Second Reading Speech

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) (10:17): I move:

That this bill be now read a second time.

The Government is pleased to introduce the Better Regulation Legislation Amendment (Miscellaneous) Bill 2024. The bill addresses issues identified by NSW Fair Trading and the Building Commission NSW during the routine and ongoing departmental review of legislation within my portfolio. The bill will introduce amendments to 24 Acts and four regulations. These changes are designed to improve the clarity and accuracy of the laws and reduce regulatory burdens. The bill will also introduce amendments to legislation administered by the Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government. These amendments will update our data provisions and replace them with digital-ready provisions. Through this bill the Minns Government continues to demonstrate its commitment to delivering laws that are not only responsive to change but also clear, accurate and reliable.

I now turn to the specific amendments in the bill. Schedule 1 contains minor amendments that will clarify existing provisions within these laws, as well as update or remove those that are outdated or no longer required. Schedule 1.1 to the bill amends section 77 of the Associations Incorporation Act 2009 to remove referral to section 65, which relates to the distribution of assets following the winding up of an association. This amendment will allow for a more efficient process for dealing with the distribution of assets by associations that have been involuntarily cancelled. Schedule 1.2 to the bill amends section 8 of the Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act 1999 to clarify that a person is not entitled to a progress payment for work that they are contracted to do unless they are suitably insured and authorised to undertake that work. This amendment plugs a loophole in existing legislation and will ensure that the right to receive a progress payment for building work is limited to lawful building work. This will add an additional disincentive to people carrying out unlawful work as they will not be paid, in addition to the powers of Building Commission NSW to take action against them.

To ensure the consistent and appropriate application of the Licensing and Registration (Uniform Procedures) Act 2002, schedules 1.3 and 1.5 to the bill amend the Charitable Fundraising Act 1991 and the Conveyancers Licensing Act 2003 to remove unnecessary exemptions and align the laws with other Fair Trading NSW licence regimes. Schedule 1.4 to the bill amends the Community Land Management Act 2021 to replace several incorrect references to common property with references to association property. These amendments ensure that the appropriate terms are used in the Act.

Schedule 1.6 to the bill amends the Fair Trading Act 1987 to clarify that the five‑year period referenced in relation to a commercial agent licence relates to the cancellation of the relevant licence, not the suspension of that authorisation. This amendment ensures that the intent of the provision is accurately articulated and is consistent with other provisions within that Act. Schedule 1.6 also amends section 58 of the Fair Trading Act for the purposes of the order that supports the New South Wales Government's FuelCheck app. Currently the FuelCheck app only provides the location of electric vehicle [EV] charging stations. This amendment will allow FuelCheck to be expanded to capture fuller details, including charging costs. With the number of EV's being sold increasing more than 120 per cent between 2022 and 2023, this will make the FuelCheck app even more useful for consumers.

Schedule 1 to the bill also includes a number of administrative amendments to the Home Building Act 1989. Schedule 1.8 will amend sections 33E, 33F and 33G of the Home Building Act by updating the unit of competency within the Construction, Plumbing and Services Training Package for the installation and testing of medical gas pipeline systems. References to "certificate IV in gas fitting" will also be removed from these sections, as this is not a valid qualification in New South Wales. These amendments will ensure that the requisite certifications are accurate and up to date.

The bill makes two amendments to the Motor Dealers and Repairers Act 2013, the first of which is an amendment to section 5 (5). Section 5 (5) currently exempts a person who sells a trailer for the conveyance of a second‑hand boat from requiring a motor dealer licence. This exemption, however, does not apply for the purpose of conveying a new boat. To reduce the regulatory burden on people selling boat and trailer packages, schedule 1.9 to the bill removes the reference to "second‑hand" to clarify that the exemption to hold a motor dealer licence applies to persons involved in the conveyance of both second‑hand and new boats.

The second amendment to the Motor Dealers and Repairers Act is to section 150 (b), which currently outlines the powers of authorised officers to ascertain whether there has been compliance with, or a contravention of, part 4.5 of the Road Transport Act 2013. Schedule 1.9 to the bill amends this section to clarify that this power also extends to part 4.5A of that Act. This corrects the unintended consequences of the splitting of part 4.5 into two parts—one which deals with light vehicles and one which deals with heavy vehicles—which was not reflected in the Motor Dealers and Repairers Act and resulted in authorised officers losing their power to investigate written‑off heavy vehicles. This amendment rectifies this to ensure that authorised officers have the authorisations to investigate both written‑off light and written‑off heavy vehicles.

