Page 2677 - Week 09 - Thursday, 25 August 1994
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Timing did not allow the inclusion of the new definitions in the interim scheme, which relies on the amendments to the Classification of Publications Ordinance 1983 which have already been enacted. Madam Speaker, included in this legislation are amendments to the penalty levels of existing provisions in the Publications Control Act 1989. This has been done so that the new provisions which are created to enforce the classification of computer games are not out of step with the existing penalty levels in the Publications Control Act 1989, which are much lower and do not reflect current monetary values. They have recently been the subject of some controversy in relation to some prosecutions. I commend the Bill to the house and present an explanatory memorandum.
Debate (on motion by Mr Humphries) adjourned.
CONSERVATION, HERITAGE AND ENVIRONMENT -
STANDING COMMITTEE
Report on Feral Animals and Invasive Plants
Debate resumed from 2 March 1994, on motion by Mr Moore:
That the report be noted.
MR WOOD (Minister for Education and Training, Minister for the Arts and Heritage and Minister for the Environment, Land and Planning) (11.14): Madam Speaker, I present the response to the report of Mr Moore's committee. I thank members of the Standing Committee on Conservation, Heritage and Environment, as well as the committee secretariat, for the effort they have put into preparing the report on feral animals and invasive plants in the ACT. I am sure that the report will assist in highlighting the seriousness of the problems that face the ACT and the wider Australian community in dealing with those plants and animals that are degrading the natural environment.
The Government is supportive of most recommendations made in the report. Many of the recommendations reinforce current Government policies and directions and recognise the considerable effort and achievements made in this area by the ACT Parks and Conservation Service. I applaud the committee's consultative approach to the development of the report, including the release of a public discussion paper late in 1993 to maximise community input and understanding. Broader community support for directions taken in the control of feral animals and invasive plants is essential to ensure an integrated and effective control program. It is also pleasing to see a pragmatic approach being taken by the committee, based on community input to the inquiry, prevailing knowledge of the issues, and the best use of resources to deal with the problems.
The report makes a series of recommendations to minimise the effects of feral animals and weeds on the environment, including a package designed to minimise the perceived effects of wandering cats on the ACT's native fauna. The report contains 29 recommendations, broadly grouped into the following areas: Pest sources; the role of the ACT pet and plant retailing industries; rural lessees funding and taxation benefits for pest animal and weed control and eradication programs; cat management; regional and intra-ACT cooperation; concerted weed control; and kangaroo management. Many of the standing committee's
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