Land Valuations

The Hon. J.A. DARLEY (14:30): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment, representing the Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Local Government, a question about commercialisation of the state valuation services.

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.A. DARLEY: Last year the previous government commercialised the Land Services Group, including valuation services which were previously undertaken by State Valuation Office. Part of the services which have commercialised is the objection process, which is now provided by the private consortium Land Services SA.

Earlier this year, I called the evaluation inquiry line to request sales evidence used to determine the 2018-19 site and capital values for two properties. This information is essential to have as a precursor to an objection to decide whether the sale of similar properties used to determine the valuation of a property are comparable and relevant.

I was advised over the phone that it could take up to 90 days to receive this information from Land Services SA. This time frame is too long considering the fact that objections must be made within 60 days of receiving your first rates notice. I decided to object to the valuation of the two properties before receiving the sales evidence. I received an automated response stating it could take up to 12 weeks to determine an outcome for evaluation objections. My questions to the minister are:

1. Can the minister advise why it takes twice as long to obtain sales evidence now that the service has been commercialised?

2. What KPIs have been set in relation to response times for dealing with valuation objections and inquiries?

3. On average, how long did it take to finalise an objection before the commercialisation?

4. On average, how long is it taking to finalise objections now that valuation services have been commercialised?

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY (Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment) (14:33): I thank the honourable member for his ongoing interest in the matters, especially the privatisation of the Lands Titles Office. I could be tempted to say that the questions he has asked are a symptom of another failed privatisation by the previous government. But it is a detailed question and so, rather than attempting to answer it and get it wrong, I will take the question on notice and bring back a reply.