PLUMBERS PETITION CALLS FOR REPEAL OF FEE HIKES

The Tasmanian Greens today tabled a petition in the House of Assembly calling for the repeal of a 1200% registration fee hike for plumbers, and of the Occupational Licensing Act of 2005.

Greens Member for Bass Kim Booth MP said the petition, containing 292 signatures, indicated there was strong community and industry opposition to the proposed new plumbers licensing regime.

“This petition clearly shows that plumbers are not prepared to stand by and be driven from their industry by excessive fees or overregulation,” Mr Booth said.

“The Greens fully support the plumbers on this issue, and we are determined to see the removal of artificial barriers to entry or retention and the requirement for dual registration.”

“Last year the Tasmanian Greens achieved support from the Liberals for their motion to disallow the fee hike in plumber registration fees, with the matter of fees and regulations referred to the Tasmanian Parliamentary Committee into Building and Construction.”

“However, the proposed regime would drive costs through the roof for both plumbers and consumers.”

The petition reads:

Registered Plumbers and concerned citizens of Tasmania draws attention of the House that:
1. There is a need to repeal the Occupational Licensing Act 2005 in its current form. It is discriminatory against registered plumbers and existing small business owners and the impact on their clients’ welfare.
2. Contractors increase in fees is $54 to $734.40, which is an increase of over 1200%.
3. Tradesmen employed by a contractor can prepare for an increase of approximately 100%.
4. There islack of any other benefits flowing from these increases fees.
5. Qualified and registered plumbers should not totally have to fund the Occupational Licensing Act and contribute to national occupational licensing acts to effectively create another level of bureaucracy.

Your Petitioners therefore pray that the House:

Calls on the State Labor Government to immediately:

• Place a moratorium on this Act and that a review of the same (Occupational Licensing Act) be carried out and that there also be an investigation of National Occupational Licensing Act.
Kim Booth MP Greens Member for Bass