Committees Update – July 2019

If you’ve been following us on Facebook or Twitter, you’ll have noticed that our committees have established a number of new inquiries in recent weeks. While the House might be on break, committees can still organise inquiry activity in this time.

Regulation of building standards, building quality and building disputes under the spotlight

The Public Accountability Committee will be examining the regulation of building standards, building quality and building disputes in its first inquiry for the 57^th Parliament.

The inquiry is looking at:

• The role of private certification in protecting building standards
• The adequacy of consumer protections for owners and purchasers of new buildings
• The role of strata committees in responding to building defects
• Case studies related to flammable cladding, and defects in Mascot Towers and the Opal Tower

If you’re interested in contributing to the inquiry, the committee is currently putting together an online questionnaire. It will be available on the committee’s website soon.

In the meantime, submissions close on 28 July 2019, with hearings to be held in August.

Help protect the koalas

Our newly established Portfolio Committee No. 7 is looking at koala populations and habitat in New South Wales. As Committee Chair Ms Cate Faehrmann MLC said in a media release, ‘the committee recognises that there are grave concerns for the welfare of koalas in New South Wales.’

In particular, the committee will focus on the impacts and effectiveness of existing policies relating to land management reform, forestry and the environment.

After submissions close on 2 August 2019, the committee is expecting to visit various locations and speak with local communities and experts for their input on how to ensure the welfare and survival of our furry friends. You can lodge a submission here.

Have your say on measurement and outcome-based funding in schools

Portfolio Committee No. 3’s first inquiry this Parliament is looking into measurement and outcome-based funding in New South Wales schools.

In his media release, Committee Chair the Hon Mark Latham MLC noted that New South Wales ‘school results have been going backwards compared to other states and countries’. The committee will look into a number of issues including what these trends show about schools policy, as well as the consequences of the introduction of outcome-based funding.

The committee wants to hear from all interested stakeholders, especially parents, students and teachers. Lodge your submission online by Sunday 18 August 2019. The committee will hold hearings soon after that.

Proposal to raise the Warragamba Dam wall

In the last sitting week before the break, the House established the Select Committee into the Proposal to Raise the Warragamba Dam Wall.

The committee will be examining a range of issues relating to the proposal to raise the dam wall, including the implementation of recommendations from the State Development inquiry into the Water NSW Amendment (Warragamba Dam) Bill 2018.

The committee is still in the process of setting up the inquiry so stay tuned for more information about submissions and hearings via the committee’s website.

Want to make a submission?

If you’re thinking of making a submission to any of our inquiries, have a read of our guide here for our tips on writing an effective submission.