Autonomy for the ACT over its laws has come a step closer through a key decision by a high-powered federal parliamentary committee.
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The social policy committee is recommending the House of Representatives pass a Bill that would allow the territory to make laws without the fear of being overridden by the federal government.
Parliament is expected to debate and pass the Bill in two weeks, meaning the end of federal cabinet's arbitrary veto over the ACT could be declared formally dead by the end of next month.
The legislation from the Greens would take away the power of the governor-general, acting on cabinet's advice, to disallow or amend any act of the Legislative Assembly of the ACT and NT.
It means the laws of both territories could be overturned only if both houses of federal Parliament agree.
The federal veto powers were used by the Howard government in 2006 to overturn the ACT civil union laws, arguing that marriage should be between a man and a woman.
Some conservative Labor senators complained the Bill could open the way for gay marriage.
After they retired mid-year, and minor changes were made to the Bill, it was supported by the Labor caucus.
With the Coalition expected to oppose the Bill in the House, Labor MPs and the Greens' Adam Bandt will need the support of three Independents to pass the legislation.
Independent Andrew Wilkie said last night he would support the Bill when the vote was taken.
Greens leader Bob Brown said the endorsement of the social policy committee gave him hope the Bill had a good chance of passing the House of Representatives, which resumes on October 11.
''I expect it will be dealt with in the next week of sittings,'' he said.
Senator Brown will now lobby the Independents to vote for the Bill.
The Bill will be included in government time in the House, giving it a good chance of being debated soon.
However a spokeswoman for Anthony Albanese, the leader of Government business, pointed out that the House had a busy schedule dealing with legislation for the carbon tax and off-shore processing of asylum-seekers.
The committee said the Bill had undergone sound community consultation and scrutiny during the Senate inquiry.
''The committee concludes that a further call for submissions or series of public hearings would duplicate processes without any discernible gain,'' the committee's report said.
''The committee concludes that the Bill is an important reform for self-government for the ACT and the NT and recommends that it be passed by the House of Representatives.''