Ms ROSOL – To turn to a different area now, which is the Australian Disability Strategy lists inclusive homes and communities as an outcome area, with a priority policy being that housing is accessible for people living with disability.
In September, just before the second phase of the livable housing design rules were due to take effect in Tasmania under the National Construction Code, the Housing Industry Association Tasmania, Master Builders Tasmanian and the Property Council of Australia, Tasmanian Division, came out demanding these livable or accessible housing standards be paused.
I note this morning that there’s a media release from Mr Barnett, the Minister for Small Business, Trade and Consumer Affairs, saying that he is opening up consultation on a freeze of the National Construction Code in Tasmania. Again, the Master Builders Tasmania are saying they want to hit pause on the new residential codes and changes. These calls fly in the face of the Australian Disability Strategy and Tasmania’s commitment to ensuring new housing is accessible.
What action will you take as the Minister for Disability Services in response to industry calls to to pause the code, effectively meaning that new housing doesn’t have to be built to the liveable standards? What action will you take and how will you advocate in this area for people living with disability?
Ms PALMER – I was disappointed by the release that came out from the building and construction sector. The sector has now had ample time to prepare for implementation of the next stage of the livable housing design standards as set out in the National Construction Code. Taking on a phased implementation approach was already a delay in recognition of the fact that we were getting feedback from the sector that was saying they weren’t ready by 1 October 2024. We’re certainly taking on board what they say, there has already been that delay there.
The Attorney-General did state in parliament that our government remains steadfast in our support of Tasmanians with disability and our ageing population, elderly people as well. That is why we are implementing the provisions of the livable house around livable housing on the timeline and the staged implementation that was agreed to and set out last year. That was the step-free entrance including widening the door and the level entrance, step-free shower and reinforcement of bathroom and toilet walls from 1 October 2024.
Then for 1 October 2025, the above plus internal doors and corridors that facilitate comfortable and unimpeded movement between spaces. Toilet on the ground or entry level that provides easy access, except if you’re not living on the ground floor, it might just be a garage.
Then 1 October 2026 you add to that step-free path to a travel entrance. Again there were exemptions around the steepness of a block considering the Tasmanian impact.
I always have and I will continue to advocate to ensure that we are building homes that are up to that standard, and that someone with a disability can arrive in and know that they’re living in a state where we are taking into account their needs. To be fair, at any point any one of us could need a livable home and that’s how vulnerable life is.
Ms ROSOL – Thank you for that and for your commitment. Do you agree it’s concerning that there seems to be another part of the government that is working against that with this consultation around pausing the National Code? How will you address that with the Minister for Consumer Affairs?
Ms PALMER – My understanding is that that’s actually for the next stage and that’s not current. Our current implementation isn’t changing, but I have an excellent working relationship with the Attorney-General and we are often having discussions, whether it be around the Cabinet table or between minister and minister. To date he has been very supportive of people with disabilities. He has lived experience with his dad, who had motor neuron disease, so he understands this, he gets it, and I have no concerns that he would not be advocating strongly as I would be to ensure that we have good housing outcomes for people with disabilities and also our elderly.
