Tuesday, 8 September 2026

 Aiv PUGLIELLI (North-Eastern Metropolitan) (13:06): (2587) My question today is for the Minister for Consumer Affairs. Residents in apartment towers across Box Hill were really pleased to hear that the Parliament supported the amendment that I moved to end proxy harvesting in owners corporation meetings, according to a number of pieces of correspondence in recent days. Many residents of these large buildings have brought up serious concerns about the impact that proxy harvesting is having on their buildings, particularly in relation to governance and proper decision-making. That part of the bill may not come into effect until December next year via proclamation. Each day that passes in the meantime, non-owner agents and developers will continue to use large numbers of proxy votes to influence decisions affecting an entire building. These residents want to see this practice ended as soon as possible. Minister, will you advocate that this part of the bill come into effect before the caretaker period begins so that residents in Box Hill can be protected from bad actors controlling decision-making in their buildings?