PERSPECTIVE PLUMBING INDUSTRY’S PUSH FOR CHANGE

Penny Cornah, Executive Director

In the latest issue, we are excited to share the outcomes of our strategic planning process for the next three years. This crucial process determines the direction of our association and how we allocate our resources accordingly. Members can find detailed information on our 2023-2026 strategic plan on pages 14-15.

Additionally, important decisions were made during the Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) meeting on 21 April 2023 regarding the transition period for reducing lead

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Renewable energy and the cost of living are two of the hottest topics almost every night on the six o’clock news. Whether it’s a new solar array being approved, constructed, or commissioned, there seems to be a never-ending number of media available to push us into believing that electrifying the country is the only sustainable, renewable energy source available to us as Australians.

For a long time now, we have been led to believe that electrification will be our saviour and only choice to reduce our carbon footprint on the Earth. The stories usually go down the line that the natural and liquid petroleum gas we use in our homes will cause asthma in our children and is a finite resource and, therefore, not renewable.

The Australian gas industry has sat on its hands quietly absorbing all the rhetoric about its product, and it is time that we, as an industry, fight back. Allow me to put one thing straight from the start. Over 80 per cent of the electricity consumed in Queensland across the domestic, commercial, and industrial markets is generated by coal fired power stations. Now unless you know something that don’t, you cannot burn coal twice, so how does that make electricity renewable? We have been brainwashed to believe that electrifying our country is the only way to comply with the notion that electricity is the only renewable energy source available to us. To argue that electricity will be greener in the future is fine but so will natural and LP gas. We never hear about the advances made in producing natural gas from a biogas/hydrogen blend and the other projects that the network owners are working on now.

The Palaszczuk Government want to position Queensland as the hydrogen centre of the world, and I give them full credit for the investment they have made to give this every opportunity to succeed. The issue I have is that gas is rarely, if ever, specified into a new high-rise development or government project. This is because the hydraulic designers have been hoodwinked by the electrical industry into thinking that gas won’t be around or is not going to be classed as renewable in the future. This needs to stop now. At the big end of town, our major contractors have already commented that gas is rarely specified into the larger developments and that will surely filter down to the smaller end of town eventually. You might say, “so what”?

levels in plumbing products. The ABCB has reset the three-year transition period to accommodate industry changes required for compliance.

The ABCB reaffirmed the start and end dates of the transition period to support Australia’s efforts in reducing permissible lead levels. The registration of the new “Lead Free WaterMark” trademark commenced on 2 May 2023. The three-year transition period commenced with the issuance of the WaterMark Notice of Direction, and all relevant products must adhere to the new regulations by the specified deadline of 1 May 2026. While this deadline is eight months later than initially planned, the ABCB acknowledges the challenges posed by trademark registration delays and ongoing supply chain constraints, particularly for lower-volume products. Effective from 1 May 2026, the installation of copper alloy plumbing products with lead content exceeding 0.25 per cent in drinking water conveyance systems will no longer be permissible. We express our gratitude to all our corporate supporters for their valuable input on this significant issue.

To contact me please call 07 3273 0800 or email penny.cornah@mpaq.com.au.

In the ever-evolving landscape of the plumbing industry, it is crucial for associations to stay proactive and responsive to the needs and concerns of its members. MPAQ has been diligently working to address various issues affecting the industry and advocating for positive change. Here’s an update on some key developments and initiatives undertaken by MPAQ.

QBCC Survey Results: Amplifying the Voice of Industry Professionals

To gauge the industry’s sentiments and priorities regarding the Association’s strategic direction, MPAQ conducted a comprehensive survey in January 2023. With approximately 300 responses, the survey shed light on important areas of focus. One notable finding was the overwhelming support from respondents who identified as plumbers (and other related trades) for MPAQ’s influence on legislation impacting the plumbing and gas industry, with a rating of 96 per cent in terms of importance. However, the effectiveness of MPAQ’s efforts received a rating of 65 per cent. Additionally, respondents expressed concerns related to the Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC), leading to a subsequent in-depth survey dedicated to addressing these challenges. The analysis of the responses is currently underway, and the findings will be shared in a separate article. Please refer to pages 16-17.

