Residential Parks

Mr PICTON (Kaurna) (14:24): My question is to the Minister for Consumer and Business Services. How is the government acting to protect the interests of community members in residential parks?

Ms Bedford interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Not just anyone—community members.

The Hon. J.R. RAU (Enfield—Deputy Premier, Attorney-General, Minister for Justice Reform, Minister for Planning, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for Child Protection Reform, Minister for the Public Sector, Minister for Consumer and Business Services, Minister for the City of Adelaide) (14:25): Indeed! I thank the honourable member for his question. We are acting to do good things for community members.

Mr Williams: Leave them alone!

The Hon. J.R. RAU: Was that the member for Kavel again?

The SPEAKER: The member for Kavel is innocent. The Attorney will answer the question.

The Hon. J.R. RAU: Mr Speaker, it is his sangfroid that often confuses me. On 17 March 2016, I announced the review of the Residential Parks Act and the release of a discussion paper for community consultation. The review was initiated as a result of the South Australian Residential Parks Residents Association and other members of parliament raising concerns with me about the current legislation on behalf of park residents.

As members may be aware, the issues causing the most significant concern to residents include the lack of security and permanency of tenure for residents who have invested hundreds or thousands of dollars into their homes, a lack of transparency throughout the sales process and the maintenance of shared facilities.

I am pleased to report to the house that consultation is progressing extremely well. As well as notifying many members of parliament with residential parks in their electorates, local councils, caravan and residential parks and other interested parties of the review, Consumer and Business Services have also prepared guides which provide information and advice regarding the rights and obligations of both parties which are available on the CBS website.

Several public forum meetings have also been scheduled over the coming weeks, with the first already having been held last Wednesday at Elizabeth Village. The meeting was a great opportunity for both residents and the park owners to identify and convey what is currently working and what needs to change.

Further public forums are going to be held at The Palms Residential Village, Hillier Park, and Rosetta Village in Victor Harbor to ensure that all these areas with high concentrations of residential parks are consulted and have an opportunity to voice their concerns. Submissions to the discussion paper are open until Friday 8 July and I encourage any interested parties to make a submission via the YourSAy portal or by writing to Consumer and Business Services.