(c) continue working with industry and community stakeholders to implement remaining reforms from the Improving the ACT Building Regulatory System Review; and (4) invites the relevant Standing Committee/s to consider conducting an inquiry into construction quality, compliance, enforcement and any gaps in the current building regulation reform program.”. Debate continued. Amendment agreed to. Question—That the motion, as amended, viz: “That this Assembly: (1) notes that: (a) the Government has an obligation to provide a proper and effective regulatory framework to ensure the building industry delivers high quality property construction outcomes; (b) poor construction quality across the building industry not only endangers the safety of those involved in construction activity but potentially the safety of building occupants; (c) poor quality construction can have severe financial impacts on those who, in good faith, have purchased a defective structure; (d) major industry bodies agree that substantial and fundamental improvements in design and construction regulatory disciplines are urgently needed; (e) industry bodies have expressed strong support for strengthening the regulatory framework governing construction standards and also support clamping down on builders that don’t comply with standards; (f) the Government is aware of the detrimental effects on the community and industry of poorly designed and constructed buildings which is why it has implemented, and continues to implement, a series of reforms arising from a review of the ACT building regulatory system; (g) these reforms consisted of 43 separate proposals that make a major contribution to strengthening regulation of Canberra’s building industry; (h) the Building and Construction Legislation Amendment Act 2016, passed in August 2016, implements or establishes the foundation for many of the reforms; (i) the reforms are wide-reaching and target all stages of the regulatory system—from training, licensing and design to the construction process and through to resolving post-occupancy disputes; (j) due to the changes being extensive, results across the industry may take some time to be realised; and (k) reforms to date include changes to licensing laws to ensure that only people who have the competency to be a building licensee are granted
that on numerous indicators, the ACT rates among the best performing jurisdictions on housing affordability and provision of housing support and homelessness services; the active role played by the ACT Government in improving housing affordability for all Canberrans through measures such as phasing out stamp duty and accelerating land supply; that the ACT Government provides the highest rate of public housing of all States and Territories and a large public housing portfolio is a major contributor to affordable housing; that Community Housing Providers provide important affordable rental and purchase options for Canberrans on lower incomes; and that a mix of housing types including public, affordable, community and privately owned can help promote social inclusion and cohesion; further notes: State and Territory governments are in negotiations with the Australian Government on a new National Housing and Homelessness Agreement; that housing affordability is influenced by a range of factors and policies at both the Territory and National levels; that the ACT Government is developing a new housing strategy and early measures such as the affordable home purchase database, the new innovation fund and targets for community housing will help make housing in the ACT more affordable, accessible and fairer; and that the ACT Government is also working with other jurisdictions to progress national reforms that will lower barriers to entry for home ownership and improve affordability for first home buyers; and calls on the Government to: continue to evaluate and build on current housing affordability measures; proactively respond to the community feedback arising from the consultation and housing summit last year to address housing affordability; and release a new housing strategy in 2018. Debate ensued. Ms Le Couteur addressing the Assembly— Adjournment negatived: It being 6 pm—The question was proposed—That the Assembly do now adjourn. Mr Gentleman (Manager of Government Business) requiring the question to be put forthwith without debate— Question—put and negatived.