Ms JACQUI SCRUBY (Pittwater) (15:29): My question is directed to the Minister for Better Regulation and Fair Trading. It has been revealed that a convicted child sex offender is currently operating as a strata manager for residential apartment blocks, including one in Newport in my electorate, after NSW Fair Trading deemed him a fit and proper person in 2019. That does not meet community standards for child safety. Will the Minister revoke his licence? What action is the Minister taking to ensure that the fit and proper person test protects our communities from that happening again?
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) (15:30): I thank the member for Pittwater for her question, her interest and her concern. I am concerned and everyone in this House would be concerned about the circumstances in which that individual was granted a licence. The Government will not tolerate improper, unlawful or criminal conduct in the property sector. I have made it clear to NSW Fair Trading that I expect it to continue to scrutinise licence applications to ensure that our community's' expectations are always met. I also make it clear to the House that, as the good member rightly stated, the licence was granted in 2019.
Certainly, when it came across my desk, I was frightfully concerned about how the licence was granted. I have asked Fair Trading to investigate how the licence was granted. On top of that, I advise the member for Pittwater that I have asked advice from NSW Fair Trading to determine whether the current legislation is fit for purpose and to ensure that it continues to uphold our community's expectations. The Government is taking the issue very seriously to ensure that we take the right investigative approach and that community expectations are always met.
That particular circumstance speaks to how the Government is managing all licensees, whether they operate in the strata sector or the rental sector. The Government's broader reforms have proven that it is not scared of taking strong action against licensees who are doing the wrong thing. For example, we have overhauled our strata laws to protect people buying, transacting and living in the apartment strata sector. We have cracked down on secret kickbacks for strata agents. We have increased penalties for agents who do not disclose conflicts of interest to owners.
Ms Jacqui Scruby: Point of order: My point of order relates to Standing Order 129, relevance. The specific question is will this person have their licence revoked.
The SPEAKER: I am sure the Minister heard the question. The Minister is being directly relevant.
Mr ANOULACK CHANTHIVONG: The Government is investigating the circumstances and will look at whether the legislation is fit for purpose. As I mentioned, the Government has taken very strong action in terms of licensees in the property and strata sector. The Government is protecting owners from unfair contracts with strata managers and building companies, and we make no apologies for cracking down on agents who are doing the wrong thing. Funding of $8.4 million has been allocated to the Strata and Property Taskforce, which conducts audits anytime, anywhere, across the State and has issued 25 penalties and 137 warnings. On top of that, the name‑and-shame register keeps consumers informed in real time about agents who are doing the wrong thing. I thank the member for Pittwater for her question.
