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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2001 Week 3 Hansard (6 March) . . Page.. 659 ..

MR RUGENDYKE (9.07): I support the Attorney-General's amendment. I make note that the amendments to this division essentially are modelled on provisions I had included in my own leases bill and I am extremely pleased that Mr Stanhope is supporting my approach to this matter in such a forthright manner. This is a long overdue addition to this system and it is much needed to stamp out unscrupulous behaviour from landlords in relation to evictions.

This amendment sets out clear procedures for the termination of leases by landlords. It sets out rights of tenants in this process and outlines the process for evictions. In essence, this will prevent landlords from locking out tenants and other such bullying tactics when disputes arise. This is a sensible step, for the reasons outlined by Mr Stanhope. It has to be stressed, though, that the government did not see fit to include this provision in its bill. The government's bill was so slanted towards the top end of town that this basic requirement of small business was ignored.

While I remain dismayed that my bill was rejected by the Assembly, I take some solace from this part of my reforms being salvaged in the interests of small business owners in the ACT. I thank members for supporting these very wise amendments.

Mr Stefaniak's amendment No 1 to Mr Stanhope's proposed amendment No 20 agreed to.

Mr Stanhope's amendment No 20, as amended, agreed to.

Proposed new clauses 107A and 107B agreed to.

Clause 108.

MR STANHOPE (Leader of the Opposition) (9.09): Mr Speaker, I move amendment No 21 circulated in my name [see schedule 4 part 1 at page 720].

This amendment simply omits the heading of the division and replaces it with a new heading, "Determination by tenant", which reflects the content of the division.

Amendment agreed to.

Clause 108, as amended, agreed to.

Clauses 109 and 110, by leave, taken together and agreed to.

Clause 111.

MR STANHOPE (Leader of the Opposition) (9.10): The Labor Party will be voting against this clause.

MR RUGENDYKE (9.10): I, too, will be opposing clause 111.

Clause 111 negatived.

Clause 112 agreed to.

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