Page 2227 - Week 06 - Thursday, 6 June 2019
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Mr Parton: Madam Speaker, I have a point of order on relevance. The question was about how the residential rates will affect the cost of renting in Canberra. It was not about home ownership; it was about the cost of renting. I ask that the minister be relevant to the question.
MADAM SPEAKER: In the minute and 15 seconds that you have left, Ms Berry.
MS BERRY: I have completed my answer, thank you.
Building—quality
MS ORR: My question is to the Minister for Building Quality Improvement. Can the minister update the Assembly on the recent budget announcement on the expansion of the building inspectorate?
MR RAMSAY: I thank Ms Orr for the question and for her very clear interest in the quality of buildings in the ACT. Just over a week ago, alongside two of our city’s hardworking, excellent building inspectors, I was very pleased to announce the biggest expansion of the building inspectorate in recent history. Sixteen additional officers across a number of functions will be working to improve the quality of buildings in Canberra because of the investment that will come from this year’s ACT budget. This more than doubles the current number of people who are on the ground working in this area for the people of Canberra.
There will be eight new inspectors to boost the rapid regulatory response team. They will be delivering over 1,000 extra inspections per year to ensure that what is being built is being built up to code. That means more assets on the ground undertaking more inspections and holding more builders to account.
There will also be four extra staff to run our builders licence exams. These staff will be ensuring that the high bar we have set to entry into the building industry will be maintained and enforced. They will be making sure that only those with the required skills and knowledge are able to obtain a licence. They will also be holding to account those renewing their licence and those who are required to sit the exam, to ensure that only those who should remain in the industry do remain in the industry.
Finally, there will also be four extra staff to undertake community and industry engagement and education. They will be crunching the numbers to look at the issues in the ACT and working with industry to make sure that industry lifts standards. They will be working with the community, developing resources and helping people to navigate buying and renovating homes. They will be making it easier and simpler for the people of the ACT to navigate our building system and increasing the level of knowledge in the community.
MS ORR: Can the minister explain how this expansion will increase building quality in the territory and help to inform consumers?
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