Project Trust Accounts: Ensuring Payment Security

security in the building and construction industry. A Ministerial Construction Council Sub Committee was created to diligently review contract clauses to identify unfair terms that need to be prohibited or mandatorily included. Out of 32 commonly utilised contract clauses, nine were identified for prohibition or mandatory inclusion. Furthermore, eleven clauses were found to be complex and necessitate further investigation, while twelve clauses were not recommended for legislative intervention. MPAQ has provided feedback to the government on this important matter.

It means that there is less work for our gas fitters, and that will eventually kill off a major part of our trade.

If gas continues to be left out of the specifications for new buildings, how will we be able to utilise the hydrogen or hydrogen blends when they become mainstream renewable energy sources? In my 37 years of gas fitting, have never been asked to retrofit a high-rise building because the tenants want to have gas available. If the infrastructure is not installed at construction, it will never go in at all.

MPAQ has been a staunch advocate for the implementation of trust accounts to safeguard payment for subcontractors. Recently, changes to the commencement dates of the trust account framework’s remaining phases were announced. Phase 3, which pertains to eligible contracts of $3 million or more, was originally scheduled to begin on 1 April 2023 but has been postponed to 1 March 2025. Similarly, Phase 4, encompassing eligible contracts of $1 million or more, has been rescheduled from 1 October 2023 to 1 October 2025.

Kent Vickers, President

want to point out one other major flaw in the push to electrify our nation. Cost of living has become such a major concern to most families, and I know everyone is watching what they spend carefully. By the time you upgrade the wiring and install the new appliances, the estimates to change a normal domestic house with gas cooking, hot water, heating, or a BBQ over to electricity with cooking, hot water and heating (sorry, no BBQ) is expected to cost between $12,000 and $15,000. This is an extraordinary burden on our already cash strapped mums and dads. It is diabolical to think that the choice of what energy source we use in our own homes will be limited by government legislation.

If nothing else, I hope this article will prompt you to ask some questions about the facts that portray electricity as the only way forward. The gas industry is working on many different variants that will stack up as 100% renewable and our industry deserves the opportunity to prove it has a place in the future energy markets in our great nation.

Keep an eye on your mates out there, and don’t be afraid to ask if they’re ok.

Life’s good!

MPAQ met with the Hon. Mick de Brenni MP, Minister for Energy, Renewables and Hydrogen and Minister for Public Works and Procurement, to discuss the delays and share our concerns. These changes were necessitated by accounting software capability challenges and recordkeeping requirements. MPAQ is disappointed with the delays but is actively engaged with the Department and is part of the steering committee addressing these issues with the support of government. It is important to share that we have had some wins so far. They include:

• The strongest anti-phoenixing laws in the country;

• Contractor licence suspension or cancellation for dodgy bookkeeping;

• Better processes for payment disputes and monies owed;

• New payment withholding requests, charges over property, and supporting statement; and

• A commenced roll-out of project trust accounts and retention trust accounts.

MPAQ remains committed to advocating for the prompt implementation of project trust accounts.

Subcontractors Forum: Collaborating for Payment Security

MPAQ actively participated in a subcontractor’s forum organised by the National Electrical Communications Association. This industry initiative aims to unite like-minded associations at a national level to work on improving security of payments and advocating for nationwide implementation. During the forum, the discussion also touched on the issue of unfair terms and conditions in contracts, which requires further attention.

Addressing Unfair Terms and Conditions

In 2017, the Building Industry Fairness (Security of Payment) Act introduced provisions to enhance cultural change and improve payment

Gas Related Matters

MPAQ and the Plumbing and Pipe Trades Employee Union (PPTEU) recently had a meeting with the Hon. Scott Stewart MP, Minister for Resources. The primary objective of the meeting was to engage in discussions regarding the following areas:

• Strengthening our industry partnership

• Evaluating our training centre model

• Exploring aspirations in the hydrogen field

• Addressing any additional matters pertaining to gas

The meeting provided an opportunity to exchange ideas and collaborate towards enhancing the industry while also considering the evolving landscape of gas-related matters.

If you have any matters you would like MPAQ to be raising, please email penny.cornah@mpaq.com.au or call 07 3273 0800.