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Lobbying and advocacy
REINSW lobbying and advocacy is focused on lobbying for a fair and sensible framework for the property industry and for consumers. We strive to represent member interests, ensuring members' views are heard at the highest levels.
The REINSW State Conference, held on 28 May 2010, focused on developing and refining policies around planning, tenancy, agency best practice and tax.
These policies will underpin REINSW lobbying activities, which will ensure member interests are represented at both a state and federal level.
The four key policy areas are:
REINSW aims to create, enhance and sustain a viable, equitable and ethical property market.
If you have any questions about REINSW's Real Policies, please contact REINSW Marketing & Communications Manager Cathie Dickinson at cdickinson@reinsw.com.au
23 April 2013 – REINSW responds to window safety devices proposal
The NSW Government hopes to reduce the number of children falling from windows by mandating the installation of window safety devices. The proposals, set out in the Children and Window Safety Consultation Paper, require Owners’ Corporations to install safety devices on all windows that pose a safety risk to young children.
REINSW is supportive of initiatives to minimise the risk of death or injuries occurring as a result of children falling from windows. However, some of the proposals set out in the Consultation Paper are of particular concern and have the potential to shift liability onto property managers. Download REINSW’s submission >>>
15 March 2013 – Inquiry into the land valuation system
The Valuer-General Committee is currently investigating the extent to which the current land valuation system delivers transparent, efficient, equitable and consistent outcomes for stakeholders. This includes monitoring and reviewing the exercise of the Valuer General’s functions with respect to the land valuation system. REINSW has lodged a submission in response to the issues paper. Download REINSW’s submission >>>
12 March 2013 – More support for REINSW on national licensing
REINSW continues to gather support in our quest to stop the National Occupational Licensing System (NOLS) from being implemented in its current state. Following on from his meeting a fortnight ago with Leader of the Opposition Tony Abbott, REINSW Vice President John Cunningham has also spoken with the Shadow Minister for Small Business, Competition Policy and Consumer Affairs Mr Bruce Billson. Read more >>>
18 February 2013 – Battle against NOLS continues
REINSW has taken the fight against the proposed national licensing regime to Canberra, meeting with Leader of the Opposition Tony Abbott to argue in favour of higher standards. During the course of the meeting, the current standing of property professionals was discussed, as well as where the industry is heading and the problems likely to arise should NOLS be allowed to go ahead without a significant overhaul. Read more >>>
23 January 2013 – Reducing regulatory burden in NSW
As part of its commitment to reducing red tape, the NSW Government is proposing the repeal of a number of pieces of legislation, including the Landlord and Tenant Act 1899 and the Landlord and Tenant (Amendment) Act 1948. REINSW does not oppose the repeal of either Act. Download REINSW’s submission >>>
14 December 2012 -Reform of licensing in NSW
REINSW is an advocate for improved standards and professionalism in the real estate agency sphere to ensure that growing consumer expectations are met and that agents are equipped to operate in the increasingly complex environment in which property is transacted. We have lodged a submission in response to the NSW Government’s review of licensing in NSW. Download REINSW’s submission >>>
21 November 2012 – REINSW lodges strata submission
REINSW welcomes the reform and modernisation of the NSW strata and community schemes legislation. As the number of people living in strata and community schemes and the sizes of schemes increase it becomes ever more important to ensure the legislation is drafted appropriately. REINSW has submitted that the new legislation should be future focused by promoting sustainable quality building practices so as to ensure longevity within strata schemes and by providing fair processes to facilitate urban renewal. Download REINSW’s submission >>>
22 October 2012 - Swimming Pools Amendment Bill 2012
REINSW has written to the Minister for Local Government regarding the Bill to amend the Swimming Pools Act 1992 that is currently before the NSW Parliament. REINSW is in principle supportive of initiatives to minimise the risk of death or injuries occurring in swimming pools. However, we are concerned that industry stakeholders have not been sufficiently consulted in formulating the proposed changes. Read REINSW’s letter to the Minister >>>
10 October 2012 – REINSW lodges submission on national licensing
REINSW has lodged a submission in response to the National Licensing Consultation Regulation Impact Statement. We consider that the protection of consumers of real estate services should be a paramount consideration in the development of national licensing system. The emphasis should be on licensing all facets of agency work, solid qualifications as a pre-requisite to licensing across the board and regulated continuing professional development requirements – all of which would demonstrate a recognition that, in both the residential and commercial sectors, real estate professionals deal with clients’ most value assets. Download the submission >>>
