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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1996 Week 10 Hansard (4 September) . . Page.. 3101 ..

MR HUMPHRIES (continuing):

Mr Speaker, as I said, I have approved lists of mediators to be involved in the process of resolving disputes. That was at the urging of the working party. I have indicated that I am prepared to initiate a similar process to the ones initiated a year ago at the Woden Plaza, more recently at the Hyperdome and at the Belconnen Mall, if that is felt to be appropriate by the tenants there. I have spent a large amount of time in the last 18 months talking to tenants, both because they have come to me and because I have gone to them. I will continue to adopt that approach. I hope, Mr Speaker, that members of this place will be prepared to not undercut the work of those that we ask to assist us in a consultative way to resolve problems in the operation of legislation, a la the working party, and that they will not devalue the contribution they make by saying, "We will not await the result of your report. We are prepared to act now to decide issues which are presently within the charge of this particular working party". That is not fair; that is not appropriate. I would urge members not to go down that path. Mr Moore's legislation might well be appropriate to consider when the working party has brought down its report. If it is, I will be happy to support it then.

MR WOOD (5.54): Mr Speaker, the Opposition's interest in this matter continues at the same high level as it did when we were in government. We introduced the Act and the code of practice. That was a major step at that time. Mr Connolly reached a level of agreement on the code of practice which, of course, did not satisfy all parties on all issues. It seems to me now that, following a number of judgments, references to the tribunal are proceeding a little more rapidly than they did formerly. The point of particular interest to me is that for some time we have had under way the review of the Act and the code of practice. I am torn on this matter, in that the complexity of the issues indicates that it is a considerable task which will take some time; on the other hand, there is a need for it to proceed as rapidly as possible to bring about changes that may be needed. I hope that the Minister is able to give it every assistance so that it proceeds as rapidly as possible. There is one message in that. The complexity of the tasks that it is looking at suggests that we need the refinement that its consideration can bring; it is looking at issues in total and not looking at issues in isolation. I think we need that consideration and, with it, that refinement, so that in the end the changes that do come - and I am sure there will be some - are to the benefit of the community and do not confuse the issue any further.

MS HORODNY (5.56): Mr Speaker, the Greens will be supporting this Bill. The situation for small businesses in Canberra is serious, and there are many factors which are contributing to this. They include extended trading hours, unfair rents, expansion of trading space and the concentration of retail space in the hands of a few players. We have all heard stories about landlords pushing up rents and unfairly bringing in competitors to squeeze people out. While I am aware that there is a review of the Tenancy Tribunal Act and the code being conducted at the moment, we cannot wait until this has reported to help some of the people for whom it will be too late. The Assembly has to act now to keep businesses in this town alive. There are measures that we can put in place now, and one of these is before us today with Mr Moore's amendments to the Tenancy Tribunal Act. The Greens hope that the retail inquiry will look at a range of other measures, including longer-term measures to ensure that we are maintaining retail diversity and competition in this town. Of course, we can never prop up inefficient businesses, and those who cannot adapt to the times will have to get out. But some do not even have the breathing space to smarten up their act. There are gross inequities and distortions in the retail market.

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