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ADVENTURE ACTIVITIES PROTECTION BILL 2002

                PARLIAMENT OF VICTORIA

         Adventure Activities Protection Act 2002
                                  Act No.


                       TABLE OF PROVISIONS
Clause                                                                 Page

PART 1--PRELIMINARY                                                       1
  1.     Purpose                                                          1
  2.     Commencement                                                     2
  3.     Definitions                                                      2
  4.     Objects of the Act                                               3
  5.     Application of the Act                                           4
  6.     Regulations                                                      4
  7.     Delegation                                                       5

PART 2--ADVENTURE ACTIVITY OPERATORS                                      6
  8.     Application for approval as an Operator                          6
  9.     Approval as an Operator                                          6
  10.    Provision relating to approvals                                  8
  11.    Variation of approval                                            9
  12.    Revocation of approval                                          10
  13.    Time revocation takes effect                                    10

PART 3--DAMAGES IN RESPECT OF DEATH OR SERIOUS
INJURY                                                                   11
  14.    Actions for damages                                             11
  15.    Determination by the Insurer                                    13
  16.    Entitlement to bring proceedings for damages                    16
  17.    Assessment of impairment                                        18
  18.    Where no Insurer                                                19
                            __________________

SCHEDULE--Activities which may be specified as an Operator's
          approved adventure activities                                  20
                           

ENDNOTES                                                                 21




                                      i
541PM9B.I1-15/5/2002                          BILL LC CIRCULATION 25-10-2004

 


 

PARLIAMENT OF VICTORIA Initiated in Council 14 May 2002 by the Hon. W. Forwood A BILL to provide for the approval of operators of certain adventure activities, to restrict the circumstances in which damages may be recovered in respect of the injury or death of a participant in certain adventure activities and for other purposes. Adventure Activities Protection Act 2002 The Parliament of Victoria enacts as follows: PART 1--PRELIMINARY 1. Purpose The purpose of this Act is to regulate the compensation of persons who die or suffer injury 5 arising out of, or in the course of, their voluntary participation in adventure activities which by their 1 541PM9B.I1-15/5/2002 BILL LC CIRCULATION 25-10-2004

 


 

Adventure Activities Protection Act 2002 Act No. PART 1--PRELIMINARY s. 2 nature involve inherent risk of injury to participants, particularly where the physical or environmental challenge or the element of risk form part of the participant's enjoyment of the 5 activity. 2. Commencement This Act comes into operation on 1 July 2002. 3. Definitions In this Act-- 10 "adventure activity" means any Operator's approved adventure activity conducted by or under the supervision or control of that Operator in the course of the Operator's business, to the extent that such activity is 15 engaged in in Victoria; "adventure contract" means a contract pursuant to which an Operator is to supply goods or services to a participant in respect of an Operator's approved adventure activity; 20 "injury" means physical or mental injury; "Minister" means Minister for Tourism or the Minister's delegate; "Operator" means a person approved as an Operator under Part 2; 25 "Operator approval" means an approval as an Operator granted by the Minister under Part 2, as varied by the Minister from time to time; "Operator's approved tourism activity" means 30 any activity which the Minister specifies as an Operator's approved adventure activity in an Operator approval for the purposes of the Operator the subject of that approval; 2 541PM9B.I1-15/5/2002 BILL LC CIRCULATION 25-10-2004

 


 

Adventure Activities Protection Act 2002 Act No. PART 1--PRELIMINARY s. 4 "participant" means any person who takes part, or agrees to take part, in an adventure activity, whether or not the person provides any consideration to the Operator in 5 exchange for his or her participation in the activity, and "participate" and "participation" have the corresponding meanings; "prescribed" means prescribed by the 10 regulations. 4. Objects of the Act The objects of this Act are-- (a) to recognise and accredit operators of adventure activities and thereby improve the 15 safety of participants in adventure activities; and (b) to ensure that the costs of compensation for injuries arising out of or in the course of adventure activities are contained so as to 20 minimise the burden on Victorian businesses; and (c) to reduce the social and economic costs to the Victorian community of compensation for injuries arising out of or in the course of 25 adventure activities; and (d) to entitle only those persons (or the beneficiaries of those persons) who die or suffer serious injury within the meaning of Part 3 to bring proceedings for compensation 30 for death or injuries arising out of or in the course of the person's participation in adventure activities. 3 541PM9B.I1-15/5/2002 BILL LC CIRCULATION 25-10-2004

