AG Phil Ruddock weighs in on eConveyancing

Media Release 207/2006

9 November 2006
E-CONVEYANCING TO STREAMLINE LAND PURCHASES

A national electronic conveyancing system has the potential to simplify land purchases and provide significant consumer benefits, Attorney-General Philip Ruddock said today.

Mr Ruddock said each state and territory had its own conveyancing procedures, with different rules covering issues from the terms and conditions of sale through to the exchange of contracts.

“A national system for electronic conveyancing will streamline settlements for individuals and businesses buying and selling land, including across State borders,” Mr Ruddock said.

Mr Ruddock’s comments followed a briefing from Mr Simon Libbis, the Executive Director of the National Electronic Conveyancing Office to today’s meeting of the Standing Committee of Attorneys-General in Perth.

Mr Libbis outlined recent developments in the establishment of a national electronic conveyancing system and the progress of a pilot program in Victoria.

As an electronically based system, it will operate in real-time and be more efficient than current paper-based processes.

“The lack of uniformity with existing State and Territory conveyancing and real property laws can increase the complexity and costs associated with land transactions, especially where transactions have an interstate element,” Mr Ruddock said.

The establishment of a national system for electronic conveyancing will also complement the initiative to develop a single national register for security interests in property other than land.

The Attorneys-General agreed to continue to monitor this initiative, particularly in relation to its effect on the legal profession.

Media Contact: Michael Pelly Parliament House Phone: 02 6277 7300 Fax: 02 6273 4102