Australian coroner: Chinese student killed in building fire because laws violated
All the factors that led to the Bankstown tragedy are replicated in many buildings across Australia, potentially endangering thousands of lives.
•Richard Phillips
The 2012 Bankstown Fire in Sydney, Australia
Australia: Fire inquest told Bankstown apartment block still unsafe
The long-delayed inquest into the Euro Terraces apartment fire that killed a student and badly injured another began hearings this month.
•Richard Phillips
Australia: Hundreds homeless following Brisbane apartment fire
Thick plumes of black smoke engulfed the area, forcing residents to evacuate the entire complex.
•Richard Phillips
Australia: Engineer speaks with WSWS about building safety
Laddie Assey discusses safety problems at the multi-storey Q1 apartment tower, and the Euro Terraces fire in Bankstown.
•Richard Phillips
Australia: Owners Corporation Network spokesman discusses building safety
Stephen Goddard speaks to the WSWS about the Bankstown apartment blaze and the impact of deregulation and private certification.
•Richard Phillips
Australian state government imposes fire station shut-downs
Across Sydney and other urban areas, stations are being temporarily closed on a daily basis, increasing the danger of another fire tragedy.
•Mark Church
Australia: Fire safety problems in new student accommodation
Scores of new student apartments are not fire proof because of an unclear definition in Australian building codes.
•Mark Church
Australia: Safety experts discuss Bankstown apartment fire
Experts voice concerns about fire safety in multi-storey apartments and inadequate building codes.
•our reporters
Residents voice concerns about fire safety at Bankstown apartment
False alarms and other fire safety issues continue to plague Euro Terraces residents in south-west Sydney.
•Richard Phillips
Australia’s worsening housing affordability crisis
Over the past two decades, the cost of buying a home has almost trebled, compared to average incomes.
•Mark Church
Fire safety problems in Australia’s tallest apartment block
A flawed fire escape in the Q1 tower highlights the result of the de-regulation of the building industry.
•Richard Phillips
No decision on coronial inquiry into Bankstown fire for months
The response by all levels of government to the plight of Euro Terraces fire victims has been one of callous indifference.
•Richard Phillips
“The local council and governments have a lot to answer for with this fire.”
Residents discuss need for independent investigation into the fatal fire at the Euro Terraces complex in Bankstown.
•our reporters
Building workers raise questions about Bankstown fire
The WSWS spoke to construction workers about poor building standards, the de-regulation of building codes and the housing affordability crisis.
•our reporters
Commentary from a building designer
Building regulations and the Bankstown fire
The Hawke and Keating governments introduced the Building Code of Australia as part of the Labor Party’s program of “economic reform” and de-regulation.
•Paul Bartizan
Residents condemn Bankstown council and Labor Party
Bankstown residents spoke to the WSWS about the responsibility of the federal, state and local governments for the conditions that led to the September 6 fire.
•our reporters
Residents speak to WSWS about the Euro Terraces fire
Participants spoke about their reaction to the SEP meeting and why they supported the resolution calling for a committee to organise an independent investigation.
•our reporters
SEP meeting resolution on the Bankstown fire
The resolution was adopted unanimously at the SEP’s public meeting on the Bankstown fire.
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SEP public meeting calls for Bankstown fire investigation
The meeting voted unanimously to establish an independent committee to examine the causes of the Bankstown apartment fire and the wider social issues behind it.
•our reporters
Students expose lack of decent, safe, affordable housing
Domestic and international students at several universities explained the substandard and unsafe accommodation that many students experience.
•our correspondents