Master Plumber Magazine - January/February 2020

1900 - 2020

JAN UARY / FEB R UARY 2020

Queensland Drought Crisis IN THIS EDITION

Plumbing on the Front Line

Do Your Customers Sing Your Praises?

When is Notifiable Work Finished?

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CONTENTS

January/February 2020 Are Fire Ants Sending You Round the U-Bend?

Minimum Financial Requirements What Now?

10 Technical

Form 16 - The Problem Solved When is Notifiable Work Finished?

13 MPAQ Council

New MPAQ Council Elected at 2019 AGM

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Life Member and Meritorious Service Awarded

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6 Executive

14 A Year in Review

7 Licensing

16 Legal

Trade Marks in Online Advertising – If it’s Invisible, is it an Infringement?

New Licensing Laws for Mechanical Services Work

18 Cashflow

Updates to Queensland Gas Work Licence and Authorisation Requirements

Do Your Customers Sing Your Praises?

19 Business

8 Industry News

Queensland Government On-time Payment Policy

Queensland Plumbers and Sparkies Back Expanded Project Bank Accounts

Protect Your Child’s Financial Future

Meet Kate Raymond - QBCC Assistant Commissioner (Service Trades)

20 Workplace Relations

Licensing Requirements for the Installation of Fire Collars Beenleigh Training Facility Official Opening

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Email advertising@mpaq.com.au with your name and postal address to receive future issues of the Master Plumber magazine.

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A Reminder for When You’re Employing Young Workers Mandatory Whistleblower Policies Came into Effect on 1 January 2020

PUBLISHED BY Master Plumbers’ Association of Queensland 243 Bradman Street, Acacia Ridge QLD 4110 P: 07 3273 0800 F: 07 3273 0873 E: info@mpaq.com.au W: www.mpaq.com.au THE TEAM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Penny Cornah P: 07 3273 0800 E: penny.cornah@mpaq.com.au EDITORIAL & ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES Lisa Ross P: 07 3273 0800 E: lisa.ross@mpaq.com.au Ashleigh Stonehewer P: 07 3273 0800 E: ashleigh.stonehewer@mpaq.com.au DESIGN PrintPublish P: 1300 98 94 91 E: info@printpublish.com.au PRINT Printcraft P: 07 3291 2444 E: marketing@printcraft.com.au

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| MASTER PLUMBER MAGAZINE January/February 2020

Editor’s Note Welcome to the first edition of the Master Plumber magazine of 2020!

I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and New Year and are ready to kick all those New Year resolutions and goals.

2020 is set to be another big year for MPAQ and the industry as a whole, and the MPAQ staff are back from our break refreshed and ready to support our members this year. We have already filled our calendars with a wide range of events and training courses that are designed to help you upskill, ensure your business is on the right track, and provide networking opportunities. You can check out our events and training calendar on pages 30-31.

We also want to make sure our members are making the most of the support services and exclusive resources available through MPAQ this year, including workplace relations and technical advice, free online Standards and plumbing forms, and more. We have more information about these member benefits on page 35.

Final Note My first Editor’s Note was exactly four years ago in the January/February 2016 edition, and what an amazing four years it has been! There have been some big changes to the magazine in that time to ensure that we continued to bring you informative, interesting, and great looking content. However,

22 Member Spotlight Plumbing on the Front Line

24 Women’s Plumbing Alliance Driving Force for Change

the time has come for me to hand over the reins, and while I am sad to be writing my final editor’s note, I am incredibly proud of all 25 editions during my time as editor. Ashleigh Stonehewer will be taking over as editor in the next edition, and I know she’ll be brilliant in her new role!

Before you all start worrying that you won’t be seeing me anymore, I’m not going anywhere! You will still see me out and about at our events throughout the year, so make sure you come say hi.

Congratulations to all members reaching milestones in this edition, and a warm welcome to our newest members.

Lisa

36 Member News

Plumbing Bros Team Raises Over $10,000 for Movember National Pipe Relining Franchise Announces Industry Award Winners

26 Drought Queensland Drought Crisis

29 Ambassadors 30 Events & Training Calendar

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32 Social 34 Product News 35 Member Benefits MPAQ COUNCIL PRESIDENT Kent Vickers P: 0418 883 999 E: kvickers@qigs.com.au VICE PRESIDENTS Don Nunn P: 0418 717 470 E: dgnunn1950@gmail.com Patrick Robertson P: 07 3276 8833 E: info@rpgs.com.au PAST PRESIDENT Kelvin Slade P: 0417 787 284 E: sales@sladebrosplumbing.com.au TREASURER John Salmon P: 07 3862 2777 E: john@salmonplumbing.com.au COUNCILLORS Dennis Yarrow P: 07 3277 5742 E: admin@yarrowplumbing.com.au Michael Ryan P: 07 3630 4744 E: mryan@beavisbartels.com.au Sam Hannant P: 0405 647 046 E: sam@yesfire.com.au Paul Bezanson P: 0408 777 275 E: paul@mineconplumbing.com.au Harle Gall P: 0437 768 409 E: h.gall@laserplumbing.com.au Ben Crew P: 0400 364 665 E: ben@bcprojectindustries.com

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38 New Members 39 Supporters

TRUSTEES Bill Watson AM P: 07 3273 2333 E: bill@connectorsgroup.com.au Bob Kimlin P: 07 4772 6308 / 0419 744 383 E: bobk@live.com.au LIFE MEMBERS G Cottee, F Huysing, R Kimlin, MJ Moor, T Morris, J Porter, NF Sharman, BD Wallace, WB Watson AM, R Weaver MERITORIOUS SERVICE MEMBERS A Chapman, T Morris, D Nunn, D Powell, B Wallace, R Weaver, M Wilshere DISCLAIMER Opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the MPAQ, nor does the MPAQ guarantee the accuracy of statements made by contributors or advertisers or accepts responsibility for statements they may express in this publication. The MPAQ does not accept liability to advertisers, which may be held contrary to the Trade Practices Act 1974. The MPAQ reserves the right to refuse, cancel, amend or suspend any advertisements or inserts without reason.

MASTER PLUMBER MAGAZINE January/February 2020 |

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EXECUTIVE

PERSPECTIVE Happy New Year.

I hope you had the opportunity to have a break over the Christmas period and that you are feeling recharged for a big year ahead.

With the devastating bushfires that have been happening Australiawide over the last few months, I would like to express the sympathies of everyone at MPAQ to those who have been affected. We will be offering support to any of our Penny Cornah, Executive Director members who have been impacted.

2020 is going to be a huge year for Master Plumbers’ Association of Queensland and I am thrilled to be a part of it. Our association has been operating since 1900, and we are one of Queensland’s most influential trade associations providing the industry with specialised training, advice and services to effectively strengthen and grow the businesses of our members. This year we celebrate 120 years of existence and all events will have a focus on this special milestone.

There was an article included in the Brisbane Courier Qld on 17 May 1900. The article states: “A meeting of the Master Plumbers of the city was held last evening in the Builders Exchange, Courier Building. There was a good attendance of the craft present. The meeting had been called together for the purpose of considering the question of the Master Plumbers of Brisbane being

Master Plumbers Convention Picnic held at Brisbane Waterworks, 17 April 1903

represented at a conference of the Master Plumbers of Australia, which is to be held in Melbourne in July next year. After a general discussion as to the advisableness of forming an Association in Brisbane, it was resolved that such an Association be formed and those present handed in their names as members. A provisional committee was appointed to draft rules for presentation at a future meeting and also for the purpose of seeking the cooperation of the whole of the Master Plumbers of the city in the movement.”

The objective of the Association has continued to be very similar to when it first started.

Thank you to those members who had the courage and initiative to create the Association. We are all so grateful for your commitment, hard work and dedication.

To contact me please call 07 3273 0800 or via email penny.cornah@mpaq.com.au.

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Welcome to 2020.

Kent Vickers, President

If you’re anything like me, you’ve hung the new calendars, opened the new diary, and looked at the wall chart and wondered where 2019 went!

2020 is shaping up to be much the same if you listen to the advice of the number crunchers.

The forecast for small business is for another 12 months of next to no growth and a rollercoaster ride as far as consistent work goes.

This is not good for our members and is a

concern for MPAQ. Unfortunately, our members are forced to compete with unlicensed people that undercut the market rate and take valuable work away from the licensed trades, and this needs to stop. It is not unusual for these unlicensed people to have no insurance, no licence (obviously) and little or no technical training. These three points are critical facts to recognise because without them in place there is a risk to the community and the health and safety of our drinking and waste-water infrastructure.

I have been advised that the Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) is undertaking two campaigns to educate consumers. The first one is focussed on the importance of consumers

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| MASTER PLUMBER MAGAZINE January/February 2020

using licensed plumbers for any plumbing related work and the second campaign asks plumbers to provide consumers with a Form 4. The campaign signage will be visible at retail stores. MPAQ is very supportive of an education campaign to consumers.

Minimum Financial Requirement (MFR) The deadline for MFR reporting was on 31 December 2019.

If you hold a personal contractor’s licence as well as a contracting licence for your company, then you were required to submit financial statements for both entities. There has been a 12-month grace period given if the paperwork you submitted does not meet the minimum requirements set down by the QBCC. This should give members time to submit additional information to the QBCC to ensure you are compliant.

While the reasoning behind the reporting structure was to identify the contractors that were unable to meet their operating expenses, I felt the online document was quite difficult to understand. The option was to have your accountant complete the paperwork but that led to another cost.

2020 begins the year with some uncertainty in the air. But you can be assured that the MPAQ Council and staff will be out and about talking and listening to our members’ concerns and then communicating with the government and other industry departments to work on a solution.

I will be attending as many events as possible this year so please let me know what’s on your mind.

I wish you all a safe and prosperous 2020.

Life’s good!

