Page 300 - Week 03 - Wednesday, 31 May 1989
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MR WHALAN: During the election campaign the Australian Labor Party took a very strong position in relation to the matters which are raised by Mr Collaery. The plight of retailers is a genuine one and it is one that we acknowledge. It has been aggravated by the fact that the figures published for the last quarter show that there is a downturn in real terms in retail sales. Obviously there is an expanding range of facilities and this year will see the completion of the section 38 development, the completion of extensions to Monaro Mall, the extensions at the Westfield Plaza at Belconnen Mall, further extensions and alterations at Woden Plaza, and significant new retail space has become available in the Tuggeranong town centre in addition to that which is already available at the Hyperdome and Homeworld. What is happening is that sales are contracting in real terms at a time when there is an expansion of retail space. Inevitably, this will result in hardship for retailers.
We are concerned that retail tenants, as indeed all commercial tenants, should not be disadvantaged. Therefore, during the election campaign we indicated our commitment to legislation to provide for the establishment of a business leases Act which would contain the power to review the relationship between commercial tenants and their landlords.
As we have said on a number of occasions, we do not believe that it is appropriate for governments to intervene in the commercial relationship between commercial landlords and their tenants. However, we do believe that there is a justification for ensuring that these two parties meet each other on a level playing field. It is for that reason that we would seek to make the relationship fairer. In short, I will answer yes.
MR COLLAERY: I ask a short supplementary question. Will the Minister be looking at the situation in the Village Centre in Manuka where in one case a retail tenant, a jeweller, has had a rent rise in the first year of 32 per cent, in the second year of 58 per cent, and this year of 98 per cent? How soon will the Minister bring in some regulation?
MR WHALAN: The legislation is in the pipeline, and we will seek to give it priority, but I must emphasise that it is not our policy to make legislation retrospective. It is very difficult to see how we can assist in relation to the specific example given by Mr Collaery.
HEAD OF ADMINISTRATION
MR HUMPHRIES: My question is to the Chief Minister. I refer the Minister to the controversy in the media surrounding submissions by the ACT Administration to the
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