3 October 2012 – Submission responding to the Property, Stock and Business Agents Amendment Bill
Following a review of the Property Stock and Business Agents Act 2002, the NSW Government is proposing a number of amendments to the Act and released an exposure draft Amendment Bill, for public consultation before the proposed reforms are introduced into Parliament. REINSW has lodged a submission with the Minister for Fair Trading Anthony Roberts outlining our views in relation to the Bill. Download the submission >>>
3 October 2012 – Proposed property levy to fund emergency services
During the 2011 State Election, the Liberal and Nationals Coalition committed to consulting with the community to identify a better way to fund emergency services in NSW. According to the discussion paper: “A wide range of alternative revenue sources have been considered, and it is apparent that if the current arrangements are changed, a property based levy would be the best alternative. In our submission, REINSW acknowledges the importance of ensuring adequate funding for the emergency services in NSW, however submits that levying a new tax on property owners will have a negative impact on the already strained property industry. Download the submission >>>
5 September 2012 – Proposed changes to the Property, Stock and Business Agents Act 2002
Following a review of the Property, Stock and Business Agents Act 2002, the NSW Government is proposing a number of amendments to the Act and has released an exposure draft Amendment Bill for public consultation before the proposed reforms are introduced into Parliament. REINSW is currently reviewing the draft Amendment Act and will be making a formal submission. Read more >>>
24 August 2012 – REINSW responds to proposed Home Building Act reforms
In July of this year, the NSW Minister for Fair Trading Anthony Roberts announced a broad reform of the Home Building Act 1989 and released an issues paper for public and industry consultation. REINSW made a submission in response to the issues paper, which focused on the issues of statutory warranties and home warranty insurance. Download the submission >>>
15 August 2012 – Draft national licensing rules will be a disaster for the profession
New draft national licensing rules for property-related professions are proposing an entry education level of Certificate IV and the removal of the requirement for agents to undertake continuing professional development. REINSW is supportive of national licensing, however our support is focused on creating the best system for the industry, consumers and the profession. Read more >>>
19 May 2012 - NSW Government could reap hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue, simply by cutting stamp duty
In the wake of the RBA’s decisive action to shock the economy into a higher gear, REINSW is calling on the NSW Government to do its part to kickstart a sluggish property market. And in a bold plan, REINSW is urging the government to cut transfer stamp duty not just to increase sales activity but also to increase government revenues.
REINSW says a cut to transfer stamp duty rates of as little as 0.5% could boost state revenues by hundreds of million dollars through aggressive stimulation of the property market; a move that has been proven to work elsewhere in Australia. Read more >>>
16 April 2012 – Urgent stamp duty and planning reform needed to reinvigorate NSW property sector
Two months out from the next State Budget, REINSW is calling on the O’Farrell Government to urgently reform stamp duty and the State’s planning system in order to stimulate the property sector. Real innovation needs to be brought to bear on two areas of government regulation that are restricting both the supply of housing as well as its affordability. To that end, REINSW is calling on the NSW Government to consider the introduction of a ‘Pay As You Go’ scheme for stamp duty to reduce the cost burden, especially on first homebuyers. Further, REINSW believes that the overall rate of stamp duty should be cut as a means of increasing State Government revenues by boosting property transactions. Read more >>>
April 2012 - Playing our part in industry improvement
REINSW has been actively participating in the National Occupational Licensing System (NOLS) and the Conduct Harmonisation Project (the Project). REINSW is supportive of both NOLS and the Project, however our support is focused on creating the best system for the industry, consumers and the industry's professional service providers. To achieve this outcome, those with carriage of NOLS and the Project need to engage and consult broadly with all stakeholders. This will, of course, take time and REINSW is concerned that slavish adherence to predeterimined timing milestones may take precedence over striving for the creation of a better system. Read more >>>
March 2012 - Strata reform must recognise lifestyle
With no fewer than 10 pieces of legislation directly regulating the development and management of strata and community schemes, the NSW Government’s decision to review existing strata laws is to be applauded. It is time to simplify the legislative framework to make strata laws easier to understand and, at the same time, recognise existing and future requirements. Read more >>>
16 November 2011 – REINSW proposes further amendments to the residential tenancies regime
REINSW has effectively represented members in the fight for an equitable residential tenancies regime and has consistently been involved in lobbying efforts. Most recently, REINSW has worked with NSW Fair Trading in relation to the new Residential Tenancies Act 2010 and the Residential Tenancies Regulation 2010.
