Page 3042 - Week 07 - Thursday, 1 July 2010
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that revise the ACT house energy rating scheme. A public consultation session was held in May 2009 and attended by over 35 members of the community, including energy assessors, builders and representatives from the MBA, HIA and the general public. As well as addressing the licensing of energy efficiency assessors, the discussion paper also covered compliance and auditing mechanisms.
All submissions were supportive of better regulation of energy assessors, including increased compliance checking and auditing of EERs. All attendees at the session and respondents that particularly addressed the licensing related proposals were in favour of stronger regulation for both mandatory disclosure and BCA compliance. The government recognises that licensing does not ensure quality by itself. The government will also increase the level of auditing of energy ratings, which will increase access for assessors to compliance officers and advice on the legislation and assessment protocols.
This will help give consumers confidence that energy efficiency information is accurate and they are getting what they have paid for. This reform is supported by the majority of energy assessors. ACT assessors operate under a system unmatched in scope and diligence by any other scheme in Australia. The government is pleased to be introducing legislation that will further support this system and allow our industry to continue to be the benchmark for the nation. I commend the bill to the Assembly.
Debate (on motion by Mr Seselja) adjourned to the next sitting.
Planning and Development (Concessional Leases) Amendment Bill 2010
Mr Barr, pursuant to notice, presented the bill, its explanatory statement and a Human Rights Act compatibility statement.
Title read by Clerk.
MR BARR (Molonglo—Minister for Education and Training, Minister for Planning, Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation and Minister for Gaming and Racing) (10.36): I move:
That this bill be agreed to in principle.
This bill amends the Planning and Development Act. It is about concessional leases and the means of their identification. An exposure draft of this bill was publicly released for a comment period closing on 11 June this year. Comments were received from the Law Society and the Property Council.
Before I turn to the specific content of the bill, I will first outline some of the background and some of the reasons for this bill. Members would no doubt be aware that concessional leases are leases granted by the government for less than market value. Concessional leases are granted in the expectation the lessee will provide a community or economic benefit to the territory in return for obtaining the lease at a discount. Concessional leases are typically granted by direct sale to community organisations.
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