 


 

Adventure Activities Protection Act 2002 Act No. PART 1--PRELIMINARY s. 5 5. Application of the Act Subject to the provisions of this Act, this Act applies (notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any other Act or law) to and in respect of any 5 adventure contract. 6. Regulations (1) The Governor in Council may make regulations for or with respect to prescribing-- (a) forms to be used for the purposes of this Act; 10 (b) fees for the purposes of this Act; (c) the activities which may be specified as an Operator's approved adventure activity; (d) the terms and conditions which apply to Operator approvals granted under Part 2; 15 (e) any matter which is authorised or required to be prescribed for carrying out or giving effect to this Act. (2) Regulations made under this Act-- (a) may be of general or of specifically limited 20 application; and (b) may differ according to differences in time, place or circumstance; and (c) may apply, adopt or incorporate, with or without modification, any matter contained 25 in any document, code, standard, rule, specification or method formulated, issued, prescribed or published by any authority or body as formulated, issued, prescribed or published at the time the regulation is made 30 or at any time before the regulation is made; and 4 541PM9B.I1-15/5/2002 BILL LC CIRCULATION 25-10-2004

 


 

Adventure Activities Protection Act 2002 Act No. PART 1--PRELIMINARY s. 7 (d) may impose a penalty not exceeding 10 penalty units for any contravention of the regulations. 7. Delegation 5 The Minister may, by instrument, delegate to any person any function or power of the Minister under this Act, other than this power of delegation. __________________ 5 541PM9B.I1-15/5/2002 BILL LC CIRCULATION 25-10-2004

 


 

Adventure Activities Protection Act 2002 Act No. PART 2--ADVENTURE activity OPERATORS s. 8 PART 2--ADVENTURE ACTIVITY OPERATORS 8. Application for approval as an Operator (1) A person may make application in writing to the Minister for an Operator approval. 5 (2) An application under sub-section (1) shall describe the nature of the proposed adventure activities and shall be-- (a) in the prescribed form (if any); and (b) accompanied by the prescribed information 10 (if any); and (c) accompanied by the prescribed fee (if any). 9. Approval as an Operator (1) Where an application is made by a person under section 8, the Minister may-- 15 (a) grant an Operator approval on terms and conditions determined by the Minister, if the Minister considers it appropriate to grant such approval having regard to the matters set out in sub-section (3); or 20 (b) refuse to grant an Operator approval. (2) The Minister must, within 28 days of receiving an application pursuant to section 8-- (a) grant the applicant an Operator approval; or (b) advise the applicant in writing of the refusal 25 to grant an Operator approval. (3) In determining whether it is appropriate to grant a person an Operator approval, the Minister shall have regard to the following matters-- (a) the nature of the proposed adventure activity 30 offered, or proposed to be offered, to the public by the applicant; and 6 541PM9B.I1-15/5/2002 BILL LC CIRCULATION 25-10-2004

 


 

Adventure Activities Protection Act 2002 Act No. PART 2--ADVENTURE activity OPERATORS s. 9 (b) whether the proposed adventure activity comes within the activities listed in the Schedule or any other activity prescribed for the purposes of this section from time to 5 time; and (c) whether the proposed adventure activity involves inherent risk of injury to the participant in respect of, but not limited to-- (i) the forces of nature; and 10 (ii) the behaviour of animals; and (iii) the terrain, location or environment in which the activity is to be conducted; and (iv) the physical ability of the participant; 15 and (v) the equipment to be used by the participant; and (d) the experience, training and qualifications of the person or persons who are to conduct or 20 supervise the conduct of the proposed adventure activity on behalf of the applicant; and (e) the risk management procedures which the applicant has in place, or proposes to put in 25 place, in respect of the proposed adventure activity. (4) The Minister shall specify in each Operator approval the Operator's approved adventure activities. 30 (5) In determining whether to specify an activity as an Operator's approved adventure activity under sub- section (4), the Minister shall have regard to the matters set out in sub-section (3)(a) to (e). 7 541PM9B.I1-15/5/2002 BILL LC CIRCULATION 25-10-2004

