bushfire brigades, and I understand that something of the order of 400 people provide their time voluntarily in the public interest in this activity, particularly, of course, during the summer months.
The ACT is the only part of Australia where currently no indemnity is provided to cover volunteer bushfire fighters against legal action arising from their work. They have been attempting to have this rectified in the Australian Capital Territory for quite some time. I believe their case is a valid one. I believe it is unreasonable and unfair that we allow these people to make their time available on a voluntary basis and we leave them open to litigation should they cause any damage. That being so, I move:
That the Assembly is of the opinion that the following clause -
"No proceedings whether at law or in equity shall lie or be made or allowed by or in favour of any person against the Crown, the Minister, a member of the Bush
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