Page 2374 - Week 08 - Thursday, 6 June 2013
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
registrar will also consider a range of things related to the licensee’s conduct while licensed including if they are contravening a rectification order, a court order or an order of the ACAT relating to the applicant’s licence.
If the registrar believes it is necessary or desirable to protect the public, the registrar will be able to refuse the issue or renewal of a licence. This will be reviewable by the ACAT. If a licensee contravenes a relevant act, the registrar may take disciplinary action that can include requiring a person to undertake training. So that the registrar can assess if a breach of legislation was due to a lack of skills or knowledge, the bill gives new powers to the registrar to require a skills assessment of a licensee if a ground for occupational discipline exists. This helps the registrar in being able to select or recommend the most appropriate disciplinary action to the ACAT and to assess any ongoing risks to the public.
Legislation, standards and practices in the industry change frequently. To carry out construction occupations with a sufficient level of skill and knowledge, practitioners must continue to learn and respond to these changes. The bill includes a new power for the registrar to determine a course of training for a construction occupation or occupation class if it is necessary for the development or enhancement of the skills or knowledge of licensees in that occupation.
This allows the registrar to target training appropriate for each occupation on an as-needs basis. The system does not require licensees to accrue a mandatory number of points or attend a certain number of courses but directly addresses identified gaps and problems in specific occupations or occupation classes. It is a practical and responsive way to manage the ongoing competency of licensees.
Implementing a system of professional development was a recommendation of the government’s Building quality in the ACT report. This is the first in a series of bills the government intends to bring forward as part of our commitment to improving building quality and as part of the ongoing review of the Building Act.
I commend the bill to the Assembly.
Debate (on motion by Mr Smyth) adjourned to the next sitting.
Water Resources Amendment Bill 2013
Mr Corbell, Pursuant to notice, presented the bill, its explanatory statement and a Human Rights Act compatibility statement.
Title read by Clerk.
MR CORBELL (Molonglo—Attorney-General, Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Minister for Workplace Safety and Industrial Relations and Minister for the Environment and Sustainable Development) (11.20): I move:
That this bill be agreed to in principle.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video