Retail and Commercial Leases

The Hon. J.A. DARLEY (15:20): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Employment, Higher Education and Skills, representing the Minister for Small Business, a question regarding retail and commercial leases.

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.A. DARLEY: Last year I introduced a bill to amend the Retail and Commercial Leases Act to allow for greater transparency for tenants with regard to land tax. In many situations land tax is passed on to tenants, but is hidden by landlords who incorporate the land tax into the rent. Unfortunately, the bill was defeated, but in his explanation for opposing my bill the Hon. Russell Wortley, representing the government on this matter, said:

It is the government's intention to conduct a comprehensive review of the act after the up and coming state election to deal with these issues the Hon. John Darley has correctly identified.

My question is this: can the minister advise when such a review of the act will be undertaken and by whom?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Employment, Higher Education and Skills, Minister for Science and Information Economy, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Business Services and Consumers) (15:22): I thank the honourable member for his most important question and will refer it to the Minister for Small Business in another place and bring back a response.