2008
THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY
FOR THE AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY

(As presented)
(Minister for Housing)
Housing Assistance Amendment Bill 2008

Contents
	Page

	1	Name of Act	2
	2	Commencement	2
	3	Legislation amended	2
	4	Housing commissioner—functions
New section 11 (1) (a) (v)	2
	5	Housing commissioner—delegation
Section 17	2
	6	What is a housing assistance program?
Section 18, definition of housing assistance program	3
	7	Sections 26 and 27	3
	8	New part 4A	3
	9	New part 6A	14
	10	Dictionary, new definitions	15

2008
THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY
FOR THE AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY

(As presented)
(Minister for Housing)
Housing Assistance Amendment Bill 2008

A Bill for
An Act to amend the Housing Assistance Act 2007

    

The Legislative Assembly for the Australian Capital Territory enacts as follows:

1	Name of Act
This Act is the Housing Assistance Amendment Act 2008.
2	Commencement
This Act commences on a day fixed by the Minister by written notice.
Note 1	The naming and commencement provisions automatically commence on the notification day (see Legislation Act, s 75 (1)).
Note 2	A single day or time may be fixed, or different days or times may be fixed, for the commencement of different provisions (see Legislation Act, s 77 (1)).
Note 3	If a provision has not commenced within 6 months beginning on the notification day, it automatically commences on the first day after that period (see Legislation Act, s 79).
3	Legislation amended
This Act amends the Housing Assistance Act 2007.
4	Housing commissioner—functions
New section 11 (1) (a) (v)
insert
	(v)	affordable housing;
5	Housing commissioner—delegation
Section 17
after
this Act
insert
, other than under section 25A (2),
6	What is a housing assistance program?
Section 18, definition of housing assistance program
omit everything before paragraph (a), substitute
housing assistance program means a program (other than a program under part 4A (Affordable and community housing) for providing housing assistance that includes the following:
7	Sections 26 and 27
omit
8	New part 4A
Part 4A	Affordable and community housing
Division 4A.1	Affordable and community housing providers
25A	Affordable and community housing providers—registration 
	(1)	The housing commissioner may register an eligible entity as—
	(a)	an affordable housing provider; or
	(b)	a community housing provider.
	(2)	The housing commissioner may determine a process for the registration of housing providers.
Note	Power to make a statutory instrument (including a regulation) includes power to make different provision for different categories (see Legislation Act, s 48).
	(3)	A determination is a disallowable instrument.
Note	A disallowable instrument must be notified, and presented to the Legislative Assembly, under the Legislation Act.
	(4)	The housing commissioner must not delegate the commissioner’s function under subsection (2).
	(5)	The housing commissioner must prepare a written notice of a decision to register an entity as an affordable housing provider or a community housing provider.
	(6)	A notice is a notifiable instrument.
Note	A notifiable instrument must be notified under the Legislation Act.
25B	Affordable and community housing providers—refusal to register
The housing commissioner must refuse to register an entity as a housing provider if the entity does not satisfy the eligibility criteria.
Note	Eligibility criteria for affordable and community housing providers are set out in s 25F and s 25G.
25C	Affordable and community housing providers—register 
	(1)	The housing commissioner must keep a register of—
	(a)	registered affordable housing providers; and
	(b)	registered community housing providers.
	(2)	The register must include the following information:
	(a)	the name and address of each housing provider;
	(b)	the name of a contact person for the housing provider;
	(c)	the telephone and fax numbers of the contact person;
	(d)	the date the housing provider is registered;
	(e)	whether the housing provider is registered as an affordable housing provider or community housing provider; 
	(f)	the conditions (if any) of the registration.
25D	Public access—register
	(1)	The housing commissioner must make the register available for inspection during ordinary office hours at the office of the housing commissioner.
	(2)	A person may, without charge, inspect the register during ordinary office hours.
	(3)	On request, the housing commissioner must give a person a copy of all, or any part, of the register.
