SA and Tassie back demands for equal billing for QLD lawyers and conveyancers

TASMANIAN AIC President Emmi Balmer and former AIC SA President Denise McKay have joined a chorus of conveyancers demanding a fair go in Queensland.

They want conveyancers to be allowed to operate on a par with lawyers in the sunshine state.

Australian Conveyancer reported last month that AIC NSW had written to the Queensland Law Society and QLD State Premier David Crisafulli suggesting a change to current regulations. 

“Why can conveyancers operate in every other state, but not Queensland?” asked Emmi.

“The AIC (Tas Division) are 100 per cent behind the need to change the regulations. Absolutely.

“From what we can see and from our experience, conveyancers and lawyers can co-exist.

“There’s a place for everyone in the industry.  Conveyancers have been shown to take a good share of the market when undertaking a conveyance.

“Having conveyancers’ expertise and skill set available for consumers is crucial. Consumers need the choice. There needs to be competition.”

The Hobart-based Conveyancer said that while lawyers might need to be involved in more complex legal matters, practitioner expertise was more than enough for the transactions Conveyancer’s complete.

“At the end of the day, it takes a team of people to get a transaction over the line,” she added.

“There’s definitely a lane for both lawyers and conveyancers.

“It’s not about one profession being better than the other.”

The EB Conveyancing Director acknowledged that regulations need to be in place, as well as the need for Professional Indemnity insurance, like there is in all other States of Australia – she also acknowledged the underwhelming response from the Queensland Government.

“It appears as though it might be more work than anticipated by the Government at this point. 

“However, it is the best time to do it. 

“The Government could really cement themselves with the decision to allow Conveyancer’s to practice independently”

“There has been an increase in the amount of Conveyancing business opened, further driving the desire for choice.  This is what consumers deserve.

“Let’s support small businesses, let’s support local businesses, let’s support single-parent businesses. Let’s support all businesses.”

Former AICSA President Denise McKay said: “Spot on. Queensland is the only state that doesn’t have registered conveyancers in their own right and that is not appropriate. 

“We have such an important role in the industry and this status should be recognised in all the states.”

In our article last month, AIC NSW President Ann Blannin-Ferguson said that changes under the Property Law Act 2023 were an ideal opportunity for reform. 

“With the reintroduction of vendor disclosure … why can’t their QLD paralegals be elevated into an acknowledged profession and are able to run their own businesses?” she said. 

“There’s no reason paralegals couldn’t be licensed conveyancers and on par with our professionals.” 

“In my letter to Mr Crisafulli I pointed out that with the introduction of vendor disclosure, they really did need proper conveyancers who specialise in this area.”