New regulatory body starts work for Queensland plumbers

Queensland’s plumbing industry now has a new dedicated regulatory body made up of experts who hail from industry organisations, union and government.

The Service Trades Council (STC) will give the plumbing industry a voice again and replaces the disbanded Plumbing Industry Council (PIC).

Minister de Brenni said today’s establishment of the STC fulfils another Labor election commitment.

“The STC delivers on the Palaszczuk Government’s commitment to strengthen the plumbing industry and help continue to strive for high quality plumbing standards,” Minister de Brenni said.

“It’s been recognised time and time again that good plumbing is one of the key factors to ensuring public health and safety.

“It keeps our sewerage and drainage systems operating hygienically, and gives us access to a clean water supply.”

Minister de Brenni said that the plumbing industry regulatory body would have a number of critical roles.

“The government will be able to draw on members’ expertise regarding policy development around licensing, discipline and dispute resolution, as well as general issues relating to plumbing and drainage,” Minister de Brenni said.

“The STC will be able to consider complex licensing applications, such as when workers enter the industry with international qualifications.

“It also has the power to undertake internal reviews of disciplinary decisions made by the QBCC.

“This, for example, means if a licensee is not satisfied with a penalty received for a disciplinary matter they can have the decision reviewed independently.”

Minister de Brenni said the decision to establish the STC followed a comprehensive stakeholder consultation process and strong industry support including from the Master Plumbers Association of Queensland and the Queensland Plumbers Union.

“The STC, now with full legislative support, will continue the work undertaken since December 2015 by the Interim STC,” he said.

Minister de Brenni said that the appointment of STC met the Queensland Government’s target of 50% representation of women.

“The Queensland Government is committed to ensuring gender equality across all Government bodies,” Minister de Brenni said.

“In July 2015, the Queensland Government set a target of 50 per cent gender representation to be achieved by 2020, and I am very pleased that the Services Trades Council will meet that target right from the get go.”

The confirmed members and deputy members of the STC are as follows:

• Penny Cornah, Master Plumbers’ Association of Queensland (chairperson)
• Janet Cumming, Queensland Health (deputy chairperson)
• Sharon Simmers, Department of Justice and Attorney-General
• Catherine McCahon, Department of Housing and Public Works
• Bradley Hodgkinson, Local Government Association of Queensland
• Gary O’Halloran, Plumbers Union Queensland
• Andrew Hickman, National Fire Industry Association
• Linda Bradley, Department of Education and Training
• Graham MacKrill, Air-conditioning and Mechanical Contractors Association
• Ray Smith, The Institute of Plumbers and Inspectors Queensland

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