Page 3216 - Week 11 - Thursday, 12 September 1991
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Mr Speaker, as I said, these are only the major provisions; but I hope that I have been able to convey to members the importance of the provisions contained in the Bill. I believe that the changes contained in the Bill will make the legislation more effective in providing for the welfare of children and will bring the ACT more into line with practices interstate, and in particular with New South Wales, in the treatment and interstate transfer of young offenders.
Mr Collaery: Hear, hear!
MR CONNOLLY: It is the Government's view that the Bill is worthy of the support of all members - I am pleased to hear support from across the chamber - and I commend it for their consideration. Mr Speaker, I present the explanatory memorandum for the Bill.
Debate (on motion by Mr Stefaniak) adjourned.
GUARDIANSHIP AND MANAGEMENT OF PROPERTY BILL 1991
MR CONNOLLY (Attorney-General, Minister for Housing and Community Services and Minister for Urban Services) (10.39): I present the Guardianship and Management of Property Bill 1991. I move:
That this Bill be agreed to in principle.
Mr Speaker, the Guardianship and Management of Property Bill 1991 forms part of a package of Bills which, if passed by this Assembly, will see the establishment of an ACT guardianship tribunal and the office of the community advocate. The legislative package also contains the Community Advocate Bill 1991 and two Bills to effect necessary consequential amendments. I will introduce these Bills separately, but it may suit the convenience of members to debate the four Bills cognately when the Bills are examined in more detail.
The Guardianship and Management of Property Bill 1991 is a significant piece of legislation in its own right. It will bring into place a system whereby a guardian can be appointed to make decisions for a person who is intellectually or mentally incapacitated. It will also allow the appointment of a manager to attend to the financial affairs of an incapacitated person.
At present in the ACT, Mr Speaker, the only system that is available is the use of the archaic and inappropriately titled Lunacy Act 1898 of New South Wales in its application in the Australian Capital Territory. Under this system, applications are made to the ACT Supreme Court involving legal costs of upwards of $2,000. Too often those who need such orders are in circumstances which place them among the most disadvantaged of all in our community.
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