TRADE LICENSING

Mr SIBBONS (Mitchell) (14:17): Can the Minister for Business Services and Consumers inform the house about what is being done to protect the public from unlicensed tradespeople?

The Hon. J.R. RAU (Enfield—Deputy Premier, Attorney-General, Minister for Planning, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for Business Services and Consumers) (14:18): I thank the honourable member for the question. I am pleased to inform the member for Mitchell that Consumer and Business Services (CBS) has established a campaign targeting unlicensed tradespeople, with increasing monitoring and education.

For MPs who are not aware, it is also illegal to advertise without a licence for building trades. Tradespeople advertising without a licence may face expiation notices or penalties. Tradespeople who contract for work without the appropriate licence are breaking the law, and their work is often substandard, leaving hefty repair bills.

In 2012, CBS issued 236 warning letters relating to alleged unlicensed activity, seven tradespeople were convicted or disciplined, and nine assurances were given. This year, CBS has strengthened agreements with local newspapers to reinforce the requirement of tradespeople who advertise to include licence numbers on their advertisements.

CBS has ramped up its monitoring of unlicensed traders, including: conducting media monitoring, internet and electronic phone book searches; liaising with various industry bodies to educate tradespeople; and assessing information and complaints received from the general public. The general public are encouraged to report unlicensed tradies and questionable activities to CBS at any time.

In a specific push to raise consumer awareness and to stamp out dodgy and illegal practices among trade services, CBS is holding a 'dob in an unlicensed tradie' day next month on 19 March. CBS wants to hear from consumers and industry members who are aware of unlicensed tradespeople contracting for work—

An honourable member: Bridge painters?

The Hon. J.R. RAU: —including plumbers, gasfitters, electricians and various building trades, such as tilers, carpenters and bridge painters.

Mr Venning interjecting:

The Hon. J.R. RAU: The phone-in day is aimed at raising public awareness of how unlicensed tradies can be reported. Rogue operators could face—and the member for Schubert should be aware of this—penalties of up to $20,000. The public can also visit the licensing public register on the CBS website to check out whether someone is licensed appropriately.