Page161 - Week 01 - Thursday, 3 December 2020

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Given the increased profile of this regulator, we do not believe that it would be helpful to introduce a new statutory officer that has duplicated roles and would actually confuse the items.

We did agree to the next recommendations on establishing a comprehensive audit scheme. We also looked at the issue of strengthening the disputes processes that were identified in these recommendations, but, again, we have already established an independent statutory officer to look at these issues.

MR PARTON: Minister, given the Labor-Greens government’s failure to deliver building quality outcomes so far, how can you guarantee that there will be an independent oversight function for building quality without the appointment of a dedicated building commissioner as an independent officer?

MS VASSAROTTI: Again I question the premise of the question, given that there has been a reform process that has been going on since 2013. The issues of building quality are a significant community concern and are not just within the ACT but are a national issue. There has been a significant body of work that has already happened. Most of the recommendations from the 2016 report have been delivered. There is a commitment for more work to be done and a significant program of reform to continue.

MRS JONES: With continued concern about a crisis in building quality—

Mr Gentleman: Madam Speaker, I have a point of order.

MADAM SPEAKER: Yes, Mr Gentleman.

Mr Gentleman: There have now been a number of questions from the opposition that have preamble in them. A supplementary question should go straight to the question.

MRS JONES: It is not a preamble if you start with the word “with”. That does not necessarily constitute a preamble, does it, Madam Speaker?

MADAM SPEAKER: I bring everybody’s attention to not just you and not just this supplementary.

MRS JONES: Is this a preamble?

MADAM SPEAKER: Mrs Jones, I ask you to start again with your question.

MRS JONES: With continued concern about a crisis in building quality, what quality assurance will change in the coming year?

MS VASSAROTTI: There is still a significant body of work in terms of reforming building quality issues, and a second stage will commence. Some key issues that we will be looking at include addressing issues of licences and accountability for the people designing, building, certifying and contracting off the plan; looking at


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