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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2000 Week 7 Hansard (29 June) . . Page.. 2193 ..


MR HUMPHRIES (continuing):

In conclusion, Mr Speaker, the Bill affirms the Government's commitment to ensuring that all clubs fulfil their obligation to the community; observe an appropriate level of accountability; and provide their voting members with the appropriate powers to appoint a majority of directors.

Debate (on motion by Mr Quinlan ) adjourned.

GAS SAFETY BILL 2000

MR HUMPHRIES (Treasurer, Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Community Safety) (10.35): Mr Speaker, I present the Gas Safety Bill 2000, together with its explanatory memorandum.

Title read by Clerk.

MR HUMPHRIES: I move:

That this bill be agreed to in principle.

I seek leave to have my presentation speech incorporated in Hansard.

Leave granted.

The speech read as follows:

This Bill meets commitments I made when tabling the Utilities Bill 2000 in February. At that time I referred to the need to improve the regulatory environment for associated activities outside the scope of the utility regulation package. This included electricity, gas, water and sewerage activities at the householder's premises.

In March I tabled the Electricity Amendment Bill and the Water and Sewerage Bill. This Gas Safety Bill is the remaining legislative instrument required to complete the ancillary legislation package.

The Utilities Bill consolidates the regulation of all utility services into one piece of legislation. Therefore the provisions in the Gas Supply Act 1998 relating to utility network operations become obsolete and the Gas Supply Act is to be repealed under the Utilities Bill. The remaining provisions relating to consumer piping systems have been carried over to the Gas Safety Bill. Additionally, this Bill seeks to introduce an enhanced regulatory scheme for gas appliances that is similar to arrangements in other jurisdictions.

This Bill establishes a framework to ensure the safety of gas appliances and consumer piping systems in the Territory. Quite rightly, the objective of this legislation is public safety.

Mr Speaker, this Bill places obligations on consumers, gasfitters and other accredited workers, and industry for safety.


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