Retirement Villages

The Hon. J.A. DARLEY (15:09): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Treasurer a question about a select committee on retirement villages.

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.A. DARLEY: Prior to the election this year, the then Liberal opposition committed to establishing a select committee to investigate matters relating to retirement villages, including the impact of valuation policies. Notwithstanding the fact that the undertaking was to have this committee established within the first six months of forming government, no such committee has been established. In discussions with the Treasurer, I understand that the government is working on the terms of reference for the committee. Can the Treasurer advise when he anticipates the motion to establish a committee will be introduced into this place?

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS (Treasurer) (15:10): I thank the honourable member. As he is aware, and has indicated, we have had a number of discussions about the issue. It is my expectation that I will be in a position to give notice on the next Tuesday of sitting to commence debate. It will be a motion in government time, so we should have time, should the parliament agree, to establish the then Liberal opposition's commitment for a joint select committee to look at this particular issue. It will require the passage of a motion through both houses of the parliament.

The honourable member is aware that I have had discussions with the spokesperson—and I forget the exact title of the group—for the residents group of retirement villages in terms of a discussion about the precise nature of the terms of reference for the joint select committee. There has been some agreement in relation to that particular issue between that group and myself. We now need to go through the processes of government and, as I said, my expectation will be to give notice on the next Tuesday when we sit.