Schedule 1.10 to the bill updates sections 28 and 29A of the Pawnbrokers and Second‑hand Dealers Act 1996 to allow a person pawning goods to use an electronic signature to sign a record of the agreement with the pawnbroker, or an extension of an agreement, if the record is kept electronically. The bill makes two amendments to the Residential Tenancies Act 2010 regarding the appointment of and functions exercised by the chairperson and the deputy of the chairperson of the Rental Bond Board. Schedule 1.11 to the bill amends section 178 of the Act to appoint the Fair Trading Commissioner as the chairperson of the Rental Bond Board. If no person is employed as the Fair Trading Commissioner, the role of chairperson will be assumed by the Secretary of the Department of Customer Service. Schedule 1.11 to the bill also amends schedule 1 to the Act to allow the deputy of the chairperson to exercise the same functions as the chairperson if and when the need arises. This is a simple and practical improvement to the operation of the board.

The bill also amends the Residential Tenancies Regulation 2019, which supports the Act, by removing references to a repealed section of the Act to ensure the legislation remains accurate and up to date. Schedule 1.13 will amend section 197 of the Strata Schemes Development Act 2015 to remove the current exemption that allows office copies of court orders that support registration of a plan to be lodged by hand. The intention is that where a plan is lodged electronically, all documents lodged in support of the plan should also be lodged electronically. I highlight that this will have no negative impact for lodging parties as it simply reflects current practice.

Another important change in the bill is an amendment to section 186 (3) of the Strata Schemes Management Act 2015, which requires a landlord to provide a tenant with updated by‑laws or strata management statement if the by‑laws or the strata management statement change. Schedule 1.14 to the bill reinstates this as an offence provision to correct a drafting error that inadvertently removed the offence and to enable the provision to operate as intended. Schedule 1.14 to the bill also amends section 191 of the Strata Schemes Management Act to clarify that building work for which a building bond is required includes parts of a building that are not within the strata scheme but which the strata scheme is required to service, maintain or repair. The need for this change stems from increasing numbers of mixed‑use buildings, which comprise multiple forms of building use, including apartments, shops and/or offices, in one structure.

Under the strata building bonds scheme, to construct the building the developer may be required to lodge a bond worth 2 per cent of the contract price with the Building Commission NSW. This bond can be used by the strata scheme to pay for defects identified in the first two years post‑occupation. While this is straightforward for standalone apartment buildings, it becomes more complex where buildings are mixed use. For example, if there is a common car park for use by an office block and the apartments above and there was a structure defect requiring repair, the strata scheme would be required to contribute to the costs of this repair. This would be because the car park is not only used by the strata scheme but also essential to the structural integrity of the apartment components of the building.

Some developers are seeking to push a narrow adoption of the requirement to minimise the amount of bond by arguing these parts of the building are not captured by the bond scheme. To minimise the chance of this interpretation being challenged in court, this measure will clarify the operation of the provision and ensure that strata schemes enjoy the intended protection provided for by the Act. In addition, a number of outdated references to penalty notice offences listed in schedule 5 to the Strata Schemes Management Regulation will be updated. This will preserve the integrity of compliance and enforcement measures and ensure that the regulation is consistent with the Act.

Schedule 1.17 amends the Tow Truck Industry Act 1998 to remove the requirement to have held a licence or drivers certificate for a continuous period of at least three years immediately before a licence or drivers certificate for a term of three or five years can be granted. This will mean that new applicants can apply for a one‑, three- or five‑year licence. The purpose of this amendment is to provide consistency to licence durations across all the legislation being administered by Fair Trading and to ensure that customers in the tow truck industry are not disadvantaged. Schedule 1 to the bill also makes amendments to two Acts within the portfolio of the Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government. Schedules 1.7 and 1.16 amend the Government Telecommunications Act 2018 and the Surveying and Spatial Information Act 2002 to remove the requirement for notices of meetings to be given to members of the Telco Authority Advisory Board and the Board of Surveying and Spatial Information of NSW, personally or by post. These amendments provide more flexibility and technology neutrality while maintaining the requirement for reasonable notice to be given to board members.

