Lidia Thorpe (Victoria, Independent) Share this | Hansard source

Thank you. This bill introduces changes to long-term leases to establish ownership-style leases. The affected properties will hereby become exempt from the ACT's Residential Tenancies Act, and the WBACC will no longer hold responsibility for necessary maintenance and repair of these properties. This caused concern in the community that properties, many of which are in very bad shape, would be handed over into these new homeownership-style leases, with the tenants then being responsible for potentially very extensive and costly repairs and maintenance. I'm therefore glad that the government reacted to the concerns raised through an allocation of $45.1 million over eight years, to 2031-32, to rectify the disrepair in these houses. The government has also provided a reassurance that it will cover any repair costs required beyond that commitment, as we know that estimated costs go well beyond. I would like to note, though, that after that it will be the responsibility of the tenants of these long-term lease properties to maintain them. This could be still challenging in a community that already struggles. I will not be moving my amendments today as the concerns I have raised have been addressed by the government and partially included in the government amendments we have before us today, which I will support.

I thank Minister Burney and her office for the constructive collaboration on the proposed changes and the consultation undertaken with the Wreck Bay Aboriginal Community Council on these matters. A key change is that, in a community where most members currently don't hold written leases, lease granting must be done in writing and include the terms of the lease and any other conditions. This will help provide certainty and clarity around the terms. Overall, I am hopeful that the changes in the bill will have a positive impact on the Wreck Bay community, and I'm glad that longstanding concerns around the quickly deteriorating and substandard quality of housing are finally being addressed.