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) (11:12): I thank the member for Willoughby for his question. I am proud of the Government's record of having a policy positive reform agenda for the rental market. In the spirit of cooperation we are known for with our crossbench, we will do this properly. Not only that, but consultation occurred prior to the election, when we announced it and had a round table with our stakeholders. Of course, we also had consultation prior to the legislation being tabled. In the spirit of cooperation, I thank the member for Sydney, the member for Wagga Wagga and other crossbenchers who came and consulted with me about that. They said, "We want a little bit more time", and that is okay. In the spirit of cooperation, I think we need to do that. Funnily enough, I was anticipating this question from the member for Willoughby. I say this to him: The reason I want to do this in a nice, structured approach is—

The SPEAKER: The member for Willoughby will come to order.

Mr ANOULACK CHANTHIVONG: I want to take the time to do this right, to give our crossbench the opportunity to take this slow, because we want to do you slowly. That is exactly why. We want to do you slowly, buddy.

The SPEAKER: Order! The Opposition Whip will come to order.

Mr ANOULACK CHANTHIVONG: What I am waiting for now is fightback on rental reform—fightback! I will give the good member some tips. I would suggest using oakleaf lettuce, which is a bit softer, dipped in warm water because we are waiting to be whipped with warm lettuce by the member for Willoughby with his rental package. I am looking forward to it. All I say is this: We have a great reform agenda on rentals. We understand that the rental market is stressed. This is a fundamental mismatch—

The SPEAKER: The member for Miranda will come to order.

Mr ANOULACK CHANTHIVONG: It is a fundamental mismatch between demand and supply, 12 years in the making. Can I have an extension of time?

The SPEAKER: The Minister has asked for an extension of time.

Mr Tim James: He is doing such a bad job, I am happy for him to continue.

Mr ANOULACK CHANTHIVONG: That is okay.

The SPEAKER: The Minister's time is extended by two minutes.

Mr ANOULACK CHANTHIVONG: Thank you, Mr Speaker. We all know that the rental market stress at the moment is actually because of a fundamental mismatch between demand and supply. Nevertheless, we will continue with our reform agenda. We will start with ending secret rent bidding. This is fundamentally a disclosure measure, a notification measure about transparency and fairness and, I would have thought, about power to the consumer—the power of information to the consumer to make the best choice for them in the best circumstances. On top of that, we understand the financial pressures that renters are under. That is why our portable bonds scheme is so important. On average, a rental bond is about $2,200. For most families, that is equivalent to about 11 weeks of groceries. So this specific measure is a real financial saving for the market. This is so important.

Mr Kevin Anderson: Why haven't you consulted?

Mr ANOULACK CHANTHIVONG: We have consulted.

The SPEAKER: The member for Terrigal will come to order.

Mr ANOULACK CHANTHIVONG: I have done more consultation on this process in the past two weeks than those opposite did in 12 years. Where were they?

The SPEAKER: I call the member for Terrigal to order for the first time. The member for Tamworth will come to order.

Mr ANOULACK CHANTHIVONG: Where were they for 12 years?

The SPEAKER: The member for Swansea will cease assisting the Minister.

Mr ANOULACK CHANTHIVONG: We have a crux in the market that has been building up for 12 years. Those opposite were silent. They went to bed. They are the ultimate Gruffalos living in the cave. Here they are. All I say is this: Our reform agenda is big. In this colosseum of verbal policy contests, in this arena, we are policy weaponised, we are physically fit and we are ready to rumble.

The SPEAKER: The Minister's time has expired. I note the Minister's invocation of some memories of the Hon. Paul Keating. I appreciate that. I look forward to receiving advice from the student leadership group at some later stage as to how I can better manage the Chamber. Anything in writing would be appreciated.