Page 104 - Week 02 - Wednesday, 24 May 1989
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because of the shortage of rental accommodation, the planned nature of the ACT limits the availability of different qualities of rentable accommodation such as you would find in other cities and towns throughout Australia, where you do have a range of opportunities. In the ACT there is almost no cheap accommodation available whatsoever, so all commercial tenants are under great pressure to accept the market rate. They are not in a position to negotiate.
In straight business terms one might think that one should not interfere in that market. We believe that there is justification for the introduction of legislation and that matter will be given some priority by the Government. In so doing we will continue the talks which we have already had with the Small Business Association and various retailer groups. It will be done in such a way that it does not impede investment or is not seen to impede or prevent investment in those sorts of areas.
MR COLLAERY: I ask a supplementary question of the Minister for Industry, Employment and Education. The Minister has mentioned the balanced concern that he has in his portfolio for the commercial tenants. I ask the Minister whether the fact that tenants at the Belconnen Mall, now known as Westfield Place, are unable to form any association or grouping to take any action whatsoever if they wish their leases to be renewed is consistent with the philosophy that the Minister has just outlined, in view of the fact that he was the adviser to the Federal Government at the time of the sale of Belconnen Mall?
MR WHALAN: I must say that I appreciate that further supplementary question, which I think is appropriate. The sorts of things that happen in the tight market that we have is that people are forced, illegally, to use residential premises for commercial purposes. It is quite a difficulty, and that is the sort of issue, as part of a review of this situation, that we should be addressing. I do sympathise with Mr Collaery's concern for retail tenants in all shopping centres.
I think it is totally abhorrent that any group of retailers should be prevented from joining together to form an organisation or lobby group within their particular shopping centre. I am surprised about that and I would ask the people who attend to these matters of business regulation within the department to report to me on that.
ASBESTOS INSULATION
MR HUMPHRIES: My question is directed to the Minister for Housing and Urban Services. I refer the Minister to an article in the Canberra "Chronicle" of 16 May entitled "Answering the Asbestos Puzzle". In that article there is an interview with Mr Keith McKenry, the General Manager of
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