LegCo continues to consider Inland Revenue (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2017
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The Legislative Council (LegCo) will hold a meeting on Wednesday (June 28) at 11am in the Chamber of the LegCo Complex. During the meeting, Members will continue to consider the Inland Revenue (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2017 and it will be read the third time.
Members will also resume the Second Reading debate on the Road Traffic (Amendment) Bill 2017. If the Bill is supported by Members and receives its Second Reading, it will then go through the Committee stage and be read the third time.
Meanwhile, the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing (Financial Institutions) (Amendment) Bill 2017, the Companies (Amendment) Bill 2017, the Inland Revenue (Amendment) (No. 4) Bill 2017, the United Nations (Anti-Terrorism Measures) (Amendment) Bill 2017 and the Employment (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2017 will be introduced into the Council for the First Reading and the Second Reading. The Second Reading debate on the Bills will be adjourned.
On Government motion, the Secretary for Transport and Housing will move a proposed resolution under the Fixed Penalty (Criminal Proceedings) Ordinance to seek the Council to amend, with effect from December 15, 2017, the Fixed Penalty (Criminal Proceedings) Ordinance as set out in the Schedule.
On Members' Motions, Mr Andrew Wan will move a motion on facing up to the aspirations of the people participating in the July 1 march. The motion states: "That over the 20 years following the reunification, the implementation of 'one country, two systems' in Hong Kong has been severely shaken, distorted and deformed; in this connection, this Council urges the Central Government to fully implement the principles of 'Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong' and 'a high degree of autonomy' as provided under the Basic Law; this Council also urges the SAR Government to seriously face up to the aspirations of the people participating in the July 1 march this year to establish a democratic political system, maintain a clean government, safeguard the rule of law, and manifest 'Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong' and 'a high degree of autonomy', so that 'one country, two systems' can return to the right track."
Mr Wong Ting-kwong and Mr Christopher Cheung will move separate amendments to Mr Andrew Wan's motion.
Mr Kwong Chun-yu will move a motion on safeguarding animal rights. The motion states: "That in view of growing public concern over animal rights, this Council has passed legislative amendments to increase penalties for cruelty to animals, but animal cruelty cases still keep occurring; Hong Kong's animal welfare policy lags far behind that of other places, and definitions in the relevant legislation are based on concepts in the early part of the last century; since the Administration has failed to implement an 'animal-friendly policy', there is insufficient animal-friendly space in the communities, resulting in the euthanisation of more than 10 000 animals a year; to safeguard animal rights, this Council urges the Government to:
(1) draw reference from the relevant legislation in other places to expeditiously enact legislation on providing comprehensive animal protection, with contents covering affirmation of the definition of animal cruelty, inclusion of the concept of 'a duty of animal care', and the classification of abandonment of animals as an act of animal cruelty;
(2) step up enforcement actions against unlicensed animal breeding facilities, enhance the inspection power of law enforcement officers, consult the public on extending the regulatory system for animal registration and breeding to cover cats and other animals commonly kept as pets, and impose a total ban on the online sale of animals;
(3) study and follow other countries' practice of establishing specialised teams of 'animal police' to investigate animal cruelty cases, with a view to curbing animal cruelty;
(4) comprehensively take forward the scheme of 'Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return' in various districts, prohibit the euthanisation of stray cats and dogs, and enhance the transparency of handling stray animals by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department;
(5) increase activity space in the communities for the integration of animals and human beings, including exploring the feasibility of providing more parks and leisure venues admitting animals and permitting passengers to bring along their pets when travelling on public transport; and
(6) step up publicity and public education, including studying the inclusion of the subject of animal care in school curricula, and collaborating with community organisations to promote animal-friendly measures."
Ms Claudia Mo, Dr Priscilla Leung, Mr Jeremy Tam, Dr Elizabeth Quat and Mr Chan Hak-kan will move separate amendments to Mr Kwong Chun-yu's motion.
During the meeting, Members will ask the Government 22 questions on various policy areas, six of which require oral replies.
The agenda of the above meeting can be obtained via the LegCo Website (www.legco.gov.hk). Please note that the agenda is subject to change, and the latest information about the agenda could be found on the LegCo Website.
Members of the public are welcome to observe the proceedings of the meeting from the public galleries of the Chamber of the LegCo Complex. They may reserve seats by calling 3919 3399 during office hours. Members of the public can also watch or listen to the meeting via the "Webcast" system on the LegCo Website.
Ends/Monday, June 26, 2017
Issued at HKT 18:22
Issued at HKT 18:22
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