BRANCH UPDATE Carl Copeland NECA WA Branch Secretary
ALTHOUGH MARKET CONDITIONS REMAIN DIFFICULT, IT IS PLEASING Automatic mutual recognition TO HEAR FROM MEMBERS IN THE RESIDENTIAL SECTOR THAT THE COVID-19 continues to be a major topic The WA Government has VARIOUS GOVERNMENT STIMULUS PACKAGES AIMED ATagreed INCREASING throughout society and the electrical to delay the implementation of THE CONSTRUCTION OF NEW HOMEStheISnational HAVING A POSITIVE EFFECT. industry, particularly in WA where the automatic mutual COVID-19 update
border was recently lifted. We will continue to communicate important Membersvia in this a considerable updates oursector email expect communications increase in work in the near future. - make sure you and your staff have opted in to receive eAlert and eNews The strong prices for gold and iron ore in communications in the Member Area particular have ensured that members or email marketing@necawa.asn.au working in the resource sector are ifalso you are unsure. We will also continue work. enjoying strong demand for electrical to post information that is particularly NECA Technical is taking as many, if not relevant to electrical businesses more, calls than it was before COVID, on the NECA WA Facebook which indicates there arepage still lots of (www.facebook.com/necawachapter) members performing work. and the COVID-19 Updates page on the ThereWA is obviously stillPlease a long contact way to go in NECA Member Area. terms of a full recovery but it does seem our office on (08) 6241 6100 if you have that Western Australia is better placed any queries about the current regulations than other states at present. and how they impact on your business.
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WA WA BRANCH BRANCH
Industrial Manslaughter Legislation Event update Sometimes therepopular are critical pieces of NECA WA’s highly Industry Nights legislation has to fight program for that 2022industry has commenced. This tooth and nail to prevent; the Western year we will visit more than 20 locations Australian Government’s proposed around the state to discuss important industrial manslaughter legislation is issues the industry, accompanied by such ain law. representatives from Western Power, It is vitalPower that all Horizon andcontractors Building andfamiliarise Energy. themselves with this legislation because The NECA Awards have also opened for it will criminalise workplace accidents. The Government’s industrial 2022. We are thrilledproposed to introduce the manslaughter law exposes NECA Small Business Awards,business an awards owners to up to 10toyears in jail and a program designed acknowledge $2.5million fine ifwho an accident occurs small businesses are making an on your worksite – even if you haven’t been impact in our industry. Over ninety reckless or negligent. percent of NECA WA‘s members are small businesses, so we understand encourage the It is vital that members risks they could face under theto worst parts as many members as possible (e.g. Section 30B) of the Western Australian consider showcasing their best work Government’s proposed Workplace to the rest of the industry in 2022. Health & Safety Bill. Section 30B is unique to WA. It is not other state or find territory. Visit thefound NECA in WAany Member Area to out more and register for our events.
recognition (AMR) arrangements. This will provide industry with NECA time has met with theconcerns Minister for Industrial more to address Relations, Bill Johnston, and personally regarding the different licence expressed our concerns to him. We were requirements across Australia. particularly adamant that the legislation must contain defences that protect contractors Group whose safety practices Electrical Training meet the legislative requirements. (EGT) update It is ridiculous to have a situation December is always a busy time for where a business owner has implemented EGT with many apprentices eager safety practices that ensure compliance to finish prior to Christmas so they with all of their WHS obligations and yet can thesubjected next year to as prosecution. fresh can start still be tradespeople with new employers. NECA has lobbied McGowan Consequently, our the overall number government, well asinthe Liberal of apprenticesas reduces January Opposition and members of and February. Atcross-bench the end of March, Parliament, as part of a coalition of more we hope to have employed a total than twenty other industry associations of 123 new apprentices since the who also oppose this legislation. beginning of the current financial I encourage Western Australian year, bringingevery our overall number to business ownerthat andnumbers director will to read the 500. We expect joint submission to government continue to increase throughout that NECA WAwith has 550 made along withinthe other the year apprentices industry associations. The submission, training by December. We remain which is on NECA WA’s website, is more focused on quality to than 20 pages longwhile but ittrying is critical meet industry demand, sopotential if you know that you understand the someone whofor would a great implications you,make your business, your apprentice, cannot co-workersbut andyou your family.commit to the full four years, send them Members can be assured that NECA WA to our website - www.egt.net.au will continue to fiercely oppose this legislation in its current form.
Vale Dennis Han Security of Payments Legislation
WA’s electrical industry recently The one State has also recently lost ofGovernment its true gentlemen with released its long-awaited draft the passing of Dennis Han. DennisSecurity of Payments legislation. This is vital was a highly-valued and respected legislation for NECA members and for staff member at Mizco for over subcontractors in general. 30 years, and a friend to many people throughout the industry.
SEPTEMBER 2020 April 2022
