The Tasmanian Greens have accused the Minister for Workplace Relations David O’Byrne of sidelining the plumbing industry group United Plumbers Tasmania from critical negotiations over a proposed industry fee hike.
The Greens’ Building spokesperson Kim Booth MP said he was disappointed to discover that Mr O’Byrne had been working with the Master Plumbers Association of Tasmania behind the backs of UPT to impose the new National Occupational Licensing System.
Mr Booth said the revelations came in an email from the Executive Officer of the Master Plumbers Association of Tasmania to the group’s members, outlining the revised fee structure.
“I am disappointed to find out that there appears to have been a decision over fees reached, without United Plumbers Tasmania being informed.”
“The Minister’s actions demonstrate that he is out of touch with how the plumbing industry in Tasmania works.”
“I’m calling on the Minister to provide an assurance that no more negotiations will take place without including UPT as a formal consultative representative body for Tasmanian plumbers.”
“So far neither the Minister nor his department has been able to provide any valid reason as to why Tasmanian plumbers should join the National Occupational Licensing System.”
“In May, he tried to push through a fee hike of 1200 percent, which was really an obscene grab for cash, while claiming that he had industry support because he got the go-ahead from the Master Plumbers of Tasmania.”
“I successfully moved move a motion in Parliament that disallowed these obscene fee hikes, with the support of United Plumbers Tasmania, and I am prepared to do it again if the Minister fails to consult properly.”
“Since then, there have been hours spent voluntarily by the United Plumbers of Tasmania to help the Minister understand the plumbing industry and design a fee structure that is fair and will not just impose endless paperwork on men who just want to get on with their job.”
Kim Booth MP Greens Building Spokesperson
