There is well written informative article by Paul Cott on Sourceable
https://sourceable.net/construction-ind ... -the-wind/
However my own optimism has been moderated by experience and below is my response:
Informative article, thank you Paul, however I cannot help but think the proposed changes are just another shot of Clayton's consumer protection. Over the last decade i have been to VCAT many times as expert witness and have had many people come to me after wasting their time with Building Commission and the Conciliation run by Consumer Affairs. So now complaining consumers will now be handled by the same inept systems combined ( with mostly the same inept staff that now have new titles with higher pay). How is that going to work? On the other hand, in most cases VCAT will order compulsory mediation prior to hearing, so what is new that the new Domestic Building Dispute Resolution Victoria is bringing to the table? Nothing! Just a rearrangement of Titanic deck chairs, another line of red tape and waste of time, and smoke in the eyes for those that think there is going to be a genuine attempt to protect consumers. Keep dreaming!