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Redundant WA laws to be repealed

Dozens of superseded or obsolete laws are poised to be repealed in the West Australian parliament, including a law that prohibits people from marrying close relatives or in-laws.

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(AAP) Source: Reuters

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Source: AAP


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The removal of 43 acts of parliament from the statute books is largely an administrative exercise, with the marriage law being struck off because it is handled by the Commonwealth.

Another law to be repealed, more than 170 years old, ensures no widow can claim a "dower" or income from land or property that has been disposed of by her husband in his lifetime or in his will.

"Other laws to be repealed include laws to establish cemeteries in many regional towns in WA," Premier Colin Barnett said.

 

"These have obviously outlived their usefulness and will be removed from the books."

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The WA government will also soon debate amendment bills designed to remove hindrances on commerce, including one that aims to reduce administrative work required in the retail, motor vehicle and property industries.

But opposition treasury spokesman Ben Wyatt has downplayed the benefits of the measures.

"When Colin Barnett introduces his repeal bill and wages war on red tape in WA, and the best he can do is to abolish an 1833 act dealing with a bride's dowry, then I dare say he has a long way to go before he really is serious about reducing red tape in WA," Mr Wyatt told ABC radio.

The premier first flagged Repeal Week in February last year.

The Statutes (Repeals and Minor Amendments) Bill 2013 will be tabled in parliament on Wednesday.


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