DODGY IMPORTED BUILDING PRODUCTS INQUIRY BEGINS TODAY

Australia’s flawed system of safety checks for imported building products will be closely examined today by a Senate Inquiry, following many high profile cases of sub-standard and dangerous materials leading to damage to property and risk to lives.

More information can be found here: http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Economics/Non-conforming_products/Public_Hearings

The inquiry was instigated by Senator’s John Madigan and Nick Xenophon and co-sponsored by Senator Jacqui Lambie.

“We have seen windows fall off major public buildings, a hi-rise apartment building catch on fire and the installation of kilometres electrical cable go into 40,000 homes that will lead to electrocutions or fires in the future,” said Nick.  

“Today’s hearing is the result of the rising risk to Australians from these products and we’ll be seeking answers as to how we can stop them from getting in, by insisting on fit-for-purpose Australian Standards for design and safety,” said Senator Madigan.

The CMFEU will be giving evidence to the committee and speaking to the media today about their safety concerns and providing examples of substandard imported products.

High profile incidents have included massive windows falling off the new ASIO headquarters in Canberra and a hi-rise building fire in Melbourne’s Docklands last year that quickly spread when the exterior cladding -- imported from China – caught on fire, something that should have been impossible under Australian building regulations.

“There are hundreds of thousands of Australian homes that have ticking time-bombs in them, unbeknown to their occupants. Australians would be shocked if they knew how many people were exposed to dodgy non-conforming products,” said Nick.