KEY POINTS:
So who will pay for the leaky homes crisis?
As things stand, property owners are set to foot the bulk of the multi-billion-dollar bill.
Prime Minister Helen Clark last week confirmed the Government's long-held position that it bore no liability for the debacle and would not contribute to the cost.
She told the Herald on Sunday councils had building inspection systems which had ticked off homes that didn't stand up to scrutiny.
The Government's response had been to set up the Weathertight Homes Resolution Service (WHRS) and it would be unfair to further burden the taxpayer.
National Party building and construction spokesman Nick Smith said that position was not sustainable and the Government would have to be "part of the solution".
Asked if that meant a future National government, Smith confirmed it did.
National leader John Key this week said the WHRS was bureaucratic and eating up a lot of money.
"It's a nirvana for lawyers. We are going to explore an option that might be a streamlined faster approach involving homeowners, councils and, yes, the Government may be prepared to put in some money to fast-track a result."
Meanwhile a number of councils, represented by Auckland Mayor John Banks and his Wellington counterpart Kerry Prendergast, will pitch a proposal to the Government that would see local authorities share 75 per cent of the bill.
Banks said the crisis would be an election issue for 80,000 homeowners and their families.
