Page 1110 - Week 04 - Thursday, 21 May 2020

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At a local level these amendments will help up-and-coming Canberra athletes like Eliya Quinn. Despite not being able to train for the shooting elements of modern pentathlon, Eliya came 16th in the Youth Asia World Championships last November and second in her age group, under 17, at Australia’s modern pentathlon championships last March. She also travelled to Europe with the high performance team last July and competed in the Hungarian national championships. A strong runner and swimmer, she is showing a lot of potential, and the amendments allowing her to practise the shooting component will no doubt significantly improve her results. She trains for swimming at the AIS, fencing at the Australian National University Fencing Club, equestrian at Forest Park, and running with the Woden Little Athletics Club.

The bill also amends the Firearms Regulation 2008 to prescribe the Australian Biathlon Association, Modern Pentathlon Australia and Modern Pentathlon Association of New South Wales Inc as sporting organisations in relation to the above exemptions. This is consistent with other exemptions already in ACT legislation for the possession and use of starting pistols by sporting officials and organisations.

The second circumstance in which the bill introduces an exemption is in order to contribute to strengthening public safety at Canberra Airport. These changes were sought by the commonwealth Minister for Home Affairs and will streamline the arrangements for aviation security inspectors. These exemptions are consistent with others already in ACT legislation for the possession and use of firearms by law enforcement and military personnel in the course of their duties.

Once again I thank all stakeholders who contributed to the development of this bill. The amendments in the bill reinforce the underlying principle that supports Australia’s regulation of firearms: firearm possession and use is a privilege that is conditional on the overriding need to ensure public safety. The government is committed to building safer communities in the ACT, and amendments in this bill contribute to that commitment. I commend the bill to the Assembly.

Question resolved in the affirmative.

Bill agreed to in principle.

Leave granted to dispense with the detail stage.

Bill agreed to.

Loose-fill Asbestos Legislation Amendment Bill 2020

Debate resumed from 20 February 2020, on motion by Ms Orr:

That this bill be agreed to in principle.

MR WALL (Brindabella) (4.34): The opposition will support the Loose-fill Asbestos Legislation Amendment Bill. The bill seeks to put necessary initiatives in place to


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