As we emerge from our “close contact” self-isolation we are probably going to have to go back into hiding after the selfie we took of ourselves still at work, despite lockdowns, which appeared in the Fin Review last weekend.Responses have ranged from “a picture-perfect combination of domestic bliss and productivity” to “oh, dear … you look like two crazy old people.”Of course, either or both of these may possibly be true.Back to the podcast, on which we discuss how much (or little) the government is getting out of the controversial sale of the Sirius building.LISTEN HEREWe look at the new focus on owners corporations who deliberately hide their building’s defects, presumably so they don’t damage the prospects of selling their flats.And we talk about how buildings’ reputations can be easily harmed when rumours and gossip get out of hand.We chat about the very shaky start to the new Property Services Experts Panel, with one of the biggest players pulling out.Plus the new regulations that will require the professionals involved in property development – like architects, engineers and builders – to register their involvement in new schemes.Domesticity and productivity ... or two crazy old people?And we mention Sue’s new book “Daughter of the River Country” the biography of an amazing Aboriginal community leader which is out now, just in time for Naidoc week.All that and more in this week’s Flat Chat Wrap.TRANSCRIPTION IN FULLJimmy 0:00 We only have just over 24 hours left in isolation!Sue 0:06 Woohoo! I can't wait to get out. Well, I guess we have got out on three occasions, haven't we? But, that was purely to have a COVID test.Jimmy 0:17 Although yesterday, we walked down to the one at the park.Sue 0:21 That was very pleasant.Jimmy 0:22 Yeah, just to get out in the sunshine. We'd had two negative tests before that and that test proved negative. So, it's just a matter of time now.Sue 0:32 Yeah, absolutely.Jimmy 0:33 Until we're free!Sue 0:34 Yes! Never been so pleased to get out and have somebody stick a thing up your nose, but still!Jimmy 0:41 Today, we're talking about the sale of the Sirius building, or more to the point, what they're going to do with the money. And, we're going to talk about the hiding of defects. What else have we got, Sue?Sue 0:53 The next phase of the apartment buyer protection.Jimmy 0:57 And then, there's something we should mention, which is the apparent collapse of the whole Property Services Expert Panel.Sue 1:06 Oh, really?Jimmy 1:06 The estate agents have pulled out.Sue 1:08 They were the ones who were lobbying for it! It was their idea.Jimmy 1:12 Yeah, and now they've pulled out. There's that and a lot of other stuff coming up. I'm Jimmy Thomson; I write the Flat Chat column for the Australian Financial Review.Sue 1:22 And I'm Sue Williams and I write about property for Domain.Jimmy 1:25 And this is the Flat Chat Wrap.[MUSIC]JimmyOkay Sue, what's the skinny on Sirius?Sue 1:44 Well, the New South Wales Government has just announced where the money is going to be spent.Jimmy 1:49 We're talking about what they call the 'brutalist architecture' block down close to the Harbour Bridge, with the fabulous views of the Opera H
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Recorded by Jimmy Thomson & Sue Williams; Transcribed by Otter.ai.
Find out more about Sue Williams and Jimmy Thomson on their websites.