While REINSW was pleased to see that many of its recommendations were adopted, many changes are still required to ensure an equitable balance between landlords and tenants. To that end, REINSW has made a further submission to the Minister for Fair Trading outlining key areas in which change is required. Read REINSW’s submission >>>
24 August 2011 – REINSW calls for the introduction of mandatory professional indemnity insurance
REINSW strongly believes that professional indemnity insurance should be mandatory for all agencies in NSW and we have made a number of submissions over the years to the NSW Government.
Following discussions with Minister for Fair Trading, Anthony Roberts, REINSW has made a further submission in relation to the introduction of mandatory professional indemnity insurance. Read the submission >>>
12 July 2011 – No licence for commercial agents?
Just when we thought the discussion around the proposed National Occupational Licensing System (NOLS) couldn’t get any sillier, it has! There are now rumours that NOLS will remove the requirement for commercial agents to be licensed.
REINSW is strongly arguing against the removal of licensing for commercial agents and will continue to push for high standards across other licensing categories as well. Read more >>>
10 June 2011 – Industry in focus
NSW Treasurer Mike Baird and NSW Valuer General Philip Western joined REINSW on Friday, 10 June 2011, to shine the spotlight on the big issues.
The REINSW invitation-only ‘Industry in Focus’ lunch gave industry stakeholders and senior representatives from major residential and commercial franchises the opportunity to discuss a wide range of contemporary issues impacting the industry.
“A strong housing sector is absolutely essential to this economy moving forward and the government is very focused on that,” stated Mr Baird. Read more >>>
3 June 2011 - Minister for Fair Trading commits to pro-property stance
At the mid-year REINSW State Conference on Friday, 27 May 2011, delegates heard from the new Minister about the NSW Government’s pro-property stance. Acknowledging the significant role REINSW plays in providing leadership to the real estate industry across NSW, the Minister declared he was looking forward to finding new and better ways to work together.
“We share a strong common interest in building a solid, enduring real estate sector and establishing NSW as the number one state for property investment in the nation,” he said. “The NSW Government and the Institute need to work together to achieve these goals.” Read more >>>
1 June 2011 – Inadequate national educational standards will damage the profession
The new National Occupational Licensing System (NOLS), which captures the property industry, is due to commence on 1 July 2012. There are some concerning issues that have begun to emerge from NOLS which REINSW believes will have an adverse effect on consumer confidence and the professional generally.
REINSW believes that NOLS will dilute the aggregate skills, knowledge and experience of the profession and, as a consequence, the profession will find it increasingly difficult to respond to consumer expectations and the complex legislative environment in which property is transacted. Read more >>>
18 May 2011 – NSW Government encourages ‘empty nesters’ to downsize
In another lobbying win for REINSW, the NSW Government will extend the principal place of residence stamp duty exemption to seniors between 55 and 65 years of age.
For a number of years, REINSW has been lobbying the government to do just this. Read more >>>
10 May 2011 – NSW Government to repeal ad valorem tax
In a lobbying win for REINSW, the O’Farrell Government has introduced legislation to repeal the ad valorem tax.
Introduced by the Keneally Government on 1 July 2010, the ad valorem tax is payable on the registration of a transfer of property where the purchase price is more than $500,000.
REINSW immediately sought, and received, an undertaking from the then Opposition Leader Barry O’Farrell that he would repeal the ad valorem tax should the NSW Liberals & Nationals be elected at the March 2011 election. Mr O’Farrell has lived up to this undertaking. Read more >>>
10 June 2010 – NSW Parliament passes Residential Tenancies Act 2010
The NSW Parliament has passed the Residential Tenancies Act 2010, which includes some of the most sweeping changes to residential tenancies in decades. The changes will affect the control and management of each and every rented residential property in NSW and will have a profound impact on property managers, landlords and tenants.
REINSW management, in conjunction with its Property Management Chapter and along with members who actively enlisted the support of their landlords, were able to force considerable changes to the original Bill. Read more >>>
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