5 years ago
LIBERALS SHIRK RESPONSIBILITY FOR PUBLIC SAFETY
BRENDAN O’CONNOR MP
The Liberals have shirked any responsibility and have relinquished all leadership to deal with the public safety crisis faced by the building and construction industry.
The Treasurer, Josh Frydenberg, has today ruled out any federal funding to help remove flammable cladding and has palmed all responsibility to the States and Territories.
“The safety of buildings is a state responsibility.”
FRYDENBERG, TUESDAY 16 JULY 2019
It is appalling that the Treasurer does not consider the safety of Australians a federal responsibility and is only too willing to pass the buck on this issue.
Each day the Morrison Government fails to take leadership and respond to the building industry crisis, businesses are closing down, the safety and lives of Australians are put at risk
The regulatory and enforcement regime is broken, and leadership on this issue is needed to improve compliance with the National Construction Code (NCC) and toughen up penalties.
The Federal Government needs to listen to the States and Territories and show leadership on issues they have control over, including the issue of professional indemnity insurance, before a damaged building and construction industry starts to significantly impact the Australian economy.
Perhaps it is unsurprising that the Government is failing to take action, when it also appears to be crab walking away from other significant issues in the construction industry such as introducing a Director Identification Number (DIN) to help catch dodgy phoenixing directors.
Labor urges the Liberals to show national leadership and to work with state and territory governments to ensure buildings, including those for commercial and residential use, are up to the high standards that Australians expect.
Australians deserve to feel safe – especially in their own homes and workplaces.
The Treasurer, Josh Frydenberg, has today ruled out any federal funding to help remove flammable cladding and has palmed all responsibility to the States and Territories.
“The safety of buildings is a state responsibility.”
FRYDENBERG, TUESDAY 16 JULY 2019
It is appalling that the Treasurer does not consider the safety of Australians a federal responsibility and is only too willing to pass the buck on this issue.
Each day the Morrison Government fails to take leadership and respond to the building industry crisis, businesses are closing down, the safety and lives of Australians are put at risk
The regulatory and enforcement regime is broken, and leadership on this issue is needed to improve compliance with the National Construction Code (NCC) and toughen up penalties.
The Federal Government needs to listen to the States and Territories and show leadership on issues they have control over, including the issue of professional indemnity insurance, before a damaged building and construction industry starts to significantly impact the Australian economy.
Perhaps it is unsurprising that the Government is failing to take action, when it also appears to be crab walking away from other significant issues in the construction industry such as introducing a Director Identification Number (DIN) to help catch dodgy phoenixing directors.
Labor urges the Liberals to show national leadership and to work with state and territory governments to ensure buildings, including those for commercial and residential use, are up to the high standards that Australians expect.
Australians deserve to feel safe – especially in their own homes and workplaces.