Legislative Council - Fifty-Second Parliament, First Session (52-1)
2011-05-05 Daily Xml

Contents

OFFICE OF CONSUMER AND BUSINESS AFFAIRS

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK (14:32): I have a supplementary question. Can the minister advise whether there is a streamlined process for someone who already holds some form of OCBA registration, such as in the case which was mentioned in the newspaper, that is, the case of Robert Rollison, who has held a building work licence since 2004?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Public Sector Management, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Minister for Government Enterprises, Minister for Gambling) (14:33): As I have outlined, these are technical matters. There are a number of considerations that each applicant undergoes to ensure that they meet solvency, probity and skills standards. It is dealt with on a case-by-case basis. I am not a technical expert. It would be incredibly irresponsible of me to be making assessments of whether or not someone is eligible to hold a building licence; that is the responsibility of those people in the agency who have the technical expertise. The gentleman wrote to me, and I am aware that there was what seemed to be a most unreasonable delay in the processing of his application, and I have asked the agency to look at that carefully and to expedite that, where possible.