Attorney General Elise Archer has announced a review of the Retirement Villages Act 2004 by the Tasmanian Parliament this year.
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Ms Archer told the Budget Estimates Committee that since the act began in July 2005, the retirement village industry has experienced growth and change in Tasmania "while our ageing population has also increased, and is projected to increase further".
"This changing environment provides the context for ensuring an efficient and effective regulatory regime that remains relevant today," she said.
"Over recent months, my office and I have met with a number of residents of retirement villages and representative groups, including the newly formed Tasmanian Association of Residents of Retirement Villages."
Ms Archer said the association presented a number of residents' concerns largely regarding the lack of operator transparency and large price rises in maintenance fees well in excess of the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
"We are now in the process of drafting legislation to amend the Act to strengthen protections, bringing Tasmania in line with other states such as Victoria, aimed at providing more robust protections and certainty for residents," she said.
The Attorney General's department is drafting a bill to amend the Retirement Villages Act to ensure residents are not subject to unreasonable increases to fees and charges, including increases that may be above CPI. Consultation on changes to the bill will start once the draft is released.
For more information about the Tasmanian Association for Residents of Retirement Villages, click here.
Therese Murray
Wordsmith. Senior journalist. Editor. I have a proven track record in helping people and communities solve their problems. My career is all about telling stories.
Wordsmith. Senior journalist. Editor. I have a proven track record in helping people and communities solve their problems. My career is all about telling stories.
