Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .

Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1998 Week 8 Hansard (29 October) . . Page.. 2520 ..

MR SMYTH (continuing):

Down the track there will always be the possibility that the home owner will be the victim, and the Labor Party want to ensure that this does not happen.

Labor, when they were in office, did nothing about this. What we have now is actually another level of guarantee. The certifiers will have to have liability insurance, Mr Speaker, and home owners who feel that they have been dudded can certainly take it out on the certifier. The press release says:

Also, this Bill does nothing to address the issue of possible collusion amongst builders and building surveyors, which would only disadvantage home owners. Furthermore, the process of appeal is limited.

Mr Hargreaves, in his speech, identified the part of the Act that strengthens that. That could happen now. I do not believe it does, but clause 8 of the Construction Practitioners Registration Bill says:

A registered construction practitioner is not entitled to perform services as a certifier in relation to construction work if he or she has an interest in the work.

So, in Mr Hargreaves' own words, Mr Speaker, it is tighter, it is quicker and it is cheaper, but it is not good enough for the Labor Party. I stand amazed.

Mr Hargreaves also raised the point that we would not let the AMA oversee the medical arena. That is a good point, but we are not seeking to have the MBA or the HIA do the certifying. This Government will have its role, and it will keep its role, to protect the people of the ACT.

These are three good Bills. These are three Bills that, after a three-year process, go forward. They offer a better process. According to Mr Hargreaves' own words, it is a cheaper, quicker, tighter process. These Bills should be voted in favour of by all members here this evening. Even the New South Wales ALP this year have put legislation in place that will allow private certification in New South Wales. This is a step forward. This offers the people of the ACT a better service. In Mr Hargreaves' own words, it offers a tighter, quicker and cheaper service. I commend the three Bills to the house.

Question resolved in the affirmative.

Bill agreed to in principle.

Leave granted to dispense with the detail stage.

Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .