BACKYARD CAR DEALERS

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK (14:32): Does the minister have an expectation of when the guidelines will be completed, and did she request that the LGA have a moratorium on the issuing of fines until the guidelines are completed?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for State/Local Government Relations, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Minister for Government Enterprises, Minister for the City of Adelaide) (14:33): The guidelines should not take very long. It is a fairly simple mechanism. No time frame has been set at this particular point in time. We have asked the agency to meet and go through and scope it, and look at what it thinks is possible. It would be quite a simple and straightforward process, so I cannot imagine that it would take a great deal of time.

At this time I do not believe a moratorium is necessary. As I said, my office has not received—to the best of my knowledge—one complaint on this matter. The issue has received a high public profile, and the LGA is also very aware and sensitive to the way councils are applying these by-laws. I think there is a very clear message that it is expected that councils apply these by-laws in a sensible way and not be heavy-handed.