Dr Wayne Mapp National Housing Spokesperson

4 November 2002

Rotting homes resolution process just the beginning

National says it wants prior consultation on the Government's proposed legislation on the Weathertightness Homes Resolution Service.

"I am pleased the Government has picked up on our idea that a disputes resolution process is needed. We put a lot of research and work into our proposal, which is now being adopted by the Government.

"This has always been about finding solutions for heartbroken homeowners and it is pleasing that we have been effective in this.

"We need to be consulted early this week on this Supplementary Order Paper to the Construction Contacts Bill in order for this consultation to be meaningful.

"This resolution service is just the beginning - the Government still needs to seriously address several other issues to resolve the problems of rotting homes. "There are three critical measures to be taken. A survey of all homes built since 1996 is needed to assess how wide the problem is and the Building Code needs to be changed to prevent rotting homes continuing to be built.

"The public also need an assurance that the BIA will speak to the select committee inquiry so that they can explain why they knew about the problem for four years and did not act," Dr Mapp said.

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