 


 

Adventure Activities Protection Act 2002 Act No. PART 2--ADVENTURE activity OPERATORS s. 10 (6) It shall be a condition of each Operator approval granted by the Minister that the Operator approval will only take effect from-- (a) the date on which the approval is granted; or 5 (b) the date on which the applicant obtains public liability insurance in respect of the Operator's approved adventure activities in an amount no less than the amount prescribed from time to time-- 10 whichever is later. (7) An Operator approval-- (a) is subject to the prescribed terms and conditions and to such terms and conditions as the Minister determines from time to time; 15 and (b) has effect, unless sooner revoked, for the period of five years after the approval is given. 10. Provision relating to approvals 20 (1) An approval as an Operator-- (a) may take effect from a date after the approval is given as is specified in the approval; (b) may be subject to compliance with a 25 condition precedent determined by the Minister. (2) If any of the requirements for approval as an Operator cease to be met during the period of approval, the approval as an Operator may be 30 revoked in accordance with this Part. 8 541PM9B.I1-15/5/2002 BILL LC CIRCULATION 25-10-2004

 


 

Adventure Activities Protection Act 2002 Act No. PART 2--ADVENTURE activity OPERATORS s. 11 11. Variation of approval (1) The Minister may vary an Operator approval on the application of an Operator to-- (a) add one or more activities to the Operator's 5 approved adventure activities; or (b) remove one or more activities from the Operator's approved adventure activities; or (c) otherwise vary the terms and conditions on which the Operator approval is granted. 10 (2) An application under sub-section (1) must be in the prescribed form and accompanied by the prescribed information and the prescribed fee. (3) Where an application is made by an Operator under sub-section (1), the Minister may-- 15 (a) vary the Operator approval subject to terms and conditions determined by the Minister, if the Minister considers it appropriate to so vary the Operator approval, having regard to the matters set out in paragraphs (a) to (e) of 20 section 9(3); or (b) refuse to vary the Operator approval. (4) The Minister must, within 28 days of receiving an application pursuant to sub-section (1)-- (a) grant the variation requested by the 25 application, whether in whole or in part, subject to the terms and conditions (if any) determined by the Minister; or (b) advise the applicant in writing of the refusal to grant the variation. 30 (5) The variation of an Operator approval shall-- (a) take effect when notice of the decision is given to the Operator or on any later date that may be specified in the notice; and 9 541PM9B.I1-15/5/2002 BILL LC CIRCULATION 25-10-2004

 


 

Adventure Activities Protection Act 2002 Act No. PART 2--ADVENTURE activity OPERATORS s. 12 (b) continue to have effect for the term of the existing Operator approval under section 9(6), subject to any further variation under this section. 5 12. Revocation of approval (1) The Minister may revoke an Operator approval by notice in writing given to the Operator or by publication of the notice in the Government Gazette if-- 10 (a) the Operator by notice in writing given to the Minister, requests that the Operator approval be revoked; or (b) the Operator has failed to comply with this Act or the regulations or with any terms or 15 conditions to which the Operator approval is subject. (2) The Minister shall not revoke an Operator approval under sub-section (1) unless the Minister has given not less than 7 days' notice in writing to 20 the Operator of the intention to revoke the Operator approval together with reasons and has stated in the notice that the Operator may, within 7 days after receiving the notice, make a submission to the Minister. 25 13. Time revocation takes effect The revocation of an Operator approval takes effect from and including the day after the day on which-- (a) the notice of the revocation is given to the 30 Operator; or (b) the notice is published in the Government Gazette-- whichever is earlier. __________________ 10 541PM9B.I1-15/5/2002 BILL LC CIRCULATION 25-10-2004

 


 

