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On Monday Williamson submitted a Bill to the members of parliament which has a huge effect on the plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying industry.
The main aim of this Bill is to amend the Plumbers, Gasfitters, and Drainlayers Act 2006 (the Act) to validate a disciplinary levy imposed under that Act between 1 April 2007 and 11 January 2012, and an offences fee prescribed by the Plumbers, Gasfitters, and Drainlayers Board (the Board) since 2012.
In simple terms the Government is “making legal” the things the Board have done in the past and the present with regards to the Disciplinary Levy and the Offences Fee.
This is to take away any legal liability the Board may have such as repaying any money taken illegally.
The second main aim is to correct the underlying problem by amending the Act to provide the Board with a levy power to fund its function of instituting prosecutions against persons for the breach of any Act or regulation relating to sanitary plumbing, gasfitting, or drainlaying.
The second thing they are doing is changing the Act so the Board can impose an Offences Levy on the industry. Simply another tax.
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OK people - it got through to Select Committee - and they are having a fast turnaround to get it passed before the Board are due to meet with industry to organise how they might pay back the $600k that the Ombudsman recommended. Everyone who is within driving distance of Wellington needs to ring Parliament and speak to the Secretary of the Select Committee and say they wish to appear before the committee to speak on the Validation Bill (providing of course you do have something to say). I think we all agree that there needs to be a disciplinary levy - but should it be as high as it is. I am also in favour of unlicensed people being prosecuted, but why can't the board live within its means and prosecute out of what the already get sans the offences fee. Also why can't the public at large fund the public good of stopping unlicensed people carrying out regulated work. Why should 7100 people pay for the greater good of the NZ public? The electricians are levied for unlicensed people practising electrical work - no the electrical levy that everyone pays in their power bill goes towards this. Why can't there be a fee on every building consent, every gas bill and this money get channelled back to the PGDB to fund prosecutions of members of the public. Today was bullshit in action - most MP's just didn't have a clue - that was the ones left after the major stampede at the end of question time. They like spending our money as fast as the PGDB do - but then on the salaries they are on the additional costs of an offences fee probably just mean one less lunch at Bellamys. :'(
If we could swap the bastards in plumbers gasfitters and drainlayers wanting to speak at the Select Committee that would be great!
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I would really like to contact our local MP and moan about this, however it would fall on deaf ears. Mike Sabin MP is presenting a "Local Bill" to government to legalise all the illegalities of Kaipara Council. This is so that the Council wont have to repay the ratepayers the illegal rates they collected and much more. So our local MP would be useless as it's veryclear this sort of behavious is widespread in politics
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A case of guys in suits looking after guys in suits. Some of the comments made in the house today were just plain offensive to tradesmen. I literally shuddered to see these people in action - it made me think that it as safe for us to leave this lawmaking in their hands as it would be to put an apprentice, six weeks into the job on a Rinnai Arriva with an underfloor flue install. Apart from that lady Holly from the Green Party, they didn't seem to grasp it at all. And that includes Maurice "I'll make it all okay Mr Bickers" Williamson.
Mind you, I reckon Williamson would have liked to join the stampede out of the chamber after question time if he had half a chance. Must have been smoko with someone shouting the cream buns given the speed they grabbed at their papers and fled.
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I want to come up and speak at the select committee....I can tell them about how they spend their ill gotten gains and what they do with the prosecution levy.
How do I make it happen? whats the number?
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its a bit of a tricky one really isnt it?
to a certain extent yes one could agree that an industry should be prepared to fund for the protection of itself - by also having to pay to prosecute non registered persons etc
but where do we draw the line - the costs of having to do that has become unfair and unreasonable hasn't it?
an industry of only 7000 populace cannot sustain the type of regulatory cost that is being imposed upon it in my opinion - a ratio of close to 600:1 per capita
as much as I would like to see public pay for public prosecution I cant really see any gov let alone a nat gov at this point in time given the current economic climate shift cost onto the public - much easier for them to charge us for it and have us pass the cost on in doing so forcing us to be the ones to feild the complain.
I do not believe it is fair or reasonable or right or just
I do believe it is a big giant load of hairy horse bollocks!
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We should have information tomorrow on who you call to ask for a slot to speak at the Select Committee - failing that ring Parliament ask to speak to the Secretary of the Select Committee looking after the Validation Bill for the Plumbers Gasfitters and Drainlayers Act - and tell them you wish to appear before the select committee.
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The main point is....I want a Board, I want regulation, I want dodgy people held to account......
Its how they go about it all, the dodgy ones shouldn't be running it and very badly at that...they ARE incompetent and corrupt.
Yes you, you little turd....spying on this site but leaving no comments....spinless and corrupt.....you will have your comeuppance....