LICENSING

UPDATES TO QUEENSLAND GAS WORK LICENCE AND AUTHORISATION REQUIREMENTS Queensland gas work licence and authorisation requirements exist to ensure gas work is only undertaken by suitably qualified and experienced people. The requirements set out the specific qualifications and experience needed to be granted a licence or authorisation and inform the Petroleum and Gas Inspectorate in assessing applications.

In consultation with industry groups the requirements have recently been reviewed. The updated requirements come into effect on 1 February 2020 and place greater focus on practical experience while streamlining the application process.

The changes do not place any new requirements on gas fitters renewing a full gas work licence that is current or has expired in the last 12 months; however, a gas fitter whose licence has lapsed by more than 12 months

must contact a registered training organisation (RTO) and complete any required training before applying for a new licence.

Individual applicants will be required to submit a practical experience form, a JP-certified photo ID and a passport photo. Companies applying for a new gas work authorisation must now submit the practical experience form for each gas fitter listed on the application.

Applicants renewing a current licence or authorisation, or applying for an interim gas work licence, are not required to submit a practical experience form.

A new identification card will be issued for all individual licence and authorisation holders. Businesses will continue to receive a certificate verifying their gas work authorisation holder status.

Visit the Petroleum and Gas Inspectorate website at www.business.qld.gov.au to learn about the new requirements or email gaslicence@dnrme.qld.gov.au with your questions.

NEW LICENSING LAWS FOR MECHANICAL SERVICES WORK AIR CONDITIONING TIMELINE

AIR CONDITIONING TIMELINE 22 20

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All new entrants (including those who complete their apprenticeship from 1 Jan 2020) will need the relevant licence before they can carry out mechanical services work.

APPRENTICE & NEW ENTRANT

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New licensing requirements for mechanical services work have been introduced to better protect the health and safety of Queenslanders. Those impacted may include plumbers, refrigeration and air conditioning technicians, and medical gas workers.

All existing licensees with a Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Licence will be automatically

EXISTING LICENSEE

All new entrants (includingtransitioned those whoto complete their apprenticeship from 1 Jan 2020) the new licence.

Improperly installed and maintained heating and cooling systems can lead to APPRENTICE & NEW ENTRANT will need the relevant licence before they can carry out mechanical services work.

All existing licensees with a Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Licence will be automatically dangerous bacteria growing and spreading through systems in facilities such as EXISTING LICENSEE transitioned to the new licence. aged care, hospitals and shopping centres.

COMPANY & NOMINEE SUPERVISOR All Companies and Nominee Supervisors must be licenced.

For this reason, licensing for mechanical services work has been changed to All site supervisors (employed by QBCC contractor reflect the important and specialised skill involved in this work.

SITE SUPERVISOR with mechanical service licence) must be licensed.

New mechanical services licensing requirements commenced on 1 January All employees (of QBCC contractor with EMPLOYEE mechanical services licence) must be licensed.

2020. The laws will be implemented in a staged approach.

MEDICAL GAS TIMELINE MEDICAL GAS TIMELINE will not require a licence.

There are exemptions from the licensing requirements, including installation Students performing work as part of an apprenticeship/traineeship of single head split systems and air conditioning systems located in houses and townhouses, if the work is under $3,300.

The Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) currently licenses around 2,500 contractors who carry out refrigeration and air-conditioning work where the value of work is over $3,300. These licensees may continue to All new entrants who complete their apprenticeship from 1 Jan 2020 will need the relevant licence before APPRENTICE & NEW ENTRANT they can carry out mechanical services work. perform their trade including mechanical services work and will automatically transition to the new licence. They will not need to provide paperwork or pay any PENDING GASFITTING APPLICATIONS Applicants may add Mechanical Services-Plumbing licence to application if requested on or before 31 March 2020. additional fees.

All Contractors must be licensed.

Contractors performing medical gas work of any value, and mechanical services CONTRACTOR work valued under $3,300, will require a QBCC mechanical services contractor All Companies and Nominee Supervisors must be licenced.

COMPANY & NOMINEE SUPERVISOR licence. The licence must be obtained between 1 January 2020 and 30 June 2020 All site supervisors (employed by QBCC contractor SITE SUPERVISOR with mechanical service licence) must be licensed. to avoid penalties. employees (of QBCC contractor with Licensing of workers will be introduced in a phased approach, starting from EMPLOYEE PLUMBING TIMELINEAllmechanical services licence) must be licensed.

PLUMBING TIMELINE 1 January 2020 with apprentices who complete their apprenticeships after 1 Students performing work as part of an apprenticeship/traineeship will not require a licence.

January 2020. Other workers will not need to be licensed until 1 January 2022 if their employer holds the appropriate contractor licence.

For licensees currently holding an existing plumbing and drainage licence, there are alternative paths to obtaining a mechanical services licence (excluding medical gas) and no fee will be payable if the application is made by 31 March 2020.

COMPANY & NOMINEE SUPERVISOR

All Companies and Nominee Supervisors must be licenced.

SITE SUPERVISOR

All site supervisors (employed by QBCC contractor with mechanical service licence) must be licensed.

EMPLOYEE

All employees (of QBCC contractor with mechanical services licence) must be licensed.

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Students performing work as part of an apprenticeship/traineeship will not require a licence.

All new entrants who complete their apprenticeship from 1 Jan 2020 will need the relevant licence before they can carry out mechanical services work.

APPRENTICE & NEW ENTRANT

PENDING GASFITTING APPLICATIONS

Applicants may add Mechanical Services-Plumbing licence to application if requested on or before 31 March 2020.

CONTRACTOR

All Contractors must be licensed.

COMPANY & NOMINEE SUPERVISOR

All Companies and Nominee Supervisors must be licenced.

SITE SUPERVISOR

All site supervisors (employed by QBCC contractor with mechanical service licence) must be licensed.

EMPLOYEE

All employees (of QBCC contractor with mechanical services licence) must be licensed.

PENDING LICENCE APPLICATIONS

CONTRACTOR

COMPANY & NOMINEE SUPERVISOR

CONTRACTOR

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20

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All Companies and Nominee Supervisors must be licenced.

All Contractors must be licensed.

SITE SUPERVISOR

COMPANY & NOMINEE SUPERVISOR EMPLOYEE

1J AN

All Contractors must be licensed.

Applicants may add Mechanical Services-Plumbing licence to application if requested on or before 31 March 2020.

PENDING LICENCE APPLICATIONS

All site supervisors (employed by QBCC contractor with mechanical service licence) must be licensed.

All Companies and Nominee Supervisors must be licenced.

All employees (of QBCC contractor with mechanical services licence) must be licensed.

Students performing work as part of an apprenticeship/traineeship will not require a licence.

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Applicants may add Mechanical Services-Plumbing licence to application if requested on or before 31 March 2020.

All new entrants (including those who complete their apprenticeship from 1 Jan 2020) will need the relevant licence before they can carry out mechanical services work.

APPRENTICE & NEW ENTRANT

To the right are the different timeframes and application requirements for each mechanical licence stream.

For more information visit www.qbcc.qld.gov.au or MPAQ members can call 07 3273 0800.

PR

All new entrants (including those who complete their apprenticeship from 1 Jan 2020) will need the relevant licence before they can carry out mechanical services work.

APPRENTICE & NEW ENTRANT

Timelines

1A

1J AN

20

201 J

AN

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20

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Students performing work as part of an apprenticeship/traineeship will not require a licence.

All site supervisors (employed by QBCC contractor with mechanical service licence) must be licensed.

All employees (of QBCC contractor|with mechanical MASTER PLUMBER MAGAZINE January/February 2020 7 services licence) must be licensed.

Students performing work as part of an apprenticeship/traineeship will not require a licence.

INDUSTRY NEWS

ARE FIRE ANTS SENDING YOU ROUND THE U-BEND? Fire ants can be a problem for plumbers working on building sites in South East Queensland and can result in delays to projects.

To help overcome this problem, the National Red Imported Fire Ant Eradication Program is introducing industry to a self-management option for fire ants on their work sites—helping to stop the pest from impacting business timelines and practices.

The program’s General Manager, Graeme Dudgeon, said that industry can play an important role in the battle against fire ants.

“In the past we’ve said, ‘you report and we’ll treat’, but the program’s efforts need to be clearly focussed on the current eradication areas. We’ve learnt over time that industry can play a broader treatment role to help suppress the pest in those areas we’re yet to reach,” said Mr Dudgeon.

“The current focus of our eradication program is on the western edge of the infestation in the Lockyer Valley, with the program gradually working back through Ipswich, Logan, the Gold Coast and Redlands over the coming years.

“In those areas where the program is not yet carrying out eradication, we do treat fire ant infestations, but due to seasonal factors there can be delays. We prioritise areas of public risk such as schools, childcare centres, parks and sporting fields.”

Mr Dudgeon said that industry now had two self-management options to avoid this delay.

“If you’re unable to wait for the program to come and treat suspect fire ants, you can now engage a pest manager, who has been trained by us to treat fire ants using the same techniques applied by our own officers,” he said.

“Hundreds of pest managers are being trained by the program, with more coming on board every week. Their details can be found on our website at daf.qld.gov.au/fireants.

“Alternatively, you can treat the fire ants yourself by purchasing bait from local hardware or department stores, nurseries and some chemical suppliers. It’s important to follow the directions on the product label when dispersing the bait.

“Plumbers will no longer have to delay their work plans until treatment is completed by the program.

“Reporting is still critical for the program to track the infestation, whether it’s treated by the program or the property owner,” said Mr Dudgeon.

The option to report the ants and wait for treatment by the eradication program still exists.

Mr Dudgeon said that housing developments were particularly vulnerable to fire ant infestations.

“The building and construction industry in South East Queensland is on the front line in the battle against the fire ant,” he said.

“Construction sites provide the ideal habitat for young fire ant queens who are particularly attracted to areas of disturbed soil.

