Retirement Villages

The Hon. J.A. DARLEY (15:19): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Treasurer, representing the Attorney-General, a question about the Valuer-General's implementation policy on retirement villages.

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.A. DARLEY: Yesterday, I was advised the Valuer-General is undertaking work required to implement the government's decision on the valuation of retirement villages, as recommended by the joint select committee. In undertaking this work, I understand the Valuer-General has engaged an independent subject matter expert to define valuation methodologies. My questions are:

1. What is the estimated cost of engaging an independent subject matter expert to assist in formulating and implementing this policy?

2. Why is this work not being undertaken by one of the Valuer-General's 23 head office staff or by Land Services SA?

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS (Treasurer) (15:20): I am happy to take the honourable member's questions on notice and refer them to the Attorney-General for a reply. I do know he has pursued this issue assiduously over the years. I think he has had a good long discussion recently with the Attorney-General in relation to these and related matters.

As I assured the honourable member yesterday, I think it was, in relation to the issue of what has to be done in terms of implementing the recommendations of the joint select committee, the government has taken those on board and the Valuer-General understands that there is a roll of work that has to be completed in time for the next year assessment period. The government expects that that will occur.