This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/oct/07/australian-government-rejects-ban-on-imports-of-flammable-cladding
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Australian government rejects ban on imports of flammable cladding | Australian government rejects ban on imports of flammable cladding |
| (about 1 month later) | |
| The federal government has rejected a ban on imports of combustible aluminium composite cladding as well as the compromise put by several states for a moratorium on the importation of the most combustible kind – with a polyethylene core. | The federal government has rejected a ban on imports of combustible aluminium composite cladding as well as the compromise put by several states for a moratorium on the importation of the most combustible kind – with a polyethylene core. |
| At least two state ministers are known to be deeply unhappy with the federal government’s refusal to use its import powers to deal with the issue. | At least two state ministers are known to be deeply unhappy with the federal government’s refusal to use its import powers to deal with the issue. |
| State and federal ministers met in Brisbane on Friday to discuss common action over dangerous building products. | State and federal ministers met in Brisbane on Friday to discuss common action over dangerous building products. |
| The New South Wales minister for better regulation, Matt Kean, said he would continue to work with his state and territory colleagues for stronger national action to keep residents as safe as possible in their homes. | The New South Wales minister for better regulation, Matt Kean, said he would continue to work with his state and territory colleagues for stronger national action to keep residents as safe as possible in their homes. |
| “Yesterday’s forum saw all national ministers agree to stop the use of aluminium composite cladding on high-rise buildings while further measures for proper labelling and product testing are established,” he said. | “Yesterday’s forum saw all national ministers agree to stop the use of aluminium composite cladding on high-rise buildings while further measures for proper labelling and product testing are established,” he said. |
| “I was however disappointed we could not reach an agreement to push for greater action against importers and overseas manufacturers that would stop unsafe building products from reaching the Australian marketplace.” | “I was however disappointed we could not reach an agreement to push for greater action against importers and overseas manufacturers that would stop unsafe building products from reaching the Australian marketplace.” |
| The Queensland minister for housing, Mick De Brenni, who is facing a campaign against him by the building industry over the crackdown on shonky construction products, was also keen to see stronger action. | The Queensland minister for housing, Mick De Brenni, who is facing a campaign against him by the building industry over the crackdown on shonky construction products, was also keen to see stronger action. |
| Before the meeting, the federal assistant industry minister, Craig Laundy, had accused the opposition leader, Bill Shorten, of scaremongering when he proposed a ban on the imports of the most flammable version with a polyethylene core. | Before the meeting, the federal assistant industry minister, Craig Laundy, had accused the opposition leader, Bill Shorten, of scaremongering when he proposed a ban on the imports of the most flammable version with a polyethylene core. |
| The federal government has responsibility for imports, but the states are responsible for building standards and approvals. | The federal government has responsibility for imports, but the states are responsible for building standards and approvals. |
| They are also likely to have to pick up the tab for dealing with future problems that combustible cladding might pose, including extra responses by fire brigades. | They are also likely to have to pick up the tab for dealing with future problems that combustible cladding might pose, including extra responses by fire brigades. |
| The debate over what to do about combustible aluminium composite panels was prompted by London’s Grenfell Tower fire in June, which killed at least 80 people. | The debate over what to do about combustible aluminium composite panels was prompted by London’s Grenfell Tower fire in June, which killed at least 80 people. |
| The fire raced up the facade of the building within minutes, fuelled by the polyethylene cored cladding. Polyethylene is a petroleum-based product and highly flammable. | The fire raced up the facade of the building within minutes, fuelled by the polyethylene cored cladding. Polyethylene is a petroleum-based product and highly flammable. |
| It is probably illegal to be used on high-rise buildings in Australia under the national building code, which requires external walls to be non-combustible. But because the standard is performance-based, it has some wriggle-room and until at least 2013 it was widely used on the outside of high-rise buildings. | It is probably illegal to be used on high-rise buildings in Australia under the national building code, which requires external walls to be non-combustible. But because the standard is performance-based, it has some wriggle-room and until at least 2013 it was widely used on the outside of high-rise buildings. |
| The PE product is legal when used in low-rise buildings and in signage, which is why the Coalition is reluctant to ban it. | The PE product is legal when used in low-rise buildings and in signage, which is why the Coalition is reluctant to ban it. |
| But the cheaper polyethylene version looks identical to more fire-resistant versions when installed, which gives rise to fears that some unscrupulous developers are still cutting corners. | But the cheaper polyethylene version looks identical to more fire-resistant versions when installed, which gives rise to fears that some unscrupulous developers are still cutting corners. |
| A Senate inquiry into dangerous building products has recommended an urgent ban on importing panels that have a polyethylene core between two sheets of aluminium. | A Senate inquiry into dangerous building products has recommended an urgent ban on importing panels that have a polyethylene core between two sheets of aluminium. |
| The NSW government wants stronger action to stop the sale and import of unsafe building products. | The NSW government wants stronger action to stop the sale and import of unsafe building products. |
| “I acknowledge and appreciate how seriously this issue is being treated by the commonwealth and a number of my state and territory colleagues, but it’s clear more needs to be done, Kean said. | “I acknowledge and appreciate how seriously this issue is being treated by the commonwealth and a number of my state and territory colleagues, but it’s clear more needs to be done, Kean said. |
| “We will continue to push for effective, nation-wide action to give Australians certainty and security when it comes to the buildings where they live, work and play.” | “We will continue to push for effective, nation-wide action to give Australians certainty and security when it comes to the buildings where they live, work and play.” |
| Australian politics | Australian politics |
| Coalition | Coalition |
| Construction industry | Construction industry |
| Share on Facebook | Share on Facebook |
| Share on Twitter | Share on Twitter |
| Share via Email | Share via Email |
| Share on LinkedIn | Share on LinkedIn |
| Share on Pinterest | Share on Pinterest |
| Share on Google+ | Share on Google+ |
| Share on WhatsApp | Share on WhatsApp |
| Share on Messenger | Share on Messenger |
| Reuse this content | Reuse this content |