Yates Dianne: Weathertight Homes Resolution Services (Remedies) Amendment Bill Building (Consent Authorities) Amendment Bill — Third Readings 
Yates Dianne: Weathertight Homes Resolution Services (Remedies) Amendment Bill Building (Consent Authorities) Amendment Bill — Third Readings 
[Volume:641;Page:11309] 
DIANNE YATES (Labour) 
: 
 I do not know who wrote that last speech but it is a bit disappointing that he or she did not have someone better to read it. I repeat a quote made in the  
Independent 
 and in recent newspapers. They quoted Cicero: “Not to know what has been transacted in former times is to be always a child.” That applies to the lack of weathertight buildings and the problem of leaky buildings. 
I chaired the inquiry into the weathertightness of buildings and I am sorry that Mr Clarkson seems to have forgotten the cause of the problem or should I say the multiple causes of the problem. We learnt that the main reason was deregulation. Who was responsible for deregulation of the building industry I ask Dr Nick Smith? Who was responsible? We all know who it was. We all know that at the time George Chapman a well-known person— 
Hon Dr Nick Smith 
: The member asked me a question so I shall seek leave. I seek leave to table the speech made by George Hawkins Labour MP who said that National had no right to claim any credit— 
The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Ann Hartley) 
: The member has sought leave for that. Is there any objection? There is objection. 
DIANNE YATES 
: At that particular time George Chapman was chair of the then Building Industry Authority. We know because the inquiry went into a great deal of detail about problems with developers problems with private certifiers and their insurance about the lack of apprenticeships and training in the building industry and about the lack of registered builders. In this bill we still have difficulty in catching up and getting trained people to build houses of quality. 
I have been into houses that were built in this time and it has been disgusting to see what has happened. I have seen the rot I have seen the lack of timber quality; so has Clayton Cosgrove. Thank goodness Clayton Cosgrove is dealing with this problem. 
The previous speaker said that we need a good person in charge and Clayton is the person who is dealing with the problem which was caused over a period of time. It is all very well for members opposite to laugh but if they had built a house and put their life-savings into it and then seen their house rot in front of them because of deregulation because of faults in the past they would know it is not only heartbreaking but it ruins a family it ruins those lives and they have a complete lack of money a complete lack of fortune and the lack of a home. Many people are still seeking redress and this bill is a way of dealing with it. 
I thank the Minister for the good work that has been done and I warn members opposite that if they ever get into Government again they should not ever deregulate the building industry again and bring about the problems that National caused in the 1990s. It has been devastating for New Zealand families— 
Bob Clarkson 
: You had 8 years to fix it! 
DIANNE YATES 
: I say to Mr Clarkson that he has had his chance to speak. It is my turn now. He had his 10 minutes. If he did not use them that is his problem. 
But as we have said to not know what has been transacted in former times and to not know the history of this problem is to always be a child. It is important that the problem is dealt with and it is important that people get quality houses. If we look at what is happening overseas even in Sydney the requirements that people have for building mean that we must build decent houses that will last a family more than just 10 years before the timber rots and they find that their house is no longer of a standard and will not last for the next generation. 
There is no excuse for not building a decent house the same as there is no excuse for not building a decent bridge—as any engineer will know. If the Romans could build bridges that are still around today we can certainly build decent houses that do not leak but are weathertight. It is not just a matter of design it is a matter of multiple causes and this bill is dealing with that issue and with how we try to help the people who have been landed with problems that are not of their own making. People expect to know when they get a consent when they have a builder and when they have an architect that the work of those people is up to standard and that they are getting a decent house. We do not expect the ordinary person who is buying a house to have a full knowledge about building to know all the requirements or to know about timber but they can expect to get a decent house—a house that will last them and their family and their family after them. 
Bob Clarkson 
: You are still there! 
DIANNE YATES 
: It is all very well to snigger and laugh but if it happened to one of those members opposite and their family they would be absolutely devastated. Any legislation we can bring to this House that will improve the lot of these people I totally welcome. 
I thank Minister Clayton Cosgrove for the work he has done on this and the decisive action he has taken. Yes it has taken more than one go because the problems were multiple and the problems that were created for individual people were extremely difficult to deal with. Once a problem is there even like rotten timber it is very hard to replace. It is very hard to rebuild a house. As we know there are a whole range of issues around this to deal with such as insurance and compliance. People would rather pay upfront at the beginning than be faced more than 10 years down the track with a house that is falling around about their ears having paid out a huge amount of money for a pup. 
So I thank the Minister for dealing with this issue and I am sorry that the National people on the other side are not taking a more constructive view of a way to give people a decent place to live in and of ensuring that they get value for money and that there is full legal redress for them. 
Bills read a third time.