Page 2731 - Week 09 - Wednesday, 26 September 2007
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Substances Act and to provide some indications of how it has operated since its commencement in 2004. It invites those who have an interest in the operation of the act to prepare submissions to the review. Submissions must be made during the consultation period, which ends on 30 November this year.
Given the heightened community interest in consumer fireworks, the government is dedicating a large part of the review solely to this aspect of the legislation. In doing so, the government is undertaking considerable community engagement in order to ascertain community opinion, in particular the level of support or opposition towards consumer fireworks and the reasons behind this, the potential level of support for further regulation or deregulation, and the economic contribution of consumer fireworks to the ACT.
The government has engaged an independent consultant to assist the review. The consultant has developed an online survey which involves a simple questionnaire that is suitable for self-completion. All Canberrans are encouraged to log on to the ACT government website and participate in this survey.
I am aware, Mr Deputy Speaker, that there are critics of online surveys who would say that they are not worth while and are unlikely to produce a result that is representative. These views are held on the basis that the participants in such surveys are likely to be those with strong views for or against the subject matter. Whilst I acknowledge that that is the case, the government considers the online survey to be a useful market research tool, as it allows the wider community to have their say in a straightforward and efficient manner. However, I do acknowledge, as I say, the views of those who do not support such surveys. I would like to assure members that, in devising the survey, techniques have been employed to limit the potential for misuse; for example, by preventing, as much as possible, participants from completing the survey more than once.
In addition to the online survey, the independent consultant will also undertake a quantitative telephone survey. This survey will be conducted over the next few weeks and will involve a representative sample of 1,000 Canberra residents over the age of 18 years. A short, structured questionnaire is being developed and the survey will be sufficiently robust to ensure that reliable results are produced. I am advised that the confidence level for a survey of this type is 95 per cent and the results will be within three per cent either way of the results that would have been obtained if the entire population over the age of 18 had been surveyed.
The government considers this type of survey data to be critical to the consumer fireworks review. Whilst there have been inquiries into and community consultation on fireworks in the past, there has been no reliable data or benchmark on community-wide opinion. The government is very keen to understand what the community feel about the current regulation, and this will clearly assist us in determining whether there is a need to further regulate or deregulate the use of consumer fireworks. If there is an identified need, we will then be able to explore appropriate options.
The government will also be conducting a number of public meetings during the consultation period. Details of the meetings will be announced shortly and included
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