Coalition plan to scrap energy rules for new houses condemned as ‘cost-of-living timebomb’

Proposal to cut building costs by scrapping the construction code would increase bills for the poorest households, critics say Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast A Coalition plan to abolish compulsory energy standards for new homes that help reduce people’s exposure to heat and cold has been criticised by advocates as a “cost-of-living timebomb” that would deepen inequality. The opposition’s housing and environment spokesperson, Andrew Bragg, said a Coalition government would cut the National Construction Code from more than 2,000 pages to 80, and strip away all requirements for new homes beyond demanding they were “basic and safe”. Longstanding compulsory energy and accessibility measures would become “optional extras”. Speaking at the National Press Club, Bragg said house construction regulation was a “nightmare” and accused the Albanese government of making it “illegal to build a cheap house in Australia”. “We will cut building costs,” he said. Asked about the policy on ABC Radio National, the Liberal Treasury spokesperson, Tim Wilson, said in some cases people could put â