Note	A fee may be determined under s 38 for this provision.
25E	Notice about changes of particulars in register
	(1)	This section applies if the information about a registered housing provider recorded in the register changes.
	(2)	The registered housing provider must tell the housing commissioner, in writing, about the change within 14 days after the day the change happens.
25F	Affordable housing provider—eligibility criteria
	(1)	An entity is eligible to be registered as an affordable housing provider if the entity—
	(a)	is either—
	(i)	an incorporated body under the Corporations Act that is—
	(A)	a company limited by guarantee; or
	(B)	a company limited by shares; or
	(ii)	incorporated under the Cooperatives Act 2002; and
	(b)	operates on a not-for-profit basis; and
	(c)	is registered as an exempt charity or public benevolent institution under the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 (Cwlth); and
	(d)	has a constitution—
	(i)	an objective of which is the provision of community or affordable housing; and
	(ii)	that allows the board to approve financing of housing projects; and
	(e)	is operating within an acceptable level of risk; and
	(f)	unless specifically excluded by the housing commissioner—receives a benefit from the Territory as an affordable housing provider.
	(2)	For subsection (1) (e), an entity is operating within an acceptable level of risk if the housing commissioner is satisfied that the entity’s operations are sound taking into consideration the level of risk to which the operations are exposed in relation to the following:
	(a)	business planning; 
	(b)	financial and risk management; 
	(c)	service quality; 
	(d)	portfolio planning;
	(e)	procurement of properties;
	(f)	land, housing development and property management.
25G	Community housing provider—eligibility criteria
An entity is eligible to be registered as a community housing provider if the entity—
	(a)	is an incorporated body; and
	(b)	operates on a not-for-profit basis; and
	(c)	has a constitution an objective of which is to provide tenancy or asset management services for—
	(i)	affordable housing; or
	(ii)	community housing; and
	(d)	manages not less than 10 properties; and
	(e)	satisfies the standards under section 25I.
25H	Affordable and community housing providers—trustees and subsidiaries
	(1)	The housing commissioner may register an eligible entity that acts as trustee as an affordable housing provider, or community housing provider, if satisfied that the role of trustee does not adversely affect the entity’s ability to comply with the eligibility criteria.
	(2)	The housing commissioner may register an eligible entity that is a subsidiary of a body other than an eligible entity as an affordable housing provider, or community housing provider, if satisfied that the entity’s status as a subsidiary does not adversely affect its ability to comply with the eligibility criteria.
25I	Community housing providers—standards
	(1)	The housing commissioner may determine standards (the standards) for a community housing provider.
Note	Power to make a statutory instrument (including a regulation) includes power to make different provision for different categories (see Legislation Act, s 48).
	(2)	The standards may include, but are not limited to, provisions in relation to the following:
	(a)	tenancy management; 
	(b)	tenant rights and participation in the general management of community housing provision; 
	(c)	governance and organisational management; 
	(d)	management systems, including human resource management. 
	(3)	A standard is a notifiable instrument.
Note	A notifiable instrument must be notified under the Legislation Act.
25J	Community housing providers—compliance with standards
A community housing provider must comply with the standards that apply to the housing provider.
25K	Affordable and community housing providers—monitoring guidelines
	(1)	The housing commissioner may determine guidelines (the monitoring guidelines) for monitoring the operation of affordable and community housing providers.
Note	Power to make a statutory instrument (including a regulation) includes power to make different provision for different categories (see Legislation Act, s 48).
	(2)	The housing commissioner may use the monitoring guidelines to decide whether a provider continues to comply with the eligibility criteria for the provider’s registration.
Note	Eligibility criteria for affordable and community housing providers are set out in s 25F and s 25G.
	(3)	Without limiting subsection (1), the monitoring guidelines may make provision in relation to the following:
	(a)	compliance by a provider with the objects of the provider’s constitution or rules;
