NSW Fair Trading Minister Virginia Judge announced a number of changes would come into effect on 1 October 2008 to enhance the performance of the Consumer Trader and Tenancy Tribunal.

Ms Judge said the changes were passed by the NSW Parliament in June this year and build on some significant reviews of the Tribunal’s legislation and operations over the last few years.

“The changes improve the Tribunal’s capacity to deal effectively with issues for the benefit of people who bring their disputes to the Tribunal,” Ms Judge said. 

“Accountability will be strengthened in a number of ways. Work is already underway to establish a Professional Practice and Review Committee that will bring an independent approach to member performance, education and professional development.

“Members will now be required to have experience in alternative dispute resolution and this has already been incorporated into recent member recruitment in metropolitan and regional NSW.

“This strengthens one of the key aspects of the Tribunal’s ability to conciliate and resolve disputes between parties.

“All proceedings will soon be sound recorded to increase transparency of Tribunal proceedings, and parties will be able to obtain a copy.”

Ms Judge said enhanced accessibility was also a key feature of the reforms.

“The increase in the re-hearing limit from $25,000 to $30,000 and permitting second re-hearing applications in certain circumstances offers people greater scope to have their matters heard again by the Tribunal if they have suffered a substantial injustice,” she said.

“Another significant change is the introduction of a new specialist Social Housing Division to better meet the needs of social housing tenants and providers/landlords.

“Tribunal members with specialist knowledge and experience will hear social housing matters and information and education strategies will help guide public, community and Aboriginal housing tenants and their landlords through the Tribunal’s processes.”

The Tribunal was set up in 2002 to provide an accessible and affordable dispute resolution forum for tenants, landlords, traders and consumers.

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