I now address schedule 2 to the bill, which deals with amendments relating to the dissolution of the Building Insurers' Guarantee Corporation. Schedule 2.2 amends the Home Building Act 1989 to dissolve the Building Insurers' Guarantee Corporation and the Building Insurers' Guarantee Fund, which was administered by the corporation. The corporation and the fund were established in 2001 to administer claims by home owners affected by the collapse of HIH/FAI Insurance. The last remaining claims on the Building Insurers' Guarantee Fund were finalised in December 2020. No new claims can be made under the fund. Once the corporation is dissolved, the assets, rights and liabilities of the Building Insurers' Guarantee Corporation will be transferred to the NSW Self Insurance Corporation. Any balance standing to the credit of the Building Insurers' Guarantee Fund will be transferred to the NSW Self Insurance Corporation. Schedules 2.1 and 2.3 to 2.5 make consequential amendments to the Government Information (Public Access) Regulation 2018, the Home Building Regulation 2014, the Insurance Protection Tax Act 2001 and the State Insurance and Care Governance Act 2015 to remove references to the Building Insurers' Guarantee Corporation, its claims administration functions and the Building Insurers' Guarantee Fund.

I now turn to the final schedule to the bill, schedule 3. The schedule contains a number of amendments relating to changes in administrative arrangements. Schedule 3 to the bill will amend the Biofuels Act 2007 and a whole swathe of building legislation to reflect recent changes in the machinery of government. In each statute, the definition of "Secretary" will be changed from the Commissioner for Fair Trading to the secretary of the department. For the Plumbing and Drainage Act 2011, the definition of "plumbing regulator" will also be changed from the Commissioner for Fair Trading to the secretary of the department. The definition of "Department" in each statute has been updated to remove the need to amend the definition if the department changes or is renamed in the future.

The amendments reflect machinery of government changes, including the transfer of building regulatory responsibilities. The powers now sit with the Building Commission NSW. The bill before the House proposes amendments that will clarify, update and improve the operation of many laws. They will ensure the accuracy and improved functionality of our laws and enable the implementation of other small yet significant initiatives. I commend the bill to the House.

Second Reading Debate

Mr TIM JAMES (Willoughby) (10:30): I lead for the Opposition in debate on the Better Regulation Legislation Amendment (Miscellaneous) Bill 2024. The Liberals and The Nationals support the bill. The Coalition has always been a leader in advocating for the modernisation and streamlining of legislative frameworks to ensure they remain relevant and efficient. The Better Regulation Legislation Amendment (Miscellaneous) Bill 2024 aims to amend various pieces of legislation administered by the Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government, the Minister for Better Regulation and Fair Trading, and the Minister for Building.

The amendments focus on minor corrections, updates due to machinery of government changes and the dissolution of certain outdated entities. For instance, the bill clarifies that a person aggrieved by the distribution of an association's property under the Associations Incorporation Act 2009 can apply to the Supreme Court for an order regarding the property's disposal. It corrects terminology by changing "common property" to "association property" in the Community Land Management Act 2021, and removes redundant provisions related to licensing application procedures under the Conveyancers Licensing Act 2003.

The Home Building Act 1989 is updated to reference the qualifications required for tradespersons, while the Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act 1999 is amended to restrict entitlement to progress payments if the construction contract does not comply with specific provisions. Furthermore, the bill aligns application procedures for authorities under the Charitable Fundraising Act 1991 with the Licensing and Registration (Uniform Procedures) Act 2002, deeming applications refused if not determined within 28 days. It extends the FuelCheck scheme under the Fair Trading Act 1987 to include public electric vehicle charging stations, even if they are not staffed, and updates the method for calculating the standard retail price of electricity under the scheme.

Other amendments include updating the method of giving notice of meetings for the Government Telecommunications Authority Advisory Board under the Government Telecommunications Act 2018 and clarifying that a person selling a trailer for a new boat is not considered a motor dealer under the Motor Dealers and Repairers Act 2013. The bill also enables the use of electronic signatures for pawnbrokers' records and agreements under the Pawnbrokers and Second-hand Dealers Act 1996, and changes the membership of the Rental Bond Board, making the Commissioner for Fair Trading the chairperson instead of the Secretary of the Department of Customer Service under the Residential Tenancies Act 2010 and Residential Tenancies Regulation 2019.

