Ministerial Statement

STRATA AND COMMUNITY TITLE REFORM

The Hon. M.J. ATKINSON (Croydon—Attorney-General, Minister for Justice, Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Minister for Veterans' Affairs) (14:02): I seek leave to make a ministerial statement.

Leave granted.

Ms CHAPMAN: I have a point of order, sir. In relation to the question of leave, I wonder whether the member is doing this as the Premier, Acting Premier, Attorney-General or Minister for Infrastructure?

The SPEAKER: There is no point of order. The Attorney-General has the call.

The Hon. M.J. ATKINSON: I will be doing it in my capacity as the hero of Frome. I thought all the hub-hub was their saying aye to my seeking leave—but I was mistaken. Late last year on behalf of the government, in my capacity as Attorney-General, I published for comment a draft bill proposing amendments to the Community Titles Act 1996 and the Strata Titles Act 1998, together with a discussion paper which explains the effect of the draft bill. The purpose of the proposed reforms is to improve consumer protection for the buyers and owners of community lots and strata units.

Since publication of my letter telling interested parties and the public to make submissions before 9 February this year, I have been contacted by industry representatives, constituents and consumers asking for more time in which to respond.

Mrs Redmond interjecting:

The Hon. M.J. ATKINSON: I say to the member for Heysen huala, thankyou. This proposed bill is an important reform with wide-reaching implications for many South Australians, and my department is seeking as much comment as possible. Therefore, I have determined to extend the period of consultation by one month to 9 March 2009. I am reassured by interested parties that this extension will provide adequate time for response to the important matter that necessarily must be canvassed. I encourage anyone who would like to make any comment on the government's proposal to do so. I pledge that we will consider comment before returning to cabinet for approval of the bill to be introduced to parliament.