Annual Review 2006, Regulations 2006
August 2007

Chairspersons' Foreword

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The Regulation Review Subcommittee performs an important task within the context of legislative scrutiny of the Parliament of Victoria. The Annual Review summarises the operations of the Regulation Review Subcommittee during 2006. This year the Regulation Review Subcommittee scrutinised one hundred and seventy nine regulations.

The Subcommittee continues to be impressed with the quality of the Regulatory Impact Statements which accompany the regulations. The Regulation Review Subcommittee did not make any reports to the Parliament. Each year fewer concerns are raised by the Regulation Review Subcommittee. This means that from the scrutiny perspective, generally, the area of regulation review is working well. The Regulation Review Subcommittee wishes to thank Ministers for their prompt responses. Our Legal Adviser, Ms Helen Mason also wishes to thank those departmental officers with whom she liaises on a daily basis. The efficient and friendly manner with which the officers respond to queries greatly facilitates the work of reviewing regulations.

The next year will be interesting for the Regulation Review Subcommittee. The introduction of the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006 will have a significant impact on its workload. Every regulation will be reviewed in the context of human rights and compatibility with the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006. This change in jurisdiction has not affected the 2006 statutory rule series the subject of this Annual Report. However, it will affect the 2007 statutory rule series.

A general election was held in November 2006. Prior to that election the Regulation Review Subcommittee was ably chaired by Mr Peter Lockwood MLA. The members were Ms Lily D’Ambrosio MLA, The Honourable Andrew Brideson MLC, Mr Jude Perera MLA and Mr Ken Jasper MLA. The current Regulation Review Subcommittee particularly wishes to thank Mr Lockwood MLA for his work. He did an excellent job chairing the Subcommittee and ensuring that it ran smoothly. The Regulation Review Subcommittee also wishes to acknowledge the hard work of the previous Subcommittee members. Their constant attendance at meetings ensured that every statutory rule was reviewed in accordance with the legislative timeframe.

Finally we wish to thank our staff for their commitment and dedication. We thank Ms Helen Mason our Legal Adviser for her prompt and excellent advice. We thank Ms Sonya Caruana for her outstanding administrative support. We also thank Mr Simon Dinsbergs for this constant and efficient editing of reports when required.

The Regulation Review Subcommittee looks forward to another challenging year. In particular, the Regulation Review Subcommittee anticipates that the scrutiny of regulations in the context of human rights will keep members and advisers engaged. Enthusiastic and robust discussions are the sign of a healthy, democratic society. The Regulation Review Subcommittee looks forward to dealing with the variety of issues with which it will be presented during the coming year.

Scrutiny of Acts and Regulations Committee
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