NECA NSW News
NECA NSW News
Articles on this page
- Electricians condemn an increase in red tape after Budget announcement
- Your guide to the Modern Award
- NECA working with authorities to produce post-flood procedures
- 2011 NECA NSW Conference
- NECAGUARD Insurance expands its operation
- Federal Government moves to reduce value of solar rebates
- Australian Taxation Office to target BER builders and installation installers
- NECA invites ASPs to get update on Scheme changes
- NECA website development
Electricians condemn an increase in red tape after Budget announcement
On Friday the 13 may 2011, peak Australian electrical industry body, NECA condemned initiatives outlined in the 2011 Budget that will cause contractors to be tied up in even more red tape.
It was announced that there will be a new requirement for businesses in the building and construction industry to report to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) annually on payments made to other contractors in the industry, along with the other contractor's ABN.
NECA chief executive officer, Mr James Tinslay, said this new requirement will unnecessarily place administrative burdens on the electrical industry.
“NECA represents over 5000 electrical contracting businesses in Australia and this new requirement announced in the Budget appears to be an unnecessary burden on many Australian employers,” Mr Tinslay said.
“Electrical contractors already have massive reporting requirements for taxation and electrical safety purposes without this new process.
“The Government should be focused on cutting red tape to assist business owners increase productivity and not on introducing initiatives that will force many electrical contractors to spend more time on reporting.”
The Government is now expecting contractors to report payments made to other contractors and this is a concern to the electrical industry.
The requirement for contractors to report every cent they pay to other contractors would appear to be over the top and unnecessary.
“The electrical industry is already very competitive and this reporting regime needs further explaining from the Government,” Mr Tinslay said.
“NECA calls on the Government to consult with industry before placing further administrative burdens on electrical contractors.”
Your guide to the Modern Award
Electrical contractors and other companies employing staff under the Electrical, Electronics and Communications Contracting Award will have access to a plain English guide to the Modern Award thanks to peak national industry body, the National Electrical and Communications Association (NECA).
NECA received funding for the Shared Industry Assistance Program (SIAP) managed by the Fair Work Ombudsman and launched the online webinars on 5 April 2011 on the NECA website.
NECA is the only national employer body federally registered with Fair Work Australia that has core coverage of the electrical and communications contracting industry.
Guide to Modern AwardThe SIAP project involves two key resources for the electrical industry:
- A Practical Guide to the Modern Award and National Employment Standards that will provide a plain English explanation of the majority of the provisions of the Modern Award
- A digital video webinar on the Modern Award that will be available on the NECA website
How to get your free copy of the Guide?
If you are a NECA member a hard copy of the guide has been mailed to you. If you are not a NECA member or would like additional copies please visit the Modern Award Site and please add your details to the contact us form and NECA will arrange to send you a copy.
How do I watch the online videos?
To watch the free online video webinars please visit NECA's Modern Award Site.
You can read the Guide to the Modern Award online now by visiting the NECA ePublication page.
Fair Work Ombudsman
NECA would like to acknowledge the funding received by the Fair Work Ombudsman to help produce the guide and videos. For more information on Fair Work Australia click on their logo below.
NECA working with authorities to produce post-flood procedures
Following the devastating floods in Queensland, NSW and Victoria, NECA has prepared procedures for the repair and verification of the electrical installation in flood-affected buildings.
NECA has been working with authorities and advisors nationwide to develop appropriate documentation to adequately cover the testing and rectification of electrical wiring for flood affected buildings.
More information is available for contractors on our Post-flood enquiry page.
2011 NECA Conference
^Top
The 2011 NECA Conference will be held at the Shoal Bay Resort and Spa on 31 March to 3 April 2011.
The Conference is an annual event that offers NECA members the opportunity to add value to their businesses by gaining information and assistance on a wide range of up-to-date business opportunities.
This year, the specialist presenters include Olympic skating Gold Medallist Steve Bradbury, St George Bank’s Chief Economist and the General Manager of NBN Co.
Find out more on our 2010 NECA NSW 2011 Conference page.
NECAGUARD Insurance expands its operation
17 December 2010
NECA’s preferred insurance brokers, headed up by Alan Lyne, have recently announced that they have joined forces with InterRISK Australia Pty Ltd to form a broking business that now manages a premium base of over $100m.
This strategic decision will enhance the existing stability and exclusive availability of the NECAGUARD suite of insurance products offered only to NECA members.
Under the NECAGUARD brand, InterRISK will leverage its market power to expand product offerings for members. In addition, InterRISK also plan to introduce an on-line risk management package that will be available free of charge to NECA members.
