Michael Ronaldson (Victoria, Liberal Party, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

Again I thank Senator Madigan. The government shares your concern in relation to non-conforming building products. At the building ministers forum in Melbourne—I think it was in July, from recollection—ministers agreed on a range of significant outcomes that will benefit the Australian building and construction industry and the wider community. One of the key themes of the building ministers forum was addressing non-conforming building products, and during the meeting the Commonwealth put on the table options for better information sharing with Customs and Border Protection that would assist state and territory regulators to better manage and respond to non-conforming products coming into the country.

The Commonwealth and state and territory ministers also agreed to establish a working group of senior officers that will report back within six months on the issue of non-conforming building products. I am pleased to say this working group has been established and will be meeting in the coming months to work through the forward plan. The key task will be to work up strategies to minimise the risk to consumers, businesses and the community. (Time expired)