Thursday, 14 August 2025

Responses

Nick STAIKOS (Bentleigh – Minister for Consumer Affairs, Minister for Local Government) (17:29): I thank the member for Ashwood for raising this important matter on behalf of his constituent Naomi. It is exactly this reason concerning what the member for Ashwood has described in terms of Naomi’s experience with her owners corporation that we are reviewing the Owners Corporation Act ‍2006. We are reviewing the Owners Corporation Act because it is more important now than ever. One in four Victorians live in strata-managed properties, and due to our housing targets we of course will see more and more Victorians living in multidwelling developments. Therefore we will see more and more owners corporations, so we want to get the legal framework right when it comes to owners corporations.

I can inform the member that I have asked the Honourable Marsha Thomson, a former Minister for Consumer Affairs, to chair a review panel. The review panel will also consist of Karen Chester, who is an accomplished economist with expertise in regulatory policy, and also David McKenzie, who is one of Victoria’s leading lawyers specialising in owners corporation matters. That review panel is going to consider a number of issues concerning the Owners Corporations Act. They include, but are not limited to, hardship arrangements for lot owners struggling to pay fees, voting requirements among lot owners, measures to enforce compliance with the act and collective sales laws for strata developments, but I think Naomi will be most interested in this one – that is, the probity and conduct of owners corporation managers, including conflicts of interest, unfair contracts and commissions.

I can confirm for the member for Ashwood that consultation is now open on the Engage Victoria website, that the review panel is consulting widely and that consultation on the Engage Victoria website will be open until 2 September 2025. I certainly encourage the many Victorians who live in strata-managed properties to contribute to this review of the act, because as minister I am determined to ensure that we have the best possible legal framework that protects people who live in strata-managed developments. I will undertake for the member for Ashwood to refer Naomi’s concerns to the review panel for their consideration.

Mary-Anne THOMAS (Macedon – Leader of the House, Minister for Health, Minister for Ambulance Services) (17:32): I express my condolences to the Edwards family. I am very sorry to hear of their experience on the death of Alfred Edwards, and I undertake to find out what has happened and respond to the member for Murray Plains. I may need to do that in conjunction with the Minister for Emergency Services, who has responsibility for 000, but we will work together to ensure that a response is provided for your constituents.

The member for Croydon raised a matter for the attention of the Minister for Roads and Road Safety, and the action he seeks is that the minister prioritise the safety of drivers and pedestrians in particular and look at the tricky intersection of Lusher Road, Anzac Street and Mount Dandenong Road in Croydon. The member for Werribee raised a matter for attention of the Minister for Development Victoria and Precincts in the other place. The action the member is seeking from the minister is an update on the progress of Pick My Park, a project which I must say has garnered a lot of excitement and enthusiasm amongst the very many members on this side of the house that represent growing suburban communities. I am sure the minister looks forward to providing that update. The member for Albert Park raised a matter for the attention of the Minister for Economic Growth and Jobs, and the action she seeks is that the minister visit her in her electorate and meet with many exciting and innovative local businesses. I am sure the minister looks forward to that.

The member for Kew raised a matter for the Minister for Education. The action she seeks is clarification on the minister’s position in relation to the employment status of a former principal at Brighton Secondary College. The member for Thomastown raised a matter for the attention of the Minister for Education. The action that the member seeks is that the minister provide her with information in particular about the many initiatives and investments our government is making to support schools that serve multicultural communities. I thank the member for her advocacy on behalf of her community. I am sure the minister looks forward to providing her with that update.

The member for Mildura raised a matter for the attention of the Minister for Health Infrastructure. She has kindly and warmly invited the minister on a trip to Murrayville to visit the Murrayville Bush Nursing Hospital. In particular I think she would like the minister to come and see the state of the roof. I will pass that on to the minister. The member for Broadmeadows raised a matter for the attention of the Minister for Prevention of Family Violence, and the action she seeks is for the minister to come and meet the young people running the Good People Act Now project at Banksia Gardens. This is an incredible project – I have some firsthand knowledge of it – and I am sure the minister cannot wait to get out and meet those incredible young people who are doing such great work in the member’s community.

The SPEAKER: Thank you, ministers. Thank you, members. And, as always, thanks to our great parliamentary staff. The house now stands adjourned.

House adjourned 5:35 pm.