Page 2732 - Week 09 - Wednesday, 26 September 2007
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on the ACT government website. At these meetings, the results of the telephone survey will be discussed and discussion encouraged on community views in relation to fireworks. It will also be important to ascertain ideas from people about how the regulation of fireworks could be improved or addressed. Again, I encourage members of the Assembly and the community to watch out for the meeting details that will be coming in the near future and to participate in this process.
In early December, following the completion of the consultation period, a number of focus groups will be convened with a cross-section of Canberra residents and stakeholders. The purpose of the focus groups will be to gain an in-depth understanding of the nature, range and scope of opinions held by the general public. The focus groups will be conducted independently of government by the consultant. Membership for the groups will be investigated and determined by the consultant during the consultation period. Depending on the outcomes of the community engagement, it may also be worth while for the focus groups to explore options for further regulation or deregulation of consumer fireworks.
Mr Deputy Speaker, fireworks are an issue that interests a significant proportion of the Canberra community, and many of our fellow Canberrans have very strong views one way or the other on the regulation of fireworks. The government is serious about engaging the community in the review. I again encourage all members and Canberrans to express their views during the consultation period, either by written submission, by participating in the online survey or through attendance at the public meetings.
The consultation process will be comprehensive and transparent. I am seeking to encourage a cooperative and responsive relationship between the government, key stakeholders and community representatives in relation to this matter. Expressing a view on the regulation of fireworks is critical to any future decisions in relation to further regulation or deregulation. Once the review is conducted, the government will be in a position to fully consider future regulation of fireworks over the Queen’s Birthday long weekend.
I will be tabling a report on the review of the Dangerous Substances Act, including the outcomes of the community engagement on consumer fireworks, in the Assembly early next year. As I indicated, my expectation is that that will be late February or early March. I did indicate, Mr Deputy Speaker, that, if the result of the consultation was an overwhelming case for a ban on fireworks, it would be appropriate to give the industry time to adjust. I am aware that the ordering process for fireworks has already commenced for the 2008 year, so I have indicated that, if the result of the consultation is a ban, then that would not come into effect until the 2009 year, as it would be too late to institute a ban in 2008 given the time frame of this review.
Of course, if there is no change to regulations then things would proceed as normal for 2008. However, there may well be time, depending on the nature of any further regulation or deregulation, to make those adjustments for the 2008 Queen’s Birthday long weekend. It is my intention to provide clear advice to the Assembly and to the Canberra community as early in possible in 2008 on the outcomes of the consultation.
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