Reports today that the Victorian Building Authority (VBA) undertook virtual building inspections, despite repeated advice that this was not only unsafe but possibly in breach of the Act, are deeply concerning.
It has also been exposed that there is an apparent lack of qualified inspectors within the VBA to carry out critical inspection work, leading to pressure to conduct an unreasonable number of inspections on any given day, and ongoing internal cultural problems at the agency.
In light of the ongoing home building and affordability crisis in Victoria, home-buyers need confidence in the industry and a government focused on finding solutions rather than blaming everyone else.
The Liberals and Nationals are therefore calling for a complete and independent review of the VBA, including its policies, procedures and internal culture.
These latest reports follow earlier revelations that the Victorian Managed Insurance Authority (VMIA) had failed to detect instances where home-buyers had paid a deposit, yet no insurance was taken out on their behalf by builders, leaving them exposed and out of pocket as builders collapse.
Shadow Minister for Home Ownership and Housing Affordability, Jess Wilson, said earlier calls by the Liberals and Nationals for a review of the VMIA now extend to the VBA as a matter of urgency.
“We are seeing problems right across the sector and we are calling for an urgent review of the VBA to get to the bottom of this,” Ms Wilson said.
“Victorians working hard to own their own little piece of this state deserve to have the confidence that the regulator is doing their job to protect them.
“Home ownership is only made harder when the government’s own agencies are part of the problem.”
Shadow Minister for Planning, David Hodgett, said responsibility falls to the Andrews Government.
“The Andrews Government has a responsibility to sort out the toxic culture at the VBA, which appears more focused on meeting internal key performance indicators than protecting Victorians.”
