Being a strata owner in NSW, ACT, VIC and for a short while QLD, I’d say that IME as both a chair and committee member for many decisions, it is VIC that has the best overall system.
But it’s for sure far from perfect.
Every couple of years or so submissions are called for by CAV re OC Act amendments.
The states do observe each other and often adopt what seems to be a working improvement from other states. As you would know, many so called improvements turn out to be not so great when actually implemented.
It’s true that strata committees need not send out notices and minutes of formal committee meetings outside the committee. But calling them “secret” is a bit over the top. The notices and minutes form part of the OC records. And many committees will send them out to all owners anyway. I always do.
in reality, the huge amount of committee decisions in my OCs are made quickly and by email vote. That way we get relatively minor, every day matters promptly addressed. To make all those decisions formal with notices, minutes and any lot owner participation is totally impractical. And OCs can set limits on what a committee can decide if they wish to.
If the government is going to give any authority actual power to regulate stratas it needs to legislate that. I suppose it might happen one day. But until it does, there are no strata police and mediation etc is voluntary.