Additionally, the bill updates methods for giving notice of meetings for the Board of Surveying and Spatial Information under the Surveying and Spatial Information Act 2002 and allows tow truck operator licences and driver certificates to be granted for three or five years for all applicants under the Tow Truck Industry Act 1998. The bill also addresses various administrative updates, reflecting machinery of government changes across various Acts, including the Biofuels Act 2007 and the Building Products (Safety) Act 2017, ensuring the Acts refer to the correct departments and officials following organisational changes. I thank all those involved in the consultation and in bringing the bill forward, including the Minister and his team, and those in Fair Trading. I commend the bill to the House.

Ms CHARISHMA KALIYANDA (Liverpool) (10:34): I contribute to the debate on the Better Regulation Legislation Amendment (Miscellaneous) Bill 2024, which I support. The bill will implement reforms across several portfolios, including Better Regulation and Fair Trading, Building, and Customer Service and Digital Government. The amendments in the bill are predominately minor and non-contentious, largely because they are a result of routine and ongoing examination of legislation. The more significant elements of the bill are informed by stakeholder feedback and will be subject to ongoing consultation as they are implemented. The proposed amendments will broadly improve, update and clarify the law, and reduce regulatory burden in certain industries.

The bill is a testament to the Government's dedication to ensuring that legislation remains up to date and accurate, ensuring that it continues operating effectively and as intended. It will improve accuracy by removing unnecessary and outdated terms across several pieces of legislation. I point to one example: the Home Building Act 1989 as it currently stands references a "Certificate IV in Gas Fitting", a qualification that is not valid in the State of New South Wales. The bill will update the Act with the current unit of competency. In addition, the bill will also amend the definitions of "Department", "Secretary" and "plumbing regulator" to clarify the legal status of the newly established Building Commission NSW.

Clarity is also central to the bill, which contains several amendments aimed at ensuring legislation is clear and operating as intended. For instance, the Strata Scheme Management Act 2015 will be amended to reinstate an offence provision to correct an error made by the Strata Legislation Amendment Act 2023, with respect to a landlord or agent's noncompliance with the obligation to provide a tenant with updated by-laws when the by‑laws change. As I have previously noted in the House, strata reform is an area of interest for the Government. Over the past decade, our strata system has not kept pace with changes in the housing mix within our community. I am reminded almost monthly by residents in Liverpool of issues relating to strata and compliance, and issues that arise when clear communication is not embedded in legislation and regulation.

The bill will also amend the Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act 1999 to clarify that a person is not entitled to a progress payment for work they are contracted to do unless they are authorised to undertake that work and insured in compliance with obligations under the Home Building Act 1989. Over the past couple of decades, practices such as phoenix contracting have increased, and many members of the community have been left in great distress as a result. The bill will go some way towards providing an additional layer of protection and ensuring that those undertaking the work are qualified to do so, and that the quality of work they do is improved.

The bill will also amend the Fair Trading Act 1987 to clarify that the five-year period referenced in relation to a commercial agent licence relates to the cancellation of the relevant licence and not the suspension of that licence. Broadly, those reforms will lead to laws operating as intended and will enable Fair Trading to implement decisions effectively. A lot of the Acts that the bill amends are quite old, with many of them originating in the 1980s. As a millennial, I can confidently say that the world has changed quite a bit since those laws were put in place. That is why the bill has a focus on modernising laws to ensure they continue to function effectively in our current environment.

One of the ways in which our world has fundamentally changed is the rapid increase in the uptake of electric vehicles. The bill will amend the Fair Trading Act 1987 to ensure that the scheme for the publication of fuel prices at service stations, known as FuelCheck, extends to public electric vehicle charging stations, even if those stations are not staffed. The bill also makes another amendment to the Fair Trading Act that provides that the standard retail price for electricity for the FuelCheck scheme is the price calculated in accordance with arrangements approved by the Secretary of the Department of Customer Service instead of the price per kilowatt hour, which does not currently capture electric vehicle pricing models.

