Thursday, 4 May 2023

Home building industry

Gary MAAS (Narre Warren South) (17:25): (158) The adjournment matter I wish to raise is for the attention of the Minister for Consumer Affairs and concerns the recent collapse of Porter Davis. The action that I seek is that the minister provide me with information on how the Andrews Labor government is supporting affected constituents in my electorate of Narre Warren South. Buying a house is the biggest and most important purchase of most people’s lives. Saving a deposit takes time, dedication and determination and involves many sacrifices – let alone when the building starts, with the daily stresses of meeting targets and payments and making sure that you get what you want and need for your home. That is why the collapse of a building company has a huge emotional and financial impact on families and communities, including mine in Narre South.

Thankfully, the Victorian Managed Insurance Authority have been set up to protect homebuyers from such collapses, and I understand they are working through hundreds of sites that need to be finalised alongside the liquidators, Grant Thornton. Unfortunately, we now know that many deposits were received by Porter Davis without the mandatory domestic building insurance being taken out. This has devastated many throughout Victoria, including in my electorate. To that end, I would appreciate if the minister could provide further information on how the Andrews Labor government is supporting hardworking families in my electorate who have been affected by the collapse of Porter Davis, and I look forward to sharing the minister’s response with my community.