Page 370 - Week 02 - Tuesday, 20 February 2018
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The electricity market is not static. Rules change and new ways of operating emerge. Most recently, the supply and installation of electricity meters has become contestable. This opens up new opportunities for electrical businesses. While an ACT appendix is not included in the bill, it is anticipated that the interim code for metering installation work made under the Construction Occupations (Licensing) Act will be remade in an ACT appendix if the bill passes. This will bring all electrical installation standards under the Electricity Safety Act.
The ACT government, ACT residents and businesses can be early adopters of new types of appliances. The ACT has a strong system of electrical inspections so that we may be the first to identify a problem. The new provisions allow the government to respond more quickly to new electrical technologies and practices that may not be adequately addressed by the national standard. This will, in turn, help ensure that electrical work in the territory will be done safely and well.
I note that in its report 13 the scrutiny committee commented that the legislative amendments which provide for the incorporation of the Australian and New Zealand standards should include information on how those standards can be accessed. It was suggested that the opportunity should have been taken, in amending the Electricity Safety Act, to provide for greater access to the AS/NZ3000 standard. We agree and did take this opportunity. The government does not have the legal ability to provide wide access to the standard. We also cannot distribute, reproduce or publish the standard. Quite simply, we do not own the copyright. But we can help people find the information they need if they are one-off or regular users of the standard.
New section 3D in the bill requires the construction occupations registrar to keep a copy of the electrical wiring rules, which include AS/NZ3000, at the registrar’s office and make it available for inspection on request. Note 1 in proposed new section 3B(1) also informs people of where to purchase the standard. Neither of these provisions is in the current act. I have responded to the scrutiny committee on this matter.
The bill contains amendments to help protect the safety and wellbeing of the public. While I do not expect these amendments to be controversial, a copy of the bill as presented was circulated to the ACT branches of a range of industry associations, including bodies whose members are licensed under the Construction Occupations (Licensing) Act in occupations that may have implications for public safety. This includes undertaking building, building certification, plumbing, gasfitting and electrical wiring work. The bill was provided to the national electrical contractors association, the Master Plumbers Association, the Master Builders Association, the Housing Industry Association, the Australian Institute of Building, the Australian Institute of Building Surveyors and UnionsACT. The bill was also circulated to Engineers Australia, the Australian Institute of Architects and the Building Designers Association. No concerns were raised with me or my directorate on the bill prior to the debate today.
I want to thank Vanessa Morris and my directorate staff for their work in keeping our building and construction regulatory system up to date. I commend the bill to the Assembly.
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