Media Statements

Joint Statement - Homebuyers failed as Labor's building regulator chaos continues

Joint Statement – Homebuyers failed as Labor’s building regulator chaos continues

James Newbury, Shadow Minister for Planning

Evan Mulholland, Shadow Minister for Home Ownership and Housing Affordability

28 March 2024.

Victorian homebuyers continue to pay the price of Labor’s mismanagement as the remaining board members of Victoria’s troubled building regulator, the Victorian Building Authority (VBA), are removed.

Under the Labor Government, the VBA has repeatedly failed to enforce essential building requirements, including compliance with compulsory Domestic Building Insurance (DBI) and appropriate inspections of building works.

These failures have resulted in dozens of Victorian victims of homebuilder collapses facing the prospect of losing their hard-earned deposits, with Labor being twice forced to expand their liquidated homebuilder support scheme following advocacy from the Victorian Liberals and Nationals.

Shadow Minister for Planning, James Newbury, said: “Jacinta Allan and her government have sat on their hands and allowed many home buyers to be ripped off or left with substandard work, because the regulator is just not strong enough.

“Instead of ensuring Victorians having a tough cop on the beat that weeds out the small number of dodgy builders, Labor has allowed the regulator to slip further into chaos.”

Shadow Minister for Home Ownership and Housing Affordability, Evan Mulholland, said: “Victorian homebuyer are the casualties of the VBA’s failures, many of whom now face the uncertainty as to when, if ever, they’ll get the keys to their dream home.

“While Labor has sat on its hands, the Liberals and Nationals have long called for a review of the VBA, to ensure the protection of Victorians.”

Evan Mulholland, Shadow Minister for Home Ownership and Housing Affordability

James Newbury, Shadow Minister for Planning