I contribute to debate on the Building (Approvals and Practitioners) Bill 2026. The bill is an important step forward in modernising the way we approve and regulate building work in New South Wales, particularly as the construction sector increasingly adopts prefabricated and industrialised building methods. The reality is that New South Wales faces enormous pressure to deliver more housing more quickly while still maintaining quality, consumer confidence and strong regulatory oversight.

Modern methods of construction, including prefabricated and modular building systems, have the potential to play a major role in improving productivity and accelerating delivery. However, it is important that faster approvals should only come when there is stronger evidence, traceability and accountability, not weaker standards. One of the key opportunities in the bill is the ability to create a higher assurance pathway for digitally governed prefabricated and industrialised building systems that can demonstrate complete compliance records that are able to be audited from design through to manufacture, transport, installation and completion. I support a technology‑neutral approach.

This Parliament should not be picking winners or endorsing particular proprietary systems or manufacturers, nor should we weaken compliance with the National Construction Code or the Australian Standards. Instead, we should be encouraging systems that can demonstrate high-quality evidence, robust quality assurance, component traceability and digital compliance records that improve confidence for regulators, certifiers, insurers and consumers alike. Importantly, any pathway for interstate or overseas manufactured systems must still require proper assessment against the Australian Standards and New South Wales requirements. We should avoid unnecessary duplication where equivalent evidence exists, and we must maintain confidence in safety, quality and compliance.

Critically, I also see a significant opportunity for carefully controlled pilot programs in areas such as affordable housing, key worker housing and regional housing, where modern construction methods may help accelerate delivery while maintaining high standards. Ultimately, this bill should reward better evidence, oversight and accountability. If we get the settings right, modern construction methods can help New South Wales deliver more homes and infrastructure without compromising on quality or consumer protections. I support the bill.

You can read the rest of the debate here

27 May 2026, 23:56.