	(b)	business planning; 
	(c)	financial and risk management; 
	(d)	service quality; 
	(e)	portfolio planning;
	(f)	procurement of properties;
	(g)	land, housing  development and property management.
	(4)	A guideline is a disallowable instrument.
Note 1	A disallowable instrument must be notified, and presented to the Legislative Assembly, under the Legislation Act.
Note 2	The housing commissioner’s power under this section cannot be delegated (see s17).
25L	Affordable and community housing providers—compliance with monitoring guidelines
A housing provider must comply with the monitoring guidelines for the housing provider.
25M	Affordable and community housing providers—monitoring standards, guidelines etc
The housing commissioner may monitor a registered housing provider’s compliance with—
	(a)	for an affordable housing provider—the monitoring guidelines for the provider; and
	(b)	for a community housing provider—
	(i)	the monitoring guidelines for the provider; and
	(ii)	the standards for the provider; and
	(iii)	any other standards prescribed by regulation.
25N	Affordable and community housing providers—report to housing commissioner
	(1)	A registered housing provider must report to the housing commissioner—
	(a)	annually, not later than 28 days after the housing provider’s annual general meeting; and
	(b)	at any other reasonable time if asked by the housing commissioner.
	(2)	The report must include—
	(a)	the housing provider’s compliance with its objectives; and
	(b)	information that supports the housing provider’s continued compliance with the eligibility criteria for the provider’s registration; and
	(c)	the housing provider’s financial statements and accounts; and
	(d)	any other matter required under a contract to which the provider is a party.
25O	Affordable and community housing providers—changes to constitution or rules
	(1)	This section applies if a registered housing provider proposes to change its constitution or rules.
	(2)	The provider must, at least 28 days before the change to its constitution or rules, apply to the housing commissioner for approval for the change.
	(3)	The housing commissioner must refuse to approve a change to the constitution or rules if satisfied that the change would make the provider ineligible for registration.
	(4)	The housing commissioner must not unreasonably refuse to give approval under this section.
25P	Exemption from requirement or approval—changes to constitution or rules
	(1)	A registered housing provider need not apply to the housing commissioner for approval for a minor change to its constitution or rules.
	(2)	The housing commissioner may determine what is a minor change to the constitution or rules of a registered housing provider.
	(3)	A determination is a notifiable instrument.
Note	A notifiable instrument must be notified under the Legislation Act.
Division 4A.2	Affordable and community housing programs
25Q	Affordable and community housing programs—housing commissioner may give assistance
	(1)	The housing commissioner or another Territory entity may give assistance to a registered housing provider.
Examples—assistance by housing commissioner
1	a grant of money
2	a transfer of land
3	a lease of land or property for use as long-term affordable rental housing
4	a commercial partnership or joint venture between the housing commissioner and registered housing provider
Examples—assistance by Territory entity
1	a secured loan
2	a tax concession 
Note	An example is part of the Act, is not exhaustive and may extend, but does not limit, the meaning of the provision in which it appears (see Legislation Act, s 126 and s 132).
	(2)	Assistance may be given subject to conditions.
	(3)	Nothing in this section requires the housing commissioner or the Territory to give assistance to a registered housing provider.
25R	Affordable and community housing programs—requirement for information etc
	(1)	The housing commissioner may, by written notice given to a registered housing provider, require the housing provider to give the commissioner relevant information or documents that the commissioner reasonably requires for this part.
	(2)	The notice must state—
	(a)	the information or document required by the commissioner; and
	(b)	where or how the information or document is to be given to the commissioner; and
	(c)	the reasonable time within which the information or document must be given to the commissioner. 
Division 4A.3	Housing commissioner’s functions
25S	Housing commissioner’s functions—housing commissioner may intervene
	(1)	The housing commissioner may intervene in the business of a registered housing provider if the housing provider—
