Response from Member for Bunbury

HBAG’s response below to the above letter

11 April 2024

Dear Minister

Thank you for your reply to our correspondence. The Home Builders Action Group [HBAG] is very grateful to you for at least taking the time to read our correspondence and reply.

 However, I may not have made myself clear – The letter I sent asked for your advice in your role as a the Member for Bunbury. Not as a Minister of the Crown. The same letter was sent to every member of the state parliament in preparation for the campaign HBAG intends to mount and you will note from my letter that there was no mention of the home building industry being in whole or part your responsibility. Some members have already replied, and categories are being assigned to each their answers to the question  will be circulated to our members and supporters as part of our efforts to raise funds for the campaign. Interestingly, some ministers refer us to the Hon Sue Ellery MLCA or to the Hon John Carey MLA or to the Hon Rita Saffioti MLA. In each case, the HBAG has been told that the home building industry os the responsibility of the Minister to whom the approach has been referred even though the referral is to different ministers.

 To refresh my approach, six builders have closed their doors in the past few weeks. And the situation will get worse unless something is done. HBAG is very concerned that the seriousness of the position is not fully understood or appreciated.

 Referring to the very welcome No Interest Loans Scheme (NILS), the HBAG is aware of the advice from  SBDC that:

“The SBDC is unable to provide updates on your application during the assessment process.

Every application that is submitted, is complete, and meets the eligibility criteria, will be assessed.

Applications will be evaluated by an assessment panel with applicants notified of the outcome of their application by email to the nominated contact provided in the application.

Applicants will be informed by the Minister at the end of the assessment process about the outcome of their application.”

 The HBAG appreciates that there must be a system and a process, but we are being contacted daily by members in distress who want to know how long the process will take.

 The NILS was announced in the first week of January and it is now April – a very difficult situation has deteriorated further and the position of many small to medium sized builders is now quite desperate.

 Can you please assist us and our members with advice about when the first successful applicant is likely to be informed its NILS is to be paid?

Best Wishes