Adventure Activities Protection Act 2002 Act No. PART 3--DAMAGES IN RESPECT OF DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY s. 14 PART 3--DAMAGES IN RESPECT OF DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY 14. Actions for damages (1) A person shall not recover any damages in any 5 proceedings in respect of the injury or death of a participant arising out of or in the course of an adventure activity, where the participant participated in that adventure activity on or after the commencement of this Act except in 10 accordance with this Part. (2) Where a person is entitled to compensation in respect of injury or death under any of the following legislation, the provisions of that legislation shall prevail over the provisions of this 15 Act to the extent of any inconsistency-- (a) the Transport Accident Act 1986; or (b) the Accident Compensation Act 1985; or (c) Part V of the Country Fire Authority Act 1958; or 20 (d) Division 6 of Part II of the Education Act 1958; or (e) the Police Assistance Compensation Act 1968; or (f) the Victoria State Emergency Service Act 25 1987; or (g) the Emergency Management Act 1986; or (h) a law of the Commonwealth or of another State or of a Territory that corresponds to a law referred to in one of the preceding 30 paragraphs. 11 541PM9B.I1-15/5/2002 BILL LC CIRCULATION 25-10-2004

 


 

Adventure Activities Protection Act 2002 Act No. PART 3--DAMAGES IN RESPECT OF DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY s. 14 (3) In this Part-- "damages" include pecuniary and non-pecuniary damages and damages pursuant to Part III of the Wrongs Act 1958; 5 "Insurer" means the public liability insurer of the Operator at the time the relevant adventure activity was conducted; "medical practitioner" means a registered medical practitioner (within the meaning of 10 the Medical Practice Act 1994) and, in relation to anything done for the purposes of this Act in a place outside Victoria, includes a medical practitioner who is lawfully qualified under a law in force in that place to 15 do that thing; "medical report" means-- (a) a statement in writing on medical matters concerning the person, made by a medical practitioner; and 20 (b) includes any document which the medical practitioner intends should be read with the statement, whether the document was in existence at the time the statement was made or was a 25 document which he or she obtained or caused to be brought into existence subsequently; "serious injury" means-- (a) a serious long-term impairment or loss 30 of a body function; or (b) permanent serious disfigurement; or 12 541PM9B.I1-15/5/2002 BILL LC CIRCULATION 25-10-2004

 


 

Adventure Activities Protection Act 2002 Act No. PART 3--DAMAGES IN RESPECT OF DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY s. 15 (c) severe long-term mental or severe long- term behavioural disturbance or disorder; or (d) loss of a foetus. 5 (4) For the avoidance of doubt it is hereby declared that all the provisions of this Part contain matters that are substantive law and are not procedural in nature. 15. Determination by the Insurer 10 (1) Subject to section 16(2), a participant may not bring proceedings in accordance with this Part unless a determination of the degree of impairment of the participant has been made under sub-section (2). 15 (2) Subject to sub-section (5), the Insurer must make a determination of the degree of impairment of the participant as a result of the injury assessed in accordance with section 17, within 120 days of receiving a written application for a determination 20 from the participant. (3) An application under sub-section (2)-- (a) must be in the prescribed form; and (b) must be accompanied by-- (i) a copy of all medical reports; and 25 (ii) affidavits attesting to such other material-- existing when the application is made and of which the participant or his or her legal representative is aware and on which the 30 participant intends to rely, or the substance of which the participant intends to adduce in evidence, in proceedings in accordance with this section or in any related proceedings. 13 541PM9B.I1-15/5/2002 BILL LC CIRCULATION 25-10-2004

 


 

Adventure Activities Protection Act 2002 Act No. PART 3--DAMAGES IN RESPECT OF DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY s. 15 (4) If the participant unreasonably refuses to comply with a request by the Insurer that the participant submit to a medical examination, to be paid for by the Insurer, or in any way hinders such an 5 examination, the period between the date on which the participant so refused to comply, or hindered the examination, and the date of the examination must be disregarded in calculating the period of 120 days referred to in sub-sections 10 (2) and (6). (5) Despite sub-section (2), if the application is received during the first 104 weeks after the injury, the Insurer may refuse to make a determination if the Insurer is not satisfied that the 15 participant's injury has stabilised. (6) The Insurer must, within 120 days of receiving the application, advise the participant in writing-- (a) of the determination; or (b) of the refusal to make a determination under 20 sub-section (5). (7) The advice referred to in sub-section (6) must be accompanied by-- (a) a copy of all medical reports; and (b) affidavits attesting to such other material-- 25 existing when the advice is given and of which the Operator or the Insurer or the legal representative of either of them is aware and on which they intend to rely or the substance of which they intend to adduce in evidence in proceedings 30 brought by the participant in accordance with this section or in any related proceedings. (8) If the Insurer fails to advise the participant in writing within 120 days of receiving the application-- 35 (a) of the determination; or 14 541PM9B.I1-15/5/2002 BILL LC CIRCULATION 25-10-2004

