Massive legislative agenda as Parliament resumes
28/8/2006

The Rann Government will begin a massive program of legislative reform when Parliament resumes this week.

 

The Government has a program of more than 100 bills to take to Parliament to implement Labor’s bold second term agenda.

 

“We’ve already passed more than 20 bills since the election, and now we are introducing dozens and dozens more covering law and order, victims’ rights, the environment and sustainable development,” Premier Mike Rann said.

 

“For instance, on the environment, I’ll be introducing my ground-breaking climate change legislation.

 

“For the first time we’re enshrining in law our ambitious target to reduce greenhouse gases to 60 per cent of 1990 levels by 2050 – the only jurisdiction in the country and one of the few in the world to introduce such legislation.

 

“Importantly, the new law, for the first time anywhere, will legislate that 20 per cent of our electricity will come from renewable sources by 2014.

 

“We’re already leading the nation in wind and solar power.

 

“Among a raft of law and order initiatives, we’re introducing a bill to provide greater protection for victims of crime.

 

“For the first time in our legal history, we will give victims of crime advocates the legal right to make victim impact statements at the sentencing hearing for crimes that result in the death or total permanent incapacity of the victims.

 

“Victims are not bystanders to crime so they should not be bystanders to the court process.

 

“We’re also cracking down on illegal drugs – with legislation to ban hydroponic equipment unless people have a lawful excuse to own it.

 

“And we’re bringing back a bill to remove unjustified discrimination against homosexual couples.

 

“We’re further amending development laws to streamline the planning approval process.

 

“We are moving ahead with public sector reform to cut more red tape and government waste.

 

“People have criticised this government for inaction, but with more than 100 pieces of legislation being prepared for debate, it’s clear we’re moving ahead with our program of change.

 

“And I take this opportunity to encourage Opposition and cross-bench MPs in the Upper House to work co-operatively with the Government to implement our bold vision for the State.”