FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

29 November 2018

VICTORIAN MINISTRY ANNOUNCED

Following on from Labor’s election win on Saturday, the Premier, , has today announced the appointment of Ministers to the new Victorian Cabinet.

Of most interest to the Housing Industry is the re-appointment of as the Minister for Planning. Mr Wynne will also be the Minister for Housing and Minister for Multicultural Affairs.

It is expected that Mr Wynne will remain responsible for the Building Act and Building Regulations. Minister Wynne will also be responsible for the implementation of the new building permit numbering system (due to commence in July 2019) and the registration and licensing of trades (due by September 2020). It is not yet clear as to the consequences of appointing the one Minister with responsibility for Planning and Housing. The Housing portfolio generally relates to provision of public housing.

Marlene Kairouz has been re-appointed as the Minister for Consumer Affairs, Gaming and Liquor Regulation. She will also now be the Minister for Suburban Development. Minister Kairouz will remain responsible for the Domestic Building Contracts Act and Regulations as well as Domestic Building Disputes Resolution Victoria (DBDRV). This legislation is overdue for review and HIA considers that reforms to update it should be considered during this Parliamentary term.

Tim Pallas will remain as the Treasurer and will be the Assistant Treasurer. The possible impacts of the registration of trades on domestic building insurance are likely to increase the Housing Industry’s interaction with these Ministers. The Treasurer will also be the Minister for Industrial Relations.

Jill Hennessy will be the Minister for Workplace Safety and the Attorney- General. Her success as Minister for Health indicates that she will be successful in these new roles and HIA welcomes her responsibility for occupational health and safety.

Gayle Tierney retains the Training and Skills Portfolio and will oversee implementation of the free TAFE proposals. HIA has urged the Government to also continue to support the provision of industry based and private sector training to support its intended outcomes of more skilled trades for our industry.

Other appointments of note for the Housing Industry include:

Gavin Jennings as Minister for Priority Precincts, Lily D’Ambrosio as Minister for Solar Homes, and Adem Somyerek as Minister for Local Government and Minister for Small Business.

HIA congratulates all the Ministers on their appointment and looks forward to working with the Victorian Government on key matters that impact the Housing Industry.