Tuesday, 12 May 2026

 Nick STAIKOS (Bentleigh – Minister for Housing and Building, Minister for the Suburban Rail Loop) (09:36): I move:

That I introduce a bill for an act to amend the Building Act 1993 in relation to places of public entertainment, emergency orders, building notices, building orders, decennial insurance, flood-prone areas and minor matters, the Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act 2002 in relation to adjudicators, authorised nominating authorities and reviews of that act, the Building Legislation Amendment (Buyer Protections) Act 2025 in relation to the statutory insurance scheme, minimum financial requirements and minor matters, the Building Legislation Amendment (Fairer Payments on Jobsites and Other Matters) Act ‍2025 in relation to minor matters, the Building and Plumbing Administration and Enforcement Act 2026 in relation to ministerial guidelines, flood-prone areas and minor matters, the Cladding Safety Victoria Repeal Act 2026 in relation to a minor matter, the Sale of Land Act 1962 in relation to off-the-plan contracts and section 32 statements, the Water Act 1989 in relation to flood plain management, the Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund Act 2012 in relation to exemptions and offsets and the fixed charge on residential land and the Land Tax Act 2005 in relation to the principal place of residence exemption and for other purposes.

Motion agreed to.

 David SOUTHWICK (Caulfield) (09:38): I ask for a brief explanation on this huge bill, and I am wondering: is this a backflip on the minimum financial requirements?

 Nick STAIKOS (Bentleigh – Minister for Housing and Building, Minister for the Suburban Rail Loop) (09:38): The bill protects consumers and alleviates cost-of-living pressures through reforms such as introducing a decennial insurance product for apartment buildings, streamlining structure permits for festivals and events and delivering tax relief for Victorians.

Read first time.

Ordered to be read second time tomorrow.