Troubled building authority could lose statutory powers
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Construction

Troubled building authority could lose statutory powers

Moving the Victorian Building Authority back into the state planning department is one of the options being discussed to resolve concerns about the troubled regulator.

  • byRachel Eddie

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Housing minister warned of risks months before Porter Davis collapse
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Regulation

Housing minister warned of risks months before Porter Davis collapse

Victoria’s housing minister failed to boost consumer protections despite receiving advice about reducing the risks for home building customers eight months before one of the state’s largest home builders collapsed.

  • byAnnika Smethurst
Regulators failed,reform needed,Porter Davis victims say
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Construction

Regulators failed,reform needed,Porter Davis victims say

A number of home builders in Victoria were failing to obtain insurance before taking customers’ deposits,according to industry insiders and affected clients,who say the practice extends beyond Porter Davis.

  • byRachel Eddie andJewel Topsfield
Why the Andrews government declined to bail out Porter Davis

Why the Andrews government declined to bail out Porter Davis

Premier Daniel Andrews said a bailout plea by the collapsed home builder was refused because the business was not worth saving.

  • byRachel Eddie
‘We are not villains’:Tradies reel from losses as builders go bust

‘We are not villains’:Tradies reel from losses as builders go bust

Bricklayers,cleaners and subcontractors employed by construction giants are heartbroken and out of pocket after the collapse of Porter Davis exposed a looming industry crisis.

  • byJewel Topsfield andJosh Gordon
Insurance giant IAG says big premium rises to continue
Updated
IAG

Insurance giant IAG says big premium rises to continue

Insurance Australia Group says premiums are set to keep rising steeply for at least another year as it passes on higher costs.

  • byClancy Yeates
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IAG and Suncorp face thousands of claims from Auckland flood disaster

IAG and Suncorp face thousands of claims from Auckland flood disaster

The flooding comes after insurers’ budgets for natural disasters have been repeatedly exceeded in recent years:last year’s East Coast flooding was the most expensive natural disaster for insurers in Australian history.

  • byClancy Yeates
Ten retrofits to protect homes against flood,fires,heat and cold

Ten retrofits to protect homes against flood,fires,heat and cold

A NSW program will provide scientifically proven advice on how best to protect homes against climate change and extreme weather.

  • byJulie Power
Pipe nightmare:Perth homeowners consider class action against builder

Pipe nightmare:Perth homeowners consider class action against builder

Dozens of Perth homeowners are being forced to rip out and re-do their plumbing only two years after moving in due to pipes bursting,flooding and mould.

  • byHeather McNeill
Disasters cost households more than $1500 each,insurers warn

Disasters cost households more than $1500 each,insurers warn

This year’s east coast floods were the second-most costly natural disaster in the country’s history,causing almost $5.3 billion in insured losses.

  • byClancy Yeates
Big home insurance increases to put more pressure on households

Big home insurance increases to put more pressure on households

Some insurers have said they will raise home insurance premiums by up to 15 per cent,the biggest increase since the Queensland floods and cyclones nine years ago.

  • byJoel Gibson