Tim said: “REINSW is always looking at ways to improve the regulatory environment in the property services industry and a key part of this is influencing the NSW Government.
“We have long been committed to a lobbying strategy to bring about positive change and will continue to fight for the best outcomes for our industry.”
REINSW lobbying
Lobbying the government for the benefit of its members is one of REINSW’s core value propositions.
Here are some of the issues REINSW has been lobbying on.
First homebuyers
REINSW was pleased that the NSW Government listened to our pleas for first homebuyers’ concessions and released a package of measures, including for those not buying new homes.
However, it only provided a partial solution that doesn’t solve housing affordability. It also ignored REINSW’s lobbying for concessions for retirees who would like to move to more appropriate housing.
REINSW is after a coordinated multi-occupancy policy to enable two, three and four dwelling medium density subdivisions in residential zones similar to the old State Environmental Planning Policies on dual occupancy.
REINSW President John Cunningham said: “Unless the Federal and State Governments create a coordinated solution to taxation relief and saving/incentive schemes the issue is not going to go away.
“We believe it is one of the quickest solutions to the supply/choice issues of getting people moving to more appropriate housing and will continue to lobby the government on these issues.”
Real estate reform package nearing reality
REINSW has worked incredibly hard to achieve wholesale education reform in the real estate industry which is finally close to fruition.
The draft legislation for the NSW Government’s Real Estate and Property Services Industry Reform is set to go to Cabinet for approval in late 2017.
The Real Estate Reference Group, which is made up of NSW Fair Trading representatives and key industry stakeholders including REINSW, was given access to the Cabinet-in-Confidence documents to provide feedback.
REINSW is working hard to ensure the legislation, regulations and guidelines meet what is required and intended to achieve in the reform proposals report back in 2015.
The reforms are expected to be implemented by mid-2018 with a further 12 months of transition to allow businesses to be fully prepared for what lies ahead.
The path to professionalism
REINSW in conjunction with the Real Estate Institute of Australia is working with the Professional Standards Councils and its agency, the Professional Standards Authority (PSA), to have the property services industry legally recognised as a profession.
To find out more about what REINSW has been lobbying on,
click here.