7. Question No. 7—Building and ConstructionPAUL EAGLE (Labour—Rongotai) to the Minister for Building and ConstructionQuestion No. 7—Building and Construction7. PAUL EAGLE (Labour—Rongotai) to the Minister for Building and Construction: What recent announcements has she made about the building and construction industry in New Zealand?Hon JENNY SALESA (Minister for Building and Construction): Mr Speaker thank you. A few weeks ago the Prime Minister and I alongside fellow Ministers and industry leaders announced the launch of the Construction Sector Accord. This accord is a shared commitment between Government and industry to transform the construction sector. It is a joint response to the challenges facing this sector which include skills and labour shortages poor risk management unclear regulations and pipeline and a lack of coordinated leadership. As regulator and a major client the Government has an important role to play in supporting the construction sector. This accord is a new way for Government and industry to work together to create lasting positive behavioural change in the sector.Paul Eagle: What commitments have been made through the Construction Sector Accord?Hon JENNY SALESA: This is a comprehensive agreement that sets out the commitment for Government and industry in nine areas of work and this is the first time that a Government in this country has done this. The Government commitments are to have better procurement practices an improved pipeline management of work from Government and to improve the building regulatory system and consenting processes. The shared Government and industry commitments are to grow the workforce capability and capacity have better risk management and fairer risk allocation more houses and better durability and to improve health and have better safety at work. The industry commitments are to have enhanced industry leadership and collaboration improve culture and reputation and to have better business performance.Paul Eagle: What feedback has the Minister seen following the launch of the Construction Sector Accord?Hon JENNY SALESA: There have been very positive responses from the construction industry. A number of key industry leaders have already signed up and made a pledge under this accord and there have been many more in the sector who are wanting to get involved. Most people are actually aware that things need to improve in the building and construction sector. Both Government and industry agree that we cannot change the sector on our own. The Construction Sector Accord is the platform for change and for transforming the sector. Phase two of this work is finalising an implementation plan which will include key performance indicators and we've made a pledge to hold each other accountable to this accord and to challenge contrary behaviour.Andrew Bayly: Thank you. After 18 months in office when is she going to announce concrete and specific measures to improve the building and construction sector rather than just announcing yet another working group?Hon JENNY SALESA: This Construction Sector Accord is concrete action. We have made nine commitments. This is not an announcement of a working group; this is an accord with actual commitments nine areas of work. The member was in a Government for nine years that should've tackled this issue. We are addressing this because the last Government did not.SPEAKER: Order! [Interruption] Order! That's probably enough because he has never been in Government.