Recently I met with representatives from JOLT, who are currently working on implementing several new charging stations across the Liverpool local government area. It is clear that this infrastructure is coming and coming quickly. Western Sydney has the highest uptake of electric vehicles. The Government must ensure that legislation and regulation is keeping pace with the changing behaviours and choices of people within our community, ensuring there is clarity and structure in the systems that they can respond to. The bill will ensure that the Act will continue to apply to this changing landscape. The bill will amend the Pawnbrokers and Second‑hand Dealers Act 1996 to enable a person pawning goods to use an electronic signature to sign a record of the agreement with the pawnbroker, or an extension of an agreement, if the record is kept electronically. These changes allow legislation to remain relevant in our modern world.

The bill is also focused on reducing regulatory burden on customers across the motor dealer, repair and tow truck industries. It does this by amending the Motor Dealers and Repairers Act 2013 to remove the reference to "second-hand" to clarify that the exemption to hold a motor dealers licence applies to persons involved in the conveyance of both second-hand and new boats, thereby reducing regulatory burden currently imposed on dealers of new boats. The Act will also be amended to reinstate powers to authorised officers to investigate written‑off heavy vehicles following an oversight that resulted in authorised officers losing those powers. Additionally, the Tow Truck Industry Act 1998 will be amended to allow all new tow truck operator licence or tow truck driver certificate applicants to be granted a certificate for either three or five years rather than only one year. This will provide consistency across Fair Trading and ensure that this industry is not disadvantaged.

The bill is largely non-controversial, proposing minor amendments across several pieces of legislation. However, the sum of several minor amendments in the bill does a significant job in ensuring that our State's legislation remains up to date, relevant and clear in what is, in many ways, an entirely different context to when these Acts were first assented to. While this may not be the most glamourous part of being in government, it is in many ways a most necessary exercise. The bill demonstrates the Government's continued dedication to improving the operation of legislation in New South Wales to support and protect consumers. I commend the Minister and his staff, as well as those of the department, for striving for a government that responds efficiently and effectively to the needs of our community, which is most important. I commend the bill to the House.

Mr RORY AMON (Pittwater) (10:42): I contribute to debate on the Better Regulation Legislation Amendment (Miscellaneous) Bill 2024 on behalf of the people's republic of Pittwater and outline the understanding that my community has of the bill's impact on the administration of legislation and, more broadly various matters that will affect them day to day. Before doing going through some of the specifics of the bill, I will observe that New South Wales is somewhat of aTitanic— a ship of some significance. This legislation is merely moving deck chairs around. I will go through the changes and then come back to those initial observations.

Some of the changes include amendments to the Associations Incorporation Act 2009. They are largely definitional changes, but they allow aggrieved persons to apply to the Supreme Court regarding the disposal of property. The Community Land Management Act 2021 will be amended to correct some minor terminology. The Conveyancers Licensing Act 2003 will remove some redundant provisions regarding licensing applications and procedures. The Home Building Act will be updated to update references to qualifications regarding various tradespersons. The Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act will be updated to restrict the entitlement to progress payment if the construction contract does not comply with various provisions. That can be a significant matter for those in that industry.

The Charitable Fundraising Act 1991 will be amended to align application procedures for authorities under that Act so that it aligns with the Licensing and Registration (Uniform Procedures) Act 2002. The Conveyancers Licensing Act 2003 will be amended in another respect. The Fair Trading Act will be amended in relation to FuelCheck, as my friend from the Liverpool electorate mentioned. The Government Telecommunications Act will be amended in some administrative respects. The Motor Dealers and Repairers Act 2013 will also be amended to clarify that a person selling a trailer or a new boat is not considered a motor dealer. That will have regulatory impacts and benefits on those individuals.

The Pawnbrokers and Second-hand Dealers Act 1996—which I did not know was an Act until I saw the bill—will also be amended so that electronic signatures can be used. The Residential Tenancies Act and related regulations will change the membership of the Rental Bond Board so that the Commissioner for Fair Trading is the chairperson instead of the secretary of the department. I have concern about that. The Opposition supports the amendments that the bill makes but I will observe that this simply cannot be another "jobs for the boys" appointment by the Government. I trust that it will undertake proper processes when appointing people to that board.

Ms Lynda Voltz: Sure. We watched the Barilaro thing; we know what to do.

