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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1999 Week 9 Hansard (31 August) . . Page.. 2613 ..

MR STEFANIAK: In relation to the first question, the training, from what I can gather, is in fact adequate. In terms of it not being powerful enough, there have been some problems, which you would expect with a system like that. To my knowledge, they have been largely sorted out. One recent problem meant that some reports were delayed - not by an inordinate amount of time, but more by a matter of a few days.

In terms of the third point that Mr Berry raised, that is something that might happen in the future. Obviously, with any new system the idea is to iron out the bugs early so that people are not affected adversely. Obviously, it is of great concern to the department to sort out the problems there. I would hope, Mr Berry, that all the problems have been sorted out and the problem you anticipate will not occur at the end of the year.

MR BERRY: Mr Speaker, I have a supplementary question for the Minister. Would the Minister care to detail to the Assembly the steps he has taken to ensure that end-of-year reports will not be delayed?

MR STEFANIAK: Mr Berry, I think you are well aware of some problems with mid-year reports which did mean that some were available in the first week of the third term rather than right at the end of the second term. My understanding there is that work was done to ensure that that problem was rectified. I intend to ensure that problems like that simply do not occur in future. I hope that the rectification of that problem will mean that there will be no repetition, certainly for the end-of-year reports. To my knowledge, that problem has been rectified, but I will certainly reinforce with the department the need to ensure that anything further that has to be done is done and is done in a timely manner.

MS TUCKER: My question is directed to Mr Humphries in his role as Minister for Justice and Community Safety. Minister, you will recall that in December 1997 the Assembly passed the Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Act 1997, which required that landlords advertising the rental of residential premises advise potential lessees of the energy efficiency rating of the premises, if such a rating existed. The Act was meant to tie in with the Energy Efficient Ratings (Sale of Premises) Act 1997, which came into effect on 31 March 1999. It has come to my attention that, despite the existence of the Act, virtually none of the advertisements in the newspapers for rental properties has contained an energy efficiency rating. Could you please explain whether you have taken any action to implement the Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Act?

MR HUMPHRIES: Mr Speaker, I recall writing to someone - I think it was Ms Tucker - recently on this subject. I think she wrote to me asking much the same sort of question and I think my answer is on its way back to her at the moment. I recall signing it, but it may have been sent off for further amendment.

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