	(a)	fails to adequately manage risk; or
	(b)	fails to comply with another condition of registration; or
	(c)	fails to comply with an instruction issued by the housing commissioner under this Act; or
	(d)	makes changes to its rules so that the housing provider—
	(i)	no longer complies with the registration requirements; or 
	(ii)	cannot provide affordable housing.
	(2)	The housing commissioner may intervene in the business of the registered housing provider by taking 1 or more of the following actions:
	(a)	appointing people to the board of the housing provider;
	(b)	appointing an administrator to control and direct the operation of the housing provider;
	(c)	appointing an administrator to wind up the housing provider and distribute its assets.
	(3)	The housing commissioner may determine guidelines (the intervention guidelines) for intervening in the business of a registered housing provider.
	(4)	The intervention guidelines are a notifiable instrument.
Note	A notifiable instrument must be notified under the Legislation Act.
	(5)	This section is declared to be a corporations legislation displacement provision for the Corporations Act, section 5G (Avoiding direct inconsistency arising between the Corporations legislation and State and Territory laws).
Note	Subsection (5) ensures that any provision of the Corporations Act or the Australian Securities and Investment Commission Act 2001 (Cwlth) with which this section would otherwise be inconsistent does not apply to the extent necessary to avoid the inconsistency. 
25T	Affordable and community housing providers—removal from register
	(1)	The housing commissioner may remove a registered housing provider from the register if the provider breaches a condition of registration.
	(2)	The housing commissioner must remove a registered housing provider from the register if the provider breaches this part.
	(3)	The housing commissioner must prepare a written notice of a decision to remove a housing provider from the register.
	(4)	A notice is a notifiable instrument.
Note	A notifiable instrument must be notified under the Legislation Act.
25U	Affordable and community housing programs—housing commissioner to report to Minister
	(1)	The housing commissioner must, if asked by the Minister, give the Minister a written report about programs for affordable housing and community housing.
	(2)	If the housing commissioner gives the Minister a report mentioned in subsection (1), the Minister must present the report to the Legislative Assembly within 6 sitting days after the day the Minister receives the report.
9	New part 6A
insert
Part 6A	Review
31A	AAT review
An entity mentioned in table 31A, column 3 may apply to the administrative appeals tribunal for review of a decision by the housing commissioner mentioned in column 2 for the entity.
Table 31A	Reviewable decisions 
column 1
item	column 2
decision	column 3
affected entity	
1	s 24—refusing application for housing assistance	the applicant	
2	s 25—suspending or cancelling all or part of housing assistance being provided to entity	the entity 	
3	s 25B—refusing to register entity as housing provider	the entity	
4	s 25O (2) or (3)—refusing to approve change to constitution or rules of housing provider	the applicant	
5	s 25S—deciding to intervene in business of housing provider	the entity	
31B	Notice of reviewable decisions
	(1)	The housing commissioner must give written notice of a decision mentioned in table 31A, column 2 to the entity mentioned in column 3 for the decision.
	(2)	The notice must be in accordance with the requirements of the code of practice in force under the Administrative Appeals Tribunal Act 1989, section 25B (1).
10	Dictionary, new definitions 
insert
affordable housing means housing that is affordable by people on low or moderate incomes.
company limited by guarantee—see the Corporations Act, section 9.
company limited by shares—see the Corporations Act, section 9.
housing provider means—
	(a)	an affordable housing provider; or
	(b)	a community housing provider.
incorporated association means an association incorporated under the Associations Incorporation Act 1991 or the Cooperatives Act 2002.
monitoring guidelines, for a housing provider—see section 25K.
standards, for a community housing provider—see section 25I 

Endnotes
1	Presentation speech
	Presentation speech made in the Legislative Assembly on	2008.
2	Notification
	Notified under the Legislation Act on	2008.
3	Republications of amended laws
	For the latest republication of amended laws, see www.legislation.act.gov.au.

© Australian Capital Territory 2008