The NSW Government, along with the Commonwealth and other states and territories, has called for mandatory permanent labelling of cladding products, Minister for Better Regulation Matt Kean said.
State and Territory Building Ministers and the Commonwealth supported the move at the Building Ministers’ Forum (BMF), held in Adelaide yesterday.
The Ministers agreed to the proposal for Standards Australia to develop a national standard for permanent labelling of aluminium composite cladding products that would then be mandated through the National Construction Code (NCC).
Mr Kean said the agreement demonstrated the benefits of a united approach to cladding safety to help deliver the very best outcomes for residents across Australia.
“I’m very pleased to have the support of my colleagues for this sensible reform that will help us ensure the right products are being used in the right ways,” Mr Kean said.
“This new requirement is just the latest step in a series of ongoing reforms regarding the use of cladding across NSW.
“I can assure the community that 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.”
Commonwealth Minister for Small and Family Business, the Workplace and Deregulation Craig Laundy commended Minister Kean on the forum’s results.
“I congratulate Minister Kean for playing a key role in assisting myself and the other building Ministers in reaching a common sense solution to what is a problem that needs to be solved,” Mr Laundy said.
Queensland Minister for Housing and Public Works Mick de Brenni welcomed the move as a win for cladding safety across the country.
“This is a major step in ensuring that buildings with cladding are safe for emergency workers, and a great example of what a bi-partisan approach to a major issue can achieve,” Mr de Brenni said.
More information on the NSW cladding taskforce is available at fair.trading.nsw.gov.au
