The Queensland Government has passed laws to increase accountability for dangerous building products, including flammable building cladding.

Housing and Public Works Minister Mick de Brenni says the Building and Construction Legislation (Non-Conforming Building Products – Chain of Responsibility) Amendment Bill will help ensure products are safe and fit for use.

“Yet again Queensland is leading the way on the issue of non-conforming building products,” he said. “These tough new laws put the responsibility for safety on everyone in Queensland’s building supply chain, rather than just the tradie at the end of the line.

“Whether you are a manufacturer, importer, supplier or installer, if your behaviour lets a dangerous product onto a Queensland building site you will be responsible and will be accountable.”

The changes expand the powers of the Queensland Building and Construction Commission.

These powers will assist the Government’s Audit Taskforce in its work responding to potentially dangerous building cladding in Queensland.

“Previously, the commission could inspect only active building sites,” Mr de Brenni said.

“These new measures allow inspectors to enter existing buildings, take samples for testing and direct rectifications, and the State Government will be able to recall products that are non-conforming, and issue warnings about them.”