Dan Boyle (Green Party)

It is unfortunate there has been a need to introduce emergency legislation of this type. The circumstances surrounding the Bill's introduction represent a catalogue of errors in respect of information passed on and knowledge of what can or cannot be done under the existing legislation. This has created considerable confusion and the Bill before us seeks to correct the position in the context of not having any of the decisions made during a short period questioned. I welcome the fact this aspect has been recognised.

As Senator Hannigan stated, perhaps there might be an opportunity to consider the primary legislation in greater detail. We have a job of work to do in the context of passing the Bill before us. Once that is done, however, we could review the legislation relating to residential tenancies because a number of issues arise such as, for example, those relating to management companies, towards which we need to take a more responsive attitude.

I know the people who were selected for appointment to the Private Residential Tenancies Board but who were not allowed to be appointed because they held local government office.