Page 5076 - Week 13 - Thursday, 29 November 2018

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for unit-titled retirement villages have also been updated in this bill. Voting in these villages will use the process in the Unit Titles (Management) Act.

The bill makes amendments to the Civil Law (Sale of Residential Property) Act which will reduce the cost burden of selling a unit in a unit-titled retirement village. Sellers of units in these villages will be able to make certain due diligence documents about the property, such as a building and compliance report or pest inspection report, available to prospective buyers for inspection at a later stage in the sales process, no later than 14 days prior to the contract of sale being made.

This removes any need for duplicate copies in circumstances where a unit has remained on the market for a long period of time. The bill strikes a balance between supporting sellers and protecting the rights of buyers. Consumer protection has been prioritised by the creation of two strict liability offences which impose financial penalties on sellers who fail to make required documents available for inspection by a buyer within the time frames specified by the act.

The Retirement Villages Amendment Bill 2018 is the product of a close collaboration between the government, community members and retirement villages, both residents and operators. This bill is an important step in achieving our goal of ensuring that the regulatory framework meets the needs of current and future residents and operators of retirement villages in the territory. I would like to reiterate my appreciation and gratitude for the dedication that has been shown by the members of the review advisory group and retirement village communities who have actively engaged in the process of developing this bill.

The bill provides for delayed commencement to give people time to prepare for the changes, but I am keen for these amendments to commence as soon as practicable. In particular, I would like to commence the operation of the new capital maintenance provisions as soon as practicable after passage of the bill, and certainly in time for the next financial year. I commend the bill to the Assembly.

Debate (on motion by Mr Parton) adjourned to the next sitting.

Consumer Protection Legislation Amendment Bill 2018

Mr Rattenbury, pursuant to notice, presented the bill, its explanatory statement and a Human Rights Act compatibility statement.

Title read by Clerk.

MR RATTENBURY (Kurrajong—Minister for Climate Change and Sustainability, Minister for Corrections and Justice Health, Minister for Justice, Consumer Affairs and Road Safety and Minister for Mental Health) (11.50): I move:

That this bill be agreed to in principle.

I am pleased to present the Consumer Protection Legislation Amendment Bill 2018. This bill improves consumer protection by ensuring consumers are provided with


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