53251 (2025). Hon Dr Duncan Webb to the Minister of Justice

53251 (2025). Hon Dr Duncan Webb to the Minister of Justice: What provision is made (if any) for people who are subject to property orders under the Protection of Personal and Property Rights Act who do not have the means to pay the audit fees required by the Act and prescribed by the Protection of Personal and Property Rights Regulations 1988?

Hon Paul Goldsmith: The Protection of Personal and Property Rights Act 1988 (the Act) does not make provisions for people who are subject to property orders but do not have the means to pay the required costs associated with auditing financial statements filed by Property Managers. The Act provides that, unless the court otherwise orders, the audit costs shall be borne by the property of the person for whom the manager is acting. Where the court orders otherwise, the costs shall be borne by the manager personally or be apportioned between the manager and the property of the represented person. The Act does not require a Property Manager to be appointed when the represented person’s assets are below $25,000 or annual income is below $40,000. This reduces the risk that the fees charged exceed the capability of individuals to pay and helps ensure the different levels of oversight for represented parties are proportionate to the value of property under management.