4. LYNNE PILLAY (Labour—Waitakere) Link to this
to the Minister for Building and Construction
What reports has he received on liability for leaky homes?
Hon CLAYTON COSGROVE (Minister for Building and Construction) Link to this
I have seen a report that a prominent public figure is demanding “greater commercial accountability” to “ensure that leaky home problems are not repeated”. As this Government has said all along, liable parties—those who developed, built, designed, and inspected leaky homes—must front up and pay up to fix their shoddy workmanship so that their victims can get their homes fixed and get on with their lives. The prominent public figure calling for greater commercial accountability is Mr John Key. I welcome his endorsement of the Government’s policy of making dodgy developers, designers, and builders front up, pay up, and accept their liability for leaky homes.
Hon CLAYTON COSGROVE Link to this
I have also seen a report published today that claims that the directors of a company in the building industry are “trying to dodge leaky home liability”; that by voluntarily going into liquidation they are trying to cut and run and leave their leaky home victims with the mess and the repair bill; and that these directors are also company directors and business partners of one Mr John Key. I believe that it is proper that Mr Key explain to this House and to these leaky home victims what he is going to do to keep his word, as I outlined in my first answer, and ensure that his fellow directors and business partners are held to account for their actions so that they do not cut and run from their responsibilities.
Hon Bill EnglishCan the Minister confirm that the story in the Truth newspaper is a plant by the Labour Party as part of its ongoing campaign to attack Mr Key’s character?
Hon CLAYTON COSGROVE Link to this
No, I cannot confirm that, but I can confirm that Mr Key has—and I quote from the article—“a commercial property business with disgraced high-profile architects”, and I hope I pronounce his name correctly, “Colin Leuschke and Brian Cocker, who are caught up in a leaky building scandal”. The company in question, of which Mr Key and the said individuals are directors, is the Earl of Auckland Ltd.
Hon Dr Michael Cullen Link to this
In the light of the last question, can the Minister confirm that the journalist concerned is a Mr Jock Anderson, a well-known right-wing journalist, and that one of the part-owners of Truth newspaper is Mr Matthew Hooton, who is well known for working with and for the National Party?
Hon CLAYTON COSGROVE Link to this
I believe that that is the case.
I seek leave to table—not page 3, I knew they would ask for that—pages 1 and 9 of the New Zealand Truth.
Madam SPEAKER