Mr JAMES GRIFFIN ( Manly ) ( 15:14 ): My question is addressed to the Minister for Innovation and Better Regulation. How is NSW Fair Trading helping consumers with the cost of living pressures?
The SPEA KER: Order! I call the member for Maroubra to order for the third time.
Mr MATT KEAN ( Hornsby—Minister for Innovation and Better Regulation) (15:15): I thank the member for Manly—otherwise known as the rock star politician—for his question. I thank him for his interest in the cost of living pressures for the people of Manly and people across New South Wales. I know he works hard every day for the mums and dads of Manly.
The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Bankstown will come to order. There is too much audible conversation in the Chamber. Government members will come to order.
Mr MATT KEAN: The constituents of the member for Manly as well as those in all other electorates are interested in the cost of living pressures. That is why NSW Fair Trading is taking this issue seriously. We only have to look at the recent ticket scalping reforms. Those reforms will ensure that genuine fans can access tickets at fair and reasonable prices. It is any wonder that the member for Manly is interested in concerts? He is often mistaken for being a member of a boy band. These reforms are about ensuring that people can access tickets at a fair and reasonable price.
The SPEAKER: Order! I warn the member for Canterbury for the final time. I remind the member that she is on three calls to order. If she continues to interject she will be removed from the Chamber for the rest of the day.
Mr MATT KEAN: These reforms will stop the bots and also smash the business model of dodgy ticket scalpers in New South Wales. We think genuine fans should be able to attend the events they want to. We think the Leader of the Opposition should also be able to access the Australian Chamber Orchestra's concerts at a fair and reasonable price.
Mr Guy Zangari: What is wrong with that?
Mr MATT KEAN: It is a great institution.
The SPEAKER: Order! I warn the member for Fairfield for the final time. I call the member to order for the third time.
Mr MATT KEAN: They hold great concerts, known to be liked by the Leader of the Opposition. We are leading the country in banning the bots and cracking down on dodgy ticket scalpers. I know that Madam Speaker is interested in feedback on the reforms. One letter states, "We believe that the New South Wales legislation provides a leading model for a broader national approach that could be considered by other State and Territory governments to better protect Australian sporting fans." That is from James Sutherland, Chief Executive Officer of Cricket Australia. We received another testimonial that states, "These new laws are just what we need to ensure fans pay the right price to see our best rugby league games." That is from National Rugby League Chief Executive Officer Todd Greenberg. Another great testimonial from the member for The Entrance states, "This is great policy." He loves our ticket scalping reforms. We received great feedback from the member for Mount Druitt. He thought it was fantastic policy. Another testimonial states, "This is quite possibly the greatest reform from a very good-looking Minister." That was from my mum!
It is not only concert fans who are interested in our reforms that are putting consumers first. It is also the mums and dads who use gift cards. We are ending the great gift card rip-off in this State by extending gift card expiry dates to three years. Each year people in New South Wales lose $60 million of their hard-earned cash because of early expiry dates on gift cards. Indeed, $200 million of Australian consumers' money is lost because of early expiry dates on gift cards. Our reforms ensure that consumers get what they pay for. As the Deputy Premier said, imitation is the best form of flattery. The Victorian Australian Labor Party backed our plans last week.
I am pleased that everyone seems to like our reforms whether it be Victorian Labor, members on this side of the House, or consumers right across the State. Other people have embraced our reforms. It is funny what comes across one's desk, but I have a leaked secret document which is the Australian Labor Party Kris Kringle which has embraced gift cards for this Christmas. The first gift card is from the member for Strathfield to the member for Maroubra and it is an Uber voucher that does not have an expiry date. The gift card from the backbench to the member for Auburn, the Leader of the Opposition, is a tolling policy. [Extension of time]
It is not just members on this side of the House that are putting consumers first, backing them in and supporting this Government's gift card reforms that will end the dodgy ticket scalpers rorts but all members throughout New South Wales. The member for Mount Druitt has his gift card which soon will have a three-year minimum expiry date in New South Wales. This is how this Government is easing cost-of-living pressures in New South Wales through the work NSW Fair Trading.
The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Swansea will come to order.
