New strata commissioner starts with first scalp

NSW has a new Strata Commissioner and he has already claimed his first scalp. On the day Angus Abadee was confirmed as the head honco for strata and property in Fair Trading, an appeal against a permanent ban on Result Strata and its manager Michael Lee was overturned by the NCAT Appeals Board.

Mr Abadee has has been in the role of Interim Strata and Property Services Commissioner since it was vacated in December 2024.

His work included the sector-first permanent disqualification of Result Strata Management and its general manager Michael Lee from working in the NSW strata sector.

Somewhat ironically, the departure of his predecessor John Minns was prompted by revelations in “The Strata Trap” the same ABC TV documentary that exposed Michael Lee.

According to a Fair Trading Press release, as Strata and Property Services Minister, Mr Abadee brings extensive regulatory and sector experience, having held senior positions in NSW Fair Trading, Building Commission NSW and Liquor & Gaming NSW.

He established and has led the Strata and Property Taskforce with a regulatory focus on practices causing consumer harm, including targeting underquoting in the real estate sales sector, as well as the failure of strata managing agents to act in the best interests of owners corporations and meet disclosure obligations.

“I am absolutely thrilled to be appointed NSW Strata and Property Services Commissioner,” he said in a media release. “We have an opportunity to drive proactive and visible regulation across the industry, focusing on improving agent behavior, cracking down on individuals and agencies and empowering consumers.

“Along with the Fair Trading team, I want to ensure that practitioners do not just see themselves as running a business – they recognise they are members of a profession that comes with benefits and obligations.”

Mr Abadee’s first task will be to oversee the implementation of the raft of new strata regulations due to come in on July 1, including strata contracts coming under federal consumer protection laws for the first time.

Long term his role is to “lead initiatives to enhance industry integrity and lift consumer confidence within the state’s strata and property services sectors, as well as providing strategic advice to Government on its policy reform agenda.”

Before joining the NSW Fair Trading leadership team in July 2024, Mr Abadee was Director Policy in Building Commission NSW where he was responsible for the design of the NSW Government’s reform agenda across the building industry, including key reforms that aim to restore confidence in strata living.

You can hear his thoughts on the Building Commission’s work under David Chandler in a podcast he recorded with us back in December 2023.

“Protection for real estate consumers and those living in strata schemes is one of the top priorities for the Minns Labor Government,” said Minister for Better Regulation and Fair Trading Anoulack Chanthivong, congratulating Mr Abadee on his appointment.

“This is a critical time in the development of regulations and responding to consumer concerns across a growing and changing industry which will see almost half of Greater Sydney’s population living in strata communities in 2040.

“We want people to feel confident and safe when purchasing a property, living in a strata property, and dealing with property professionals, and that is exactly what our reforms are doing.”

For more information on the Strata and Property Services Taskforce, please visit the New strata laws ensure fairer rules for fees and charges web page.