Mal's Monthly Message
31 July 2017
News from the only national association representing & advocating on behalf of Electrical Contractors
It’s been a big month for Master Electricians with key highlights including a near record number of new members; our Member Services team answering the highest number of calls ever in one day; the appointment of a Training Manager and Assistant: Gary Klenner and Emma Deighton to redirect our training business post Careers Australia; and the appointment of a new Technical and Safety Officer for Northern Queensland.
With AS/NZS3000 coming soon, we are gearing up for seminars around the country. On the front foot as always, Member Adviser Andrew Bailey has already presented 37 pre-release seminars around Queensland to close to 4000 electrical contractors.
We continue to represent member interests on Project Bank Accounts and Security of Payments across the states to ensure they are established to protect members’ interests and prevent builders using smaller contractors as a credit facility. We will be carefully monitoring to ensure they work as intended.
It was great to see Jason O’Dwyer, Manager Advisory Services, appear before a Parliamentary Committee in Queensland to represent member views on the introduction of ground breaking legislation to deal with non-conforming product. We look forward to this much needed legislation.
Our Safety team has been working hard to develop a new ME Safety App. We will share this new and responsive App with members very soon.
Finally, I look forward to the Excellence Awards, which start in Townsville this weekend, with more dates around the country. Enter now if you haven’t already and please attend the Awards Nights. Plus, our Conference in Noumea in September is set to be our biggest and best yet, as we partner with Master Electricians NZ and welcome keynote Mark Skaife. Hope you have your ticket booked!
We look forward to continuing to service members at both state and national level.
Recent Initiatives
National: Electricity Price Review
The ACCC has been investigating the nation’s electricity prices and will this week commence its public forums to gain customer feedback... Read More
National: Master Electricians Attending Black Economy Round Table
Master Electricians has been invited to a Federal Government Industry round table to discuss strategies to tackle the Black Economy... Read More
National: Apprenticeship Funding
The Queensland Government is providing investment through a number of different vocational education and training programs... Read More
National: Industry Reference Committee
On 11 July, the Industry Reference Committee met to review the electricians training package... Read More
National: Minimum Wage Increase from 1 July
A reminder that the minimum wage increase is now in effect... Read More
State Initiatives
NSW: CCEW Online Form
Fair Trading is looking to implement this form ASAP and stop using hand written forms... Read More
NSW: Security of Payment Update
The Department is aiming to release draft amendments by the end of 2017 to address a number of issues... Read More
QLD: Legislation for Nonconforming Product
On 10 July Master Electricians appeared before a Queensland Parliamentary Committee on reviewing legislation to tackle nonconforming product... Read More
QLD: Project Bank Accounts Meeting
On 28 June Gary Veenstra our Queensland State Manager, represented Master Electricians on a panel with Minister Mick de Brenni to support Project Bank Accounts... Read More
QLD: QBCC Endorses Department of Housing and Public Works Guidelines
The QBCC will now allow Form 16s to be signed off by a competent person as an installers statement... Read More
SA: Working Near Mobile Plant
Working in close proximity to mobile plant, increases the risk of serious injury or fatal incidents... Read More
TAS: The Future of CPD
CPD Reference Group supports the system and recommends changes. FACT: Did you know that The Master Electrician magazine qualifies for 3 CPD points? Read More
VIC: Concerns Regarding CoINVEST Definition of Electricians
Concerns are being raised in Victoria about broadening the CoINVEST definition of electricians covered by the LSL fund... Read More
WA: Electricity (Licensing) Regulation Changes
An important change to the WA Regulations is that it is now a mandatory requirement to document and keep testing records for notifiable work... Read More
WA: Amendments to Part IV of Electricity Regulations 1947
The changes are closing a possible legal loophole in relation to enforcement RCD's in motels hotels and temporary buildings... Read More
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