Second Reading of the Plumbers, Gasfitters, and Drainlayers Amendment Bill 2006

[Jaxcat]

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Well Parliamentary TV was riveting tonight - the second reading saw the Board get an absolute caning for incompetence, illegality, and just plain bad management.  Flip flop Williamson didn't come out smelling of roses either.  Maryan Street gave a very passionate speech - and finally someone pulled Williamson up for his outright lies in the house last week.  She read an email from Pizza Hutt's Operations Manager denying any explosion at a Pizza Hut in Nelson, and then she went on to speak about the Fish and Chip shop explosion and how no one has ever been charged.  She talked about the appalling and corrupt behaviour of the Board in this investigation - finally people are listening to Paul Gee and he may get some traction at the highest levels.  Goodness knows its taken long enough - his case was mentioned a few times by various politicians - and it certainly didn't paint the Board in a good light.  Labour, the Greens, Brendan Horan, Mana and the Maori Party all opposed the Bill - Peter Dunne, National and Act voted for it - so it passed the second reading by 61 votes to 60.  C'mon people - we need to zero in on Peter Dunne and the sole Act vote and ensure they understand what the plumbers, gasfitters and drainlayers want.  These people want your votes, well let them know you want their support.  Peter Dunne's support of this bill is very disappointing - especially as the Minister of Revenue when he knows all about the lawful collecting of monies.  The Charitable status of the Board was also bought up in the House tonight - all brilliant.  I'll bet those Board members won't be telling anyone what they do for a job - I sure as hell wouldn't after the roasting they got tonight.  MP's talked about the many emails and telephone calls they had received from the industry - so Williamson and his accusations about a small group of malcontents can stick that in a pipe and smoke it.  He has been proven to be misinformed, and wanting.  Tonight was good.  But the fight continues.  Fire up those computers and get emailing Dunne and Act.

Linkback: https://forum.plumbers.nz/politics/76/second-reading-of-the-plumbers-gasfitters-and-drainlayers-amendment-bill-2006/1429/

[robbo]

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hi guys, well said Jax yes Maurice Williamson got a good slagging i think the only way out of it is if he sacks the whole board and admits that he did not know what was going on. I was surprised when Mallard commented that he had been lobbied by Williamson but now realizes how ignorant of the whole affair he had been, so consequently after so much information had been sent in he slammed the bill and made it clear that labour would not be supporting it. Can`t see Banks voting for us he`s still making up brownie points. If only we could get damming information of the Board with proof of their incompetance to every M.P. maybe they will see that the Board has to go, i,m sure that there will an inquiry after it is all over. Not to sure about Holly Walker, she basically wanted to keep the fees going, no green vote for me,cheers 

[Badger]

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http://inthehouse.co.nz/node/18161.  for your viewing pleasure.

Trying to warn about some dodgy cunt who had good connections....my business

Standing my ground and fighting trumped up charges......my house

Not letting up and seeing it through.......time with my lads

Watching the Corrupt Bastards at the Board being called corrupt and having my case heard about in Parliament, watching it with my girl (who stood by me shoulder to shoulder, even when I was being a dick)...........f****in priceless.........

[Badger]

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Sorry for lowering the tone guys but I am from South Wales and am a trifle emotional, best day in ages, that you all who helped out....GO THE FEDS!!!

[Badger]

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That's meant to read "thank you all who helped out"...... not that you all......its ok I've calmed down now......cheers Guys

[robbo]

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Hi guys, a partial (99.9%) victory don`t know how we can improve on that. In lots of ways Minister Williamson shot himself in the foot and actually helped our cause because he has allowed us to educate the whole of Parliament about the Boards very short comings. The Federation got a mention of being the organisation with the most membership after only 2 years of existence that in itself proving the competence of Wal and his very able team. If this Bill does get passed then surely when Labour is next in power it will want to sort the Board out and maybe change the ruling? Trevor Mallard gave Williamson a good roasting even bringing up his past record of other bills that he had successfully cocked up and admitting that he himself was ignorant of the board`s failings until a barrage of emails landed on his desk. Well done all who sent emails to these politicians as it has proved that we are not just a bunch of `cloth cap yobbos` but a responsible group of skilled trades people who know how to stick up for ourselves in a legal manner,cheers     

