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Legislative Council - Fifty-Second Parliament, First Session (52-1)
2010-07-22 Daily Xml
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PLUMBING INDUSTRY REGULATION

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK (14:23): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Consumer Affairs a question on the subject of plumbing industry regulation.

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK: On 23 June this year, I asked a question about regulation, largely in relation to the various responsibilities between OCBA, SA Water and the Office of the Technical Regulator (OTR). In her response, the minister advised:

OCBA seeks advice from SA Water and the OTR on the competencies required to carry out specific types of plumbing, gasfitting work…

Further, she stated:

SA Water and the OTR refer instances of unlicensed and unregistered plumbing and gasfitting work detected by them to OCBA in their role as technical regulators.

She also said:

…SA water and the OTR participate in OCBA's regular consultation meetings with industry stakeholders.

My questions to the minister are:

1. How often do those meetings with industry take place? Is it on a quarterly basis or some regular basis?

2. Can she advise the number of referrals made from SA Water to OCBA in the last five years in relation to breaches of plumbing licences?

3. What were the outcomes of investigations by OCBA, such as warnings, court action, prosecutions and so forth?

4. Is it correct that SA Water, as part of the regulatory system, has no powers to examine a plumber's record of Certificates of Compliance in the same way that the Office of the Technical Regulator is empowered?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for State/Local Government Relations, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Minister for Government Enterprises, Minister for the City of Adelaide) (14:25): I thank the honourable member for her important questions. Just by way of background, SA Water is the technical regulator for sanitary plumbing, drainage and water plumbing connected to SA Water infrastructure in South Australia, and has the responsibility to ensure that appropriate standards are met. The OTR is the technical regulator for gasfitting and has responsibility under the Gas Act to establish and enforce proper safety and technical standards for gas installation and appliances.

In terms of the liaison between OCBA, SA Water and OTR, it is my understanding that OCBA seeks advice from SA Water and the OTR on the competencies required to carry out specific types of plumbing or gasfitting work or proposals to issue licences for certain aspects of plumbing and gasfitting work. SA Water and the OTR then refer instances of unlicensed and unregistered plumbing and gasfitting work detected by them to OCBA as part of their roles as technical regulators. Substandard plumbing or gasfitting work detected by OCBA through the investigation of consumer complaints, or alleged unlicensing, as I have said previously, is referred to SA Water or the OTR. I do not have with me the specific details that the honourable member has asked me for, but I am happy to take those questions on notice and bring back those details at another time.

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