FIRST HOME OWNER GRANT (HOUSING GRANT REFORMS) AMENDMENT BILL

Final Stages

The Legislative Council agreed to the bill with the amendments indicated by the following schedule, to which amendments the Legislative Council desires the concurrence of the House of Assembly:

No. 1 Clause 16, page 7, line 32—Delete 'otherwise' and substitute 'other than'

No. 2 Clause 16, page 8, line 5—After 'remoter' insert 'lineal'

Consideration in committee.

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING: I move:

That the Legislative Council's amendments be agreed to.

The bill implements the government's changes to the housing assistance which were announced on 15 October and which have been welcomed by industry. The bill has passed the upper house with two minor amendments. The first amendment relates to a small drafting error that was raised during debate. This amendment ensures that the definition of 'close associate' in proposed section 18BAB(6)(e) reads correctly to say 'other than as a shareholder in a body corporate'.

The second amendment relates to another small drafting error. The second amendment ensures that the definition of 'relative' in proposed section 18BAB(7)(c) applies to only lineal descendants, which will make the wording consistent with the definition in paragraph (b), which refers to lineal ancestors. I would like to thank those who contributed to this bill which has facilitated the expeditious passage of the bill through the parliament.

Ms CHAPMAN: I rise to indicate that the opposition welcomes the amendments and thanks the upper house. I did not know that the member for Croydon had a cousin in the upper house, but obviously someone is working diligently to make sure that our grammar is correct and that we deal with these issues.

Motion carried.