Page 2199 - Week 08 - Tuesday, 28 August 2007
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The government will now legislate to overhaul the system to achieve that objective by amending part 10 of the Road Transport (General) Act 1999 in relation to compulsory third party insurance. It will for the time being, though, remain a common law scheme with private insurance underwriting. The proposed changes will therefore align it more closely with New South Wales and Queensland, which are the other open-market jurisdictions operating through private insurers. This should give rise to lower premiums than those applying under the existing scheme, with the removal of impediments to the entry of additional insurers. It will enable the scheme to operate more efficiently while lowering costs for the insurers and streamlining claims procedures, as well as by providing improved rehabilitation prospects for injured persons.
New legislation is required to effect reforms to centralise a range of regulatory functions in the newly established Office of Regulatory Services. Accordingly, a bill will be introduced shortly to reflect the government’s arrangements for the Occupational Health and Safety Commissioner within that office. A separate bill will also make amendments to improve the functioning and efficiency of the regulatory services office.
Changes to the legal profession are also to be progressed through introduction of the Legal Profession Amendment Bill 2007. This will address the final stages of the implementation of the national model legal profession laws project. Some minor reforms will be proposed in relation to the regulation of gaming machines, including changes to the gaming machine licensees community contribution scheme, to encourage expenditure in the important area of problem gambling. The Gaming Machine Amendment Bill will enhance, amend or clarify a number of provisions relating to gaming machine licences, as well as introducing some technical amendments to gaming machine legislation.
A very important area for reform is the care and protection of children and young people. The government has already taken initial action by releasing earlier this year an exposure draft of a proposed Children and Young People Bill 2007 for community consultation. The bill is a rewrite of the Children and Young People Act and incorporates new policy directions across the act, including in the areas of care and protection of children and young people at risk of abuse and neglect, the sentencing and sentence management of children and young people who have offended against the law, the regulation of childcare services, and employment regulation for children and young people under school-leaving age.
General law and order issues continue to be a priority for the government. A Forensic Procedures Amendment Bill will provide for the operation of the national criminal investigation DNA database. In particular, it will allow for the transfer of DNA information across state and territory boundaries. This is important for both the detection and investigation of serious offences where DNA evidence has been identified. Amendment of the Forensic Procedures Act is also required to take into account a recent Supreme Court decision. This will be actioned by a Domestic Violence and Protection Orders Amendment Bill that will enable the Magistrates Court to review a final protection order, distinguish procedural and substantial powers
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