Page 2412 - Week 06 - Thursday, 24 June 2010
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Construction occupation licensing legislation plays an important role in delivering these reforms. Not only does it provide the framework for creating the construction occupation; it also manages that licence category and provides a mechanism for compliance monitoring and a disciplinary framework.
COLA already has an established and well-accepted demerit point system. These reforms will operate in the same environment as other construction occupations. Specific offences and demerit points will be specified in the regulations which are being developed and will include such things as knowingly providing false or misleading information. COLA requires that the construction occupations registrar determine the qualifications required to be licensed to do this work. This ensures that only appropriately qualified people will be licensed to undertake this new range of functions.
Because COLA provides for different licence categories for any one construction occupation, these reforms envisage classes of licences for works assessors that will allow them to undertake specific types of exemption assessment notices, depending on their qualifications and experience. For example, a class A works assessor will only be able to work across the full spectrum of DA exemption, whereas a class B works assessor will only be able to work with a class 1 building—a residential building—or a class 10 building or structure—a carport, a garage, a pergola and so on.
Having said all of that, let me just say that this bill is an excellent example of the government being proactive in providing a service to the community and to industry. On a final note, the bill contains a minor addition to earlier COLA amendments in respect of unit titling applications. The amendment inserts more specific requirements on the material that must be included in the unit titling application. I am pleased to advise the Assembly that implementation of these earlier changes is proceeding smoothly. It is anticipated that unit titling application reforms will, subject to tabling and subsequent agreement by the Assembly to underpinning regulations, be in effect by September this year.
I again thank members for their support of this legislation, and we look forward to resuming debate on all matters COLA with subsequent bills later in the year.
Question resolved in the affirmative.
Bill agreed to in principle.
Leave granted to dispense with the detail stage.
Bill agreed to.
Sitting suspended from 12.25 to 2 pm.
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