Page 1211 - Week 04 - Tuesday, 2 April 2019
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These guidelines cannot be finally made by me unless and until the bill is passed. However, because of the strong interest in this aspect of the bill, I have arranged for the draft guidelines to be made public in advance of today’s debate. They provide examples of commonly encountered capital maintenance and capital replacement issues to assist residents, village operators and other industry participants. To mention just a few examples, the draft guidelines deal with how to classify certain types of repairs to the village bus, swimming pools, gardens, kitchen equipment, furniture and floorcoverings.
I understand that the division of cost between residents and operators on capital maintenance and replacement is a significant issue and that some people have strong views about it. The bill does not make fundamental changes to the funding model for retirement villages. That was never its aim. The bill does make changes to improve the operation of the existing provisions and, in particular, to reduce the current levels of uncertainty about the difference between capital maintenance and replacement. While there may continue to be some different views, I am confident that we have heard, understood and, as far as possible, addressed the concerns in the community about these amendments. As I said before, doing nothing in this space was simply not an option.
I am pleased to note that the approach that the bill takes has the support of the Retirement Village Residents Association, who have worked tirelessly with my directorate to support the development of this solution. Like Ms Lawder, I particularly note the work of Pamela Graudenz and Alistair Christie. I thank them for their efforts to help us find a way through what has been an at times challenging discussion but one on which it is nonetheless very important to get the best outcome we can. I believe that the bill and the draft guidelines are fair and balanced and will assist residents and operators to understand their respective rights and obligations.
As I said at the outset, this bill is the culmination of a collaborative effort over several years between the government and the people who live and work in our retirement villages in the territory. It is part of the government’s ongoing commitment to ensuring that everyone has access to secure housing that meets their needs and strengthens their sense of community. I am pleased to commend the bill to the Assembly.
Question resolved in the affirmative.
Bill agreed to in principle.
Leave granted to dispense with the detail stage.
Bill agreed to.
Adjournment
Motion (by Mr Gentleman) proposed:
That the Assembly do now adjourn.
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