Page 2468 - Week 09 - Tuesday, 7 August 1990
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years later they were raised again. I understand that the Labor Party has had a member representing Canberra in the Federal Parliament since 1980, but it did not do anything about solving the problems from 1980 to 1990. Now it suddenly sees that there is urgency and that the matter needs to be addressed. What happened in the last 10 years? Certainly, it did not bother about it then. I am surprised that it is even bothering about it now.
The other thing that I think needs to be said is that this particular select committee was set up last year - I cannot remember the exact date - and it took quite some time to consider all the evidence put before it, speak to as many people as possible and come up with the recommendations.
Mr Jensen: It was 26 July 1989.
MRS NOLAN: It was 26 July 1989. It reported in February. The Labor Party did not even have a representative on that committee. Obviously, it was not too concerned about it then either, to get all the evidence that was required.
Mrs Grassby: We were not - not when you have an executive deputy as the chairman. We told you that.
Mr Collaery: That has nothing to do with that committee.
Mrs Grassby: It does.
Mr Jensen: It was a select committee, Ellnor.
MRS NOLAN: It was a select committee, and you could have put forward a nomination. I would like to go back to the problems that the committee saw with legislative control. They include rents and the basic rights in connection with the ownership of property. The committee doubted then that prescriptive legislation could ever restore a relationship that has reached the point at which inconceivable differences exist. We believe that this particular code, which is worked through by both the landlords and tenants, backed by a fair trading Act which will give teeth to that code will be the most satisfactory solution to the problems that people have mentioned occur in the industry.
We all accept that there are some problems, and in this way they will be addressed. They will not be left for 10 years as the Labor Party has done. For 10 years it had the opportunity to introduce either a code or prescriptive legislation, as it has favoured this evening, but it did absolutely nothing about it. The committee is pleased that the Government will be introducing the code very soon. It is hopeful that the two parties can sit down and that an amicable arrangement can be worked through.
I am also hopeful that the fair trading legislation will be introduced very soon and that it will address not only issues that relate to the landlord and tenant but also issues that relate to the retail trader and the consumer
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