Discharge of Order and Referral to Standing Committee on Legislation — Motion
HON SUE ELLERY (South Metropolitan — Leader of the House) [3.39 pm] — without notice: I move —
(1) That order of the day 21, Residential Tenancies Legislation Amendment (Family Violence) Bill 2018, be discharged and referred to the Standing Committee on Legislation for consideration and report by no later than Thursday, 22 November 2018; and
(2) the committee has the power to inquire into and report on the policy of the bill.
[Speeches and comments from various members]
HON ALISON XAMON (North Metropolitan) [3.42 pm]: I indicate that the Greens will not stand in the way of this bill being referred to the Standing Committee on Legislation. But I think the concerns raised behind the Chair are effectively about the inherent policy tension within the bill, and I question how much that can be resolved within a parliamentary inquiry. The reality is that we will always have to look at the issue of tensions between the rights of landlords and the need for people who are escaping family and domestic violence to ensure they are safe. I therefore question how much that can be resolved. I hope it can be dealt with as swiftly as possible because I know also that many people in the community are depending on these reforms. I think those people in particular who work in the family and domestic violence sector are very concerned about any additional hold-ups.
[Speeches and comments from various members]
Question put and passed.