Building Commissioner

Hansard ID: HANSARD-1323879322-106461

Hansard session: Fifty-Seventh Parliament, First Session (57-1)

Building Commissioner

Mr MARK COURE (Oatley) (15:08:00):

Mr Speaker—

An Opposition member interjected.

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The SPEAKER:

Who said that? Was that the member for The Entrance? I call the member for The Entrance to order for the first time.

Mr David Mehan:

Point of order: It was not me.

The SPEAKER:

I am sorry, I thought it was you. Who said that? Whoever said it does not have the guts to stand up; that person is a low-life. On previous occasions I have made it clear that members will refrain from making comments about another member's stature. Members will remain silent. I am very serious. I will not put up with those types of comments. I have made it very clear that they are inappropriate. I do not want to hear them again. Earlier I placed the member for Drummoyne on a call to order for making a similar comment. I have placed other members on calls to order for the same reason. Before I hear from the member for Keira, I make it very clear to the House that I will no longer put up with those comments.

Mr Ryan Park:

Point of order: Once or twice—maybe three or four times—my stature has been referred to by one or two Government members in this place but it has not got the same reaction either from you or from the former Speaker.

The SPEAKER:

I cannot recall hearing those comments, but I give you the commitment that if I hear them in future they will get the same response that you are now getting. I make it very clear to members that I am setting that standard.

Mr Chris Minns:

Point of order: The term "low-life" does not befit your standing in the Parliament thus far as Speaker. It may be worth reflecting on that.

The SPEAKER:

I agree that it is not a term I would normally use, and it is not one that I use lightly. I am happy to withdraw it in that context. I made that strength of comment not only because the interjection was inappropriate, but also because when somebody is asked to identify themselves and they do not have the guts to do so it is not impressive. Let us leave it there. I make it very clear that I do not want to hear those sorts of comments again.

Mr MARK COURE:

Where was I? My question is addressed to the Minister for Better Regulation and Innovation. Will the Minister update the House on how the Government is restoring confidence in the building industry, and are there any alternatives?

Mr KEVIN ANDERSON (TamworthMinister for Better Regulation and Innovation) (15:12:38):

— I thank the upstanding member for Oatley for his keen interest in the Government's reform of the construction industry. Yesterday I informed the House that the appointment of a building commissioner was imminent.

The SPEAKER:

Order! Members will come to order. The next member I hear interject will be called to order.

Mr KEVIN ANDERSON:

I am happy to advise the House that late yesterday afternoon the Government was able to confirm terms for the appointment of Mr David Chandler, OAM, as the NSW Building Commissioner. Today the Premier and I were joined by Mr Chandler to publicly announce his appointment. As Building Commissioner, David Chandler, OAM, will provide strategic oversight of the building regulation industry and drive the New South Wales Government's reform of the building and construction sector. I informed the House that the Government would cast a wide net to look for the State's first ever Building Commissioner and it did just that. Through a combination of in-house executive search and external advertising we drew from a list of 22 very strong, qualified and highly credible candidates.

David has extensive experience in construction across Australia and the Asia-Pacific region. He was the construction director for Australia's New Parliament House. Until recently he was an adjunct professor in Construction Management at Western Sydney University. He was the founding industry engagement lead for the successful Centre for Smart Modern Construction. Mr Chandler has more than 40 years of industry experience and will be invaluable as we move to restore confidence in the building and construction industry.

We know that there are national challenges affecting the industry. However, the commissioner will play a key role in protecting New South Wales home owners and driving critical reforms. David will lead the implementation of our reforms to the building and construction industry, which will be tabled later this year. The legislation will deliver the bulk of the Government's commitment to respond to and implement the recommendations of the Shergold Weir Report that was commissioned by State and Territory building Ministers. Mr Chandler will also advise the Government on any additional reforms that may be needed to ensure better protections for home owners and purchasers and to lift building standards across New South Wales.

The Building Commissioner will oversee new laws that will require buildings to be designed and constructed to plans that fully comply with the Building Code of Australia. The laws will require that all building practitioners—including building designers, architects and engineers—be registered to ensure that they have the appropriate skills and insurance and can be held accountable for their actions. The laws will provide a new duty of care to make it easier for home owners to seek compensation for negligent buildings.

Consultation on the new laws closed on 24 July; the Government will introduce legislation to support the reforms in this session of Parliament. The Government has received over 120 submissions on the reforms. The submissions span all parts of the industry—from construction companies and industry associations to corporations and building professionals. I note that there was nothing from members on the other side of the Chamber. I have done a lot of research in this area and have been trying to find out whether members opposite support the implementation of the recommendations of Shergold and Weir; it appears not. However, they seem to be interested in the views of Michael Lambert, author of the Lambert report. I can advise the House that in recent days Mr Lambert made a submission to the just-closed consultation on our reforms. In it he states:

I note that of the 24 recommendations in the Shergold Weir report, which takes a national perspective , all but one are also addressed in my report which demonstrates a consistency of views between the two reports.

Extension of time

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Mr Lambert goes on to say that he fully agrees with and supports the findings and recommendations of the Shergold Weir report. In its submission Local Government NSW [LGNSW] states:

A key plank of the NSW Government's reform announcements was the appointment of a building commissioner. This is welcomed by LGNSW...

The Property Council of Australia stated in its submission that the appointment:

…is a positive step to enforce and maintain best practice regulation and oversight of the building industry.

The Owners Corporation Network described the proposed establishment of a Building Commissioner as an appropriate first step. Meanwhile, the Master Plumbers Association of NSW perhaps best summed up what the appointment of a Building Commissioner will mean when it stated:

…he/she should also be seen to act as the promoter of professionalism and high standards within the industry.

On the back of the announcement we have also received positive feedback from Engineers Australia, which has welcomed the appointment of David Chandler. I am pleased to confirm that the Building Commissioner will be responsible for investigation and disciplinary action related to misconduct in the building industry. We welcome Mr Chandler to the role. I look forward to introducing legislation later this year with the Opposition's support. We have the best interests of New South Wales at heart. Mr Chandler is the right man for the right job. He is highly qualified, well credentialed and well connected. I congratulate him and thank him for taking up the role of the NSW Building Commissioner.