Palaszczuk Government to seek national PE cladding ban

The Palaszczuk Government will push for a national ban on polyethylene (PE) core aluminium composite panels when Queensland hosts the nation Building Minister’s Forum in two weeks’ time.

Minister for Housing and Public Works Mick de Brenni welcomed the Property Council of Australia’s support for Queensland’s new laws against non-conforming cladding and the industry’s call for a national ban on the sale and importation of PE core products.

“Queensland has delivered nation-leading laws that put a responsibility on everyone in supply chain to keep these products away from our construction sites,” Mr de Brenni said.

“I can understand that it will obviously make it easier for the property industry if the Commonwealth would step in to ban the importation and sale of this cladding”

“Commonwealth, state and territory building Ministers will gather in Brisbane in two weeks’ time and Queensland will be strongly backing a ban on these products.

“When a major industry group like the Property Council and a Senate Inquiry are both backing a ban, I think the message to the Federal Government is that a ban is common sense.

“I’m pleased to announce that, in Queensland, we have heard the message. The Palaszczuk Government is banning the use of any PE cladding material from government construction, even for uses that comply with the current construction code.

“I think it’s only prudent to take this approach across the rest of the country. “

Mr de Brenni said the softly, softly approach from the Commonwealth was putting Queenslanders at risk.

“Malcolm Turnbull needs to end his hands off approach to this issue and that starts with stopping these products at our borders.

“Mr Turnbull has ruled out even attempting to find and stop dodgy imports from places like China.

“It’s not good enough for the Prime Minister to throw up his hands and put border protection in the too hard basket.”

ENDS

Media Contact: Tristan Douglas 0447 164 197