Through these new arrangements, NECA is confident that the insurance buying power of members will be significantly enhanced. NECA members will definitely benefit from the decade-long experience that Alan Lyne and his Team have in servicing the needs of our interstate chapters.
Importantly, the toll-free Member Hotline is also available to our members and offers immediate assistance and advice on any insurance or risk management related matter.
With this new capability, InterRISK has also been able to secure the support of Lloyd’s of London to underwrite the risks we know are uniquely specific to our industry. This newly established access to global market rates, coupled with efficient Australian claims settlement services, makes NECAGUARD the obvious preferred choice for members seeking to secure relevant, cost efficient insurance products and services.
If you are not currently enjoying the NECAGUARD policy benefits and premium savings, you should definitely find out more today! Just contact Alan Lyne by email http://www.alan.lyne@interrisk.com.au, or give Alan or any member of the NECAGUARD Team a call today on 1800 638 554.
Federal Government moves to reduce value of solar rebates
6 December 2010
In a bid to divert complaints about rising electricity prices, the Federal Labor Minister for Climate Change, Greg Combet, has announced that from 1 July 2011 the Solar Credits Scheme will be scaled back. This will reduce the average rebate for a 1.5kW system from $6,200.00 to $5,000.00.
Federal Labor Climate Change Minister, Greg Combet, has announced that the commencement of the phase-out of the government’s renewable energy certificate scheme (REC) has been brought forward by one year.
The Minister said that the solar credits multiplier would be reduced from 1 July 2011 on the basis of apparently significant reductions in the cost of a solar energy system and the fact that the government wanted households to bear some cost of the system.
Accordingly, the following phase-out regime will apply so that the multiplier will be reduced as follows:
- 5 to 4 on 1 July 2011
- 4 to 3 on 1 July 2012
- 3 to 2 on 1 July 2013
- 2 to 1 on 1 July 2014
The change will not affect any system installed before 1 July 2011. The impact from 1 July is expected to reduce the value of the rebate on a 1.5kW system from $6,200.00 to $5,000.00.
The government expects that the effect of the decision will result in a reduction of $12.00 in the electricity bills of all households in 2011 compared to the position if no reduction were implemented.
So, what does this mean for business and, in particular, for electrical contractors who have geared up to implement solar?
NECA believes that the solar energy industry in the residential area is still going to progress notwithstanding the reduction/ phase-out of tariffs and rebates. Technology will produce cheaper and more effective products and consumers will continue to upgrade facilities and install new systems to offset the increasing cost of energy.
The requirements for clean and green buildings will increase and as new subdivisions or renovations and additions take place there will be a need for solar and other renewable energy options.
We also see continued growth of renewable energy systems in the commercial and industrial sectors driven by the cost of energy from traditional sources and legislative changes aimed at improving the carbon footprint of buildings. Larger solar and wind facilities will continue to be implemented, particularly in regional areas where there is potentially a change coming in the structure of generation and transmission facilities.
Australian Taxation Office to target BER builders and installation installers
6 December 2010
The Australian Taxation Office has announced that builders (and by implication other contractors and subcontractors) involved in the discredited Federal Labor Government’s Building the Education Revolution and Home Insulation schemes are to be the subject of a tax avoidance crackdown
The apparent rorts that have been identified through a range of inquiries into the Building the Education Revolution and Home Insulation schemes have now resulted in the Australian Taxation Office commencing a tax avoidance crackdown.
Thousands of businesses are apparently to be contacted in the near future with requests for names, addresses and bank account details. The ATO is reported to have confirmed that this data will be matched against information held by the Federal Department of Climate Change and energy Efficiency and information to be provided by State and Territory education departments and groups contracted to manage the programs.
While the Federal Government has been downplaying the ATO activity there is no doubt that the ATO is empowered to fine and prosecute transgressors. It will be inviting those under scrutiny to own up to any transgressions in a bid to recover potentially hundreds of millions in unpaid tax.
NECA invites ASPs to get update on Scheme changes
17 November 2010
Following the recent ASP Scheme review the NSW Government has accepted recommendations made from within the industry and presented by the Better Regulation Office
As part of the changes the administration of the scheme has moved from the Office of Fair Trading to Industry and Investment.
We are pleased to announce that NECA has been asked to sit on the advisory committee responsible for moving forward implementing the changes. NECA has over 200 members that are affected by any changes to the regulations.
NECA NSW CEO Lindsay Le Compte has organised a meeting with Jim Wellsmore to meet with our members to examine the outcomes and outline what they may expect for the changes, as well as discussing concerns raised by the ASP’s over meters, outages etc.
>NECA website development
16 November 2010
The NSW section of the site is currently under review and development as part of the forthcoming announcements of new and enhanced services to our members.
More will be announced soon.
_____________________________
