Through our membership of the peak industry body Master Plumbers Australia and New Zealand (MPANZ), we are asking the re-elected ALP to act on national policy commitments that will ensure a stronger, more sustainable plumbing industry.
Earlier this year, MPANZ submitted its Federal Election document, Fighting for Positive Change: Plumbing Industry Priorities, to all major parties and key independents. This document outlined three priority areas:
- Championing consistent, evidence-based regulation
- Securing the sustainability and integrity of the plumbing industry
- Future-proofing our skilled workforce
The ALP has five policy commitments that align with these priority areas.
- Regulation and product certification: Commitment to achieving national consistency in building regulations and product certification, including the development of a National Building Product Assurance Framework
- Unfair contract terms: Strengthening protections for small businesses through enhanced unfair contract terms legislation
- National licensing: Ongoing work on a national licensing scheme for electrical trades, with potential future expansion to include plumbing
- Apprenticeships: Continued support for plumbing apprentices via incentives, cost-of-living assistance, and accelerated skills assessments for construction-related migrants
- Energy transition: Recognition of the critical role of natural gas during the transition to cleaner energy sources, along with investment in upskilling the workforce for a low-emissions future
MPANZ is committed to working constructively with the new government and advocating for these policies to be implemented. The Master Plumbers and Gasfitters Association of WA fully supports this position.
