Page 403 - Week 02 - Tuesday, 15 February 2005

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other sporting and recreational activities involving motor vehicles at dedicated motor sport facilities.

The proposed Revenue Legislation Amendment Bill is consistent with the government’s commitment to maintaining the integrity of the tax system and implementing administrative processes for the collection of revenue. The bill will amend the Payroll Tax Act 1987 to incorporate employee share schemes and the value of any contributions to share schemes as taxable wages for ACT payroll tax purposes, using the New South Wales model. The bill amends the Duties Act 1999 to remove the requirement for exemption certificates and clarifies which categories of exemption require the commissioner’s approval in order to be processed by the Road Transport Authority.

Since the commencement of the Gaming Machine Act 2004 on 1 November 2004, the Gambling and Racing Commission has identified a number of provisions that require enhancement or further clarification to ensure the proper operation of the Gaming Machine Act and the commission’s regulation of gaming machine activity.

Mr Speaker, under the Gambling and Racing Control Act, the functions of the commission include the requirement to review legislation and to make recommendations to the minister. Recently, the commission completed its review of the Casino Control Act 1988 and the government is currently considering its response to the outcomes of that review.

In the area of health, the government has introduced legislation to amend the Health Records (Privacy and Access) Act 1997 to prohibit access to a health record or part of a health record made under either the voluntary or the mandatory reporting provisions of the Children and Young People Act where the identity of a reporter and their information could place children and young people, other adults, the reporter and a range of staff across the public service at risk. Further separate amendments to the act will be made to address some practice issues that have arisen since it was passed some nine years ago.

New health legislation also includes amendments to the Health Professionals Act 2004. This will allow for the establishment of midwifery as a separate health profession to nursing, extend the commencement date of the act to 8 July 2006, and allow veterinary surgeons to be included under the act.

Other legislation to be introduced by the government includes amendments to the Unit Titles Act to permit the staged development of A class units and to reinstate Supreme Court powers relating to the cancellation of unit plans. An amendment to the Land (Planning and Environment) Act will introduce the definition of “concessional lease” into the act as a first step to removing ambiguity and uncertainty that exists in the identification and administration of concessional leases.

Amendments to the Utilities Act will provide a clear and consistent legal authority for territory officials or those contracted to provide maintenance services to gain access to private property for the purpose of installing or maintaining stormwater and street lighting infrastructure.

Two bills will be introduced to modernise and improve long service leave conditions for ACT workers. One of the bills will encourage employers and workers to establish


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