National wants assurances on rot victims' submissions

By AUDREY YOUNG

National will try to secure confidentiality for owners of rotting homes who make submissions to the parliamentary select committee inquiry, if they request it.

Submissions close next Monday, but National's housing spokesman, Wayne Mapp, believes owners are reluctant to come forward because they are worried about the impact on their property values.

He also believes some building industry representatives might be reluctant to make submissions for fear of being ostracised - though he is not convinced that the industry should have the same protection as homeowners.

Dr Mapp was speaking after attending a Hamilton meeting on leaking buildings organised by the National Party. He said about 35 people attended, including experts from the industry.

He will hold another meeting in Dunedin tomorrow and a final one on the North Shore next Sunday.

The Government administration select committee has had a confidential briefing from the Building Industry Authority and the Minister of Internal Affairs, George Hawkins.

The committee continues its inquiry on Thursday but has yet to hear any submissions in open session.

Dr Mapp said he would raise the issue of confidentiality at this week's meeting.

There was "a constant sense of the Government minimising the scale of the problem", he said.

Mr Hawkins had told Parliament last week that he had been advised there were only 14 complaints in Manukau City.

"Yet you go to the meeting and talk to the people who are in a position to know and it is clearly not the case," Dr Mapp said.

The committee is chaired by Hamilton East MP Dianne Yates.

The Government has said it will set up a voluntary mediation service to handle complaints into leaking buildings.

The Cabinet is expected to look today at a stronger response, perhaps including establishing a builders' fidelity fund, and a binding arbitration process in some circumstances, a proposal the Government has previously dismissed.

* If you have information about leaking buildings,
email the Herald or fax (09) 373-6421.

Further reading
Feature: Leaky buildings

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