Internal Affairs Minister George Hawkins yesterday struggled to explain his claim that he was only recently informed of the leaky buildings crisis after the Opposition said a letter about the problem had been sent to him a year ago.
National's housing spokesman, Wayne Mapp, accused Mr Hawkinsof misleading Parliament with his claim that he was told about concerns only on April 30.
Dr Mapp produced a letter showing building surveying firm Prendos had warned Mr Hawkins in July last year that the cost of the problem could range from $2-5 billion.
The Prendos letter warned that the cost could be magnified by litigation, business failure and loss of public confidence in the building sector. It called for urgent action.
Mr Hawkins replied to the letter in August last year, saying the Government-appointed Building Industry Authority was already involved in a group investigating the concerns. He planned to wait for advice from the authority before taking action.
Dr Mapp said the letter showed Mr Hawkins had ignored the rotting homes crisis for more than a year. He called on the minister to resign.
Mr Hawkins said concerns about leaky housing had been public knowledge for some time. But he repeated his claim that he had not been "formally informed" by the authority until April 30.
New Zealand First leader Winston Peters joined in the Opposition roasting of Mr Hawkins, accusing the minister of incompetence.
"Is it not a fact that formally or informally, he was first informed last year at the latest?" Mr Peters asked.
Mr Hawkins: "I received one letter that made some claims. It was sent off to get answered ...
"Formal knowledge didn't come until April 30, 2002. There is a difference in answering a letter and being formally informed."
National leader Bill English asked Prime Minister Helen Clark if she had confidence in her minister. She said Mr Hawkins was hard-working and conscientious.
Helen Clark said the minister was not advised of the need for a formal investigation until April 30. She did not expect ministers to recall perfectly every letter they received.
"This Government is taking practical steps to help people rather than politicking like the Opposition."
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