7. CHRIS AUCHINVOLE (National—West Coast - Tasman) Link to this
to the Minister for Building and Construction
What is he doing to improve building quality and reduce unnecessary bureaucracy?
Hon MAURICE WILLIAMSON (Minister for Building and Construction) Link to this
On 27 August I announced two major initiatives. The first was a release of the terms of reference for a review of the Building Act 2004, and the second was quite substantial changes to the licensed building practitioner regime.
Hon Shane JonesHon MAURICE WILLIAMSON Link to this
No, they were not Labour policy, I say to Mr Jones. They were quite increased enhancements on original policy. Both of these initiatives will try to address a sector that is currently drowning in red tape and dying from over-regulation and bureaucracy. They will try to enhance quality and take away all the additional costs that the sector has been suffering from for a long time.
Hon MAURICE WILLIAMSON Link to this
I have to say it is an unusual experience for me, but for the first time in relation to any announcement I have ever made over the many, many years I have been an MP or a Minister, no statement has been made by anybody in opposition to these announcements. The Certified Builders Association thinks this move is wonderful and said that this will be a really good step towards reducing red tape and bureaucracy. The Chief Executive Officer of the Registered Master Builders Federation, Warwick Quinn, said that this was a fantastic step forward in addressing issues that have been holding the industry back. Even John Gray, the President of the Home Owners and Buyers Association, said that this was the building blocks towards improving the standards in the industry that were long overdue.