Public Trustee

149 The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Leader of the Opposition) (11 September 2019). Can the Attorney-General advise—

1. How many of the Public Trustee's investment service clients have transitioned out of being beneficiaries of a Public Trustee administered deceased estate, irrespective of whether or not an estate services officer has been assigned?

2. With particular regard to the retrospective nature of the proposed changes to the Public Trustee services covering the making of wills and enduring powers of attorney, does the Attorney-General or the Public Trustee have some sort of special dispensation to disregard contract law?

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS (Treasurer): The Attorney-General has provided the following advice:

1. Assuming that the question relates to section 29 (1)(b) investors, of the 233 that were with the Public Trustee at the time of the announcement in May, a total of 19 investors have transitioned to an alternative financial investment provider.

2. The changes to will and power of attorney making services are not retrospective. All existing wills and power of attorneys remain valid. Any non-concession holder wishing to amend their will or power of attorney from 1 July 2019 will need to use someone other than the Public Trustee to provide that service.