BUILDERS NETWORK

Thursday January 27th

Phil Dwyer spoke to us about concerns that he has had with the industry in relation to builders insurance.

For the past 10 years we as small business builders have faced uncertainty and upheaval many times as private insurers jockey for position at our expense and they only give us annual tenure in our profession, make us underwrite the policies they receive the premiums for and remove our ability to plan, grow and employ. This circumstance does not exist in any other profession in the western world and is an affront to democracy as we know it.

So why do these circumstances exist? Mainly because our self proclaimed peak body who has had the ear of Governments and has been able to maintain the status quo on the basis that they are representing our views.

HIA and MBA do not represent our views as this scheme was set up as a business model for and on behalf of HIA and Royal & SunAlliance by their own admissions (Please request the Rehame transcript for clarity) as insurance commissions alone represent the majority of the trade association’s income.

The points discussed at the gathering were:

• · The legality of the insurance/management regime
• · Builders businesses turnover being capped
• · Size of project being capped
• · Length of time for assessment
• · Cost of premiums
• · The value of trade association membership
• · Alternate insurance to the Government/QBE insurance

The outcomes of the discussions:

• · 100% of the builders in attendance pledged support for the class action and financial support of the BCA
• · Total rejection of the current circumstances
• · Trade Association membership being questioned with many not renewing
• · Many builders asked for the details of the alternate insurer and these details will be provided in a second email