Mr RORY AMON: I will get to you, member for Auburn, don't you worry. The Surveying and Spatial Information Act 2002 will also be amended to update methods for the giving of notices of meetings. That is in accordance with updated practices. There are various other amendments to other Acts, but I observe that last year this House passed 56 pieces of legislation in this Government's first year in office. The previous Government passed 73 pieces of legislation in its first year in office. I also observe that 73 is greater than 56, notwithstanding what the Leader of the House stated in Parliament yesterday. This Parliament spends a lot of time talking about things, which is like moving deck chairs on theTitanic. A titanic, as we are as a State, has significant potential, but moving deck chairs around a vessel or an organisation, or a community the size of New South Wales, does not change or benefit anyone's life in a material way.

The bill will benefit some individuals, but there is no substantive improvement to people's lives from day to day. This Government is a government without any vision. This is an administrative bill. This Parliament spends a lot of time on administration, on counting paperclips and on moving files around an office, but it spends very little time on real reform and in changing the State for the better. This State has huge potential. This State has a magnificent group of people. At the moment we are simply like the Titanic, just drifting at sea, moving deck chairs around, rather than having a vision on how to transform this State. This Government should have a vision, but it does not.

Labor spent 12 years in Opposition. It came to government with only two things—no policies. The first was to remove the public sector wages cap, which means that wages are out of control. As a percentage of government expenditure, a percentage of taxpayer money that comes in is going up from some 36 per cent to over 45 per cent over the forward estimates. That means that we are spending less money on infrastructure that will stand the test of time and more money on the Government's union mates. While I support the bill, I am observing that this Government is not doing anything about reforming or changing this State. It is cancelling or delaying projects; it is not announcing new projects. There is no vision for the future. While I support the bill, I will continue to observe that the Government has no vision. It needs a vision because we want a government and State that succeeds. We want people to be better off tomorrow than they are today.

We will support the Government in its endeavours, but at the moment it seems that it does not have any. It is more intent on spending time on bills like this one and the ones we debated yesterday, which are important, but members do not need to spend a whole day debating Anzac trading hours. That is an administrative thing. It should be done with the stroke of a pen and waved through the Parliament. Yet we are debating this legislation because the Government has nothing else for us to do. It drags 93 representatives into the Chamber sitting day after sitting day with no agenda and no legislation whatsoever and has turned this Parliament into nothing more than a Toastmasters club and a Toastmasters course.

Ms Donna Davis: I don't think you would pass, mate.

Mr RORY AMON: If that was the case, the member for Parramatta certainly would not be coming first, nor would the member for Blacktown or the member for Heathcote. The Government's content and vision is bereft of anything.

Ms Maryanne Stuart: The member for Blacktown is not even in the Chamber.

Mr RORY AMON: The member for Auburn is okay. I do not mind her. She is a fantastic member in her local community.

Ms Lynda Voltz: That's going on my campaign flyer.

Mr RORY AMON: Absolutely. I support the bill, but I make the point that the Government does not have an adequate vision for the State. This House is simply turning into an administrative Chamber, not a Chamber to revolutionise New South Wales. The Government should think long and hard about what it proposes to do to make the State better for the people of New South Wales.

Mr EDMOND ATALLA (Mount Druitt) (10:50): Let us bring some relevance to this debate. I support the Better Regulation Legislation Amendment (Miscellaneous) Bill 2024, which represents a critical step in ensuring that our legislative framework remains clear, accurate and adaptable to the evolving needs of our State. Through the diligent work of NSW Fair Trading, the Building Commission NSW and various government departments, the bill seeks to introduce necessary amendments to 24 Acts and four regulations. The changes are not merely administrative but are designed to enhance the effectiveness, clarity and functionality of our laws, ultimately reducing regulatory burdens on the people of New South Wales. The bill reflects the Minns Government's ongoing commitment to legislative reform that is not only responsive to change but also forward‑looking, particularly in our increasingly digital world.

Schedule 1 makes minor amendments. These are not insignificant changes; they are refinements that enhance the precision and relevance of the laws we administer. Schedule 1.1 amends the Associations Incorporation Act 2009 to simplify the process for dealing with the distribution of assets for associations that have been involuntarily cancelled. By removing the referral to section 65, this amendment allows for a more efficient and straightforward process, reducing unnecessary delays and complications. Schedule 1.2 introduces a significant clarification in the Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act 1999. It ensures that a person is not entitled to a progress payment for construction work unless they are suitably insured and authorised to undertake that work. This amendment closes a loophole in the existing legislation and serves as an additional deterrent against unlawful building practices. It underscores the importance of compliance and the Government's commitment to maintaining high standards in the construction industry.

