Minister for the Environment and Sustainable Development, Simon Corbell recently announced that there are that new laws will protect the public from substandard construction practices in the ACT.
Mr. Corbell commented “Before today, the Construction Occupations Registrar could only consider whether an applicant would be eligible to be licensed based on training and competency, and whether the applicant was disqualified in the ACT only. “Under the changes, the Registrar will be able to refuse to grant or renew a licence if a person has a history of non-compliance in other states or territories as well.”
Mr. Corbell explained that the Registrar will now also be able to request a skills assessment from a licensee, to find out if they have the construction skills and knowledge to carry out work competently.
“New provisions will also help prevent ‘phoenixing,’ where an operator sets up a new construction business while an already existing business is wound up or subject to occupational discipline.” Mr. Corbell commented.