Page 4536 - Week 12 - Thursday, 15 October 2009
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relation to the function of ensuring that standards and compliance are properly delivered to the ACT community.
Exposing the regulators to claims for compensation, for the kind of losses or expenses that would also be expected in relation to the conduct of a regular audit, is inappropriate in this regulatory environment and cannot, in fact, be sustained by the finances of the legal practice regulators. A law practice should be entitled to compensation for losses or expenses arising only from an unlawful or unreasonable action by an investigator. I commend the bill to the Assembly.
Debate (on motion by Mrs Dunne) adjourned to the next sitting.
Justice and Community Safety Legislation Amendment Bill 2009 (No 3)
Mr Corbell, pursuant to notice, presented the bill, its explanatory statement and a Human Rights Act compatibility statement.
Title read by Clerk.
MR CORBELL (Molonglo—Attorney-General, Minister for the Environment, Climate Change and Water, Minister for Energy and Minister for Police and Emergency Services) (10.43): I move:
That this bill be agreed to in principle.
The Justice and Community Safety Legislation Amendment Bill 2009 (No 3) is the 22nd bill in a series of legislation that concerns the Justice and Community Safety portfolio. The bill I am introducing today contains amendments that will improve the quality of the statute book. These amendments would not introduce policy changes. Instead, these amendments draw on the government’s experience to ensure that the territory’s legislation continues to meet its original policy goals.
The bill contains amendments that can best be described in three general categories. First, there are amendments to improve the administration of the law, based on recommendations from within government agencies. Second, there are amendments to update legislation in response to changing circumstances. Third, there are amendments to clarify the law, so that the intent of the law is beyond dispute.
First, I will discuss those amendments that would improve the administration of the territory’s laws. These amendments have been recommended by the agencies responsible for each affected piece of legislation. First-hand experience in administering the law naturally gives rise to recommendations for improvement.
The ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal Act amendments come from the tribunal’s experience in hearing cases. Since the tribunal became operational in February this year, members and staff have developed ideas to improve the general operation of the new tribunal. These amendments draw from their recommendations to, among other things, improve and clarify the procedure for appealing a tribunal matter to the Supreme Court, and provide guidance on when to join additional parties
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