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Badger
Keep it seemly. I find it quite offensive on behalf of all the turds in New Zealand to be compaired to the people and persons you refer to. Turds and in particular animal turds promote growth and these people do not.
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I unreservedly apologise to all well meaning turds.....to lump you in with these despicable turds, evil turds of the highest order....the turdminator of turds....to those turds....kiss my fat welsh arse.
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Maybe we should get the Bogfather to supply us with some Good Shit so we can forget the immoral turds.
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If you google in (in the house .co.nz ) you can watch footage of the reading of the propopsed amendment , it is very interesting , it certainly makes me want to front the select committee and have a say , I will ring parliament and see what time or restrictions will be allocated to anyone wishing to speak , knowing the way things work you will probably have a limited time and have to be specific , so will be interested to know what can be discussed in a submission .
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whilst listening to the readings it becomes very clear that most of the speakers allude to the fact that this amendment is only to bring the plumbers gasfitters and drainlayers into line with other industries that also fund prosecutions for non registered persons , can anyone confirm this and who these other industries are , because that could be crucial to the argument in my view , if this is not the case then the argument is invalid from that point of view .
You can read on the parliamentary website how to write a submission and also ask to speak at a select committe hearing .
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Have rung parliament apparently the date for the select committee hearing is to be posted on the parliamentary website under select commttte hearings this afternoon
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I have asked to speak, let you know what happens.
Just a thought. A big crowd outside would be a show of strength.
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I have just watched MW's spiel on Inthe house and I was extremely surprised to see how many MP's had no interest in listening to MW. There were so few remaining MP's. Is this justice?
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this is the amended bill take note of the section 1 where it states the board can impose any amount it thinks fit , surely this wording cant be allowed , it is like giving someone an open cheque book , very dangerous in my view
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hi guys, we all need to have a say on this by Tuesday 19th or we are `a cooked goose`a simple scpeel without swear words or they will just chuck them out, read the ammendment bill and you can guess what will happen if it get`s through,cheers
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Yet again the PGDB and cronies have their incompetence paid for by the honest tradesman who registers for a licence........where is the incentive to do it by the book.....utter bullshit.....
Just so happens to coinside with them loosing the income of the gas certs too, hhhmmmm.....funny that. You think this is expensive now.....
Well at least you get treated fairly if you face the prosecution Juggernaut......oh no my mistake they set you up and force you through a kangaroo court full of their buddies, corrupt arseholes.
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They are allowing on 45 minutes worth of speakers to the Select Committee. Is this democracy in action? Is it? Does your local MP think this is fair? Have you asked them? Are YOU going to put in a written submission? My own MP who waxed lyrical last week when I spoke to him has gone very silent, and was one of the one's who exited the chamber like his arse was on fire after question time before the first reading of the Bill.
At least they show their true colours so you know the sort of people you are dealing with. The speaker needed a slapping. Did you see him gazing into space with Holly from the Green party was speaking and when two of the ruder members were interjecting across from her and shed asked the speaker to intervene. Took three goes before the dumb bugger cottoned on to to the fact that she was asking him to do something and to wake him up from his daydream. Wish we could dock his wages for being absent on the job. Williamson looked thoroughly bored as though the whole thing was beneath him and he would rather be anywhere else (which he probably would).
Biggest joke of the day though is everyone getting suckered into Williamsons story that the Board will be bankrupt if they can't get these fees. He must have missed the million dollar plus reserves they have - he scaremongered with it and they all fell for it one by one. I can't wait to go and sit in the public area at the Select Committee hearing - no doubt the PGDB will speak - it will be like a visit to Disneyland..
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Jax have you got a link for a written submission - I will write something up - are we able to give it to someone who is attending to speak and present on our behalf?
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Hi guys - here is the information about when to sent it - it has to be in by Tuesday 19th March. Email address below.
Plumbers, Gasfitters, and Drainlayers Amendment Bill
As you have heard the Government is attempting to rush through a Bill to legalise the past actions of the Board.
If you wish to have an individual say in this matter you can email or post your submission to:
Peter Boniface before Tuesday 19 March 2013.
Peter Boniface Administrative Support Officer
Select Committee Services Group Office of the Clerk of the House of Representatives
Parliament Buildings
Wellington
email: peter.boniface@parliament.govt.nz
DDI: 64 4 817 9687
Fax: 64 4 499 1486 www.parliament.nz
You can find a copy of the Bill at:
http://www.legislation.govt.nz/bill/government/2013/0101/latest/DLM5073010.html
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hi guys, yes Jax most if not all of the M.Ps. would not have a clue and are less interested in the running of such an important Board. They are probably of the opinion that it is the apointed ministers problem to sort out and so just leave it to him, they do not know that he himself is bloody useless and doesn`t give a hoot either, so if this is to change we need to make sure that the `Ammendment Bill` does not get through, iv`e got my submmision ready to go and if there is enough of them surely they will look further into the corrupt working of the board, hears hoping,cheers
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I'm disgusted by the attitude shown to all this by these so called "right honourable" leaders, its typical....
