Porteous resignation late, but appropriate

Building Industry Authority chief executive Bill Porteous's resignation was typically late, but still appropriate, United Future MP Murray Smith said today.

Mr Smith, a member of the select committee that considered the leaky buildings issue, said Dr Porteous should have resigned last October when the magnitude of the problems first became apparent, but "better late than never".

Dr Porteous resigned on the eve of the tabling in the House today of a damning financial review by the Government Administration Select Committee, in which members of the committee expressed no confidence in Dr Porteous.

"His delayed resignation simply mirrors his two-and-a-half year delay in taking action, or even informing the authority or the Minister of the seriousness of the problems.

Mr Smith said that Dr Porteous had seriously let down his Minister, the authority and thousands of New Zealand homeowners when he, more than anyone else, could have protected the public by acting sooner.

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