Heres a media release we sent earlier today re the passing of the water meter legislation: Sad day for plumbers as Newman Government rewards water service providers Big water industry players have been rewarded at the expense of licensed plumbers with the passing of new water supply services laws in state parliament last night. The laws, passed around midnight last night, will see the installation of water meters now considered “unlicensed work” able to be performed by untrained workers, rather than licensed plumbers. Plumbers Union Secretary, Brad O’Carroll, said the legislation would also see the freeing up of restrictions around water infrastructure and a reduction in accountability for water industry providers. “As well as attacking the licence of our members, these new laws are all about benefiting the major players in the water industry – such as Australian Water Holding and Gasfields Water and Waste Services – the company that Jon Grayson, until yesterday, was a partner in. “The government’s own media release says that from July 1 this year, SEQ water service providers will be able to provide direct approval to developers for new projects. “As we all know from the media reports from the ICAC in NSW, its deals with developers – such as the Ripley Valley one mentioned at ICAC - that are under the microscope at the moment. “These laws allow the water providers to hold all the cards over our precious water supply,” said Mr O’Carroll. Mr O’Carroll said the Union was still curious as to why the Newman Government had been so intent on getting these new laws introduced. “The new Government was barely into its first few months when this legislation would have been drawn up – why was it such a priority? “These big water service providers must be rubbing their hands together at the power they now have as a result of this legislation. “This legislation does nothing for the people of Queensland or the integrity of the plumbing trade. “It only delivers to the water providers and companies such as the ones at the centre of the ICAC allegations,” said Mr O’Carroll.
Posted on: Wed, 07 May 2014 06:11:16 +0000
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