 


 

Adventure Activities Protection Act 2002 Act No. PART 3--DAMAGES IN RESPECT OF DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY s. 15 (b) of the refusal to make the determination under sub-section (5)-- the participant is deemed to have suffered a serious injury. 5 (9) The participant, within 28 days after receiving the advice referred to in sub-sections (6) and (7), may give to the Insurer an affidavit attesting to such further material (whether or not existing before the participant made the application under sub- 10 section (2)) in rebuttal of the material (other than medical reports) attested to in affidavits accompanying the advice. (10) In proceedings in accordance with this section, a medical report or other material is inadmissible in 15 evidence-- (a) on behalf of the Insurer if-- (i) it was in existence, and the Operator or Insurer, or the legal representative of either of them, was aware of it, before 20 the date by which the advice of the Insurer is required to be given under sub-sections (6) and (7); and (ii) it had not been disclosed to the participant in accordance with sub- 25 sections (6) and (7); or (b) on behalf of the participant if-- (i) it was in existence, and the participant or the participant's legal representative was aware of it, before the expiration of 30 28 days after receiving the advice under sub-sections (6) and (7); and (ii) it had not been disclosed to the other party in accordance with sub-section (3) or (9). 15 541PM9B.I1-15/5/2002 BILL LC CIRCULATION 25-10-2004

 


 

Adventure Activities Protection Act 2002 Act No. PART 3--DAMAGES IN RESPECT OF DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY s. 16 (11) If the Insurer determines that the degree of impairment of the participant as a result of the injury assessed in accordance with section 17 is 30 per centum or more, the injury is deemed to be 5 a serious injury within the meaning of this Part. (12) If a participant makes an application for a determination under sub-section (2) of the degree of impairment of the participant, the participant must not make a further application for such a 10 determination unless it is the first application made after the Insurer has refused to make a determination in accordance with sub-section (5). 16. Entitlement to bring proceedings for damages (1) A participant may bring proceedings to recover 15 damages in respect of the injury if the injury is deemed to be a serious injury in accordance with section 15(8) or section 15(11). (2) If the Insurer has-- (a) advised the participant of its determination in 20 accordance with section 15(2) and its determination is that the degree of impairment of the participant is less than 30 per centum; or (b) advised the participant of its refusal to make 25 a determination in accordance with section 15(5)-- the participant may not bring proceedings for the recovery of damages in respect of the injury unless-- 30 (c) the Insurer-- (i) is satisfied that the injury is a serious injury; and (ii) issues to the participant a certificate in writing consenting to the bringing of 35 proceedings; or 16 541PM9B.I1-15/5/2002 BILL LC CIRCULATION 25-10-2004

 


 

Adventure Activities Protection Act 2002 Act No. PART 3--DAMAGES IN RESPECT OF DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY s. 16 (d) a court gives leave to bring the proceedings, on application of the participant. (3) A copy of an application under sub-section (2)(d) must be served on the Insurer and on each person 5 against whom the applicant claims to have a cause of action. (4) A court must not give leave under sub-section (2)(d) unless it is satisfied that the injury is a serious injury. 10 (5) A dependant of a person may recover damages under Part III of the Wrongs Act 1958 in respect of the death of a participant. (6) Where an award of damages in accordance with this section is to include an amount, assessed as a 15 lump sum, in respect of damages for future loss which is referable to-- (a) deprivation or impairment of earning capacity; or (b) loss of the expectation of financial support; 20 or (c) a liability to incur expenditure in the future; or (d) any loss suffered by a dependant-- the present value of the future loss must be 25 qualified by adopting a discount rate of 6 per centum in order to make appropriate allowance for inflation, the income from investment of the sum awarded and the effect of taxation of that income. (7) Except as provided by sub-section (6), nothing in 30 that sub-section affects any other law relating to the discounting of sums awarded as damages. 17 541PM9B.I1-15/5/2002 BILL LC CIRCULATION 25-10-2004

