Page 1028 - Week 04 - Thursday, 7 May 2020
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protection of that information and that entire system is based on correctly identifying the actual owners. Whilst fraud has been rare, it has occurred. This seems to be a reasonable balance and it does achieve a legitimate purpose.
The second issue raised by scrutiny is the automatic adoption provision contained in the national law. This provides that a change agreed at the national level will be adopted in the ACT. The government has responded by noting that no change is to be undertaken without at least a 75 per cent majority nationally. There will be notification and transition periods and, should a national amendment really be incompatible or unacceptable, it can be changed by local amendment in the ACT.
We have had communication to the effect that the minister is happy to give an undertaking that the government will table any changes to the e-conveyancing national law, for the benefit of the Assembly. I note that the Attorney-General is nodding his head. If that is the case, it would provide an extra level of certainty and scrutiny, and we support such an undertaking. Lastly, there is the government amendment, which relates to timing to provide the best and smoothest transition, and we will support that amendment.
In conclusion, I thank Mr Ramsay’s office for providing briefings, particularly Brooke Thomas and Michael White in this case. While noting the issues that have been raised and discussed, we are satisfied with the balance of safeguards that is in place, and that this will be an improved system. We hope it can be implemented effectively and quickly.
MS LE COUTEUR (Murrumbidgee) (5.34): I was thinking when we wrote this that I needed to help the Assembly to get through the rest of today’s business, but I am actually confident now that we will do so. Nonetheless, I will speak very briefly on the bills.
The Greens will be supporting both of these bills, as well as the government amendment. Electronic conveyancing did seem to us to be a sensible idea when the bills were first introduced, particularly given that the rest of Australia has gone down that route. But with COVID-19 it now seems to be even more sensible. At this point in time, clearly, we must have fewer people meeting each other and passing around papers. I think this bill is very timely, and it is one that the Greens will be supporting.
MR RAMSAY (Ginninderra—Attorney-General, Minister for the Arts, Creative Industries and Cultural Events, Minister for Building Quality Improvement, Minister for Business and Regulatory Services and Minister for Seniors and Veterans) (5.35), in reply: I am pleased to close the debate. I thank both Mr Hanson, on behalf of the Liberals, and Ms Le Couteur, on behalf of the Greens, for their support. While I may not be quite as brief as Ms Le Couteur was, I will certainly be keeping my speech short.
I welcome the opportunity for the Assembly to debate the Electronic Conveyancing National Law (ACT) Bill and the Land Titles (Electronic Conveyancing) Legislation Amendment Bill. Together they provide Canberrans with a more efficient and secure framework for their property transactions. The Electronic Conveyancing National
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