Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .

Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1998 Week 7 Hansard (24 September) . . Page.. 2144 ..

MR SMYTH (Minister for Urban Services) (10.51): Mr Speaker, I present the Building (Amendment) Bill (No. 2) 1998, together with its explanatory memorandum.

Title read by Clerk.

MR SMYTH: I move:

That this Bill be agreed to in principle.

The Bill is closely related to the Construction Practitioners Registration Bill. Building work is controlled by checking that plans for work comply with standards and then inspecting the work in progress. The Bill will allow the Government to prescribe the use of private certifiers registered under the registration Bill in place of government inspectors to carry out these functions.

These changes to the Building Act follow the national trend. They enable the Government to follow the current practice in every part of Australia, except Western Australia, which is expected to introduce private certification in 1999. I commend the Bill to the Assembly.

Debate (on motion by Mr Hargreaves) adjourned.

MR SMYTH (Minister for Urban Services) (10.52): Mr Speaker, I present the Electricity (Amendment) Bill 1998, together with its explanatory memorandum.

Title read by Clerk.

MR SMYTH: I move:

That this Bill be agreed to in principle.

Electrical work is controlled by inspecting the completed work and comparing it with standards. The Bill formalises the self-certification and targeted inspection arrangements for electrical work introduced by ACTEW before its corporatisation. The arrangements are that some types of work by electricians are exempted from inspection, depending on the performance record of the individual electricians. This system includes a minimum rate of inspection for satisfactory performers.

Along with the Construction Practitioners Registration Bill and the Building (Amendment) Bill, it simplifies regulation of the construction industry. This simplification of electrical regulation follows moves of the same kind in all States and Territories. I commend the Bill to the Assembly.

Debate (on motion by Mr Hargreaves) adjourned.

Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .