Mr ALEX GREENWICH (Sydney) (12:24): My question is directed to the Minister for Better Regulation and Fair Trading. Given that the Government's response to the affordable housing crisis relies on an upsurge in apartment construction and living, how will the Minister provide consumer confidence that strata homes will be affordable and manageable to live in, through proper resources for the strata commissioner for oversight and compliance, and funding for the advocacy sector to support strata communities?

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) (12:25): I thank the member for Sydney for his question and his interest, given that he has one of the densest electorates in New South Wales. No doubt there are many other members who have a great interest in this topic. I know how crucial this matter is to the member for Sydney. Members may also be aware that approximately 1.2 million people currently live in strata. We currently have 82,000 strata communities and that is increasing by about 1,000 a year. Over the next few decades it is estimated that almost one in two people will be living in a strata community, so it is important to make sure that our strata laws and regulations are up to scratch.

I take this opportunity to acknowledge the advocacy of the Owners Corporation Network, or the OCN as it is colloquially known, and its executive director, Karen Stiles, for her advocacy on behalf of strata communities. The Strata and Property Services Commission has access to Fair Trading and the Better Regulation Division network, including hundreds of employees connecting with the work of the Rental Commissioner and the Building Commissioner. Whilst I am not in a position to announce any budget measures on this front, the Government has made housing a top priority. The Minister of Planning and Public Spaces is working to make sure that we build houses close to train stations, if only those opposite would get out of the way and let us build more accessible and affordable houses for people. Despite the tight fiscal position, we will certainly still zero in on housing, given its importance to the people in our community.

Last year we strengthened our strata laws, and more change is on the way. We fulfilled our election commitment by appointing the Strata and Property Services Commissioner, who is equipped with the powers and resources of the Fair Trading and Better Regulation Division network, as I mentioned. We also appointed the Building Commissioner to get this sector going. The Strata and Property Services Commissioner's role is to engage with stakeholders and provide advice to government on ways to improve outcomes for people living in strata. He is working with industry, agents and professionals to deliver much better outcomes for those who live in strata.

We have also delivered structural change. We passed the Strata Legislation Amendment Act 2023 to improve the performance and governance of strata communities by making the collective sale and renewal process fairer and more transparent and ensuring that owners do not pay more than they need to for repairs and maintenance by requiring owners' corporations to get at least two quotes for work worth more than $30,000—a good cost-of-living savings measure. [Extension of time]

We have also changed the law to make it easier for owners to remove a strata committee member if they have lost the confidence of the majority of owners, making sure that our strata laws keep up with the workings of strata communities. Whilst that work has begun, it is not over, and we are on our way to the next phase of our strata reform. The next tranche of reforms to implement the remaining recommendations of the statutory review is on its way. Through targeted consultation we are already getting input and gathering views. We expect that the reforms will relate to sustainability infrastructure, repairs and maintenance, and further improving the governance of strata schemes. Crucially, they will also address accountability of building managers, strata managing agents and strata committees, and look at financial hardship provisions. We have set up a quarterly round table with key stakeholders in the strata sector. Participants include the Owners Corporation Network and the Strata Community Association. The round table will ensure that we continue to engage with and examine the sector to see where improvement is needed most.

In getting more strata buildings into the community, we never want to sacrifice quality for quantity. To complement the strata reform, we have undertaken significant building reforms that will improve confidence and trust in the apartment and strata sector. That includes standing up the Building Commission in December, recognising that quality is always important. Strata committees need to take their fair share of the responsibility for ensuring that ongoing investment in building maintenance not only meets their obligations under the law but also improves trust and confidence. We have made significant inroads on strata, but there is more work to be done. We will continue to work with the sector and with agents to ensure that those who live in strata communities have the most up‑to‑date, contemporary laws to ensure that they can lead better lives.