❓ Hon Michelle Hofmann questions the Minister for Commerce regarding the adoption of the National Construction Code 2025 in WA, particularly concerning potential impacts on women's access to single-sex bathroom facilities. The Minister confirms adoption with minor variations and addresses concerns about all-gender facilities.
AnsweredQoN 268Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
National Construction Code 2025—Bathroom facilities
268. Hon Michelle Hofmann to the parliamentary secretary
representing the Minister for Commerce:
I refer to the
National Construction Code 2025.
(1) Has the minister determined whether
WA will adopt the new code?
(2) If yes to (1), will Western Australia
adopt the code as is or will it be amended?
(3) Is the minister aware of community
concerns about changes in access to bathroom facilities?
(4) What
steps will the minister take to ensure that WA women and girls will not have
reduced access to single-sex facilities?
268. Hon Michelle Hofmann to the parliamentary secretary
representing the Minister for Commerce:
I refer to the
National Construction Code 2025.
(1) Has the minister determined whether
WA will adopt the new code?
(2) If yes to (1), will Western Australia
adopt the code as is or will it be amended?
(3) Is the minister aware of community
concerns about changes in access to bathroom facilities?
(4) What
steps will the minister take to ensure that WA women and girls will not have
reduced access to single-sex facilities?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member
for some notice of the question. The answer provided to me is as such.
(1) Yes.
(2) The National Construction Code 2025
was adopted in Western Australia on 1 May 2026 with a small number of
variations specific to WA.
(3) I have received some correspondence
on this matter in recent weeks.
(4) The NCC requirements for all-gender
facilities prioritise privacy, safety and dignity. The provisions are voluntary
and, where used, can increase access to toilets for women, parents and people
with medical conditions. Any all-gender facility must be single-access, fully
enclosed, include a washbasin and provide appropriate sanitary disposal,
consistent with existing requirements for accessible facilities. Under this new
voluntary pathway, no more than 50% of the required male and female facilities
may be provided as all-gender facilities.
for some notice of the question. The answer provided to me is as such.
(1) Yes.
(2) The National Construction Code 2025
was adopted in Western Australia on 1 May 2026 with a small number of
variations specific to WA.
(3) I have received some correspondence
on this matter in recent weeks.
(4) The NCC requirements for all-gender
facilities prioritise privacy, safety and dignity. The provisions are voluntary
and, where used, can increase access to toilets for women, parents and people
with medical conditions. Any all-gender facility must be single-access, fully
enclosed, include a washbasin and provide appropriate sanitary disposal,
consistent with existing requirements for accessible facilities. Under this new
voluntary pathway, no more than 50% of the required male and female facilities
may be provided as all-gender facilities.
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