“The Business Council of Australia supports the disallowance by the Senate yesterday of the Building Code 2013, which risks being an unwelcome cost to the economy,” Chief Executive Jennifer Westacott said.

“We call on the government to withdraw the code and consult with the states and business to develop an approach that ensures Australia’s construction costs do not blow out,” Ms Westacott said.

“Industry was not consulted about the code, and there are serious concerns that it risks posing unnecessary costs on the construction industry when high construction costs are already putting future investment and the community benefits of critical infrastructure at risk.

“Rather than ensuring best practice on construction, sites the code has thrown into doubt guidelines in place in Victoria, and under development in New South Wales, which are aimed at minimising unproductive agreements on construction sites.

“At a time when high construction costs are posing serious risks to major investments that will deliver benefits for the whole community, business should be fully consulted before this code is progressed any further.

“A higher priority than this code is for COAG to follow through on its agreement from April last year to investigate Australia’s high construction costs and consider referring the issue to the Productivity Commission for a full inquiry,” she said.

For further information contact:
Scott Thompson, Director, Media and Public Affairs
Business Council of Australia
Telephone (03) 8664 2664 | Mobile 0403 241 128