“These queens rapidly produce new fire ant colonies and infestations quickly spread.

“There is also the danger of fire ants being spread through the movement of soil and other fire ant carriers between construction sites — that’s why it’s very important you know the rules relating to the biosecurity zones.”

To find out more visit daf.qld.gov.au/fireants or call 13 25 23.

Article supplied by the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries

QUEENSLAND PLUMBERS AND SPARKIES BACK EXPANDED PROJECT BANK ACCOUNTS Queensland’s plumbers and electricians have given their strong endorsement to the State Government’s plan to expand the Project Bank Accounts initiative to the private construction sector.

Master Electricians Australia CEO, Malcolm Richards, and Master Plumbers’ Association of Queensland Executive Director, Penny Cornah, said the move from 2021 would give small contractors certainty and fairness in their dealings with large builders.

Mr Richards congratulated the Minister for Housing and Public Works, Mick de Brenni MP, for consulting with the industry and hearing the concerns of the overwhelming majority of businesses operating in the space.

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“The result is a set of laws that will give protections to vulnerable small businesses who have the scales tipped against them when they are dealing with very large builders,” Mr Richards said.

“The money paid to the builders by the client will need to be set aside to be spent only on the specified project, which will reduce the risk of sub-contractors being out of pocket if the lead contractor collapses.”

“If builders cannot afford to quarantine the funds from an individual project, it can only mean they are using one job to cross-subsidise another.

“That’s the very behaviour these measures are designed to avoid. It puts the entire financial structure of the industry at risk, and when a

| MASTER PLUMBER MAGAZINE January/February 2020

builder’s house of cards falls down it’s the subcontractors who pay the price.”

Ms Cornah said, “The level of consultation that the Queensland Government has undertaken in relation to the building and construction subcontractor payment fairness reforms with builders and trade contractors is extraordinary.

Our members will support any amendments to the laws that improve payment fairness.”

“Sub-contractors have been subject to broken laws for over 40 years. Subcontractors have gone broke, lost their livelihood, their business and in some unfortunate cases even taken their lives. These reforms will assist in putting an end to this.”

For more information, contact the MPAQ office on 07 3273 0800.

INDUSTRY NEWS

BEENLEIGH TRAINING FACILITY OFFICIAL OPENING

LICENSING REQUIREMENTS FOR THE INSTALLATION OF FIRE COLLARS Changes announced on Friday 13 December 2019 to the QBCC Regulation 2018 (the Regulation) clarify that, effective immediately, plumbers and some other trades can install fire collars in Queensland without being required to hold an additional QBCC licence.

What are the changes?

On Monday 3 December the $12 million Beenleigh training facility celebrated its official opening with key industry stakeholders and government officials in attendance. The facility will equip up to 700 apprentices with the skills needed to secure jobs in the plumbing, fire protection and mechanical services industries.

Opening the centre, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the Plumbing Industry Climate Action Centre (PICAC) would help deliver superior training to apprentices in high demand industries.

“My Government is delivering on an election commitment to provide a $4 million grant towards this world-class training centre as part of our plan to ensure all Queenslanders have access to training, skills and jobs,” the Premier said.

“The PICAC Beenleigh Training Centre will support the training of 400 to 500 fire protection and plumbing apprentices, 100 mechanical services or heating ventilation and air conditioning apprentices, and 100 pre-apprenticeship trainees.”

PICAC will also deliver accreditation for new mechanical services licensing requirements, which came into effect on 1 January 2020. The new licensing requirements will ensure people installing medical gas and commercial air-conditioning systems are appropriately qualified and regulated.

Learn more about the facility by visiting www.picac.vic.edu.au/picac-beenleigh.

MEET KATE RAYMOND – QBCC ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER (SERVICE TRADES) Kate has 20 years’ experience working within the construction industry, both as a construction lawyer in the private and public sectors and as the Executive Director, Contract Services in the Department of Housing and Public Works.

Kate had a lead role in establishing the contracts and procurement of many significant projects in Queensland including the Nation Building program of works, Gold Coast University Hospital, Kurilpa Bridge, and other projects such as stadiums, correctional precincts and hospital redevelopments. Kate’s role also included advising on matters relating to contract administration, disputes and insolvencies.

The scopes of work for particular contractor licences under the QBCC Regulation have been updated to include the installation of fire collars. However, this is limited to fire collars that are incidental to work being performed by the licensee.

For example, a plumber can fit a fire collar as part of a plumbing pipe installation but is unable to seal penetrations made by an electrician to install cabling.

For further information visit www.business.qld.gov.au and read Building and Plumbing Newsflash 574.

MINIMUM FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS – WHAT NOW? The Queensland Building and Construction Commission (Minimum Financial Requirements) Regulation 2018 commenced on 1 January 2019 with the aim of restoring the effectiveness of the Minimum Financial Requirements (MFR) for licensing and returning the QBCC’s powers to regulate those requirements.

She has also worked Kate Raymond in the policy and legislation area of the Department of Housing and Public Works including the policy development and legislative amendments to the Building Industry Fairness (Security of Payment) Act 2017, introduced with the Plumbing and Drainage Bill 2018.

Kate holds a Bachelor of Law from the University of Queensland with first-class honours and a university medal and an Arts Degree with a Government major.

Visit www.qbcc.qld.gov.au to learn more.

The new laws required contractor-grade QBCC licensees to provide annual financial information by 31 December 2019. Licensees with a QBCCapproved turnover of less than $30 million should have lodged their information by 31 December 2019 but will have at least a year to strengthen the financial health of their business in line with the new laws.

From 2020, you’ll be able to apply to change your annual reporting due date. QBCC will be in touch with more information about how you can apply.

If you missed the deadline you should call QBCC on 139 333 as soon as you can, or for more information visit qbcc.build/annualreporting.

MASTER PLUMBER MAGAZINE January/February 2020 |

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TECHNICAL

FORM 16 – THE PROBLEM SOLVED For many years, certifiers and builders have been wrongly requesting that plumbers and drainers provide a Form 16 at the completion of regulated work.

Over the years, we have released various forms of information advising that persons performing regulated plumbing and drainage work are not required to provide a Form 16 for this work. Sadly, under the threat of withheld payments, many plumbers/drainers surrender and provide the Form 16. Unfortunately, this only exasperated the issue for the next plumber/ drainer as that certifier or builder will again demand a Form 16 for regulated plumbing work.

Thankfully, after much industry consultation the Department of Housing and Public Works has released “Guideline – Certificates from plumbers regarding building work”, which in part states: “This guideline is for building certifiers who are considering seeking inspection help through completion of an approved form (Form 16— Inspection Certificate/Aspect Certificate/QBCC Licensee Aspect Certificate (Form 16)) under the Building Regulation 2006 (BR) in relation to plumbing and drainage work under the Plumbing and Drainage Act 2018 (PDA). This guideline clarifies that it is not appropriate for building certifiers to seek inspection help in relation to plumbing and drainage work under the PDA.”

Building Work Involving Plumbing Work “The BA requires an application for the approval of building work to be assessed against specific technical and legislative provisions. These are called building assessment provisions (BAPs) and include the Building Code of Australia (BCA) (now part of the National Construction Code).

In Queensland, the regulation of plumbing and drainage work (with the exception of fire protection work) is administered by local governments who are responsible for enforcing the following laws, codes and standards in their areas: • the Plumbing and Drainage Act 2018 (PDA); • the Plumbing and Drainage Regulation 2019 (PR); • the Plumbing Code of Australia (Volume 3 of the National Construction Code); • the Queensland Plumbing and Wastewater Code; and • relevant Australian Standards called up by these documents.”

This guideline should clear this issue up once and for all. If/when a builder or certifier requests a Form 16 for regulated plumbing or drainage works, it is recommended they are directed to the guidelines for clarification.

MPAQ members who would like more information can contact the MPAQ Technical team on 07 3273 0800.

WHEN IS NOTIFIABLE WORK FINISHED? renovation of the bathroom before the work for the renovation of the kitchen starts. The notifiable work for the renovation of the bathroom was finished when the invoice was given. The plumber later gives the owner another invoice for the notifiable work carried out for the renovation of the kitchen. The notifiable work for the renovation of the kitchen was finished when the second invoice was given.

2. A plumber gives the building owner a quote to carry out notifiable work for the renovation of a kitchen and a bathroom. The notifiable work for the renovation of the kitchen and bathroom is finished when the plumber gives the owner an invoice for all the work.

Notifiable work is a category of plumbing and drainage work that allows a plumber or drainer to perform the work without a local government permit or mandatory inspections. It includes most work performed in existing homes and limited work on commercial buildings.

When a plumber or drainer performs notifiable work, they must register the work (submit a Form 4 or, if the work is being carried out on behalf of or for a public sector entity, a Form 4A) with the Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) within 10 business days from when the work is finished.

When is Notifiable Work Considered Finished?

If payment is to be made for all or part of a job, any notifiable work for which payment is to be made is finished when an invoice for the work is given to the person who asked for the work to be carried out.

For example: 1. A plumber gives the building owner a quote to carry out notifiable work for the renovation of a kitchen and a bathroom. The plumber gives the owner an invoice for the notifiable work carried out for the

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| MASTER PLUMBER MAGAZINE January/February 2020

If all or part of the work will be carried out free of charge, notifiable work is finished when the work becomes operational. For example, if a plumber carries out notifiable work for the renovation of a kitchen and bathroom for a family member and the work is done free of charge, the notifiable work is finished when all the work for the kitchen and bathroom renovation becomes operational.

