Page 2074 - Week 07 - Tuesday, 21 June 2005
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ACT and of certain service with the defence force by amendments to the Long Service Leave Act.
A consequence of the reorganisation of provisions governing the treatments of periods of services and continuity of service is that two examples of interruption to the normal course of employment in the territory, certain defence force service and temporary employment outside the ACT that were previously counted as periods of services, are not regarded as periods of service in the amended Long Service Leave Act. These changes were unintended and are not in the public interest. The amendment in clause 5 of the OH&S Amendment Bill 2005 addressed this situation and passage of the bill will limit the possibility of employees being disadvantaged as a result.
Mr Speaker, the Dangerous Substances Act and the OH&S Act, as amended, are landmark legislation. There is a strong case for reviewing the regulatory regimes that they establish, and this government is committed to undertaking such reviews. The conduct of these reviews will represent a considerable allocation of public resources regardless of who is ultimately selected to undertake them. It is very important that these resources be put to the best possible use and achieves an outcome that benefits the territory. The amendments proposed in the bill will promote a thorough analysis of the workability and effectiveness of these two complex and complementary regimes after a reasonable period of operation has passed.
Mr Speaker I commend the Occupational Health and Safety Legislation Amendment Bill 2005 to the Assembly.
Debate (on motion by Mr Stefaniak) adjourned to the next sitting.
Passage of legislation
Statement by member
DR FOSKEY (Molonglo): Mr Speaker, I seek leave to register an objection to the brief period between the tabling of these bills and debate.
Leave granted.
DR FOSKEY (Molonglo): I seek leave to register an objection to the brief period between the tabling of these bills and debate on them.
Leave granted.
DR FOSKEY: I want to make the point that it is very difficult for members to consult fully as they will and to give these pieces of legislation, some of which are quite substantial, the attention that they deserve. I am quite sure that Ms Gallagher would be able to give me quite good reasons why this has occurred in these three cases but, nonetheless, I feel it is very important that wherever possible we allow legislation to be tabled and fair opportunity be given for scrutiny by the public and members before they are debated.
MR SPEAKER: This is only the introductory stage and it has been adjourned.
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