As a sophisticated society, we require our laws and regulations to be fair and relevant for the times and to be practical in providing guidelines for the best operations of our day to day activities. 

Therefore it is important that when we review and change important legislation we have an understanding of all the stakeholders, their needs and concerns. 

I am the first to admit that this is not an easy task, and that there is a real challenge to get things right and to ensure there are mechanisms in place for fine tuning or conciliation to make things work. 

Science and technology introduce new breakthroughs and make it necessary for us to think differently and to plan and implement different programs from time-to-time. 

We are all getting used to thinking, reacting and implementing change in our own lives. 

We in the managed accommodation industry certainly do, for we are an integral part of the tourism industry, that incorporates holiday, leisure and entertainment and is now valued at more than $20b annually. 

As a body of people, QRAMA manage and operate about $10b worth of investments and assets in the Queensland tourist industry. 

We work closely with our local industry and tourism bodies because we are recognised by our trading partners that we are an integral part of the local and statewide tourist industry. 

Just as importantly, we are recognised by the investors and absentee owners of the units and facilities in the high rise, resort and unit complexes as an important part of their investment. The majority of these people are the mum and dad investors from all over Australia that want a little working nest egg and to be able to holiday occasionally in their unit. 

This is the message that QRAMA members are taking to the State Government as it continues its review of the Body Corporate and Community Management Act. 

QRAMA believe that while the politicians and bureaucrats understand the fundamental lifestyle pattern of many Queenslanders is changing, where empty nesters, the young business people and first home buyers are choosing apartment style living, more than 30% of the State’s units are holiday accommodation. 

Our desire is to have the politicians understand that in developing legislation and regulations to best manage contemporary situations, all stakeholders need to be considered and treated fairly in the equation. 

QRAMA is concerned that the Government continues to be focused on the protection of owners’ rights in an over simplification of the economic realities of making a multi million dollar investment viable. 

New controls planned for resident accommodation managers do not relate to the current investment criteria and financial risk assessment of the banks, the major funders of small business. 

The six issues that we at QRAMA have been highlighting in our campaign to Government do not adversely impact on the desire of Government to protect owners. 

But they do impact very negatively on maintaining and retaining a viable accommodation management industry and in providing confidence for Queensland and Australia’s tourist industry in offering a wide range of self catering accommodation. 

QRAMA members not only invest their money, but they also invest their time and effort in making their investment a success. We believe residential accommodation managers have rights too, as well as the responsibilities so clearly defined in the legislation. 

Our six points of issue highlight risks that threaten our industry. We believe that the consequences of six inappropriate decisions will impact adversely in the tourist areas and in this form of accommodation.