We have a Board that has totally ballsed up nearly everything it has touched for over ten years, from the incompetence of the gas cert system.... that now carries a disclaimer.... to its kangaroo court prosecution system, that is run like a little club for the boys, and now we find out it is a system funded outside of legal standing. They employ mates and family members before others more qualified. Wrecking peoples lives on a whim boasting of a 100% conviction rate.
These clowns are responsible for systems integral to the health and safety of the NZ public....and in Parliament they treat it like a joke....and they wonder why they continually have problems...... HERES AN IDEA...TAKE IT SERIOUSLY, FIX IT.
YOU HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS..... BECAUSE YOU SOURCE THE CLOWNS FROM THE SAME PLACES, CLUBS, INSTITUTIONS AND KNITTING CIRCLES...ALL WITH THE SAME AGENDA.....AND THEN YOU MAKE THEM NON LIABLE IN THE ACT......IT AIN'T f****IN ROCKET SCIENCE.
Clean house, get all the cronies out, make an example of them, tell everyone why they are being sacked and take away the ability to act with impunity, make them accountable for their actions.
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Found this discussion paper from march 2012 about proposed electrical workers registration board fees, has a nice table in it among other great info showing the differences in levies, license fees and other costs between different occupations/boards in NZ.
A very good read
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Very interesting Rodza , thanks for that , some points need to bought to the attention of the select committee , when you have the likes of Williamson saying it is just bringing us into line with other bodies he is at the least confused or a total liar who hasnt done his homework , we all need to point these issues out , interesting comparing Australia with NZ , They have the option to licence for up to 3 years , I note with the EWRB the two yearly licence reduced their operation costs , as has been discussed on here and at a number of meetings the select committee that looked at the 2006 act ,reccommended up to 5 year period for our licences that was totally ignored , they wonder why we are fighting back against them .
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Peasea, totally agree, why are we charged much more for the same type of system, annually at that too?
Maurice.......it would be nice if we were brought up to speed with everyone else, same costs and bullshit CPD would be nice.
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Ive just been watching the video footage of ministers speaking about this amendment bill and it is becoming glaringly obvious that the ones who support it utterly and entirely have no real supporting basis except to repeatedly state that "its to allow this board (PGDB) the same powers as other regulatory boards/bodys in NZ industry by being able to charge a disciplinary and offences fee/levy to regulate the industries and protect the health and safety of New Zealanders.
I find that fair enough but the problem is,
Why is it that all of the functions that this 'board' claim to perform come at a price that is anywhere from 3 to 8 times the price of other industries who perform the same functions my comparison being the EWRB ??
Everything from examinations, to disciplinary levies to registration. Everything this board does has a huge price tag attached. Wouldnt be so bad if I was earning 100k a year but I am not...Just a plumber with a van a phone and a cat(no dog) but thanks for the quip Maurice.
The fees review discussion paper from the Electrical Workers Registration Board EWRB I have posted above is evidence other boards do not charge anywhere near what the PGDB do. Really this should be a slam dunk for the federation, I feel a trip to Wellington coming on I really do.
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Hi guys,
Can someone clarify for me, From what I understand the board has been using levy money to prosecute/investigate un-registered persons for breaches of the 06 act when in fact they should only be using that money to prosecute/investigate registered persons under the act??
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Answered my own question in information in the amendment bill haha.
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Where can I find information on this forum about the boards xmas trip for board members and partners to Melbourne??
And the board will go broke according to National ministers if this bill doesnt go through haha
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hi guys, submission sent,here`s hoping it will do some good,cheers
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I am also just finishing off typing my submission.
If this bill goes through as it is currently written we are all screwed. This is it really, final show down. I am also going to phone for a possible slot to speak at the select committee hearing.
Costs to be a licensed plumber, gasfitter and drainlayer inc CPD as a non- master plumber member ($30 per point) is already at $1400 from my last calculation.
If the Board are allowed to impose any disciplinary levy they feel fit to fulfil their role in prosecuting/investigating any breaches of the act by any person, along with other general rises in costs (CPD will keep going up as will license fees) it will be $2000 in just a few short years to remain licensed and competent in three trades.
Hoping this gets shot down in flames....
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Here is a guide on how to send in a submission , a bit daunting but nothing we should not be able to handle , lets hope the select committe hear what is being said .
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hi guys, here`s one for Maurice:- Fake pilot flies into London airport.
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On todays `STUFF` home page, D.I.Y. at it`s best, cheers