❓ A WA parliamentary question seeks information on the Building Commission's awareness and actions regarding the financial difficulties of Benchmark Designer Homes Pty Ltd (BDH). The Minister's response details the timeline of the Commission's knowledge and the ongoing investigation.
AnsweredQoN 517Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
BENCHMARK
DESIGNER HOMES PTY LTD
517. Hon ALANNA CLOHESY to the
Minister for Commerce:
I refer to Benchmark Designer Homes Pty Ltd, or BDH, and
associated entities and trading names.
(1) When did
the Building Commission first become aware that BDH was experiencing financial
difficulties?
(2) In relation to part (1), how did the Building Commission
receive this information?
(3) When did the Building Commission first become aware that
BDH was unable to pay its debts?
(4) In relation to part (3), how did the Building Commission
receive this information?
(5) What
action did the Building Commission pursue in relation to the information
received regarding the financial circumstances of BDH?
DESIGNER HOMES PTY LTD
517. Hon ALANNA CLOHESY to the
Minister for Commerce:
I refer to Benchmark Designer Homes Pty Ltd, or BDH, and
associated entities and trading names.
(1) When did
the Building Commission first become aware that BDH was experiencing financial
difficulties?
(2) In relation to part (1), how did the Building Commission
receive this information?
(3) When did the Building Commission first become aware that
BDH was unable to pay its debts?
(4) In relation to part (3), how did the Building Commission
receive this information?
(5) What
action did the Building Commission pursue in relation to the information
received regarding the financial circumstances of BDH?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for some notice of the
question.
(1)–(2)
The Building Commission was aware that Benchmark Designer Homes Pty Ltd was
being monitored by the home indemnity insurer from December 2013. A consumer
complaint on 6 February 2015, raising suspicion of financial difficulty,
resulted in the Building Commission directly approaching BDH. An officer of BDH
confirmed by telephone on 18 February 2015 that BDH was facing cash flow
problems.
(3)–(5)
The solvency of BDH is being assessed by the administrator. Under the Building
Services (Registration) Act 2011, a building contractor must be able to
demonstrate it can meet its debts as and when they fall due. The enforcement
branch of the Building Commission commenced a formal investigation on 18 February
2015 into the conduct and financial capacity of BDH, which is ongoing.
question.
(1)–(2)
The Building Commission was aware that Benchmark Designer Homes Pty Ltd was
being monitored by the home indemnity insurer from December 2013. A consumer
complaint on 6 February 2015, raising suspicion of financial difficulty,
resulted in the Building Commission directly approaching BDH. An officer of BDH
confirmed by telephone on 18 February 2015 that BDH was facing cash flow
problems.
(3)–(5)
The solvency of BDH is being assessed by the administrator. Under the Building
Services (Registration) Act 2011, a building contractor must be able to
demonstrate it can meet its debts as and when they fall due. The enforcement
branch of the Building Commission commenced a formal investigation on 18 February
2015 into the conduct and financial capacity of BDH, which is ongoing.
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