In recent years, too many contractors, small businesses, and families across NSW have suffered due to weak safeguards in the building industry. Hardworking professionals are being exposed to non-payment, costly disputes, and financial ruin in a system that should be protecting them.

The building industry is a cornerstone of our economy, yet its key stakeholders—the builders and trades—are too often left exposed. Without builders, there is no building industry. These are the people up early every morning, working long hours in tough conditions to keep this state moving. They deserve a system that protects, not punishes, their effort.

A growing issue is the rise of so-called “independent” inspectors operating without clear regulation or accountability. Too often, their reports read as advocacy rather than objective assessment—presenting opinion as fact, omitting key information, and escalating disputes instead of resolving them.

Clients rely on these reports, often paying significant fees, believing they are impartial. Builders and subcontractors are then forced into legal battles that can cost $200,000 or more to defend—frequently against claims that do not withstand proper scrutiny. The result is business collapse, severe financial stress, and lasting impacts on families.

This has created a damaging loophole: withheld payments,
disputed compliance,
overwhelming contractors with reports and legal pressure,
and, in some cases, financial collapse followed by insurance claims.

Independence must not be a label—it must be a regulated obligation.

We are calling for urgent legislative reform in NSW building and construction law, supported by the NSW Building Commission and Master Builders Association.

What needs to change:

• A dedicated licence class for anyone acting as an “independent” building inspector or expert witness
• Mandatory training focused on impartiality, methodology, and duty to the tribunal or court—not the paying party
• Real accountability for misleading, unsupported, or out-of-scope reports
• Clear standards ensuring professional responsibility applies, regardless of court immunity

We also propose a practical reform:

The Trinity Triple Lock (Building Fair Process)

Lock 1
Building Commission review must occur first, with investigation and determinations issued. Only unresolved matters proceed further.

Lock 2
Only suitably qualified experts may provide reports—either recognised specialists working strictly within their field (e.g. structural engineers), or licensed building inspectors holding the proposed NSW accreditation.

Lock 3
Mandatory, recorded good-faith mediation must occur before any tribunal or court action.

This framework focuses on early resolution and filters out weak or baseless claims before they escalate. Matters that lack merit are resolved or discontinued earlier, reducing unnecessary filings and hearings.

This will deliver substantial cost savings to NCAT by lowering case volumes and shortening dispute timelines. Those savings can be redirected into strengthening the Building Commission’s investigative capacity and establishing targeted legal assistance for construction disputes—supporting both consumers and contractors with faster, fairer outcomes.

Builders and trades keep NSW moving. They are the ones in the arena—showing up early, carrying the load, and getting the job done under pressure. They deserve a system that is fair, evidence-based, and accountable.

Support this petition to drive real reform and protect the future of the building industry.

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better.
The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood;
who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming;
but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions;

— Theodore Roosevelt, 1910 :

These measures would not only safeguard the livelihoods of contractors but also stabilize the building industry by addressing its foundational issues. By signing this petition, you can help create a ripple of change that will protect thousands of families and businesses involved in this sector.

Join us in advocating for a fair and secure future for all members of the building industry. Sign the petition today and stand with the countless contractors who deserve our support.