❓ Ms Freeman asks the Minister for Commerce and Industrial Relations for an update on discussions with REIWA regarding amendments to the Residential Tenancies Act to support victims of family and domestic violence. The Minister confirms REIWA's support for the legislation following consultations.
AnsweredQoN 590Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
FAMILY AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE — TENANCY LAW CHANGES
590. Ms J.M. FREEMAN to the Minister for
Commerce and Industrial Relations:
I also would like
to acknowledge the member for Amritsar, from the Lok Sabha in the federal
Parliament of India, Mr Gurjeet Singh, if he is still here.
The SPEAKER :
No.
Ms J.M. FREEMAN :
He is gone? Thank you very much.
I refer to the
McGowan Labor government's commitment to supporting victims of family
and domestic violence through amendments to the Residential Tenancies Act and
the commitment it made to the house that it would consult with the Real Estate
Institute of Western Australia during the winter recess about its view on the
changes.
Can the minister
update the house on the discussions he has undertaken with the Real Estate
Institute of WA?
590. Ms J.M. FREEMAN to the Minister for
Commerce and Industrial Relations:
I also would like
to acknowledge the member for Amritsar, from the Lok Sabha in the federal
Parliament of India, Mr Gurjeet Singh, if he is still here.
The SPEAKER :
No.
Ms J.M. FREEMAN :
He is gone? Thank you very much.
I refer to the
McGowan Labor government's commitment to supporting victims of family
and domestic violence through amendments to the Residential Tenancies Act and
the commitment it made to the house that it would consult with the Real Estate
Institute of Western Australia during the winter recess about its view on the
changes.
Can the minister
update the house on the discussions he has undertaken with the Real Estate
Institute of WA?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member
for the question because I know that she is a strong advocate on behalf of
people who suffer from domestic violence. I am pleased to say that this house
passed the Residential Tenancies Legislation Amendment (Family Violence) Bill
2018 before the winter recess. I made a couple of commitments to the chamber at
that time and I will now report back on those commitments.
I said to the house
that I would be speaking with the Real Estate Institute of Western Australia. I
was very pleased to attend its boardroom lunch on 26 July to discuss a range of
matters, but in particular this important legislation that is reflective of the
work of this government, led by the Premier and particularly the state's
first Minister for Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence. Following
conversations with REIWA, Tenancy WA and Shelter WA, I can now confirm that
REIWA supports the passage of the legislation in its current form. There was a debate
at that time—REIWA had let members know that it had a potential problem
with the legislation.
However, following
further discussions between my agency—that is, the Consumer Protection
division of the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety—with
the Real Estate Institute of Western Australia, Shelter WA and Tenancy WA, I would
like to report that REIWA now supports the passage of the legislation. I will
quote from a letter that Neville Pozzi sent to me on 14 August 2017, in which
he states —
I would also like to
take this opportunity to reaffirm REIWA's support for the Bill and will
convey this support to all relevant WA members of parliament in due course.
It is particularly
pleasing that through cross-industry collaboration, we were able to secure
relevant safeguards against misuse in the prescribed forms, without delaying
the passing of the Bill.
Upon the Bill's
passing in the Upper House, REIWA will do what it can to ensure the real estate
industry is aware of the changes and what the effects will be for both property
owners and tenants.
I table a copy of
the letter from REIWA and also a copy of the draft certified family violence
report, which the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety has been
working on with the industry participants.
[See papers 1580
and 1581.]
Mr W.J. JOHNSTON :
I congratulate and thank REIWA for its strong stand in support of victims of
family and domestic violence. It supports the passage of the legislation
without delay and without any upper house inquiry, which would simply cause
more victims to suffer without access to these important changes. I thank the
Nationals WA for indicating its support of the legislation. I acknowledge that
I have committed to ensure an amendment in the upper house for a five-year
review of the legislation. That will be moved as a government amendment by my
colleague Hon Alannah MacTiernan when the bill proceeds to the upper house. I had
indicated that we would look to see whether we would need to amend the
provision about certification; however, I make it clear that we will not
proceed with that because we now have an understanding from industry, from
REIWA on behalf of landlords, and from Shelter WA and Tenancy WA on the way
that we can ensure proper protection against misuse of this important legislation.
