Peck Mark: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Peck Mark: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:607;Page:4198] 
8.  
MARK PECK (NZ Labour—Invercargill) 
 to the  
Minister of Commerce 
: Has she been informed of any reaction to the release of the discussion document  
Better Regulation of the Building Industry in New Zealand 
 and what is the purpose of the discussion document? 
Hon LIANNE DALZIEL (Minister of Commerce) 
: 
 The response has been overwhelmingly positive from the building industry—no doubt as a result of the extensive consultation with and input from the building industry task force and other key stakeholders. The purpose of the discussion document is to focus attention on the long-term solutions required to address the systemic failure of a deregulated building industry. 
Mark Peck 
: Why was the Building Act review broadened in the wake of the weathertightness problem? 
Hon LIANNE DALZIEL 
: Weathertightness is a symptom of a greater problem. Treating the symptom alone does not treat the cause. The problem in this case was the ideological hands-off “leave it to the market” 1990s approach which allowed that failure to occur. I am determined to find front-end solutions so that we minimise the risk of building failure occurring again. I invite the Opposition to play a constructive role. 
Hon Harry Duynhoven 
: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. I am sorry to interrupt proceedings but none of us here could hear any word of the answer from the Minister to that question. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: The member has raised a valid point. I like to let things flow on a Wednesday afternoon. Sometimes I think that one can be a little too harsh by interrupting all the time but the member is completely correct. I want the Minister to have the opportunity to answer questions in a little more silence from now on. Supplementary question Dr Wayne Mapp. 
Dr Wayne Mapp 
: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. There is an issue of factual correctness. The Minister should know that the Labour Party actually voted for that legislation. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: The member knows that that is political comment. Would he please ask his supplementary question. 
Dr Wayne Mapp 
: Can the Minister advise this House and thousands of New Zealand homeowners—people who are purchasing their homes now—of what date or what month the Building Industry Authority will be promulgating the changes to the building code on treated timber for exterior framing? When will that happen? 
Hon LIANNE DALZIEL 
: I suggest that the member reads the front page of this morning’s  
New Zealand Herald 
. 
Dr Wayne Mapp 
: Point of order— 
Mr SPEAKER 
: No I want the Minister to give a more informative answer if only to inform me too. 
Hon LIANNE DALZIEL 
: The  
New Zealand Herald 
 reports this morning that the Building Industry Authority yesterday announced that it would release proposed changes to the building code for consultation next month. 
Dr Wayne Mapp 
: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. My question was specifically about when the Building Industry Authority would actually promulgate the changes to the building code not issue a consultation paper. Obviously I am aware of the issue—that is why I asked the question. People want to know the answer. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: I have to judge whether the Minister addressed the question. She has said that she will add a little bit to it. 
Hon LIANNE DALZIEL 
: As the member knows there has to be a consultation process prior to any promulgation. The consultation process will begin with the release of the consultation document next month. 
Hon Roger Sowry 
: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. By way of interjection we invited the Minister to say that she did not know what the date was because she had been asked about it twice. First she told the member to refer to the  
New Zealand Herald 
 then when she was drawn on that it became apparent that the  
New Zealand Herald 
 article was not about the question of promulgation at all. When the Minister was asked to confess that she did not know the answer to the question she said from across the House that she did know the date. If the Minister is able by way of interjection to say that she does know the date she should tell that to the House as she was asked to do. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: That is not what the member said. I heard the Minister’s comment. 
Murray Smith 
: Given that the Government Administration Committee is due to report on its inquiry into leaky buildings within a matter of days why did the Minister feel the need to pre-empt that report and risk there being contradictory recommendations from the select committee which will serve only to confuse the public? 
Hon LIANNE DALZIEL 
: The select committee report is a vital part of the Government’s time line but I could not wait to include any recommendations in the discussion document. I have been very mindful of the submissions that were made to the select committee in the process of its work. I reassure the select committee and submitters to its review that their submissions and the select committee’s report are an integral part of the wider review and they will be part of the decision-making process. 
Hon Dr Nick Smith 
: I seek leave of the House to table the voting record from when the Building Act was passed in 1991 where the Minister who has described it as “ideological dogma” voted for it. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: Leave is sought to table that document. Is there any objection? There is.