Notifiable Work for Units and Townhouses Only one Form 4 or 4A needs to be submitted for each transaction, for example: 1. If multiple temperature control devices are installed in a Class 2 building (containing two or more sole occupancy units) and the work is carried out as part of one transaction where only one invoice is issued to one customer, for example a body corporate, only one Form 4 would need to be submitted to the QBCC. 2. If multiple sub-meters are installed for a group of Class 1a buildings (townhouse development) that involves alteration of, or extending, the water supply pipework, and the work is carried out as part of one transaction where only one invoice is issued to one customer, for example a body corporate, only one Form 4 would need to be submitted to the QBCC. MPAQ members who would like more information can contact the MPAQ Technical team on 07 3273 0800.

Article supplied by the Queensland Building and Construction Commission

ELIMINATE DUST FOR A SAFER WORKPLACE Dust Removal Systems

Make your New Year’s resolution a dust free workplace. Hilti Dust Control Systems not only improve safety, but contribute to greater productivity.

Dust particles generated during cutting, grinding, drilling and breaking operations contain small amounts of Respirable Crystalline Silica or RCS. Exposure to RCS should be prevented where practical as it can be harmful. Hilti products are designed to minimise dust emissions to keep you healthy.

Silica is a natural mineral which is found in rocks, sand and clay, which means it is also present in bricks and concrete. A small fraction of Silica occurs in a sharp, hard Crystalline form.

Particles smaller than 10 microns in diameter can be breathed directly into the lungs and can cause damage leading to Silicosis. This is called ‘Respirable Crystalline Silica’ (RCS).

The national exposure standard of RCS is 0.1 mg/m3 (in an 8-hour Time Weighted Average period).

Hilti is committed to helping you reduce dust exposure and increase your productivity on site with tools and accessories designed to greatly reduce exposure to dust. We have a range of dust hoods that can be attached to angle grinders and then connected to a vacuum cleaner for chasing or cutting. You can also attach an on-board vacuum system to Hilti TE 4-A or TE 6-A cordless rotary hammer drills.

It’s time to take advantage of all the benefits of Hilti dust control solutions.

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Offer valid until 29th February 2020 to MPAQ members only. To redeem this offer please email darby.shaw@hilti.com

To find out more, call 131 292 or visit www.hilti.com.au

Plumbing & Gas Industry Awards Award nominations open January 2020

BEYOND ALL LIMITS 1900 - 2020

#BeyondAllLimits #MPAQAwards

MPAQ COUNCIL

NEW MPAQ COUNCIL ELECTED AT 2019 AGM

Back row (L-R): Bill Watson AM, Dennis Yarrow, Sam Hannant, Bob Kimlin, Ben Crew, Paul Bezanson, Don Nunn, Penny Cornah.

Front Row (L-R): Harle Gall, John Salmon, Kent Vickers, Kelvin Slade, Patrick Robertson, Michael Ryan.

On Tuesday 19 November, MPAQ held its 119th Annual General Meeting (AGM) at Plumbing Industry House in Acacia Ridge. The meeting, attended in person and via teleconference by members across Queensland was chaired by MPAQ President, Kent Vickers.

The council for 2019-2021 was elected, and we welcomed new council member Paul Bezanson from Townsville.

Your 2019-2021 Council • Kent Vickers, President • Donald Nunn, Vice President • Patrick Robertson, Vice President • John Salmon, Treasurer • Kelvin Slade, Past President • William Watson AM, Trustee • Robert Kimlin, Trustee • Dennis Yarrow, Councillor • Ben Crew, Councillor • Samuel Hannant, Councillor • Harle Gall, Councillor • Michael Ryan, Councillor • Paul Bezanson, Councillor At the AGM Rob Brouwers stepped down from his position on the MPAQ Council, on which he has be an important figure since 2007, including his time as Junior Vice President from 2010 to 2014.

Rob was also a deputy on the Plumbers and Drainers Licensing Board and a regular conference attendee. His commitments in the Logan/Brisbane South Division were: • Secretary Logan Division (1998 – 1999) • Chairman Logan Division (2000 – 2001) • Chairman Logan Division (2001 – 2002) • Chairman Logan Division (2007 – 2014)

Penny Cornah and Rob Brouwers

Don Nunn

• Chairman of Brisbane South Division (2014 – 2015) MPAQ would like to congratulate and thank Rob for his commitment to the industry.

Life Member and Meritorious Service Awarded Rob Weaver – Life Member

Rob Weaver joined MPAQ on 18 August 1982 and has been a prominent member with the Rockhampton/Central QLD Division. He has held many positions with MPAQ, including Secretary from 1984 to 1988 and 1990 to 1992, Chairman from 1988 to 1990 and Treasurer from 1996 to 1998.

Rob and Marie Weaver have attended every State Conference since 1983 and were the chief organisers of the 1986 and 1997 State Conferences in Rockhampton and Yeppoon respectively.

Rob has represented the division on local TAFE training matters, Rockhampton City Council issues and a myriad of other functions as required. He has always been on hand to fill in for any duties someone else couldn’t perform.

, Kent Vic

kers, and

Rob Weave

r

Rob was awarded as a meritorious member of MPAQ in 2006.

Rob has played a big part in organising the Central Qld Division Golf Days over the last 22 years and is still very active in the Central Division, coordinating the division meetings and participating in the plumbing expos and forums.

Don Nunn – Meritorious Service Award Don Nunn joined MPAQ on 17 April 1991 and has been an active member since with a number of commitments to the Association. He was Secretary of the Toowoomba Division from 2004 to 2005 and again from 2007 to 2015, as well as Chairman of the Division from 2006 to 2007.

During this time he has also served on the MPAQ Council from 2011 to current and is still an active member within the Toowoomba Division.

Both of these individuals have given so much to MPAQ and the industry over the years, and we are extremely grateful for their contributions. Congratulations to Rob and Don!

MASTER PLUMBER MAGAZINE January/February 2020 |

13

2019

MPAQ

YE AR

IN RE V

Let’s take a look at some of the exciting changes and developments that happened in 2019!

EVENTS • We created and hosted Small Business Masterclasses with the ATO and Xact Accounting.

• We supported, presented at and attended the World Plumbing Conference in Melbourne.

• We celebrated 20 years of the Plumbing and Gas Industry Awards.

• We ran our first 4WD Fraser Island Trip.

MEMBERS • We launched our ‘Day in the Life of a Master Plumber’ program to get our staff more involved with members.

• We developed and launched an ‘Automating your Business’ guide as well as a Charge Out Rate Calculator and ‘Guide to Calculating Charge out Rates’.

• Bruce Wallace was inducted into the Associations Forum Hall of Fame and was honoured as MPAQ’s Official Historian.

• Bill Watson AM was awarded an Order of Australia medal.

• MPAQ Life membership was awarded to Rob Weaver and a Meritorious Service Award was awarded to Don Nunn.

• Three new plumbing ambassadors were announced at World Plumbing Day 2019 and spent the year visiting schools and career expos to talk about a career in plumbing.

• MPAQ launched two new consumer campaign videos (pictured right) to promote #OnlyUseaLicensedPlumber.

TRAINING • In conjunction with Master Plumbers Australia and New Zealand, we developed and launched a course for Legionella management.

• We delivered over 35 courses in 2019.

INDUSTRY • Minimum Financial Requirements Reporting was reintroduced for all contracting licensees.

• The requirement to pay a licence fee for an Occupational AND a Contractor licence was removed.

• The new Plumbing and Drainage Act and Regulation was introduced.

• The Beenleigh Plumbing Industry Climate Action Centre (PICAC) was officially opened to apprentices in the plumbing, fire and mechanical services industries.

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| MASTER PLUMBER MAGAZINE January/February 2020

IEW

A YEAR IN REVIEW

# ONLY

USE AL ICE

After successfully launching our first consumer campaign video in March 2019 (currently at 20,000+ views), we wanted the follow up to be just as big, if not bigger. We roped in our outstanding treasurer (who has a secret stand-up comedian life) to help us deliver our message – #OnlyUseALicensedPlumber.

You can check out the video and share it from our Facebook and YouTube pages now!

To find out more about MPAQ’s consumer campaign, visit www.mpaq.com.au/find-a-plumber.

NSEDP L UM

BER

MASTER PLUMBER MAGAZINE January/February 2020 |

15

LEGAL

TRADE MARKS IN ONLINE ADVERTISING – IF IT’S INVISIBLE, IS IT AN INFRINGEMENT?

Internet search engines are vital tools in an increasingly competitive business environment. This places a premium on methods for ensuring that your business appears at or close to the top of the results list.

Trade mark infringement occurs only if the infringer uses a registered trade mark as a trade mark. That leads to difficult issues when a third party uses a registered trade mark within metadata or keyword search advertising.

The Accor Decision: Trade Mark Use in Metadata Can Constitute Infringement The Harbour Lights case involved a dispute over trade mark rights in the name of a residential complex. The complex developer owned the registered trade marks ‘Harbour Lights’ and ‘Cairns Harbour Lights’ and licensed the use of those trade marks to Accor. In competition with Accor, the defendant used the term ‘Harbour Lights’ in their website’s source code.

The Court found the defendant’s actions to constitute trade mark infringement and misleading or deceptive conduct under the Australian Consumer Law. The Courts noted that it did not matter that the ordinary user of the site could not see the trade mark because the source code “was visible to those who know what to look for”. Putting the trade mark in the source code was itself a breach of the trade mark and, therefore, illegal.

The Veda Advantage Case: Trade Mark Use in Google AdWords May Not Constitute Infringement The defendant used the Google AdWords program to advertise, promote and direct consumers to its websites. One of the campaigns the defendant had run involved the use of 86 keywords that comprised of or contained the word ‘Veda’. Veda Advantage Limited owned multiple registered trade marks including ‘Veda’ and ‘Veda Advantage’.

The Court held that the defendant’s use of the ‘Veda’ keywords was not a trade mark use, as the defendant merely selected and provided the keywords to Google. This was found to not be indicative of a connection in the course of trade between services provided by the defendant and the services provided by Veda. Using the trade mark as a keyword did not constitute trade mark infringement and was, therefore, legal.

