Hon Simon O'Brien questions the need for a committee inquiry into swimming pool fencing regulations after recent disallowance motions were rejected. Hon Tom Stephens responds, emphasizing the benefits of consensus-building and depoliticization through committee consideration.

AnsweredQoN 1359Legislative Council
Asked
8 May 2002
Portfolio
Housing and Works

QuestionView source ↗

SWIMMING POOL REGULATIONS
Now that two sets of building amendment regulations dealing with swimming pool fencing have been confirmed by the rejection of disallowance motions, I ask - (1) Why is the minister now proposing a committee inquiry into the issue? (2) Is the Government contemplating further changes; and, if so, why? Hon TOM STEPHENS

AnswerView source ↗

(1)-(2) I have encouraged members of the House, as recently as last night, to consider the advantages that arise from committee consideration of regulations. Committee consideration of those regulations would enable consensus to be reached on this issue, which would create certainty about the way in which swimming pools will be fenced in the future. This issue should be lifted from being a partisan, party political dispute or a dispute between industry and safety interests. Those regulations have now been accepted by the House. I hoped that a standing committee of this place would be persuaded to subject those regulations to consideration in the hope that consensus might emerge, which would have meant that we would, forever and a day, have regulations that reflect the consensus of this House.
(1) Why is the minister now proposing a committee inquiry into the issue? (2) Is the Government contemplating further changes; and, if so, why? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: (1)-(2) I have encouraged members of the House, as recently as last night, to consider the advantages that arise from committee consideration of regulations. Committee consideration of those regulations would enable consensus to be reached on this issue, which would create certainty about the way in which swimming pools will be fenced in the future. This issue should be lifted from being a partisan, party political dispute or a dispute between industry and safety interests. Those regulations have now been accepted by the House. I hoped that a standing committee of this place would be persuaded to subject those regulations to consideration in the hope that consensus might emerge, which would have meant that we would, forever and a day, have regulations that reflect the consensus of this House.
(2) Is the Government contemplating further changes; and, if so, why? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: (1)-(2) I have encouraged members of the House, as recently as last night, to consider the advantages that arise from committee consideration of regulations. Committee consideration of those regulations would enable consensus to be reached on this issue, which would create certainty about the way in which swimming pools will be fenced in the future. This issue should be lifted from being a partisan, party political dispute or a dispute between industry and safety interests. Those regulations have now been accepted by the House. I hoped that a standing committee of this place would be persuaded to subject those regulations to consideration in the hope that consensus might emerge, which would have meant that we would, forever and a day, have regulations that reflect the consensus of this House.
Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: (1)-(2) I have encouraged members of the House, as recently as last night, to consider the advantages that arise from committee consideration of regulations. Committee consideration of those regulations would enable consensus to be reached on this issue, which would create certainty about the way in which swimming pools will be fenced in the future. This issue should be lifted from being a partisan, party political dispute or a dispute between industry and safety interests. Those regulations have now been accepted by the House. I hoped that a standing committee of this place would be persuaded to subject those regulations to consideration in the hope that consensus might emerge, which would have meant that we would, forever and a day, have regulations that reflect the consensus of this House.
(1)-(2) I have encouraged members of the House, as recently as last night, to consider the advantages that arise from committee consideration of regulations. Committee consideration of those regulations would enable consensus to be reached on this issue, which would create certainty about the way in which swimming pools will be fenced in the future. This issue should be lifted from being a partisan, party political dispute or a dispute between industry and safety interests. Those regulations have now been accepted by the House. I hoped that a standing committee of this place would be persuaded to subject those regulations to consideration in the hope that consensus might emerge, which would have meant that we would, forever and a day, have regulations that reflect the consensus of this House.

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