Page 2722 - Week 09 - Tuesday, 16 September 2014
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
accreditations to the Construction Occupations (Licensing) Act further advances the single licensing framework. The licensing act covers all construction licensees, so there is equity in licensing and disciplinary powers for all licensees, be they an asbestos assessor, an electrician or a gas appliance worker. Although the work may be different, the principles are the same, and this is important for consistency across industry.
A further amendment transfers any residual powers of the Planning and Land Authority under the Gas Safety Act to the Construction Occupations Registrar. This reflects the administrative responsibilities under the Construction Occupations (Licensing) Act. It also supports the intention to integrate all relevant construction legislation as part of a broader legislative system.
The combination of proposed amendments to gas safety law will enhance the operation of the law. New objects for the Gas Safety Act help the reader to interpret the legislation and can be used to resolve uncertainty or ambiguity. New definitions and explanatory information will help people using the act. Revisions to gas appliance approvals remove the need for duplicative administrative processes in the ACT and recognise the ACT as part of a national market.
Gas appliance work categories align the legislation with practices and training that has evolved since the beginning of the accreditation system. Prescribing work standards and delineating requirements for different types of gas appliance will assist people to understand and meet their obligations. Repealing provisions for compliance indicators will remove an unnecessary requirement for industry. As well as this, the bill will support the functions of the Construction Occupations Registrar in carrying out relevant acts by clarifying requirements for written directions given to people to fix an unsafe installation or appliance.
Gas safety standards are well established in the ACT. Technical standards have long included some efficiency requirements, but the focus of those standards is on efficiency for safety—to make sure that fuel is combusted in a way that does not lead to health problems or increased safety risks.
However, there may be times when it is desirable to apply an efficiency standard to an installation or appliances to reduce the use of resources also. The bill therefore expands the focus of efficiency beyond that for just safety to efficiency for energy conservation. It also recognises the need to limit damage to the environment from the use of certain fuels, materials and products. New powers will allow incidental standards to minimise harm, such as where an environmental impact may arise from the use of a particular appliance or disposal of certain materials.
I note that these provisions are consistent with those for efficiency in the Electricity Safety Act. They also work with the commonwealth Greenhouse and Energy Minimum Standards Act. National standards and labelling requirements are set as part of the cross-jurisdictional equipment energy efficiency program which the ACT participates in. This program has traditionally focused on electrical appliances but it is now expanding into gas appliances in Australia and New Zealand where feasible. The
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video