Governing the City State - Chief Minister and Treasury Directorate ...

function as part of the Office for Fair Trading. Such a move in the ACT would be consistentwith the aims of the ORS model.The current provisions of the Planning and Development Act 2007 201 that require functionsgiven to ACTPLA under that Act be delivered by ACTPLA staff, would necessitate either the“outposting” of ACTPLA staff in ORS, or legislative amendments, to permit ORS todischarge the occupational licensing role. The Review considers the benefits of the proposedapproach to businesses and to the Government through greater alignment and coherence ofeffort justify the making of legislative change (in the context of other changes outlinedbelow), which are to be preferred over what amounts to an administrative “work around”.Youth JusticeThe possibility of aligning responsibility for adult and youth corrections in the same agencywas raised during the Review, but is not supported. There are strong synergies in YouthJustice being part of the Office of Children, Youth and Family Support including in relationto the provision of coordinated support to families in need (including in relation to youngpeople in the youth justice system).Funding for Statutory Office HoldersA number of statutory office holders including the Human Rights Commissioner expressedconcern about the lack of clarity, if not conflicts, that arise from the fact that they do notreceive separate direct appropriation funding, and are instead funded through departments.The Review recommends, subject to the outcome of the process referred to at Chapter 3,statutory office holders receive direct appropriation funding.Emergency Services AgencyIn 2010 the Emergencies Act 2004 was amended to strengthen governance arrangements forthe ACT Government’s planning and preparation for, response to, and recovery from majoremergencies. A focus of this work within the Emergency Services Agency has been effortsto enhance the capability of the ESA through a cohesive model for delivery of fire, bushfire,ambulance and State Emergency Service services. This is balanced with the need foroperational preparedness, service planning and budget discipline. It is supported by thedecision to reinstate Chief Officer positions for each emergency service.Issues relating to the Fire and Emergency Services Levy were raised with the Review inconsultations. Mr Ted Quinlan has been commissioned to review the overall efficacy of theACT tax system, current revenue streams, and the sustainability of the tax base. This issueshould be considered in the context of his review.201 See http://www.legislation.act.gov.au/a/2007-24/default.aspAdministrative Arrangements Changes: 148