I look forward to this legislation getting the support of all members in the
upper house now that these issues have been put to bed. I understand that REIWA
will forward correspondence, if it has not already done so, to all members to
make it clear that it supports the passage of the legislation in its current
form. As I have already committed, we will make the one amendment to allow for
a five-year review. The government is very pleased that it has been able to
take account of the issues of landlords.
I conclude by saying that I am
pleased that we have been able to work so well with industry. I compliment
particularly the staff of Consumer Protection at the Department of Mines,
Industry Regulation and Safety for their diligent work in negotiating and discussing
these issues with industry.
for the question because I know that she is a strong advocate on behalf of
people who suffer from domestic violence. I am pleased to say that this house
passed the Residential Tenancies Legislation Amendment (Family Violence) Bill
2018 before the winter recess. I made a couple of commitments to the chamber at
that time and I will now report back on those commitments.
I said to the house
that I would be speaking with the Real Estate Institute of Western Australia. I
was very pleased to attend its boardroom lunch on 26 July to discuss a range of
matters, but in particular this important legislation that is reflective of the
work of this government, led by the Premier and particularly the state's
first Minister for Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence. Following
conversations with REIWA, Tenancy WA and Shelter WA, I can now confirm that
REIWA supports the passage of the legislation in its current form. There was a debate
at that time—REIWA had let members know that it had a potential problem
with the legislation.
However, following
further discussions between my agency—that is, the Consumer Protection
division of the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety—with
the Real Estate Institute of Western Australia, Shelter WA and Tenancy WA, I would
like to report that REIWA now supports the passage of the legislation. I will
quote from a letter that Neville Pozzi sent to me on 14 August 2017, in which
he states —
I would also like to
take this opportunity to reaffirm REIWA's support for the Bill and will
convey this support to all relevant WA members of parliament in due course.
It is particularly
pleasing that through cross-industry collaboration, we were able to secure
relevant safeguards against misuse in the prescribed forms, without delaying
the passing of the Bill.
Upon the Bill's
passing in the Upper House, REIWA will do what it can to ensure the real estate
industry is aware of the changes and what the effects will be for both property
owners and tenants.
I table a copy of
the letter from REIWA and also a copy of the draft certified family violence
report, which the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety has been
working on with the industry participants.
[See papers 1580
and 1581.]
Mr W.J. JOHNSTON :
I congratulate and thank REIWA for its strong stand in support of victims of
family and domestic violence. It supports the passage of the legislation
without delay and without any upper house inquiry, which would simply cause
more victims to suffer without access to these important changes. I thank the
Nationals WA for indicating its support of the legislation. I acknowledge that
I have committed to ensure an amendment in the upper house for a five-year
review of the legislation. That will be moved as a government amendment by my
colleague Hon Alannah MacTiernan when the bill proceeds to the upper house. I had
indicated that we would look to see whether we would need to amend the
provision about certification; however, I make it clear that we will not
proceed with that because we now have an understanding from industry, from
REIWA on behalf of landlords, and from Shelter WA and Tenancy WA on the way
that we can ensure proper protection against misuse of this important legislation.
I look forward to this legislation getting the support of all members in the
upper house now that these issues have been put to bed. I understand that REIWA
will forward correspondence, if it has not already done so, to all members to
make it clear that it supports the passage of the legislation in its current
form. As I have already committed, we will make the one amendment to allow for
a five-year review. The government is very pleased that it has been able to
take account of the issues of landlords.
I conclude by saying that I am
pleased that we have been able to work so well with industry. I compliment
particularly the staff of Consumer Protection at the Department of Mines,
Industry Regulation and Safety for their diligent work in negotiating and discussing
these issues with industry.
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