[Greens-Media] (Sylvia Hale MLC) WA Court Decision Calls NSW Builders Warranty Scheme Into Question

[Christopher Holley]

WA Court Decision Calls NSW Builders Warranty Scheme Into Question
 
A Judge of the West Australian District Court has questioned the
legality of the controversial WA home warranty insurance scheme. 
Serious concerns have been raised about a similar scheme that operates
in NSW.
 
NSW Greens MP Sylvia Hale today called for the re-establishment of a
parliamentary inquiry into the operation of the Home Building Service of
the NSW Office of Fair Trading, including the home warranty insurance
scheme. 
 
“I have been pushing for this inquiry for some time and succeeded in
having it established last year.It was scheduled to present its report
in February 2007.  Unfortunately the government chose to prorogue the
parliament for the election before the committee could present its
report,” said Ms Hale.
 
“The decision of the WA Court shows the importance of completing the
inquiry. We need to look in detail at the builder licensing system and
the NSW home warranty insurance scheme.”
 
“The committee conducting the inquiry held two days of public
hearings last year and received submissions from many people who have
been let down by the warranty scheme when they have encountered
defective or unfinished building work on their homes. The committee
heard a great deal of evidence of the deficiencies of the NSW scheme and
the financial and emotional damage it has caused to people’s lives,”
said Ms Hale.

 Further information: Chris Holley 9230 3030 / 0437 779 546