Ms Noeline Blackwell:

I find it extraordinary to be before this committee again in 2014 discussing the issue of mortgage arrears and resolutions for consumers five or six years after this discussion was first commenced by the legislators and policy-makers of this country. Today, I bring before the committee what has been the experience of FLAC in this regard.

FLAC is a non-governmental organisation focused on access to justice. It is clear that those who are in mortgage arrears and struggling to restructure or deal with their mortgage arrears and their debt are not getting access to justice. We have identified nine different areas where reform is needed and where systems and structures need either to be changed or implemented. In this regard, I will hand over to my colleague, Mr. Paul Joyce. We have circulated a background document to the committee which we hope will be of assistance as it considers this issue further.