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) (12:47): In reply: I thank my colleagues for their contributions to debate on the Fair Trading and Building Legislation Amendment Bill 2026. In particular, I thank the shadow Minister, and member for Willoughby; the member for Parramatta; the member for Sydney; the member for Liverpool; the member for Albury; the member for Gosford; and my neighbour the member for Campbelltown. This bill will implement reforms that amend various Acts across the Better Regulation and Fair Trading and Building portfolios. Although the bill makes a range of minor amendments to various Acts, it remains a critical piece of legislation.

The bill seeks to improve confidence in key industries, including the building, property and conveyancing sectors. The reforms in the bill will enhance consistency across licensing schemes, improve clarity for consumers and industry participants, and strengthen the tools available to regulators in carrying out their statutory responsibilities. I address a number of points made during debate. I note the comments by the member for Willoughby regarding the loose-fill asbestos insulation program. Let me be clear that the program was highly effective at identifying affected properties, but has reached its natural end. The program was established specifically to address loose‑fill asbestos used as ceiling insultation in the 1960s and 1970s by a company trading as Mr Fluffy. While most Mr Fluffy properties were located in the Australian Capital Territory, some New South Wales homes were identified as containing that type of insultation.

Since 2015 the New South Wales Government has tested more than 71,000 properties. Of those, 159 were found to contain loose-fill asbestos insulation and were subsequently added to the public register. To date, 98 per cent of identified properties have successfully been remediated, with one outstanding remediation expected to be completed by April this year. The closing of the program will not impact that remediation. Only one new property has joined the program since 2024. New South Wales was right to take a nation-leading approach, with the Australian Capital Territory the only other jurisdiction to offer a similar remediation program. If an affected home owner were to come forward after the program ends, the New South Wales Government will consider providing assistance on a case-by-case basis.

I note the concerns of the member for Willoughby regarding the transition to mandatory DLI. While the Government believes in the eventual introduction of mandatory DLI, the transition towards it is still far off because it is clear that the DLI market is not yet mature. I will look to provide a further extension to the increase of the strata building bond from 2 to 3 per cent for another two years, until 1 July 2028. I understand that the Opposition is planning to move various amendments to the bill, which I will address during the consideration in detail stage. I thank the member for Sydney for his contribution to debate on the bill. I assure him that the amendment in relation to DLI is made in order to clarify the defects that should be covered by a DLI policy.

The passing of the amendment in this bill brings us closer than ever to a viable DLI product coming to market. Once the bill is passed, Building Commission NSW will be required to undertake appropriate and necessary due diligence on DLI policies. I join the member in his desire to see approved DLI products on the market as soon as possible so that consumers are able to benefit from their considerable protections. This bill reflects the Government's ongoing commitment to protecting consumers when engaging with professionals and tradespeople. The bill also showcases this Government's commitment to the regular review of legislation, which ensures that our laws remain current, modern and fit for purpose. Clear and effective laws make it easier for consumers and businesses.

I am confident that the amendments contained in this bill will deliver tangible benefits for the people of New South Wales. I thank our dedicated departmental officers Caroline Woolger, Nadia van Stokkum, Anjaline Jayamohan, Stewart Robertson, Kathryn Turner, Sheridan Clark, Ryan King, Melissa Pinto, Katie Harbon, Katerina Pavlidis, Diana Holy, Audrey Maag and Maggie Phang for their efforts in bringing the bill to the House. I also thank my dedicated ministerial staff members Jonathan Stanbury and Alicia Sylvester, as well as our hardworking departmental liaison officer Nisan Baysal for all her work on the bill. I commend the bill to the House.