Concerns Remain Over New Licencing Regime

The Tasmanian Greens today highlighted the unresolved issues facing plumbers in Tasmania with regard to the push to force the industry into the National Occupational Licencing Scheme (NOLS) and the associated fee hikes.

Greens Small Business spokesperson Kim Booth MP said a number of positive advances have been progressed since the Greens’ motion disallowing the proposed fees gained the support of the Liberal party in May this year.

Mr Booth said that the Minister’s acceptance that there had to be a reduction in the new fee structure, contained in Schedule 1 of the Occupational Licensing (Plumbing Work) Regulations 2010 only came after a concerted campaign by the United Plumbers of Tasmania, backed by the Greens.

“I’m pleased that the Workplace Relations Minister David O’Byrne has finally recognised the United Plumbers of Tasmania as a peak industry body and accepted that the fee hike was unacceptable,” Mr Booth said.

“In May, the Minister tried to push through an obscene fee hike for plumbers of 1200 percent, while claiming that he had industry support because he got the go-ahead from the Master Plumbers Association, a group which obviously does not represent the whole industry.”

“Considerable progress has been made, but there remain a number of outstanding issues, including whether plumbers are better served remaining outside of NOLS as well as the proposed revised level of fees.”

“The Minister still has a responsibility to design an appropriate fee structure that is fair and will not just impose endless paperwork on workers that just want to get on with their job.”
“I also congratulate Andrew Foley of the United Plumbers of Tasmania for his dedication in advocating on behalf of both the industry and consumers.

“The Greens will not allow this industry to be damaged by excessive fees and worthless red tape and over regulation and will continue to use the forms of parliament to define an acceptable regulatory regime.”
Kim Booth MP Greens Small Business Spokesperson Tuesday, 27 September 2011