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What Does This Mean?

The Accor decision serves as a warning to businesses that use of competitors’ registered trade marks in a website source code can amount to trade mark infringement, as metadata, although difficult, can be viewed.

By contrast, the purchase and use of a competitor’s trade mark as a Google AdWord (in and of itself) will not amount to trade mark infringement as Google AdWords are invisible to consumers.

It is intriguing to note that one form of conduct was unlawful and the other perfectly permissible when the intention and practical effect of each form of conduct was the same.

This is especially so considering that in each case: • the registered trade mark was being used to attract the attention of consumers searching for a competitor’s goods or services; and • the trade mark was essentially invisible to a regular consumer and could only be viewed by performing particular functions in an internet browser.

It will be interesting to see how the courts (both in Australia and internationally) approach these issues in an increasingly digital environment.

For now, however, the position appears to be that: • a competitor may purchase and use another party’s registered trade mark as a Google AdWord and avoid liability for trade mark infringement unless accompanied by other conduct (such as using the trade mark in the Google Ad itself or on the linked website); but • a competitor can be found liable for trade mark infringement if it uses another party’s registered trade mark within website source code unless it can establish a viable defence, the trade mark is being used in a descriptive sense, or that the trade mark was not used as a trade mark.

For further information please contact the Cornwalls’ Intellectual Property team on 07 3223 5900 or email ip@cornwallsqld.com.au.

Disclaimer This article is general commentary on a topical issue and does not constitute legal advice. If you are concerned about any topics covered in this article, we recommend that you seek legal advice.

Article written by Charlotte Nielsen, Consultant, Cornwalls’ Intellectual Property Team.

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As the trade services industry gets increasingly competitive and customers get more savvy, we should look at the entire journey of a customer within our business and ask if we are doing enough. Enough to not just retain clients but make them advocates for our business. Do your customers sing your praises to the whole street?

A true end-to-end review of your customer’s journey to, and through, your business should include the payment experience. Digital technology is enabling retailers and eCommerce businesses to thrive, and now tradies that are early adopters of these technologies are discovering the ease of these payment options, and the upside for their customers. Let’s look at why customers are driving different types of payment methods and which ones work for your business model.

Cash Was King Once the preferred tender for all trades, cash was king. Nowadays, we know cash is risky, time-consuming to handle and savvy customers are still expecting a discount when they pay in cash. The customer’s perspective is that cash is inconvenient.

Invoicing and Bank-to-Bank Transfer Pros: Still popular in trade services and great if you’ve got a diligent full time assistant.

Cons: Delays. Delays. Delays. It is also admin heavy, prone to error and requires a stringent follow up process for those customers that don’t pay on time.

Depending on how organised your customer is, they love or hate this method.

Mobile EFTPOS This is incredibly convenient and makes you look slick! It requires you to have a connected mobile device and can include hardware costs, establishment, and rental and service fees per transaction depending on your provider. You can add an adapter to your smartphone; however, make sure to check that these can take Apple and Google Pay, as well as reading cards with chips.

This option ticks the convenience box!

Payments Over the Phone and MOTO (Mail Order/ Telephone Order) Transactions This is very popular, but it’s difficult to make sure you stay compliant.

In many cases only a small percentage of your transactions are allowed this way. This method is open to the risk of fraudulent transactions and chargebacks (when a customer disputes the charge).

Customers can have security concerns here.

Buy Now, Pay Later Payment Plans Buy now pay later payment plans have taken over the retail game, and now they’re seeing huge success in serviced-based businesses too.

Customers are moving towards these as they spread the cost of your service over time but are just as convenient as the options above. Customers are asking for flexible terms (you’ll need more than 6 months for larger jobs) and want to pay over time in neat equal instalments, with no interest charged.

Check there’s no interest at the end and that they can pay their plan out with no early termination fees.

Budget conscious customers have driven the increase in this payment type across retail, online and now in trade services.

Payright partner with MPAQ to give a variety of plans and advice to plumbing businesses. Please contact us via the MPAQ portal or visit www.payright.com.au/im-a-business/sign-up/ for more information.

Article supplied by Payright

BUSINESS

QUEENSLAND GOVERNMENT ON-TIME PAYMENT POLICY For eligible invoices, the Queensland Government will pay penalty interest to small business suppliers for all bills on contracts up to $1 million paid greater than 30 calendar days. This only applies to correctly rendered undisputed tax invoices.

From 1 July 2020, the payment timeframes for small business suppliers will be reduced from 30 calendar days to 20 calendar days for eligible invoices of any value.

To enable your small business to be paid within 20 calendar days from 1 July 2020, register your details on the On-time Payment Small Business Register.

Who is Eligible Small businesses are eligible if they had fewer than 20 employees at the date of contract.

The minimum payment that will be made for accrued interest is $20.

On-time Payment Small Business Register To enable your small business to be paid within 20 calendar days for eligible invoices from 1 July 2020, you are invited to complete and submit the registration form.

Registration is not compulsory but by registering your business it will assist the government to pay you faster.

Government buyers will review the register when finalising invoices and apply the 20 day payment term to your invoice.

Make a Late Payment Claim In order to claim interest on a late payment, you will need to submit an on-time payment claim form. A late payment claim can only be made against a Queensland Government department.

How the Interest is Calculated Interest will be paid at the unpaid tax interest (UTI) rate, which is 9.54% for the 2019-20 financial year.

Interest is applicable after 30 days up until payment is made. For example, if payment is made 35 days after the tax invoice date, interest is owed for the five days that the payment was late.

Exemptions to the On-time Payment Policy Interest will not be applicable to: • payments to non-small business suppliers; • payments on contracts with payment terms greater than 30 days; • payments due during compulsory Christmas and New Year closure periods; • payments unable to be made due to an event that prevents payments being approved and processed (e.g. a natural disaster); • payments to government employees and vendors; • grant payments; • sponsorship payments; and • donations.

Department-Specific Exemptions Individual Queensland Government departments have specific exemptions from the On-time Payment Policy. As these exemptions become available, they will be listed on the Business Queensland website – www.business.qld.gov.au Contact Corporate.Procurement@desbt.qld.gov.au if you need help completing the form or visit www.business.qld.gov.au to learn more.

Article source: https://www.business.qld.gov.au/starting-business/advice-support/ support/small-business/on-time-payment-policy/on-time-policy

PROTECT YOUR CHILD’S FINANCIAL FUTURE Who will your super and insurance go to in the unfortunate event of your death?

A Child Income account from industry fund BUSSQ is a simple way to ensure any benefit paid upon your death goes to your children.

The Child Income account pays a regular income to help with your children’s living expenses, school fees and extras that may not normally be in budget. The payments also won’t impact any government assistance available to help care for your children.

Starting a family or major change in your life may impact the beneficiaries you’ve nominated to receive a benefit in the event of your death. Keeping your beneficiaries up to date with your super fund will assist your assets going to your loved ones the way you want.

To nominate a BUSSQ Child Income account or update your beneficiaries call BUSSQ on 1800 MY BUSSQ (1800 69 2877) or visit www.bussq.com.au.

This is general advice only and does not take into account or consider your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting, you should review the relevant Product Disclosure Statement to ensure you have all the information about the BUSSQ product and how it works and consider the appropriateness of the information to your needs or seek independent advice from a properly qualified professional. Prepared by BUSS (Queensland) Pty Ltd (ABN 15 065 081 281, AFSL 237860) as Trustee for BUSSQ (BUSSQ Fund, ABN 85 571 332 201).

The Essential First Step.

5Ps of Safe Excavation

Plan Prepare Pothole Protect Proceed

MASTER PLUMBER MAGAZINE January/February 2020 |

19

WORKPLACE RELATIONS

A REMINDER FOR WHEN YOU’RE EMPLOYING YOUNG WORKERS Given a recent Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) prosecution, MPAQ wants to remind members of their obligations when employing young people on a trial or probation period with a view of commencing an apprenticeship.

Under the Plumbing and Fire Sprinklers Award there are no junior rates except for apprentices. If you take on an employee with a view of signing them up for an apprenticeship you have two options: • Employ them as an apprentice and pay them the correct apprenticeship rate, then when you sign them up to an apprenticeship you need to back date the commencement of their apprenticeship.

However, if for any reason the employee is not signed up to an apprenticeship and their employment ends or is terminated you must back pay the employee as a Labourer Level 1(a) under the Award (this rate is considerably higher than the apprentice rates).

• Employ the employee as a casual Labourer Level 1(a) until they are signed up for an apprenticeship; once signed up they would revert to the apprenticeship rates.

Fair Work Ombudsman Prosecution

1

The Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) recently secured penalties of $151,200 against a Victorian plumber and his company for underpaying a young worker following previous court action involving “startlingly similar” conduct.

Michael Patrick Pulis and his company Pulis Plumbing Pty Ltd, which trades as Pulis Professional Plumbing, were penalised $27,200 and $124,000 respectively by the Federal Circuit Court.

The court found that a 22-year-old was underpaid for about six weeks’ work at various locations around Melbourne after being paid as a third-year apprentice despite Mr Pulis and his company failing to sign the employee up to an apprenticeship.

Without a formal apprenticeship agreement, the employee was entitled to be paid under the Plumbing and Fire Sprinklers Award 2010 but was underpaid minimum rates for ordinary hours, overtime pay, various allowances and leave entitlements, and termination payments.

Mr Pulis and his company also provided Fair Work inspectors with a falsified employer apprenticeship document and falsified time-and-wages records that purported to show the employee was paid higher rates than he actually was.

The falsified apprenticeship document indicated Mr Pulis had contacted the relevant apprenticeship authority one day after hiring the worker, but Mr Pulis later admitted he in fact contacted the authority only on the day he

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| MASTER PLUMBER MAGAZINE January/February 2020

was notified that the FWO was investigating the employment of the worker – two months after he had terminated the worker’s employment.

