Has reform of building regulation worked?

Key Points:

That's the question the Productivity Commission has been asked to answer by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Federal Treasurer, Ross Cameron. Under the terms of reference for the research study, the Commission will examine "the contribution that national building regulatory reform under the auspices of the Australian Building Codes Board has made to the productivity of the building and construction industry and its impact on economic efficiency in Australia as well as the potential that such reform has to make further gains." The study will primarily focus on the regulation of those classes of building defined in the Building Code of Australia (generally, residential and non-residential buildings, but not engineering construction).

This is particularly timely as it is 10 years since the Inter Government Agreement on building regulation reform, and the Federal Government funding for the ABCB is set to end in the middle of next year. The study will help determine whether that funding is continued or not, and what model is the most effective for delivering and funding future reforms.

The Commission must report by 17 November, and is seeking public comment on the issues paper.