What's been happening in parliament - September

The State Sport Centres Legislation Amendment (SSC) Bill

This bill was introduced on the 2nd of August. Its 30 clauses outline amendments to the State Sport Centres Act 1994, the Melbourne and Olympic Parks Act 1985 and more. The bill provides for the State Sport Centres Trust to manage the Knox Regional Sports Park, the Lakeside Stadium and their respective parcels of land. After the LA’s second and third readings passed on the 18th of August, the LC quickly passed its first reading on the same day. Royal Assent was then given on the 6th of September. The bill expands the powers that the SSC Trust may exercise on its centres and land, particularly the Knox Regional Sports Park. Further, the Trust may now charge fees for use of all its centres, as in the past this was restricted to the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre and the State Netball and Hockey Centre.  

Monitoring Places of Detention by the United Nations Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture (OPCAT) Bill 

In the same period, the Monitoring Places of Detention by the United Nations Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture (OPCAT) Bill passed through the LA and LC, receiving Royal Assent on the 27th of September. It establishes an Act to facilitate visits to places of detention and access to information by the United Nations Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture (SPT). The Act is intended to aid the SPT’s purpose of uncovering and abolishing the practice of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment. Detention centres are no longer permitted, by law, to permanently refuse the SPT access to any areas or relevant information.  

Casino Legislation Amendment (Royal Commission Implementation and Other Matters) Bill 2022 

Also receiving Royal Assent on the 27th of September was the Casino Legislation Amendment (Royal Commission Implementation and Other Matters) Bill 2022. Amendments were made to the Casino Control Act 1991, the Gambling Regulation Act 2003, the Casino (Management Agreement) Act 1993 and the Tobacco Act 1987 in order to implement the recommendations of the Royal Commission. These are intended to prevent money laundering and improve regulation of casinos – in response to the 2021 Bergin Inquiry into the Crown Melbourne, which first led to the Commission’s founding. Specifically, the bill clarifies several powers of the Special Manager, while attempting to preserve the independence of the Crown’s board and casino operator. Additionally, it allows the manager – who holds legislative powers over the operator - to sell or dispose of any managed property. 
 
All three bills received assent in the last week of sitting – the final one being the Monitoring Places of Detention by the United Nations Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture (OPCAT) Bill, which marks the 45th Act of 2022.