Mr ANOULACK CHANTHIVONG (Macquarie Fields—Minister for Better Regulation and Fair Trading, Minister for Industry and Trade, Minister for Innovation, Science and Technology, Minister for Building, and Minister for Corrections) (15:21): In reply: I thank the shadow Minister and member for Willoughby and my colleagues representing the electorates of Fairfield, Mount Druitt, Camden, Heathcote, Liverpool and Penrith for their contributions to the debate on the Better Regulation, Fair Trading and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2024. As the House has heard, the bill will implement 16 miscellaneous reforms that amend various statutes across the Better Regulation and Fair Trading portfolio and the Gaming and Racing portfolio. The reforms in the bill will modernise provisions and create more future-fit laws to ensure they stay relevant in today's digital world, ensure the laws remain fit for purpose and operate efficiently, reduce unnecessary regulatory burden, ensure legislation is harmonised and consistent across the portfolio, clarify the powers for councils to allow temporary use of outdoor space for performance and dining, and clarify and support the intended operation of the law.
The amendments in the bill demonstrate this Government's commitment to ensure the laws operate as intended, remain fit for purpose and keep pace with developments in the community and twenty-first century technology and practices. It is in the public's best interest that the laws of this State are accurate, coherent and effective. Legislation should be updated to remain current, and outdated requirements that impose costs for businesses and government alike should be removed. That is exactly what the bill does, even if the amendments are minor and housekeeping in nature. As I outlined earlier, the bill will make minor but important improvements to various statutes in the portfolio to ensure they reduce unnecessary regulatory burden, remain relevant and are consistent and clear. NSW Fair Trading regulates a broad range of important sectors in the community. It is critical that the legislation it administers remains relevant and is kept up to date, otherwise there is a risk that consumers and businesses could lose confidence in the laws being administered or it could lead to an increase in misunderstandings and disputes. I am confident that the bill will benefit and deliver meaningful change for the people of New South Wales.
I take this opportunity to thank industry, consumer and other government stakeholders that have contributed to the development of the reforms contained in the bill. I would also like to thank the department officers for their hard work during development of the bill. In particular, I acknowledge Warren McAllister, Leona Fernandez, Abby Tozer, Chinyama Zuze, Vickie Chu, Hannah McIntosh and Adam Heydon from Fair Trading Policy, Emily Crocker from the Office of the 24-Hour Economy Commissioner, and my own ministerial staff, Alicia Sylvester, Laura Gregory and Ivy Tseng. I commend the bill to the House.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER (Ms Sonia Hornery): The question is that this bill be now read a second time.
Motion agreed to.
Third Reading
Mr ANOULACK CHANTHIVONG: I move:
That this bill be now read a third time.
Motion agreed to.
