Burnett and Bundaberg builders and contractors will be pleased to hear that the Minister for Housing and Public Works Tim Mander has appointed a panel of experts to fully assess the recommendations of a parliamentary inquiry into the Building Services Authority.
Member for Burnett Stephen Bennett said the inquiry, conducted by the Transport, Housing and Local Government Committee was part of a fundamental overhaul of the building industry watchdog.
“This follows last year’s Parliamentary Inquiry into the Operation and Performance of the Queensland Building Services Authority, and the report tabled by the Transport, Housing and Local Government Committee to Parliament on 30 November”, Mr Bennett said.
“A number of Burnett and Bundaberg builders and contractors made submissions into this enquiry, and their voices have been heard.
“The BSA has an extremely broad charter covering everything from licencing of contractors to handling disputes so it’s extremely important that it operates effectively,” Mr Bennett said.
“The panel members have a broad range of expertise in business, law, IR and public administration and will make sure a reformed BSA strikes the right balance between the interests of industry and consumers.”
The QBSA Review Panel will comprise:
- Mr Phil Kesby – Independent business consultant
- Mr Andrew Wallace – Construction law barrister
- Mr David Hanna – State Secretary, Builders Labourers Federation (BLF)
- Mr Neil Castles – Director-General, Department of Housing and Public Works
As part of the reform process, the Department of Housing and Public Works would also establish an independent unit to review and address complaints received about the BSA.
Mr Bennett said complaints are currently addressed internally by the BSA.
“It’s never ideal to have Caesar judging Caesar,” Mr Bennett said.
The report of the Committee can be found on the Queensland Parliamentary website at http://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/work-of-committees/committees/THLGC
“The Newman Government is committed to openness and transparency and we expect the same of our statutory bodies like the BSA.”
A preliminary response to the THLG Committee’s findings will be tabled in Parliament by the end of February with a final report due by mid-year.