Simon Power MP
National Party Justice Spokesman

30 July 2008

Labour caves in over Real Estate Agents Bill

The Labour Government has caved in over many of its proposed changes to the Real Estate Agents Bill, says National's Justice spokesman, Simon Power.

"Associate Justice Minister Clayton Cosgrove has folded on this bill.

"He knew he had to make some big changes if he wanted it to become law this year.

"He has:

* Abandoned the requirement to review the employment status of salespeople - National opposed this review all along.

* Abandoned the regulation of auctions - National considered that these requirements were impractical and unworkable, though we were concerned that auctioneers were excluded from the scheme.

* Increased experienced criteria required for licensing from two out of 10 years to three out of 10 years - National advocated for three years out of five, in accordance with the majority of submitters.

* Backed down and will now consult the REINZ on the first appointments to the new authority and the disciplinary tribunal - National has always opposed Clayton Cosgrove's confrontational, non-consultative approach to this legislation.

"This is a victory for common sense.

"These four changes were advocated by National in one way or another through the passage of this bill.

"We are disappointed, though, that he has failed to address issues around including property managers in the regulatory regime, a longer time period for transitional provisions, and bureaucracy that increases consumer costs.

"Clayton Cosgrove's style delayed progress on this matter for weeks, and now he's been forced into an embarrassing backdown."

ENDS

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