Have your say 

Residential (Land Lease) Communities Bill

As part of the NSW Government’s commitment to improve the governance of residential parks, a review of the Residential Parks Act 1998 was carried out. The Government has decided to replace the Act with a totally new Act, including a new name, which responds better to the needs of both home owners and operators. The Residential (Lend Lease) Communities Bill has been drafted and feedback is now sought from the community.

The closing date for comments is 7 June 2013.

More information on the Residential (Land Lease) Communities Bill 

Children and window safety consultation

The Children’s Hospital at Westmead (CHW) Working Party for the Prevention of Children Falling from Residential Buildings has released a report on the incidence of child falls from buildings.

A whole-of-Government response to the CHW report has been developed. The response includes proposed amendments to strata scheme management and residential tenancy laws, and a targeted community education and awareness campaign.

The Consultation Paper provides details of the proposed legislative changes and seeks feedback on questions about these measures.

Comments closed on 24 April 2013.

More information on the Children and window safety consultation.

Standard Occupancy Agreement for boarding houses

NSW Fair Trading is seeking stakeholder feedback on the proposed Standard Form Occupancy Agreement for use in general boarding houses.

Comments closed on 15 April 2013.

More information on the Standard occupancy agreement for boarding houses.

Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission's (ACNC) regulatory approach

The Commonwealth Government's Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) is currently consulting on its approach to regulation. This includes how it intends to act when charities do not meet their requirements.

The ACNC's work includes registering charities, streamlining reporting requirements and ensuring charities meet their obligations. Initially it will only regulate charities that are registered for Commonwealth tax concessions and other benefits.
 
Comments closed on 1 March 2013. 
 
More information on ACNC's regulatory approach consultation.

Retirement villages amendment regulation

The NSW Government is committed to developing a standard contract and disclosure documents for retirement villages.  A draft Retirement Villages Amendment (Standard Contract) Regulation 2013 has been released to seek community input.
 
Comments closed on 25 January 2013. 
 
More information on the retirement villages amendment regulation.

Review of regulatory burden

The NSW Government is seeking stakeholder feedback on the proposed repeal of six pieces of legislation within the Fair Trading portfolio. These have been identified as potentially being either superfluous to the ongoing regulation of a fair and efficient marketplace or as no longer being the best means of achieving the public policy goal that the law was originally designed to meet. The six Acts are:

• Consumer Claims Act 1998
• Fitness Services (Pre-Paid Fees) Act 2000
• HomeFund Commissioner Act 1993
• Landlord and Tenant Act 1899
• Landlord and Tenant (Amendment) Act 1948
• Warehousemen’s Liens Act 1935

Comments closed on 1 February 2013.

More information on the review of regulatory burden.

Review of strata and community scheme laws

The NSW Government is carrying out a comprehensive review of the strata and community scheme laws. A discussion paper has been released to invite comment on any aspect of the laws. The paper looks at a wide range of topics, including:

• the future regulatory approach
• how to improve the running of schemes
• managing finances
• managing buildings, and
• handling disputes.

Comments and submissions are closed.

More information on the review of strata and community scheme laws.

Proposal for mandatory professional indemnity insurance

The NSW Government is proposing an amendment to the Property, Stock and Business Agents Regulation 2003 to require all persons licensed under the Property, Stock and Business Agents Act 2002 to have and maintain a professional indemnity insurance policy, with prescribed requirements, as a condition of holding their licence. The closing date for comments and submissions was 5 October 2012.

More information on the proposal for mandatory professional indemnity insurance.

Review of the Property, Stock and Business Agents Act 2002

The NSW Government has undertaken a statutory review of the Property, Stock and Business Agents Act 2002. As a result, an exposure draft Amendment Bill containing proposed reforms to the Act has been released for public consultation. The closing date for comments and submissions was 5 October 2012.

More information on the review of property, stock and business agents legislation.

National travel industry reforms

The Australian Ministers for Consumer Affairs are inviting public comment on proposals to reform the regulation of travel agents.

Comments on the proposal to reform travel industry regulation close on 1 October 2012. Submissions are requested in response to specific questions about the transition arrangements in the draft Travel Industry Transition Plan.

Go to the Australian Consumer Law website for more information about the reforms and how to have your say.

Consultation on national licensing reforms for selected occupations

The Council of Australian Governments National Licensing Taskforce is inviting public comment on proposals to reform licensing for the following occupations:

• refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics
• plumbers and gasfitters
• property occupations, excluding conveyancers and valuers
• electrical occupations

Comments on the proposals to reform licensing for the above occupations closed on 12 October 2012.
 
Go to the National Occupational Licensing Authority website for more information about the reforms, public consultation sessions and how to have your say.

Review of home building legislation

The NSW Government is carrying out a broad and comprehensive review of the NSW Home Building Act 1989. An Issues Paper has been publicly released to invite comment on any aspect of the legislation. Comments closed on 18 August 2012.

More information on the review of home building legislation.

Review of the Fair Trading Regulation 2012

The Fair Trading Regulation 2007 is to be automatically repealed and remade on 1 September 2012. A draft Regulation and Regulatory Impact Statement have been prepared for consultation purposes. Comments closed on 25 July 2012.

The petrol price signs survey closed 10 August 2012.

More information on the review of the Fair Trading Regulation 2012.

Closed 

Review of the Gas Supply (Consumer Safety) Regulation 2012

The Gas Supply (Consumer Safety) Regulation 2004 is to be automatically repealed and remade on 1 September 2012. A draft Regulation and Regulatory Impact Statement have been prepared for consultation purposes. Comments closed on 25 July 2012.

More information on the review of the Gas Supply (Consumer Safety) Regulation 2012.

Review of the regulation of motor vehicles

This review seeks comment on a proposal to combine the Motor Dealers Act 1974 and the Motor Vehicle Repairs Act 1980 and create a consolidated Act that provides for effective consumer protection in this industry.

Comments closed on 13 July 2012.

More information on the review of the regulation of motor vehicles.

Review of the Plumbing and Drainage Regulation 2012

A draft Plumbing and Drainage Regulation 2012 has been released for public comment following the passing of the Plumbing and Drainage Act 2011 by Parliament on 9 November 2011. Submissions closed 4 May 2012.

More information on the review of the Plumbing and Drainage Regulation 2012.

Review of the Fitness Services (Pre-paid Fees) Act 2000

NSW Fair Trading is undertaking a review of the Fitness Services (Pre-paid Fees) Act 2000 as part of the NSW Government’s commitment to reducing red tape and ensuring that regulation is effective and necessary. Submissions closed 4 May 2012.

More information on the review of the Fitness Services (Pre-paid Fees) Act.

Standard contract for retirement villages

A standard contract for retirement villages is being developed to make it easier for residents to compare and understand the differences in costs and conditions between villages before entering into a contract. Comments closed 18 May 2012.

More information on the standard contract for retirement villages.

Review of the Residential Parks Act 1998

A review of the Residential Parks Act 1998 is being carried out. A discussion paper was released for public consultation in November 2011. Submissions in response to the paper have now closed.

More information on the review of the Residential Parks Act 1998.