Page 5779 - Week 13 - Thursday, 18 November 2010
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It should be noted that an apprentice or trainee electrician is permitted to carry out some types of work after receiving direction from a licensed tradesperson and they may carry out electrical connections if a licensed electrician is with them while the work is in progress. The licensed tradesperson is obliged to check, commission and certify that electrical works are carried out in accordance with the Australian/New Zealand Standards for Wiring Rules (AS/NZS 3000:2007).
Housing ACT did not contract the Registrar, it followed the processes under the contract with Spotless which is that Spotless is required to confirm the necessary registration. Spotless ensures compliance with legislation through its Contracts Administration section, which ensures all its employees and contractors who provide services to Housing ACT tenants, are appropriately licensed and/or qualified to provide services. This information is sourced from the ACT Planning and Land Authority website which lists all licensed accredited and registered Industry professionals.
In relation to the first supplementary question by Ms Hunter relating to what actions, if any, have been taken to ensure that all work done by contractors on behalf of Housing ACT is performed by individuals with the appropriate licences? I would like to advise the Assembly that the process by which Spotless ensures their contractors are licensed is through an Expression of Interest submission from potential contractors. Contractors must provide evidence of licences/qualifications required to operate their trade in the ACT before being considered for work on the Housing ACT contract. This information is entered into the Spotless computer system. If a licence expires the system will not allow work orders to be raised and issued to the contractor.
In relation to the second supplementary question by Ms Le Couteur regarding
if my Office or department received any other complaints from public housing tenants about Housing ACT contractors and have any actions been taken against any contractors as a result of major or repeated complaints? I can advise the Assembly Housing ACT operates a Complaints Management Unit that investigates and addresses all complaints received, this includes complaints about work undertaken by its Total Facilities Manager. Complaints about maintenance work and contractors is referred to Spotless by Housing ACT’s Contract Management Unit for their investigation, action and advice. In some cases a non-conformance notice is issued to Spotless by Housing ACT under the terms of the Total Facilities Management contract. Spotless responds to Housing ACT within 7 days of the notice and where required takes appropriate action with the contractor.
On Ms Le Courteur final supplementary question about what compensation is available to Housing ACT tenants when contractors cause further damage to a property and that inconveniences the tenants, I would like to advise the Assembly that a contractor is required to rectify (make good) any damage that they may cause during the completion of the work. Housing ACT, through its Total Facilities Manager, investigates all claims of damage and where appropriate the tenant is compensated for the damage.
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