Page 1382 - Week 05 - Tuesday, 3 May 2016
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The management of capital items, including capital maintenance and replacement, was raised by multiple stakeholders during public consultation. Submissions received during public consultation suggested that the current definitions of “capital item”, “capital maintenance” and “capital replacement” lack clarity and may lead to tension between residents and operators about who is responsible for the item and the difference between maintenance and replacement. The bill proposes amendments to the regulation to clarify the meaning of capital maintenance.
This bill does not give effect to every recommendation made in the review report. The report identified a number of significant areas which require further development, and these will be progressed by the government at a later date.
Two retirement villages in the ACT are regulated by both the Retirement Villages Act and the Unit Titles (Management) Act 2011. Feedback received during public forums and in written submissions indicated a need for amendment to the act to address issues of administrative duplication and ambiguity. The report recommends that further consideration be given to amending the act and Unit Titles (Management) Act to remove this duplication. It has not been possible to prepare amendments to deal with this complex issue in time to include them in this bill. I have asked JACS to give further consideration to these issues as second stage reforms.
Some submissions received during the review raised the issue of affordability of retirement villages. It was suggested that the review consider amendment of the act to facilitate more affordable options for village accommodation. Some submissions suggested that renting units in retirement villages would be a more affordable option. Other submissions raised concern about rental arrangements in retirement villages adversely affecting the security of ingoing contributions. The report recommends that further consideration be given to developing amendments to the act to encourage operators to provide rental accommodation in retirement villages. Again, I have asked the JACS directorate to give further consideration to these issues as second stage reforms.
The review also recommends that a working group be formed to develop standard documents. The act provides for the preparation of a number of standardised documents, including the general inquiry document, standard condition report, proposed annual budget, village contract and safety inspection report. This is another matter to be progressed at a later stage.
This bill will make a number of very practical amendments to the Retirement Villages Act. It balances between various stakeholder interests and will achieve a better, smoother system for all involved. I commend the bill to the Assembly.
Debate (on motion by Mr Smyth) adjourned to the next sitting.
Workers Compensation Amendment Bill 2016
Mr Gentleman, by leave, presented the bill, its explanatory statement and a Human Rights Act compatibility statement.
Title read by Clerk.
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