Ms ANNA WATSON (Shellharbour) (11:57): My question is addressed to the Minister for Better Regulation and Fair Trading. Will the Minister update the House on how the Government is taking action to impose strict new standards on lithium ion batteries?

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) (11:57): I thank the member for Shellharbour for her question and for her great interest in this topic. We are acting decisively and quickly to protect people and their property by imposing new regulations and tougher penalties for substandard e-mobility devices that use lithium ion batteries. We are acting now because fires related to lithium ion batteries, including those started by e-mobility devices, are the fastest growing cause of fires in our State.

In 2023 Fire and Rescue NSW attended 67 fires attributed to e-scooters, e-bikes, e-skateboards and hoverboards. That was three times the number that occurred the year before. This year we are on track to exceed that number, as our firies have been forced to attend 54 instances so far. These fires are dangerous. They can be hard to extinguish, and they can take off quickly. They have destroyed property and, sadly, in one instance lives were lost. The growth in the number of "e-fires" is alarming. It has been driven by the fact that as products that use those batteries come onto the market, more people are purchasing them. The number of e-mobility devices sold to New South Wales consumers in 2022 increased by 322 per cent. compared with 2020. That trend will only go up.

We want people in New South Wales to get the products that they need but only when they are safe and of high quality. That is why from 1 February next year NSW Fair Trading will require all those products to meet higher quality and safety standards. There will also be a higher price to pay for those who put our community at risk. Anyone caught selling products that do not comply could face fines of more than $800,000. Once fully phased in, products will need to be clearly tested, certified and labelled. Our officers at Fair Trading will be conducting inspections of retailers and suppliers to ensure that only compliant products are sold to our consumers.

Whilst New South Wales is, indeed, acting ahead of the nation, we are also putting this on the national agenda because, honestly, a Federal framework is required. The new regulations we are proposing do protect our community in New South Wales, but the best approach would be one that is standardised across the nation. The reality is Fair Trading can only control products in New South Wales, but there are big risks for consumers, for example, who purchase those products and items online or from other jurisdictions. The importation of products, as members may be well aware, is controlled by the Commonwealth and there is very little regulation in place. [Extension of time]

I inform the House and members that the New South Wales Government will put this on the national agenda to ensure that it stops low-quality products reaching our shores in the first place. When consumer affairs Ministers meet later this year, our Government will be taking the lead to advocate for a national framework. Stronger regulation of e‑mobility devices in New South Wales will complement a whole suite of measures the Government is already taking to keep our communities safe. Of course, regulating e‑mobility devices is not the end of the story. Across government we are working to keep people safe. Tough fines and new regulations are part of a suite of measures we are implementing to improve safety.

In June my colleague the Minister for the Environment, along with other environment Ministers across the country, met to expedite work on model legislation to improve the design, packaging, importation, storage and disposal of batteries. The NSW Environment Protection Authority is working with our friends in Victoria and Queensland to urgently progress that important work. NSW Fair Trading has already started a very strong consumer education campaign explaining how those products should be used, highlighting unsafe charging practices and other factors that may contribute to fires.

I am happy to be a part of a government that is taking strong action to protect people in New South Wales as we get ahead of technology and consumer demand. We are acting now so that members of the community who want those products can use them safely. We are also acting to ensure that the members of the Opposition, inspired by the farewells of the member for Epping and the member for Hornsby, can get on their hoverboards and their e‑bikes to go down King Street to Thai Pothong in Newtown, and do not burn down their favourite Thai joint—a great institution right in Liberal Party heartland. The member for Newtown should be wary. They will probably start campaigning in her electorate. In all seriousness, all members in this House should join me to support the Government's regulation to keep our community safe.