[craftsman]

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well i watched it all, could not believe that anyone regardless of political standing could not see through the misgivings of he board  enough to vote against, Also seems to me that a lot of other issues regarding he board are just around the corner, maybe the next bill the board are gunning for to be able to crucify anyone without good reason will bring it all on?
National have lost my vote and my families.I did email my MP , but surprise..... got no response. No wonder people dont bother to vote.
The whole thing pen and inks............

[wombles]

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After listening to all the MP's yesterday, I am surprised that they all seem to think it's OK for a few registered people to be levied to prosecute the non registered. None of them have taken exception to this despite no other industry group being subject to this . Any thoughts on this?

[craftsman]

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Wombles, they think its for our [plumbers/Gassies/Drainies] benefit to rid the industry of so called cowboys, so they imply its fair we fund it.
I say its the whole country that benefits if you want to take the health and safety line.
Health and safety starts with honesty, truth and transphericy and having backing of the industry.

[Jaxcat]

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You can see they can't grasp it when they talk about unregistered "practitioners" - well they aren't practitioners at all, they are members of the public having a go.  If I decide to cut your skull open and have a fiddle with your brains - I'm not described as an "unlicensed doctor" - no - I 'm described as a "butcher".  Members of the public who do plumbing, gasfitting or drainlaying are not "unlicensed plumbers" etc - they are bloody members of the public carrying out sanitary plumbing with no licence.  We want to rid the industry of cowboys - of course we do - the Federation mantra is "keep it legal", Master Plumbers want only licensed people working in the industry - so you have agreement of just about 100% - BUT the difference lies in who funds it.  MP are happy to see practitioners fund it - but everyone with a driver's licence doesn't pay a special fee to prosecute people without a driver's licence who drive, no they pay taxes which fund the police who prosecute.

How does it benefit industry to fund this - let the buggers go and make cock ups - we can charge more afterwards to fix it.  In the meantime they can do untold damage.  It is a "community" benefit to stop being doing regulated work who are not qualified and licensed to do so. 

Give the PGDB some of the gas levy and some of the building consent fees and then let them go for it - and while they are at it how about having a go at a few homeowners who knowingly employ unlicensed people, and also sit in the carparks at the DIY stores and follow some of the people who have got plumbing gear and are having a go at it and ask to see their licence.

[robbo]

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Hi guys, yeah Jax (well they aren't practitioners at all) quite right they also say that we will benefit by paying a fortune for getting rid of them. Two things there are (1). It will never stop  (2). The health and safety of the country would be the benefactor, so why should we pay to get rid of them?
I remember when P.Routhan first brought it in(2004)he said that because the council cannot recover the cost of prosecution verses the penalties meted out to cowboys by the courts they will no longer prosecute them so a levy of $15.00 would apply from that year which will be paid to the council to fund these prosecutions, perhaps the Federation could look into that to see what exactly happened to the $15.00 that we all paid at that time, I presume that it was also illegal, look what's happened to that $15.00 today.
Jax (MP are happy to see practitioners fund it) yes Master Plumber members are all bosses so all expenses are tax deductible and G.s.t free unlike the rank and file guys who work for them who have to pay through the nose, cheers     

[peasea]

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bit of a shame this gay marriage thing is grabbing the public interest , otherwise our issue may get some airtime , public interest is one way of getting the politicians to take notice , any ideas on how we can bring this to the media , may be the just what is needed to get this bill thrown out .

[Badger]

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I might ask Maurice to marry me, bit of a catch

[peasea]

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yep that itll do it badger put a big sign up on the motorway into wellington lol

[Jaxcat]

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Badger - would he be shoot, snog or marry?  I'd say he was a three bagger.