THE UnionsACT is urgently calling on the ACT government to implement recommendations from the interim report from the Senate inquiry into aluminium composite cladding. 

“It is unacceptable for the ACT government to keep waiting for the Federal Liberal government to act to protect workers and the community in Canberra.

“In the absence of Federal action, the ACT government must ban the use of combustible aluminium cladding, extend the existing ACT building license scheme, and take steps to drive dodgy, dangerous building contractors from the industry.

“The ACT government must also establish a public register for buildings with combustible cladding installed, so workers and residents in them are aware of the risks.

“Unions have raised the issue of non-compliant building products with the ACT government for years. The time to act is now. No more excuses.”

The Senate inquiry has made eight recommendations, such as;

• Implement a total ban on the importation, sale and use of Polyethylene core aluminium composite panels as a matter of urgency;
• Work with states and territories to establish a national licensing scheme, with requirements for continued professional development for all building practitioners;
• Imposing a penalties regime for non-compliance with the National Construction Code such as revocation of accreditation or a ban from tendering for construction work and substantial financial penalties; and
• Establish a Director Identification Number scheme to prevent company directors from engaging in illegal phoenix activity.

Mr White says although the Senate inquiry principally looked at measures that the Commonwealth Government could take, the Mr Fluffy experience shows that the ACT government cannot rely on the Commonwealth to act.