'It won't fall apart': Leading Liberal says we don't need 'gold-plated' building code

Australia's federal opposition is pushing for a radical overhaul of the nation's building code, aiming to slash its length from over 2,000 pages to a mere 80. Liberal housing spokesman Andrew Bragg argues that the current regulations are excessively complex and expensive, leading to what he calls "gold-plated houses."

Bragg plans to present his proposal, which would necessitate the cooperation of states and territories, by reclassifying most requirements beyond basic safety standards as "optional extras." This includes provisions for accessibility and energy efficiency. "It is now illegal to build a cheap house in Australia," Senator Bragg is expected to state, emphasizing his intention to "pare this back."

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It is now illegal to build a cheap house in Australia. We will pare this back.

The National Construction Code, originally much shorter, has expanded significantly over the years. While some expansion is due to increased scope, a substantial portion is attributed to detailed compliance guidance and variations across different states and territories, creating what the Productivity Commission has described as a "thicket" of inconsistency. Industry groups concur that these complex regulations contribute significantly to the cost of new homes, with evidence suggesting recent code changes have added between $3,600 and $33,000 to the price of a new house.

While Senator Bragg's proposal aims to retain essential structural, fire safety, and health-related standards, the sheer volume of existing fire-related sections alone exceeds 80 pages. His plan includes a federal "pattern book" of approved templates to accompany the simplified code. The implementation of any changes hinges on intergovernmental agreement, as the code, though developed nationally, is enacted through state and territory laws.

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houses under the shorter code 'won't be gold plated but it won't fall apart. It will be safe.'