HOUSING INDEMNITY INSURANCE

The Hon. I.F. EVANS (Davenport) (15:17): My question is to the Minister for Business Services and Consumers. As insurance companies won't issue housing indemnity insurance to subcontractors, what action is the government proposing to stop local councils approving building applications for owner-builders subject to the subcontractors providing housing indemnity insurance which they can't access?

Mr Marshall: 'I'll take that on notice.'

The Hon. J.R. RAU (Enfield—Deputy Premier, Attorney-General, Minister for Planning, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for Business Services and Consumers) (15:18): Yes, Mr Speaker, I am happy to take this on notice. The reason I was conversing with some of my colleagues is that there was an issue some six months ago, or thereabouts, where my ministerial colleague the Minister for Finance was involved in resolving an issue in this space around indemnity insurance. I was of the understanding that that had, for the time being, resolved the problem in the market. Now, if—

The Hon. I.F. Evans interjecting:

The Hon. J.R. RAU: Okay, okay! If it is the case that there is some new and different issue in the market, then I would be very happy to receive any information about it from the member for Davenport. I am sure that between myself and the Minister for Finance we will be able to assist the honourable member with that problem.