Why are homeowners still expected to meet rigorous due diligence standards, while builders and nominees are not consistently held to the same level of accountability under legislation?

Attending the second Queensland Building and Construction Commission Roundtable for Consumer Advocates—alongside executives such as Angelo Lambrinos, Gary Saunders, and Greg Chemello—reinforced how critical it is to move beyond discussion and toward enforceable reform.

Presence alone is not enough. Legislative intent must be matched with consistent compliance, active enforcement, and meaningful accountability.

Key issues raised throughout the roundtable highlighted systemic gaps that continue to expose homeowners to unacceptable risk:

• The need for clear legislation and consistent statutory interpretation;

• A cultural shift toward ethical conduct and professional responsibility;

• Systemic regulatory failures impacting safety, quality, and consumer trust;

• Greater transparency and scrutiny in licensing processes;

• Independence, integrity, and accountability in investigations and decisions;

• A stronger, more proactive regulatory direction

A central concern remains: a minority of non-compliant builders, subcontractors, and, at times, regulatory decision-makers, are driving a disproportionate level of harm. These failures result in defective work, non-compliance, and significant financial and emotional consequences—borne almost entirely by homeowners.

This imbalance is neither sustainable nor acceptable.

Regulation must do more than exist—it must operate effectively. This requires stronger legislative frameworks, consistent enforcement of compliance obligations, and clear accountability mechanisms that hold all industry participants—builders, nominees, and regulators—to the same standard.

Education has a role, but it cannot remain the default safeguard. Homeowners should not be positioned as the last line of defence in a system designed to protect them.

Responsibility must be realigned—firmly and fairly—onto those who build, oversee, and regulate the industry.

As part of the homeowner co-submission, I strongly advocated for reforms that prioritise consumer protection, enforce legislative compliance, and ensure homeowner voices remain central in shaping a safer, more accountable construction sector.

Let’s start regulating with mandating real time reporting & QBCC Licensee transparency to homeowners before contract is valid.

#ConsumerAdvocacy #QBCC #BuildingReform #Accountability #StrongerRegulation