Labour has criticized the National Government for delaying a long-overdue review of the Retirement Villages Act until 2027.
The review was initiated by Labour, with nearly all background work already completed. However, the current government's decision to push any amendments to the next parliamentary term will likely leave many residents without relief.
According to Labour's seniors spokesperson Ingrid Leary, retirement village residents have been seeking improvements in maintenance and repairs, disputes settlements, fairer fees, and repayment policies. The delay is seen as benefiting operators rather than residents.
Labour is urging the government to expedite the review process, emphasizing that time is of the essence for current residents. Recent comments from industry leaders suggest that both parties are ready to resolve long-standing concerns.
The original Act was implemented over 20 years ago, and Labour believes it's imperative for the government to act swiftly and complete the necessary changes to benefit retirement village residents.