Tobacco Products Regulation (Artistic Performances) Amendment Bill

Second Reading

Adjourned debate on second reading.

(Continued from 23 September 2015.)

Mr GARDNER (Morialta) (17:52): It is a good time to be discussing the Tobacco Products Regulation (Artistic Performances) Amendment Bill. I note the generosity of the leader of government business to the Attorney-General, allowing him to indulge himself beforehand. Nevertheless, I think we can finish this in the last five minutes before the house rises. Under section 46(1) of the Tobacco Products Regulation Act 1997, smoking is banned in enclosed public spaces, workplaces and shared areas. Exemptions can be granted by the Governor under section 71 of the act.

This bill amends the Tobacco Products Regulation Act to enable the minister to exempt artistic performances. The current process is administratively protracted as exemptions can only be granted by the Governor. The bill would simplify the procedures by enabling the minister to grant the exemptions, thereby reducing the administrative burden on cabinet and the Governor, producing more flexible and timely responses to applications and reducing the risk of disruption to artistic productions.

The current process for applicants will remain unchanged. The amendment is minor. It offers a simplification of administrative process. It is sensible. The minister's second reading explanation states that the relevant minister is the Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse, whereas the act is committed to the Minister for Health, but the opposition is very pleased to support the bill. I am sure the shadow minister for health, who operates in the other place, will provide an even more fulsome summation of the opposition's position than that, but in short, in brief, with a couple of minutes to go, the opposition supports the bill.

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING (Playford—Minister for Health, Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Minister for the Arts, Minister for Health Industries) (17:54): I thank the opposition for their support for the bill. It is sensible and I do not know why it was not done earlier.

Bill read a second time.

Third Reading

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING (Playford—Minister for Health, Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Minister for the Arts, Minister for Health Industries) (17:54): I move:

That this bill be now read a third time.

Bill read a third time and passed.