Builders Collective Australia

The final report from the Victorian Upper House Inquiry makes clear that there is still much to reform if we are ever to have effective consumer protection for our building industry.  It is evident that the current scheme is failing to meet the needs and expectations of both builders and consumers.

Significantly, the inquiry was unwilling to make a clear determination due to the conflicting sets of data still being presented by the HIA, the Insurance Industry and the Government - all representing a vested interest that is keen to keep the status quo in place.

Each is continuing to reap very high levels of profit from a scheme that is leaving consumers unable to access funds that are desperately needed to simply have their homes fixed and that financial detriment is running at $1.6 Billion per annum according to Minister Robinson's report.

By taking the scheme away from private insurers, the Victorian Government has effectively determined that last resort Builders Warranty Insurance will serve as a very lucrative ‘under the table’ tax on the Victorian Building Industry.  

Your support of this tax is a message that will go direct to your constituents unless you specifically respond and put your position in writing to us.

The time for playing party political games with this issue is over – the industry and the community are hurting and it is time the policy makers in your party were held to account.

The options are simple you can adopt a first resort model based on the self funding proven principles of the holistic Queensland model or take the Tasmanian path of no insurance and when removed two years ago saw the Tasmanian industry forge ahead by a massive 17.5% compared to the rest of the nation that has remained static or withdrew according to ABS figures.