Page 1587 - Week 05 - Thursday, 2 June 2022
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If there is anything that can be read out of the federal election result across seats far and wide across the nation—city and country, regional and rural—it is that Australians are sick and tired of this sort of politics. Hopefully, as I said, the door is now slammed shut on this forever.
MR DAVIS: Chief Minister, would you support the Australian Greens’ calls for the establishment of a federal minister for equality and LGBTQIA+ human rights commissioner?
MR BARR: It certainly is important that those issues are examined. I take the role seriously, and I am the territory’s minister for equality. That is part of my portfolio responsibilities as the first minister. Given the Prime Minister’s track record over his career as an advocate for our community, he may well wish to take a leadership role there or, potentially, give responsibility to a particular minister, or—depending on the nature of reforms that are being pursued—it would be appropriate that a number of ministers contribute to work to improve outcomes for LGBTIQ+ people in Australia.
In relation to a human rights commission, it is really not for me to comment. I do not run that organisation, but I know that the arrangements that we have in place in the ACT work effectively. To the extent that other jurisdictions want to pick up on our arrangements, I would welcome that.
I ask that further questions be placed on the notice paper.
Supplementary answers to questions without notice
Building—combustible cladding
MS LEE: Yesterday in question time Mr Cain asked Mr Gentleman a question, which was: “Minister, why won’t your government agree to waive development application fees for remediation works?” Mr Gentleman came back to the chamber and said, “Madam Speaker, in relation to my answer to Mr Cain on combustible cladding, I can advise that no DA fees are applicable.” I just wanted to give the minister an opportunity to confirm, given the confusion that we had today in question time, that that was in direct response to Mr Cain’s question, which specifically said—and I will repeat it—“Why won’t your government agree to waive development application fees for remediation works?”
MR GENTLEMAN: I had a message from Minister Vassarotti during question time with regard to Ms Lee’s question earlier. Minister Vassarotti has advised that Ms Lee has misrepresented her. At the forum, Minister Vassarotti was referring to building levies. Minister Vassarotti has also asked me to provide the following for the benefit of members.
There has been some discussion of the fact that some of the regulatory fees associated with remediation work should be waived for this group of people. Replacing the cladding on a building is development application exempt. However, there are building levies that apply to all building work.
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