The FWO highlighted that it was the second time the regulator had taken Mr Pulis and his company to court, bringing total penalties to over $270,000.

If you have any questions or need further clarification please contact the MPAQ Workplace Relations team on 07 3273 0800.

1 www.fairwork.gov.au/about-us/news-and-media-releases/2019-media-releases/ november-2019/20191119-pulis-plumbing-penalty#twitter

MANDATORY WHISTLEBLOWER POLICIES CAME INTO EFFECT ON 1 JANUARY 2020 This legislation applies to a number of businesses as of 1 January 2020.

The businesses impacted are: • Public companies; • Large proprietary companies; and • Corporate Trustees of registerable superannuation entities.

The Treasury Laws Amendment (Enhancing Whistleblower Protections) Act 2019 required all of the above companies and corporate trustees to have a compliant Whistleblower Policy in place by 1 January 2020.

For a whistleblower policy to comply with the new legislation it needs to deal with certain matters including: • How the policy will be made available to officers and employees of the company; • How and to whom disclosure can be made; • The protections available to whistleblowers; • How the company will support and protect whistleblowers; • How employees mentioned in disclosures will receive fair treatment; and • How the company will investigate disclosures.

A $12,600 penalty will apply if you don’t have a compliant whistleblower policy in place in the required time frame.

If you need assistance with the steps you need to take please contact the MPAQ Workplace Relations team on 07 3273 0800.

FROM DRAINAGE WORKSHOPS TO CONSTRUCTION WORKSITES

SEE WHERE TAFE CAN TAKE YOU GET STARTED

APPLY NOW

tafeqld.edu.au RTO No. 0275 | CRICOS No. 03020E | TEQSA PRV13003

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

PLUMBING ON THE FRONT LINE Following award winning plumbing works in East Timor, Alexander McDowall uses his army experience to continue to bring exciting and innovative ideas to the plumbing industry.

After spending 11 years as a plumber in the army, MPAQ member Alexander McDowall moved to Queensland with his young family and founded his company Infinity Alliance Plumbing based in Springfield Lakes. During the course of his time in the army, Alexander learned that while his trade skills and knowledge were important for his day-to-day work, creativity, innovation, and improvisation were vital to the work he had to do, providing clean water supplies and other services to the army wherever it went.

Experience Doing Everything Alexander’s parents had one rule for him when he was in school and thinking about his future career: finish year 12. After considering a career as a PE teacher but deciding against the university route, he applied for a plumbing apprenticeship in the Australian Army.

Coming from a family with a military history, Alexander felt that it was “his time”, and after learning from his father’s experience, who was an infantry soldier and had no qualifications relevant to civilian Alexander McDowall in Iraq work after leaving the army, Alexander knew that completing his apprenticeship while serving would put Often Alexander would find himself in a him in good stead for his future post-military life. team made up of only plumbers, carpenters and After passing the army tests, he headed to electricians, so if he wasn’t doing plumbing work Melbourne to begin his basic training. Before beginning he was helping out other trades as well. As he East Timor, filling school ablutions water plumbing trade training, Alexander had to complete tank using a dodgy water pump setup was a Corporal, and working towards becoming 100 days of basic training, which is designed to prepare a Sergeant, he was expected to learn about all recruits for life in the army and included physical the other trades, which was the focus of one of training, weapon handling and shooting, first aid, drill and field craft. As his promotional courses, where he learned everything from gyprocking to an apprentice plumber he then went to Sydney, where he learnt combat bricklaying to glazing.

Adaptability was not just restricted to the work that engineering, which included further education about building bridges, mines, needed to be completed; they also had to make sure they were working explosives, and more advanced weapons. This was the standard basic level within the regulations of each State or Territory. of training for trades.

The experience Alexander has built working with other trades in the The Australian Army delivered the apprenticeship through a one year army has had a positive impact on his business. By having this complete classroom component, which was followed by a three year on the job understanding of a whole build, it allows him to work better with all trades. component, which Alexander completed in Sydney. Utilising a list of civilian “It’s handy when doing kitchen and bathroom renovations as you know construction companies that covered a range of competencies, Alexander what the regulations are for that trade,” he said. spent time with a number of companies getting different competencies Knowing the different trades also proved to help when they were signed off, including plumbing, gas, and roofing. “I’m not 100 per cent sure deployed overseas.

The additional knowledge meant that Alexander was what it’s like in civvy street, but in the army you’re learning everything and adaptable in different situations and nothing got in the way. getting experience in doing everything,” he said.

Over the course of his 11 years of service, Alexander was sent on many interesting and difficult deployments. One of these deployments was as one The Army Experience of the first groups to be sent to Naru. Detainees were being brought to the Life in the army could mean short trips overseas or deployments that detention centre while the army and others would be continuing to build the last for months, but even when the men and women of the Australian Army other sections. While living in tents at Naru, there were no toilet facilities, aren’t working in other countries, they’re working hard in the middle of so they would have to put their waste in bins and burn it off with diesel.

Australia to maintain their skills and help out in communities where the Alexander got to work with a variety of different people, including support is really needed.

Indonesians, the Philippine Army, the SEALS and other contingents within Alexander took part in the Army Aboriginal Community Assistance the army. On one job they were attached to the United States Navy and Program (AACAP), building houses that were fire retardant, insulated, and got put on a humanitarian hospital ship, which was once an oil tanker safe. AACAP began in 1997 and is an ongoing commitment that reinforces that got refitted to be a massive hospital. They travelled to Indonesia, the strong association between the army and the Indigenous peoples of the Philippines, Cambodia, and Vietnam, where they provided medical northern and central Australia, improving the health and living standards in Aboriginal communities.

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| MASTER PLUMBER MAGAZINE January/February 2020

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

assistance to whoever needed it. They also did any plumbing work that was needed to rebuild schools and hospitals.

Alexander said that the experience could be shocking at times. “When we were in Indonesia and we were building a new wing on a hospital, we were digging trenches and came across used needles that had been thrown out the back. It was shocking because the kids were running around barefoot out there.”

Award Winning Work Alexander admits that often when deployed overseas he would have to think on his feet to come up with innovative solutions to problems by making use of whatever materials he could find, and while that work might not have held up to Australian standards, it made an important difference to the lives of the soldiers in the rural camps and the local communities they were trying to help.

In 2015, Alexander was awarded an Australia Day Medallion for his plumbing works in Timor Leste (East Timor). His design and development of a minimal maintenance and sustainable ablution block for the Farol Primary School is now the basis for all humanitarian construction developments in the Pacific region. When it became clear that the kids in the school were leaving the taps running and wasting water, and with no 40 second timer taps available over there, Alexander created his own using a toilet system that released the necessary amount of water for the kids to wash their hands.

In that same year, Alexander was also awarded a commendation for his noteworthy achievement in application of skills and dedication to his duty as a plumber while in Iraq. He was commended for his exceptional contribution to the construction of base facilities, which included the design of a septic system to manage sewage disposal.

When flown to Al Asad, Iraq Alexander was able to take a toolbox of gear, but most materials had to be sourced and bartered for in Iraq. After scrounging for parts, Alexander created a grease trap using a sink, a wheelie bin, and a bin. With a pipe coming from the kitchen, he built a filter in one bin that would filter the fat into the other bin, which would then pump the waste to the septic system he had built.

Alexander’s time in Iraq was filled with many other interesting stories of improvisation, including a waterless urine using cooking oil, hotwiring an abandoned Iraqi excavator from outside the camp to help dig a trench, and working out how to get hot water and water pressure to the camp using an American hot water system and the odd fixtures and fittings he was able to find.

The construction team where they developed a community centre for the Army Aboriginal Assistance Program (AACAP) in Fregon S.A

In Iraq building the makeshift grease trap out of a sink, wheelie bin and drum

Life Back Home Alexander found army life particularly tough around the time that he got married. With his wedding on a Sunday then being deployed to East Timor on the Monday, Alexander started to consider his options. The real deciding factor came when he came back from Iraq and his son, who was about one year old, didn’t recognise him. That’s when Alexander knew it was his time to head back home for good.

So with his years of experience plumbing in the Australian Army, Alexander started working for a plumbing company in Queensland for about four months, before deciding to start his own business. He originally started sole-trading as A&K Plumbing and Drainage in 2017, and then started his business Infinity Alliance Plumbing in March 2019 where he currently works on his own but is looking to take on an apprentice in the near future.

Starting his trade in the army has proven to be a successful career move for Alexander, but while he would recommend others starting out to consider this route, he does suggest they research it first. With long periods of time away from family and long-term contracts to fulfil, learning your trade through the army is a commitment that won’t work for everyone.

Multi nation team building the abulation block for the local East Timor school

Do you have a story you would like to share? We’d love to hear it!

Send us an email at events@mpaq.com.au or call the MPAQ office on 07 3273 0800.

MASTER PLUMBER MAGAZINE January/February 2020 |

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WOMEN’S PLUMBING ALLIANCE

Penny Cornah isn’t just an active participant in our industry; she is an advocate, an influencer, a leader; she is a driving force of change. To kick off 2020, Ashleigh Stonehewer investigates what fuels Penny’s passion for the industry.

Most of you reading this will already know of Penny Cornah, but for those of you who don’t I will attempt an introduction. To introduce Penny as the Executive Director of Master Plumbers’ Association of Queensland (MPAQ) would be true, but it would also do a disservice to just how much she does for the plumbing and gas industry.

