Victorian Managed Insurance Authority
Jeff BOURMAN (Eastern Victoria) (12:03): (194) My question is for the minister representing the Minister for Housing in the other place. Minister, yesterday the Age revealed that your predecessor had ignored advice from the Victorian Managed Insurance Authority that could have helped the growing number of prospective home owners who have been stranded because the state government insurance that they were forced to pay – and have – does not help them when a builder simply walks away from a contract without entering insolvency. What is the government doing to immediately introduce an abandonment trigger and help the growing number of Victorians whose great Australia dream has turned into the great Victorian nightmare?
Lizzie BLANDTHORN (Western Metropolitan – Minister for Disability, Ageing and Carers, Minister for Child Protection and Family Services) (12:04): Thank you, Mr Bourman, for your question for the Minister for Housing. I will be pleased to pass that to him for him to respond accordingly.
Jeff BOURMAN (Eastern Victoria) (12:04): I thank the minister. Minister, more than 1750 construction companies have gone broke since this time last year, leaving thousands of Victorians relying on the now very stretched Victorian Managed Insurance Authority. One of those is my constituent Bill Schultz, who will be known to many members here as a passionate advocate for prospecting, just one of the outdoor recreations under siege at the moment. Bill was not building a McMansion in Brighton or renovating a terrace in Fitzroy. He was eking out his slice of dream by building in the Latrobe Valley. Bill is now left renting, with his savings tied up in a half-finished home after his builder Rawdon Hill went bust a month ago. Minister, there is a crisis in residential building and it is hurting battlers in the swelling urban fringe and in places like the Latrobe Valley. What is the government doing to beef up the VMIA and more importantly get these homes finished?
Lizzie BLANDTHORN (Western Metropolitan – Minister for Disability, Ageing and Carers, Minister for Child Protection and Family Services) (12:05): Thank you, Mr Bourman. Again, I will pass your question to the Minister for Housing for him to follow up.