 


 

Adventure Activities Protection Act 2002 Act No. PART 3--DAMAGES IN RESPECT OF DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY s. 17 (8) A court must not, in relation to an award of damages in accordance with this section, order the payment of interest, and no interest shall be payable, on any amount of damages, other than 5 damages referable to loss actually suffered before the date of the award, in respect of the period from the date of the death or injury to the participant in respect of whom the award is made to the date of the award. 10 (9) Except as provided by sub-section (8), nothing in that sub-section affects any other law relating to the payment of interest on any amount of damages, other than special damages. 17. Assessment of impairment 15 (1) In this Part, a reference to the assessment of a degree of impairment in accordance with this section is a reference to an assessment-- (a) made in accordance with-- (i) the A.M.A. Guides; or 20 (ii) the methods prescribed for the purposes of this section-- and in accordance with operational guidelines (if any) as to the use of those Guides or methods issued by the Minister; 25 and (b) if the Minister has approved a training course in the application of those Guides or methods, made by a medical practitioner who has successfully completed such a 30 training course. (2) In assessing a degree of impairment under sub- section (1), regard must not be had to any psychiatric or psychological injury, impairment or symptoms arising as a consequence of, or 35 secondary to, a physical injury. 18 541PM9B.I1-15/5/2002 BILL LC CIRCULATION 25-10-2004

 


 

Adventure Activities Protection Act 2002 Act No. PART 3--DAMAGES IN RESPECT OF DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY s. 18 (3) For the purposes of assessing the degree of psychiatric impairment, the A.M.A. Guides apply, subject to any regulations made for the purposes of this section, as if for Chapter 14 there were 5 substituted the Clinical Guidelines to the Rating of Psychiatric Impairment prepared by the Medical Panel (Psychiatry) Melbourne, Victoria October 1997 and published in the Government Gazette. (4) In this section "A.M.A. Guides" means the 10 American Medical Association's Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment (Fourth Edition) (other than Chapter 15) as modified by this Act and any regulations made under this Act. 18. Where no Insurer 15 Where there is no Insurer, this Part shall, with any necessary modification, apply as if the Operator were the Insurer. __________________ 19 541PM9B.I1-15/5/2002 BILL LC CIRCULATION 25-10-2004

 


 

Adventure Activities Protection Act 2002 Act No. PART 3--DAMAGES IN RESPECT OF DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY Sch. SCHEDULE Section 9(3) For the purposes of section 9(3), activities which may be specified as an Operator's approved adventure activities include, but are not limited to-- (a) abseiling; 5 (b) canoeing and kayaking; (c) cattle drives and musters; (d) fishing; (e) four wheel drive tours; (f) hang gliding; 10 (g) hiking or bush walking; (h) horse riding and horse trail riding; (i) hot air balloon flights; (j) light aeroplane and ultra light plane flights; (k) mountain bike riding; 15 (l) rafting, including white water rafting; (m) rock climbing, whether indoors or outdoors and whether on a natural or man-made surface; (n) snow skiing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing and snowplay with the aid of toboggans, ski-bobs or inflatable devices; 20 (o) trail bike riding; (p) any activity designed to simulate any of the activities listed above and the natural environment in which that activity is usually conducted, for the purposes of teaching the skills necessary to undertake that activity. 20 541PM9B.I1-15/5/2002 BILL LC CIRCULATION 25-10-2004

 


 

Adventure Activities Protection Act 2002 Act No. Endnotes ENDNOTES By Authority. Government Printer for the State of Victoria. 21 541PM9B.I1-15/5/2002 BILL LC CIRCULATION 25-10-2004

 


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