Schedules 1.3 and 1.5 address inconsistencies in the application of the Licensing and Registration (Uniform Procedures) Act 2002, particularly in the Charitable Fundraising Act 1991, and the Conveyancers Licensing Act 2003. The amendments align these laws with other NSW Fair Trading licence regimes, ensuring consistency and fairness across different sectors. Schedule 1.4 corrects terminology in the Community Land Management Act 2021. The replacement of incorrect references to common property with association property ensures that the Act accurately reflects the intended legal distinctions and provides clearer guidance for stakeholders.

Schedule 1.6 relates to the Fair Trading Act 1987. This schedule clarifies the period referenced concerning commercial agent licences, ensuring the legislation's intent is accurately reflected. Additionally, this amendment expands the capabilities of the Government's FuelCheck app, a vital tool for consumers as the adoption of electric vehicles accelerates. The inclusion of charging costs in the app will provide users with more comprehensive information, supporting informed decision-making as we transition to a more sustainable future. Schedule 1.8 to the bill addresses the Home Building Act 1989, updating references to qualifications required for tradesperson and supervisor certificates. These amendments ensure that the certifications align with current industry standards, particularly in specialised areas such as medical gas pipeline systems. That is crucial for maintaining the integrity and safety of our building industry.

Schedule 1.9 to the bill makes pragmatic adjustments to the Motor Dealers and Repairers Act 2013. By removing the distinction between new and second-hand boats in the exemption for motor dealer licences, this amendment reduces the regulatory burden on businesses and simplifies compliance requirements. Schedule 1.10 introduces the use of electronic signatures in the Pawnbrokers and Second-hand Dealers Act 1996. This is a welcome modernisation, reflecting the growing importance of digital processes in everyday transactions. It not only aligns with current business practices but also provides greater flexibility for both consumers and businesses. Schedule 1.11 amends the Residential Tenancies Act 2010 to streamline the governance of the Rental Bond Board. The Fair Trading Commissioner is now the designated chairperson of the board, and provisions are made for the deputy to exercise the chairperson's functions when necessary. That change simplifies the administration of the board and ensures continuity in its operations.

Schedule 1.13 includes a practical update to the Strata Schemes Development Act 2015, requiring electronic lodgement of court orders supporting plan registration. This amendment aligns the Act with modern practices, reducing the need for manual processes and enhancing efficiency. A critical amendment in schedule 1.14 addresses the Strata Schemes Management Act 2015. It clarifies the scope of the building bond scheme, ensuring that all relevant parts of a building, including those not within the strata scheme but essential to its function, are covered. That change is particularly important given the increasing prevalence of mixed‑use developments where shared facilities often complicate responsibilities and liabilities. Schedule 1.17 brings consistency to the Tow Truck Industry Act 1998 by standardising licence durations. This amendment ensures that all applicants, regardless of experience, have the opportunity to apply for licences of varying durations, promoting fairness and reducing unnecessary barriers to entry.

Schedule 2 details the dissolution of the Building Insurers' Guarantee Corporation and the Building Insurers' Guarantee Fund. This is a necessary step following the finalisation of claims related to the collapse of HIH and FAI insurance companies. With no new claims since 2018, the dissolution allows for the transfer of remaining assets to the NSW Self Insurance Corporation, simplifying the administration and closure of this chapter in our State's insurance history.

Schedule 3 makes important updates to various Acts to reflect recent machinery of government changes. These amendments ensure that the legislative framework accurately reflects the current structure of government, preventing future confusion and ensuring smooth administrative processes. The Better Regulation Legislation Amendment (Miscellaneous) Bill 2024 is a testament to the Government's commitment to maintaining a legislative framework that is both modern and effective. By addressing inconsistencies, closing loopholes and updating outdated provisions, the bill ensures that our laws remain relevant and capable of serving the people of New South Wales. I commend the bill to the House.

The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Mr Jason Li): It being 11.00 a.m., pursuant to standing and sessional orders, debate is interrupted for question time. I set down resumption of the debate as an order of the day for a later hour.