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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2000 Week 7 Hansard (29 June) . . Page.. 2202 ..
MR HUMPHRIES (continuing):
to have a lawyer or other person present at various stages of the process and rights to be given a portion or copy of a sample taken by a forensic procedure, which could be used for independent analysis.
Mr Speaker, the Bill is a complex and at times highly technical document which deserves careful consideration by Members. The issue of DNA testing and the DNA database has received considerable publicity in recent months which has led to a number of misconceptions as to what is actually being proposed.
Many opponents of the concept of the DNA database are unaware of the numerous safeguards which have been incorporated to protect the privacy of the data it will contain. Similarly, there are misconceptions that the proposed legislation will compel large numbers of innocent members of the community to be tested and to have their genetic information recorded for all time. A detailed examination of the Bill reveals that those fears are unfounded. What the Bill does offer the community is a valuable investigative tool which will greatly assist police in clearing the innocent and bringing the perpetrators of violent crimes such as murder and sexual assault to justice.
Debate (on motion by Mr Quinlan ) adjourned.
MR SMYTH (Minister for Urban Services) (10.38): Mr Speaker, I present the Surveyors Bill 2000, together with its explanatory memorandum.
Title read by Clerk.
MR SMYTH: Mr Speaker, 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:
Mr Speaker
The Surveyors Bill 2000 will replace the Surveyors Act 1967. It reflects changes necessary to modernise the legislation and to take account of recommendations resulting from a legislative review under National Competition Policy principles.
The current Act is very prescriptive and lacks flexibility to take advantage of modem technology and practices. This Bill reduces regulation and restrictions to a minimum whilst safeguarding the ACT's valuable land titling system.
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