Lack of accountability over leaky homes crisis extraordinary

The Government’s feeble response today is a complete slap in the face to homeowners, said National Party leader, Bill English, following this morning’s press conferences organised by the BIA and Michael Cullen.

“The lack of accountability is extraordinary and I am shocked at how the Government is completely disconnected from reality over what is, without doubt, a serious crisis of confidence among homeowners.

“Today we thought that the Government would demonstrate that it does understand the seriousness of the issue, that heads would roll and progress be made.

“Instead we find that the Government has slapped the BIA around with a feather duster and reshuffled the bureaucracy.

“This is no replacement for leadership and determination, but Helen Clark has killed that possibility dead with her comments this week dismissing the crisis as a media beat-up.

“We have no confidence in the BIA, we have no confidence in the Minister, George Hawkins; neither can tell us what the scale of the problem is, let alone make any progress on getting the problem sorted.

“We have a Prime Minister who thinks it’s just a media beat-up, a Minister who has lost all credibility and an Agency, in which the public has no confidence. Nothing today changes the pervasive attitude in government that it is not a serious problem, and everyone should cover their backs.

“How can anyone believe there is any protection for homeowners both now and in the future?

“Hawkins has to go. Everyone knows it, and the only question now is why Helen Clark is too scared to sack him? She has always acted quickly in the past for much lesser sins,” says Mr English.

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