The Real Estate Institute of Victoria has taken what it describes as an unprecedented step, standing with the Opposition to push for major amendments to the Consumer Legislation Amendment Bill 2026.
REIV chief executive Toby Balazs appeared alongside Jade Benham MP, Member for Mildura and Shadow Minister for Consumer Affairs, ahead of the Bill’s second reading debate in the Legislative Assembly.
The REIV says the Bill contains gaps and impracticalities that will expose sellers, buyers and agents to serious litigation risks and add unnecessary complexity to property transactions.
The institute maintains it remains a bipartisan body, but says its decision to align with the Opposition on this issue follows repeated attempts to provide the Victorian Government with evidence-based advice on the legislation – advice it says has continued to be ignored or rejected. The REIV says it has given all parliamentarians recommended alterations intended to improve the Bill’s effectiveness while keeping it workable for today’s property market.
Toby Balazs said the Government needed to act on industry advice and redraft the Bill.
“We strongly support greater price transparency in Victoria’s property market, but the Government has repeatedly ignored practical, evidence-based solutions put forward by the industry,” he said.
“We have provided the Government with comprehensive, actionable reforms, backed by independent research and detailed analysis, that would improve transparency while delivering certainty and fairness for both buyers and sellers.
“Instead, the Government has chosen to pursue legislation that risks undermining the very transparency it claims to support. These flawed reforms will create greater uncertainty, add unnecessary complexity and impose costly hurdles on Victorians trying to buy and sell property.
“The Government should listen to the evidence, listen to the industry and get this reform right.”
The REIV’s intervention follows a public back-and-forth between Toby and then-Premier Jacinta Allan over the reforms. Jacinta has since stood down as Premier, adding a further layer of uncertainty to a Bill that was already before the Parliament without industry backing.
For Victorian agents, the stakes are significant. The REIV’s warning centres on litigation exposure – a risk that would sit with agents and their clients if the legislation passes in its current form.
With a change of Premier now in play following Premier Jacinta Allan’s resignation, it remains unclear whether the Bill will proceed as drafted, be delayed, or be reconsidered under new leadership.