5 May, 2026
The Hon. R.A. SIMMS (17:22): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before addressing a question without notice to the Deputy Premier on the topic of building inspection reports.
The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: The Victorian Allan Labor government has recently announced plans to require home owners rather than homebuyers to pay for building inspection reports. Members might recall during the last parliament I introduced a private members' bill that would have done something very similar, which was opposed by the Labor government. My question to the Deputy Premier is: given Labor's track record of copying Green election policies, including portable bonds for rentals and making public school free, is this policy a Green idea whose time has finally come? Will the Labor Party be joining us and seeking to implement it during this term?
The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Deputy Premier, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for Arts, Special Minister of State) (17:23): I thank the honourable member for his question. I am more than happy to pass on to the minister responsible, the Hon. Michael Brown, the member for Florey, who has responsibility for consumer and business affairs, this idea and any other idea that the Hon. Rob Simms comes up with for his consideration.
Response by the Hon K.J. Maher:
"The Minister for Consumer and Business Affairs has advised that:
It is incorrect to claim the Government copies Greens policy. The Government appreciates that requiring home vendors to pay for and provide inspection reports to prospective purchasers may reduce the costs for consumers.
We are also aware of concerns that if vendors are required to pay, inspectors may be incentivised to prepare reports that favour their clients' interests rather than a high quality assessment.
The Government will continue to monitor developments in the building and real estate industries to determine whether any regulatory response is required."