Elise Archer,Minister for Workplace Safety and Consumer Affairs
Tasmanian Labor simply refuses to acknowledge that it was our Government that has already made significant reform to our building regulatory framework to strengthen consumer protections and hold builders accountable for fixing defects and unsatisfactory workmanship.
Labor’s calls for a Parliamentary Inquiry are simply about politics and will do nothing to resolve building disputes, many of which largely pre-date our comprehensive reforms.
Further, Ms Butler is plain wrong when she suggests Home Warranty Insurance could resolve these building disputes, which is a limited insurance product that is applicable in very narrow circumstances, namely death or insolvency.
However, I do understand the concerns raised by consumers, many of whom I have met, which is why I have already tasked my Department to look into any further measures that can be taken to make improvements.
This will include ways to reduce the cost of addressing building defects, with consideration being given to whether the newly formed Tasmanian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (TasCAT) could handle disputes around these issues into the near future to make it simpler, faster and cheaper to resolve them.
What is clear is that the Government has already acted to strengthen the Tasmanian building regulatory framework with amendments to several Acts, and I am ensuring that these remain current and contemporary with the work I have already tasked my Department to undertake.
What is not clear is why Labor continues to mislead and spread misinformation about the building regulatory framework and the work we are already doing.
