FLAMMABLE CLADDING FOUND ON FEDERAL GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS

BRENDAN O’CONNOR MP.
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4 years ago
FLAMMABLE CLADDING FOUND ON FEDERAL GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS
BRENDAN O’CONNOR MP
Leaked documents have revealed that under the Government’s watch, multiple taxpayer-owned buildings are wrapped in flammable cladding, posing a fire and serious public safety risk.
 
As revealed on Nine News, at least 11 Commonwealth buildings, including five Defence buildings, contain flammable cladding, and more than 200 require further inspection.
 
The Government has consistently shirked all responsibility and laid the blame on the states and territories saying that it is up to them to fix the problem. Now that they have nowhere to hide because the issue has been exposed on national TV, who will they blame particularly as these buildings are on Commonwealth land?
 
The hypocrisy is breathtaking.

 
The Prime Minister said the responsibility is squarely the states and territories saying, “That’s their job. And I’ll hold them accountable for what their responsibilities are.”
SCOTT MORRISON, 2GB ALAN JONES, JULY 19 2019.
 
Minister for Industry, Karen Andrews said of the states and territories, “if they don't act, I think that they will rightfully deserve and get the wrath of the Australian public.”
KAREN ANDREWS, 4 CORNERS, 17 JULY 2019. 
 

It’s been more than two years since an audit of all Federal Government owned buildings began and it’s just not good enough that it is not yet complete.
 
The pertinent question remains, beyond Defence, how many other Government-owned and leased buildings contain flammable cladding?
 
The federal Govt owes a duty of care to the occupants, tenants and users of the dwellings in question to inform them about flammable cladding.

They deserve to know if the federal government has their safety front of mind.
 
The Morrison Government has always been in denial about the role it needs to play regarding the public safety issue of construction quality and flammable cladding – whether it is on fraudulent phoenix activity, insurance regulation, importation of dangerous cladding, and now the safety of Defence staff.
 
Each day the Morrison Government fails to take leadership and respond to the building industry crisis, businesses are closing down, the safety and lives of Australians are put at risk
  
Australians deserve to feel safe – especially in their own homes and workplaces.
Labor Party