Page 2453 - Week 09 - Tuesday, 7 August 1990
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they are. The practical framework of cooperation will result in an accepted, not an imposed arbitrary, basis. It will be agreed to by industry. I have every confidence that it will result in an effective, low cost dispute resolution mechanism. I am very happy to say that all the players in this affair are working in harmony with our respective government groups - my department, the Chief Minister's Department and the Consumer Affairs Bureau - and we hold great promise for the outcome of those negotiations.
Mr Acting Speaker, the Government will consider the need to make specific provision in legislation for some important matters, to which I alluded earlier. This is an approach that gives the industry an opportunity to work out its own destiny, with a minimum of government involvement. But it recognises that there is a role for government in ensuring that an appropriate legal, protective framework exists to ensure the success of the code of practice and harmony in the business sector.
Mr Acting Speaker, of course, the fair trading legislation will be a measure dealing with broader matters than merely the issue of commercial tenancies. It is an important initiative for the Alliance Government in the consumer affairs area. It is designed to complement the Federal Trade Practices Act and will address a range of unfair and anti-competitive marketing practices with which, unfortunately, it is necessary to deal in order to protect consumers and minimise the distortion of a competitive marketplace.
I might add and put on record now that it was a Labor government that sold the Belconnen Mall, and I believe the tenants of Westfield plaza have that to remember and rue. Similarly, the framework for codes of practice established by legislation will be a facility which other sectors of industry may well be able to utilise and a facility and a model in this Territory for cooperation between labour and capital. That will be a significant achievement of this Government.
Mr Acting Speaker, since 6 June, when the Chief Minister conveyed the Government's response to the select committee's report, we have been actively trying to get the process of developing the code under way. Meetings are under way at the moment. The industry has welcomed the Government's approach, as has the Commercial and Retail Tenants Association. At this point, I am confident that the code can be agreed on quickly, and that, by seeking the cooperation of industry, the Government will be able to achieve in a short time a long overdue reform in this important field from which successive Labor governments shied away and which they had no courage to tackle.
MRS GRASSBY, by leave: Mr Acting Speaker, I table our policy as set out in this letter:
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