I welcome the report from the Legal Affairs Committee’s inquiry into the management of strata properties, and thank all the submitters, Committee members and the secretariat for their contributions to this extensive piece of work. 

This report will have been eagerly awaited by the Attorney-General, and by many of the growing number of Canberrans living in apartments, townhouses and other strata-managed properties. 

I am regularly contacted by Canberrans with significant concerns about high strata fees, poor service delivery and unresolved strata disputes. A strata-related disagreement can be a hugely destabilising life disruption, particularly when significant sums of money are involved.

A key recommendation from this inquiry is establishing a Strata Commissioner, which reflects a commitment contained in my supply agreement with the Chief Minister. Currently people don’t feel they have an advocate in their corner when locked in a dispute with their strata manager, and hopefully this role will go some way to addressing that.

Many apartment dwellers in the ACT will be eager to see the establishment of a Strata Commissioner who’s able to help resolve disputes without the hassle, costs and stress of going to ACAT. 

This new position will require sufficient resourcing to fulfil its functions and meet the level of need we’re seeing across our community for assistance with strata issues. Canberrans will expect to see the Government move quickly on this with adequate funding for a Strata Commissioner provided in the upcoming ACT Budget. 

I look forward to engaging constructively with the Government to ensure the Committee’s detailed work on this issue is carried forward in a timely manner.

END STATEMENT

BACKGROUND

Mr Emerson’s supply-and-confidence agreement with ACT Labor includes establishing a Strata Commissioner.  

Find the Committee’s report here.