Page 2402 - Week 08 - Thursday, 6 June 2013
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Through red tape reduction I have been working with the sector and have already announced changes to align ACT legislation with the requirements of the new Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission—the ACNC—in eliminating duplication from the two levels of government. We have introduced changes to the threshold at which audit requirements for incorporated associations increase. This has the potential to save more than $400,000 a year across the ACT sector. We have increased reporting periods from six months to 12 months, and I have received agreement across government for this to be a whole-of-government approach.
Supermarkets—Bonner
MR COE: My question is to the Minister for the Environment and Sustainable Development. Specifically, it is in relation to the planning and implementation of the government’s supermarket policy, particularly in Gungahlin. Minister, why did ACTPLA defend the Bonner supermarket in ACAT and how much money has the government spent on legal fees for this matter?
MR CORBELL: I thank Mr Coe for the question. The government was engaged in the ACAT action as a result of a compliance order that was taken in relation to the size of the Bonner supermarket. It became a party to the proceedings in that way, which is the normal course of action for ACTPLA in that regard. In relation to the costs, I would have to take the question on notice.
MADAM SPEAKER: Mr Coe, a supplementary.
MR COE: Minister, in the event that a commercial proponent breaches a lease condition, what steps will the government take?
MR CORBELL: The planning authority can take compliance action in relation to a breach of a lease. That has a range of steps that go through an attempt to, first of all, ensure compliance through voluntary means on the part of the leaseholder, through to more formal courses of action, including seeking orders through the ACAT and so on. In relation to the matter at Bonner which Mr Coe referred to in his earlier question, the issue at Bonner was determined by the ACAT to not be a substantive breach of the lease. That was the tribunal’s decision. As a result there is no further action in relation to that matter at this time, although I am aware of concerns from other supermarket operators in the area, and I have to say that I share their concerns. But given the decision of the tribunal, it is a difficult situation that the planning authority is in.
MADAM SPEAKER: Supplementary question, Mrs Jones.
MRS JONES: If a supermarket breaches a lease condition, has the government ordered a rectification or will it order one?
MR CORBELL: In many instances the government will order a rectification, but it will depend on the specific circumstances. In relation to the instance at Bonner, it is important to reiterate that the tribunal determined that, whilst there was a breach, no
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