Page 869 - Week 03 - Wednesday, 21 March 2018
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manage these problems as best we can while we are making improvements to the system and working with industry to improve practices.
We have a reform package supported by industry and the community, but we are happy for other views on what needs to be done, so we invite the relevant Assembly committees to consider whether they wish to do anything extra. I note that the Standing Committee on Economic Development and Tourism has written to Minister Ramsay and me asking for information on the progress of the reforms. We will respond to the committee separately.
While they are considering, we will continue to build on the reforms that we have already introduced and keep working to complete those reforms. And we will do it in a way that makes sure that they are effective. I thank Mr Parton for his motion. I move the amendment that has been circulated in my name:
Omit all words after “That this Assembly”, substitute:
“(1) notes that:
(a) the Government has an obligation to provide a proper and effective regulatory framework to ensure the building industry delivers high quality property construction outcomes;
(b) poor construction quality across the building industry not only endangers the safety of those involved in construction activity but potentially the safety of building occupants;
(c) poor quality construction can have severe financial impacts on those who, in good faith, have purchased a defective structure;
(d) major industry bodies agree that substantial and fundamental improvements in design and construction regulatory disciplines are urgently needed;
(e) industry bodies have expressed strong support for strengthening the regulatory framework governing construction standards and also support clamping down on builders that don’t comply with standards;
(f) the Government is aware of the detrimental effects on the community and industry of poorly designed and constructed buildings which is why it has implemented, and continues to implement, a series of reforms arising from a review of the ACT building regulatory system;
(g) these reforms consisted of 43 separate proposals that make a major contribution to strengthening regulation of Canberra’s building industry;
(h) the Building and Construction Legislation Amendment Act 2016, passed in August 2016, implements or establishes the foundation for many of the reforms;
(i) the reforms are wide-reaching and target all stages of the regulatory system—from training, licensing and design to the construction process and through to resolving post-occupancy disputes;
(j) due to the changes being extensive, results across the industry may take some time to be realised; and
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