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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2003 Week 9 Hansard (26 August) . . Page.. 3178 ..

MR STANHOPE (continuing):

Another bill presented by the government last week proposed amendments to the Long Service Leave Act 1976, to ensure that long service leave entitlements in the ACT are consistent with those in New South Wales. Among other things proposed, amendments would entitle workers to pro rata long service leave payments on redundancy after five years service with their employer, rather than seven years service.

The government will bring forward other legislation to improve the health and safety of workers and the broader public. New legislation to regulate dangerous goods and hazardous substances will be introduced in these sittings. This will allow for the regulation of hazardous substances, introduce new regulatory arrangements for explosives, including fireworks, and implement the nationally agreed ban on asbestos from 31 December 2003.

Legislation is also proposed to improve the compliance model established under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 1989. This bill will ensure penalties under the Occupational Health and Safety Act are set at a level that is consistent with the government's proposed industrial manslaughter legislation. It will increase the range of compliance tools available to ACT WorkCover inspectors, and implement other recommendations made by the tripartite Occupational Health and Safety Council.

The government is also keen to address law and order issues. Further amendments are proposed to the Firearms Act 1996, to give effect to the national firearms trafficking policy agreement endorsed by the Australian Police Ministers Council and to make a number of other minor amendments arising from reviews of the act.

The government will propose the Australian Crime Commission (ACT) Bill 2003. It will enact model legislation for the ACT to provide for the operation of the Australian Crime Commission under territory law, and complement the Australian Crime Commission Act 2002.

Further to a clear election promise, the government appointed a consultative committee to examine the feasibility of a bill of rights for the ACT. The committee provided a comprehensive report recommending a bill of rights. I expect the government response to the report to be completed soon and will be making a statement in respect of human rights when I table the government's response to the recommendations of the bill of rights committee. Whilst not wishing to pre-empt a government response, as I indicated in question time-and as I believe all members are aware-I personally would like to see a bill of rights in place in the ACT.

As part of the government's commitment to remove discrimination against gays, lesbians, and transgender persons, stage 2 amendments will be introduced.

Health is another crucial government priority. The Health Amendment Bill 2003 is to be introduced, to facilitate the collective negotiations of terms and conditions for the provision of public health services by visiting medical officers. Additionally, the government will introduce the Nurse Practitioners Legislation Amendment Bill 2003. Implementing the role of nurse practitioners is part of the government's commitment to building a strong, sustainable nursing work force in the territory. The introduction of this bill is the next step to implementing this extended nursing role.

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