Parliament of Australia:Senate:Committees:Standing Committee on Economics:Australia’s mandatory Last Resort Home Warranty Insurance scheme

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Australia’s mandatory Last Resort Home Warranty Insurance scheme

13 November 2008

View the report as a single document - (PDF 659KB)

View the report as separate downloadable parts:


Membership of Committee	(PDF 11KB)

Chapter 1 - Introduction	(PDF 26KB)
Conduct of the inquiry Background Treatment of adverse reflections and submissions Summary of evidence received Structure of the report

Chapter 2 - Description and history of home warranty insurance schemes	(PDF 45KB)
Description of home warranty insurance schemes Recent history Suggested changes

Chapter 3 - Issues raised by builders	(PDF 39KB)
Claimed difficulty getting insurance Bank guarantees and deeds of indemnity Arguments that HWI adds to existing skills shortages Arguments that HWI encourages working outside compliance

Chapter 4 - Issues raised by consumers	(PDF 32KB)
Concerns about the HWI insurance product

Chapter 5 - Responses from insurers and regulators	(PDF 50KB)
The value of the insurance to consumers Availability of insurance Financial assessment by insurers is of benefit to consumers Claims that insurers are making excessive profits Claims that commissions are excessive

Chapter 6 - Other consumer protection issues	(PDF 36KB)
Need for better regulation of builders Better public information about builders' licensing record Need for quicker and cheaper dispute resolution Discussion of consumer protection needs Should the insurance be voluntary?

Chapter 7 - Other matters	(PDF 64KB)
National Claims and Policies Database Effect of Corporations Regulation 7.1.12(2): retail vs wholesale clients Claims of conflict of interest within the HIA Allegations about Senator Helen Coonan

Chapter 8 - Summary and recommendations	(PDF 31KB)
Issues raised by builders Issues raised by consumers Need for more detailed information

Additional Comments by Senator Marshall	(PDF 8KB)

Dissenting Report – Australian Greens	(PDF 16KB)

Appendix 1 - Submissions Received	(PDF 20KB)

Appendix 2 - Public Hearings and Witnesses	(PDF 12KB)

Appendix 3 - Summary of Australian building regulation and home warranty insurance schemes	(PDF 57KB)
Introduction New South Wales Victoria South Australia Western Australia Tasmania Queensland Northern Territory Australian Capital Territory

Appendix 4 - Allegations about Senator Helen Coonan	(PDF 258KB)
Senator Coonan's building dispute Senator Coonan and Corporations Regulation 7.1.12

For further information, contact:

Committee Secretary
Senate Standing Committee on Economics
PO Box 6100
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
Australia

Phone: +61 2 6277 3540

Fax: +61 2 6277 5719

Email: economics.sen@aph.gov.au