Penny represents our members on a number of industry boards and committees in various roles, which builds her knowledge and networks to help put MPAQ at the forefront. Some of these roles include: • Construction Skills Queensland, Director • QLeave – Portable Long Service Leave Scheme in Qld, Director • Services Trade College, Director • Master Plumbers Australia and New Zealand, Director, Alternate Director and Secretariat • Service Trades Council, Chair • National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) Qld Chapter, Vice President Having been brought up by parents who have run a family plumbing business all her life, Penny has strong ties to the industry. She has witnessed first-hand the highs and lows that her parents experienced, with her mum running the office and looking after the kids while her dad was on the tools, managing staff, customers, and projects. The struggles that she witnessed from a young age are what make her so passionate about what she does.

Penny began working at MPAQ in May 2006 as the Events and Communications Coordinator.

In this role she was editor of the Master Plumber magazine and also introduced the trade shows in 2007. Before becoming Executive Director in 2013, Penny also spent time as the Member Services Manager and was asked to step up as Acting Executive Director for five months in 2012.

During her seven years as Executive Director, Penny has been influential in championing countless initiatives for the betterment of our industry. She has fought hard to ensure our industry standards are maintained, promoted the vital role the industry plays in maintaining the health and safety of our community, introduced campaigns to encourage the use of licensed plumbers, and welcomed legislation changes

A DRIVING FORCE FOR CHANGE that will help subbies get paid for the work they do. This is just a snapshot of the changes and developments Penny has been behind, and the list grows each week as she inspires all of her team to find new ways that the Association can try to make a difference.

With a weekly calendar that is a Tetris game of meetings and two young children to care for and spend time with, I often wonder how she does it. But then you see her in action. A car journey is an opportunity to make a phone call, board papers are read on the exercise bike, and emails are sent in the quiet hours when most people are asleep. Penny credits a very supportive husband and family for helping her find a balance, and where she once tried to go to every meeting and event, selectivity and delegation have become key skills that help her make more time for her family.

Penny at the 2019 Plumbing & Gas Industry Awards

As a mum, Penny can relate to our members, with many of our smaller members being husband and wife teams, where the husband is working on the tools and the wife manages the office, children and everything else. She feels that these women running the business are often underappreciated, even by themselves. They are effectively non-executive directors.

As a female leader in a male dominated industry, Penny is an advocate for more women choosing a career in the plumbing industry.

She believes that it is important that women are given the opportunity to network with, learn from, and support each other. By having groups like the Women’s Plumbing Alliance to help recognise the work that women do in the industry, it can only help encourage more females to consider it as a career. To quote Penny directly: “We don’t have a choice. We need more diversity in our industry so that we can be bigger and better at what we do.”

Addressing the need to get more people into the plumbing and gas trades, Penny has been leading the team at MPAQ in educating school students and career seekers about the opportunities. 2020 will be the fifth consecutive year that MPAQ has run the plumbing ambassadorship program, which sends both licensed plumbers and apprentices to talk to school students about opportunities in our trade.

Securing the future of the plumbing industry is a priority for Penny.

Penny has worked hard to get to where she is today, and I have no doubt she will continue to work harder every day, inspiring those around her to work just as hard to make change happen for the betterment of MPAQ members and the industry as a whole.

Written by Ashleigh Stonehewer, Member Services and Communications Coordinator, MPAQ

Do you have a story you would like to tell?

Let us know by emailing advertising@mpaq.com.au or calling 07 3273 0800.

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| MASTER PLUMBER MAGAZINE January/February 2020

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MASTER PLUMBER MAGAZINE January/February 2020 |

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DROUGHT

QUEENSLAND

DROUGHT CRISIS We know that circumstances across the state are dire because of the drought crisis, with Central and Western Queensland feeling it the most. In December, South East Queensland councils were also added to the drought declarations.

The drought has closed in on South East Queensland with eight councils drought-declared.

Minister for Agricultural Industry Development Mark Furner said he had accepted the recommendations of the local drought committees based on the significant lack of rain, depleted pasture reserves and escalating concerns about agricultural water supply.

“Local drought committees usually meet at the end of the wet season in April, but due to the deteriorating conditions since then, these committees decided to recommend the areas be drought declared from 1 December,” Mr Furner said.

“There are now 41 councils and four part council areas drought declared, and 16 Individually Droughted Properties (IDPs) in a further five Local Government Areas*” he said.

“These declarations represent 67.4 per cent of the land area of Queensland.

“In these regions, local drought committee members have observed extreme rainfall deficiencies, above average temperatures, poor pasture growth, low soil moisture profiles, failed winter grain, forage and horticultural crops, little to no planting of summer forage and grain crops, and significant concerns about stock, irrigation and rural water supplies.

View the drought declaration map at longpaddock.qld.gov.au For further information about drought assistance visit daf.qld.gov.au or call the Customer Service Centre on 13 25 23.

MAX HAS CONSERVATION TIPS ON TAP The drought-hit Queensland town of Stanthorpe is limiting residents to 100 litres per person per day — but this former plumber reckons they can do much better.

MPAQ Associate Retired member Max Hunter is the “drought master’’ of Stanthorpe, whittling away at his water consumption to survive, in one record breaking streak, on 42 litres a day.

Few people outside the community understand exactly what happens when a town begins to run dry.

The council offers shower facilities in the town, washing water is saved for plants, toilets go unflushed for “number ones’’ and if you are outside town and need to top up the tank, it’s a

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truck load of water costing anywhere between $250 and $500.

Max draws on half a century of experience in plumbing to conserve water.

He rapidly identifies any leaks and uses only top line parts in repairs.

He and wife Jill wash their clothes once a week, and use the water from the first load of whites to wash the second load, then put what water remains on the garden.

He recommends installing water-saving shower heads, flow restrictors on taps, and capturing the first few seconds of flow when you turn on the hot water tap.

Read the full story at www.couriermail.com.au.

Article source: www.couriermail.com.au

| MASTER PLUMBER MAGAZINE January/February 2020

Max Hunter

*Information correct as at 10/12/2019

DROUGHT

HUGHES CONTRACTING GROUP SHOWING

THEIR SUPPORT

Article written by Sonya and Ben Hughes, Hughes Contracting Group

Our family members are hobby farmers from Northern NSW who have seen first-hand many farming families struggle during drought, flood and bush fires.

I heard of a local man not returning to his family after being turned away from a local sale yard due to his livestock being in poor condition and deemed unable to be sold. This farmer was overwhelmed with embarrassment, shame and felt he had failed his family and had no option but to take his own life.

Unfortunately, this is not a single occurrence, as I have since heard the same scenario across our country with farming families feeling the very real struggle.

Our close family friends who have a largescale beef production farm between St George and Mitchell struggle daily, with the daily loss of cattle from drought, flood and poisonous weeds.

At times they have to de-stock the property, selling breeding cattle, calves, working dogs and horses. Buying water, grain, food and fuel – money just doesn’t go far enough.

Ben Hughes, Hughes Contracting Group

We were at this property on one occasion – where we volunteer our time and plumbing services at no cost to the family – when Drought Angels drove up the very long driveway.

I can’t explain in words the joy and the tears from the property owners, seeing Drought Angels and knowing they had help and support. It wasn’t just seeing people, as that is another rare occasion, but to have genuine, real, warm people that care.

So, in return of their hard work supporting our much-needed farming families, I have volunteered my time to help in any way I can.

Because of my first hand experience, I can never repay Drought Angles for everything they have done and continue to do for our farmers.

Thank you Drought Angels!

TOP TIPS TO

CONSERVE WATER

With SEQ dam levels below 60%, everyone is being encouraged to save water. Small efforts now may make a big difference later.

Make sure you’re sharing your water saving knowledge with your customers.

Need Water Efficiency Forms?

MPAQ members can access Water Efficiency Certificate Forms, both NSW and QLD versions on the MPAQ website. To access these plumbing forms, visit the Technical section on our website www. mpaq.com.au.

As we know, a great deal of water can be lost to poorly maintained or faulty plumbing fixtures, leaking pipes or fittings.

Sometimes this is easy to identify, like a dripping tap, other issues may be more difficult to detect such as underground leaks and a slow running toilet.

If you are out and about on a job remind home owners to: • Fix dripping taps that are often caused by old/faulty washers or damaged tap seat/cartridge.

• Check for a leaking toilet: • Listen for a slight hissing noise coming from the cistern long after flushing.

• Add some dye to the cistern to help see water running down the back of the toilet bowl.

• Place a piece of toilet paper on the back of the bowl to see if it

becomes wet from running water down the back of the bowl.

• Continuously leaking toilets can waste up to 60,000 litres of water a year.

• Keep an eye on pool levels, and if it is dropping more than expected advise home owners to contact their local pool shop for a list of pool leak detectors.

• Check gardens and lawns for unexplained wet areas, a nonuniform green patch of grass or a damp/soggy area. This may be a burst or leaking pipe underground.

• Regularly check irrigation systems for leaking pipes and fittings.

Everyone and every drop counts.

Visit www.seqwater.com.au to learn more.

MASTER PLUMBER MAGAZINE January/February 2020 |

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DROUGHT

PASFIELD PLUMBING ARE

DOING THEIR PART Article written by Jess and Dan Pasfield, Pasfield Plumbing

I met the founder of Drought Angels at the MPAQ Melbourne Cup function. She struck me as someone with genuine intentions regarding her charity.

Penny Cornah (left), MPAQ Executive Director, and Kent Vickers (right), MPAQ President, with Joanna Bender and Natasha Johnston, Drought Angels

THANK YOU

FOR SUPPORTING DROUGHT ANGELS IN 2019!

MPAQ are pleased to announce that, with the support of everyone that attended our events throughout 2019, we were able to raise $9,200 for Drought Angels.

Drought Angels provides a unique service for which it is has become well known for within the rural sector. Through direct personal contact with the farmers, Drought Angels has earnt a reputation for providing personalised, heartfelt and discreet assistance. They help those who would not normally reach out but prefer to battle it alone, which can lead to severe depression and in some cases suicide. One-on-one support aids in ‘breaking down the barriers’ of a proud demographic who quite often have never received a hand up. They can be the first generation of many who have to contemplate walking off the land and selling blood lines that have taken years to build up. These are the people of most concern and often forgotten.

