Nick Xenophon (SA, Independent) Share this | Hansard source

I, and also on behalf of Senators Madigan and Lambie, move:

That the following matters be referred to the Economics References Committee for inquiry and report by 12 October 2015:

(a) the economic impact of non-conforming building products on the Australian building and construction industry;

(b) the impact of non-conforming building products on:

(i) industry supply chains, including importers, manufacturers and fabricators,

(ii) workplace safety and any associated risks,

(iii) costs passed on to customers, including any insurance and compliance costs, and

(iv) the overall quality of Australian buildings;

(c) possible improvements to the current regulatory frameworks for ensuring that building products conform to Australian standards, with particular reference to the effectiveness of:

(i) policing and enforcement of existing regulations,

(ii) independent verification and assessment systems,

(iii) surveillance and screening of imported building products, and

(iv) restrictions and penalties imposed on non conforming building products; and

(d) any other related matters.