Well, I don’t happen to take much legal advice from lawyers.

Regarding leaky homes, a problem caused by deregulation under the government of which John Banks was a part. Listen to the whole interview with a somewhat exasperated Sean Plunket. It’s worth it to hear Banksie argue that:

• That we need to “get money into the hands of Bob the Builder” rather than giving it to the lawyers
• … even though “of course” (he says) it’s Bob the Builder who caused the problem … and people can still sue Bob the Builder “if they can find these people and get hold of them legally”
• … while admitting that there’s no real prospect of that since those responsible mostly have “walked away from their responsibilities”
• … and conceding that the amount spent on laywers so far would cover only a tiny proportion of the total cost of leaky homes in any case.
• That he “doesn’t think there’s any right and wrong” in the arguments around leaky homes;
• That some people have been held to account, but he can’t name them;
• That the magnanimous “John Key government” has said it is “morally responsible” while not being actually responsible;
• and that he (personally) is taking responsibility, but that he has no recollection of precisely why the regulations were passed (by his government).

Enough to make your head spin.

L