Mrs AAGAARD - 2004-10-14
What is the government doing to ensure Territory home buyers have appropriate consumer protection?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for her question. Today, as most people will be aware, I had the honour of announcing the government’s initiatives in this area. These reforms have occurred after extensive consultation, particularly with industry.
A Construction Industry Reference Group has been working very hard over the last year, from 2003 into 2004, and I commend each and every one of the members of that group. They have supported government and the process of change within the Northern Territory. It has been a long time coming. Within that group are representatives of the Building Practitioners Board, building surveyors, Civil Contractors Federation, the Housing Industry Association, Territory Construction Association, the CFMEU, and a representative of regional industry. This group has pledged to continue the work, because there is more work to do. The group does have a range of views, but they have worked very well together.
The focus of the government has been consumer protection, and a centrepiece of that is a Register of Residential Builders and Home Warranty Insurance. I table a copy of the fact sheet that has been distributed today, if members are interested in more information about the initiatives, particularly in terms of builders’ registration and home warranty insurance.
I believe this has been a very significant step in meeting this government’s election commitments and keeping the Territory moving ahead. It stands in stark contrast to the previous government …
Mr Dunham: Oh, it is our fault. Should have picked that.
Dr BURNS: Well, for 27 years, member for Drysdale, where was it? The TCA in particular, and other organisations, have said publicly in these forums that they approached the previous government on many occasions to introduce this warranty insurance, and there has been some ...
Mr Dunham: Why don’t we bring an act of parliament to parliament.
Dr BURNS: Let us not forget the consumers in all of this, particularly young families saving up to buy and build a new home. Here is one, the Hibble family in 2000: ‘Family appeals to Burke over collapse’. That was the collapse of Bayview Homes. This particular young family - and the lady is known to me, I worked with her at one stage – lost $30 000. What was the then government’s response? This is from the NT News:
This government has done more than prepare a discussion paper. Here is the legislation in the House. We are working with industry and we are moving the Territory ahead.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for her question. Today, as most people will be aware, I had the honour of announcing the government’s initiatives in this area. These reforms have occurred after extensive consultation, particularly with industry.
A Construction Industry Reference Group has been working very hard over the last year, from 2003 into 2004, and I commend each and every one of the members of that group. They have supported government and the process of change within the Northern Territory. It has been a long time coming. Within that group are representatives of the Building Practitioners Board, building surveyors, Civil Contractors Federation, the Housing Industry Association, Territory Construction Association, the CFMEU, and a representative of regional industry. This group has pledged to continue the work, because there is more work to do. The group does have a range of views, but they have worked very well together.
The focus of the government has been consumer protection, and a centrepiece of that is a Register of Residential Builders and Home Warranty Insurance. I table a copy of the fact sheet that has been distributed today, if members are interested in more information about the initiatives, particularly in terms of builders’ registration and home warranty insurance.
I believe this has been a very significant step in meeting this government’s election commitments and keeping the Territory moving ahead. It stands in stark contrast to the previous government …
Mr Dunham: Oh, it is our fault. Should have picked that.
Dr BURNS: Well, for 27 years, member for Drysdale, where was it? The TCA in particular, and other organisations, have said publicly in these forums that they approached the previous government on many occasions to introduce this warranty insurance, and there has been some ...
Mr Dunham: Why don’t we bring an act of parliament to parliament.
Dr BURNS: Let us not forget the consumers in all of this, particularly young families saving up to buy and build a new home. Here is one, the Hibble family in 2000: ‘Family appeals to Burke over collapse’. That was the collapse of Bayview Homes. This particular young family - and the lady is known to me, I worked with her at one stage – lost $30 000. What was the then government’s response? This is from the NT News:
- A spokesman for Lands, Planning and Environment Minister, Tim Baldwin, said today he was putting together a discussion paper on builders’ indemnity insurance.
This government has done more than prepare a discussion paper. Here is the legislation in the House. We are working with industry and we are moving the Territory ahead.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016