President's Update - May

The Winds of Change in Strata Management: Embracing a New Era

Bob Dylan once sang, "The times they are a-changing," capturing the essence of societal transformation. Today, the strata management sector is experiencing its own winds of change, with the 'old ways' of doing things under heavy scrutiny. As a sector, we must not only prepare for these changes but also embrace them positively.

Embracing Transparency and Ethics

Our industry is facing a greater demand for higher transparency, probity, ethical behaviour, and professionalism. This shift is not unique to us; it has already swept through sectors like banking, finance, insurance, health, NDIS, and real estate.

It is critical that we uphold the principles of social license and that we all provide leadership and call out wrongdoing. Members are telling me they want guidance and urgency to provide moral clarity and the courage of our conviction on these matters. For too long Strata Managers have been recipients of criticism when there are broader issues and conflicts beyond their control.

Consumer protection is a government mandate, ensuring that ethical and transparent practices are upheld. As Tim Nicholls, the Shadow Attorney-General for Queensland, highlighted at our recent Advocacy Summit, if we don't proactively clean up our sector, the government will step in to do it for us. Rest assured, our sector is under close watch by both the government and regulators.

Proactive Engagement and Advocacy

In response, our General Manager, Laura Bos, has been actively engaging with government ministers, policy advisors, and regulators. She is showcasing the positive steps SCA is taking to work with our members to improve business practices. Laura's efforts in maintaining and building on our sector's social license are commendable and crucial during this transformative period.

SCA's Six Step Plan

We are excited to share that the 'Six Step Plan' for evolving SCA's Code of Conduct, ethical practices, transparency, and disclosures is well underway. This interview on LookUp Strata by Alisha Fisher is a good refresher on this plan for you.

Starting 1 July, the Insurance Disclosure Best Practice regime will be part of the member Code of Conduct and Professional Standards Scheme. Members will have an opportunity to learn more about this initiative in June.

Additionally, we are pleased to announce the appointment of an independent Chair to the SCA Professional Standards Committee. This reinforces our commitment to integrity and independence in our complaints and disciplinary processes, boosting confidence among consumers, the government, and regulators.

Transforming SCAQ

Alongside the sector, SCAQ is undergoing its own transformation. Driven by our Strategic Plan, the Board is collaborating with our management team to build the necessary resources to achieve our strategy. Despite being run by a small team of four staff, our standing, visibility, advocacy, education, and event quality are exceptional.

However, to sustain this level of delivery and professionalism, our structure must evolve. Therefore, I have tasked a Strategic Resourcing Committee to work with management on restructuring the organisation to meet future needs. This includes staffing, volunteer committee, Board structure, and technology needs.

Appreciation for Our Team

In closing, I want to extend my gratitude to our SCAQ team. The Board has witnessed firsthand just how hard they work for us, often under challenging circumstances. Their dedication and effort are greatly appreciated.

Together, let's embrace these changes and work towards a brighter, more ethical, and transparent future for the strata management sector.

Andrew Davidson

SCAQ President