Joanna Tuffy (Labour)

I appreciate the support of the Minister and Senator Terry for the thrust of the amendment. The UK system to which I referred comes under environmental legislation and it probably would be the right context for this amendment. A clause should be inserted requiring some attempt at alternative dispute resolution to have been made before parties go to court. A formal system of arbitration for the cases I described must be put in place. It could also include noise and nuisance regulations. The courts are not the place for these cases to be resolved. Some formal structure needs to be put in place that puts pressure on the other person to negotiate.