Visit www.droughtangels.org.au to learn more.

Thank you to everyone who has contributed to this amazing result this year and helped to make a difference!

Drought Angels Director, Natasha Johnston expressed her gratitude when receiving the cheque at the Melbourne Cup Lunch in November.

“Wow, what a great achievement raising $9,200 this year. We are so grateful to MPAQ for your support. The funds will go towards our Christmas campaign of providing 4,000 farmers registered with us with a $100 visa. We are sending them this in a Christmas card and asking that they use it to have a nice Christmas lunch. These funds will be spent at their local butcher, baker or supermarket and, therefore, supporting the local businesses in their community. For every $1 spent in town that dollar goes around six to seven times, so you can see the importance of helping the local businesses too.”

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I approached her during a break and spoke with her one on one. She told me personal stories of the people she helps directly and sees face to face. I was shocked and knew we must assist in any way, even if it was small. It didn’t feel right to not act.

We decided as a business to donate for every job we got to assist with drought relief. We also released a video on social media explaining why and what we were doing. We donated a total of $490.00 last month and look forward to our future donations!

ANNOUNCING THE 2020 MPAQ CHARITY This is a Conversation Starter (TIACS) foundation was created by Ed Ross and Daniel Allen, two social entrepreneurs from Brisbane.

After Dan lost a close mate to suicide in late 2015, it became obvious that there was a significant lack of understanding around mental health, particularly among young men. After starting the work wear company, TradeMutt in 2018, Dan and Ed wanted to further their work and launched TIACS in 2019. Their mission is to empower people with the tools and understanding to practice mental wellness and in turn reduce the rate of suicide.

Visit www.tiacs.org to learn more.

MPAQ is proud to announce that our members have chosen TIACS as our charity for 2020!

AMBASSADORS

Patrick Wright showing some tricks of the trade

Minister Mick de Brenni MP, Natalie Christian, Patrick Wright, and Daniel McClinton

Daniel McClinton advising school kids on plumbing apprenticeships

2019 AMBASSADORS

SHOWCASING THE TRADE At the beginning of 2019, MPAQ began the search for volunteers to help us spread awareness of the plumbing and gas industry through career and school expos, magazine articles and speaking positions at various events.

Due to the overwhelming amount of applications, MPAQ elected three ambassadors for 2019: Daniel McClinton, a licensed plumbing and business owner, and Natalie Christian and Patrick Wright, apprentice plumbers. Throughout 2019, the three ambassadors provided apprenticeship information and engaged, educated and shared industry experiences with future potential apprentices at over 10 career expos.

MPAQ would like to thank Natalie, Patrick and Dan for all their hard work throughout 2019 and for taking the time out of their busy schedules to connect with the up and coming apprentices of the future!

Here’s what two of our ambassadors had to say about their experience…

Patrick Wright Going into 2019, I knew I wanted to test myself and my comfort levels more than just completing another year of my apprenticeship.

Never would I have thought of being an ambassador for the industry, so when my training instructor emailed me suggesting this role I automatically jumped for it. And I’m glad I did.

I was able to share experiences and knowledge with those interested in a career within the industry along with Natalie and Daniel. The genuine interest of people we encountered really opened my eyes to the fact that we are part of an incredible industry that offers so much more than just a career. It was incredible to be a part of ensuring the future of the plumbing industry.

I would like to say a huge thank you to the team at MPAQ: Penny for allowing me to be a part of the MPAQ team for the year, and Lisa, Riley and Alana who have been absolutely amazing to work with and have made being an ambassador an absolute treat.

So to sum things up, it has been amazing to say the least, and I look forward to continuing to work with MPAQ in the future.

Daniel McClinton

actually do. It has given them more knowledge about the trade enabling them to decide whether plumbing would be a possible career path they may take.

I enjoyed every moment of being an ambassador and getting the opportunity to help the younger generation envision what career they may pursue.

With people being very career driven and time poor these days it felt good to give back to the community and help the younger generation choose a career path that may not be the same as their parents or relatives and show them that you don’t have to go to university to be a business owner.

One piece of advice I have for kids looking to get into a trade is that just because you pick something doesn’t mean you have to do it for the rest of your life. Try it and if it’s not what you want to do, find something else.

Are you interested in being a Plumbing Ambassador in 2020? Contact the MPAQ events team on 07 3273 0800 or email events@mpaq.com.au.

2019 for me was a good year of learning from some new experiences that I pushed myself to do that I usually wouldn’t. Becoming an ambassador for MPAQ was one thing that I am very grateful I did.

As a small country town boy from the Bega area who is now running a small business in a city, the ambassadorship allowed me to experience different personalities and backgrounds of the kids of today. It also painted for me a picture of what I should expect from the younger generation coming through and what manual labour experience the kids may have had living in the city.

I learnt that most kids who were interested in a trade had parents or relatives who were in the trade industry, and they didn’t really know what types of jobs plumbers actually did.

The most common question was about fixing blockages or burst water pipes. Only a small amount of kids actually talked about the installation process or the types of services plumbers installed.

I genuinely believe the school visits have impacted the mindset of the students and helped them Natalie Christian encouraging understand what plumbers the girls to give it a crack

MASTER PLUMBER MAGAZINE January/February 2020 |

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February Sunday

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Brisbane Backflow Course RLD WO ING MB t PLU reakfas B DAY

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Sunshine Coast TMV Course

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April Sunday

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Brisbane Backflow Course

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Key TMV - CPCPWT4023A - Commission and Maintain Hot and Heated Water Temperature Control Devices Backflow - CPCPWT4022A - Commission and Maintain Backflow Prevention Devices Design & Size - CPCPGS4011C Design and Size Consumer Gas Installations Service Type A Gas - CPCPGS4022A - Service Type A Gas Appliances RTO Code: 30473

Visit MPAQ.com.au for Events & Training info

Navigating the Future of the Trades Industry | 2-3 September | Brisbane Fire Backflow

Gas

Hydraulics Inspectors

Mechanical Plumbing

Find out more at www.tradesindustryconference.com

SOCIAL

BRISBANE PLUMBING AND GAS INDUSTRY GOLF DAY MPAQ held their annual Brisbane Plumbing and Gas Industry Golf day on Friday 18 October 2019 at the McLeod Country Golf Club. Over 100 players and 17 partners came together for a great day of golf. A special thank you to our Event Partner, Toyota! Members of Master Plumbers’ Association of Queensland can access savings across the Toyota vehicle range thanks to their Gold Fleet discount.

From the smart tech-savvy Corolla to the rugged work-ready HiLux, there is a vehicle to fit every job and household.

Thanks again to everyone that attended the day and we look forward to seeing you at the next one!

2019 Brisbane Golf Players

Everyone getting ready for a great day of golf

Cornwalls Golf Hole

QIGS team photo

Aquatite Team with Leigh Mackay and Glenn Owens, BUSSQ

DBYD competition winners with Carol Pease, DBYD

Spanner Plumbing with Lisa Ross, MPAQ

WILL YOU

LOSE YOUR

INSURANCE? Super funds may be required to ‘turn off’ your insurance cover on 1 APRIL 2020 if your account balance has not totalled $6,000 or more since 1 November 2019.

Thank You to Our Partners for Their Support in 2019 Major Contractors Group

As the leaders of the industry, the Major Contractors Major Contractors Group allows for suppliers and contractors to meet and network on a regular basis and build beneficial relationships. 2019 was a great year for the Major Contractors Group, and it wouldn’t have been possible without our partners!

You CAN keep your cover if you want to.

To find out how call Troy Wolter on 1800 856 722 or visit bussq.com.au.

The Government’s new Putting Members’ Interests First law which comes into effect on 1 April 2020 looks to better target automatic insurance cover and prevent inappropriate erosion of retirement savings caused by insurance premiums. This information is general advice only and does not take into account or consider your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting, you should review the relevant Product Disclosure Statement to ensure you have all the information about the relevant BUSSQ product and how it works and consider the appropriateness of the information to your needs or seek independent advice from a properly qualified professional. Prepared by BUSS(Queensland) Pty Ltd (ABN 15 065 081 281, AFSL 237860) as Trustee for BUSSQ (BUSSQ Fund, ABN 85 571 332 201).

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Maintenance and Construction Contractors Group

Previously the Large Maintenance and Minor Commercial Group and rebranded in 2019 to the Maintenance and Construction Contractors Group, this group grew in 2019 and we look forward to a successful 2020. A big thank you to RWC who partnered with the group for 2019.

Q A P M #

Wan th e M t t o f e at page PA Q So ure on c ? on In Use our ial st a g r hash t ag am s o we c an you’ see what re up t o!

PRODUCT NEWS

HALGAN LIQUID WASTE INTRODUCING RIDGID®

K-5208 DRAIN CLEANER

Halgan is excited to announce the arrival of the first in their fleet of grease trap pump trucks and launch of their new Liquid Waste division.

For over 20 years, Halgan, an Australian owned and operated company, has manufactured rotational moulded pre-treatment products and is a market leader in trade waste products. From here they recognised a strategic alignment with the liquid waste disposal industry and have undertaken a dynamic growth strategy into the servicing and pump out business.

The Halgan Liquid Waste division is focused on the cleaning, collection, transportation and treatment of all kinds of liquid waste. With extensive industry experience, their team has the knowledge, understanding and commitment to quality standards, and the service to deliver.

They offer Australia wide servicing including scheduled grease trap cleaning and maintenance, plus emergency pump outs.

Their commitment to high quality customer care and service continues.

Halgan Liquid Waste can be contacted on 1800 626 753 or at info@halganliquidwaste.com.au if you require any further details.

The RIDGID® K-5208 is the most powerful and compact sectional drain cleaner on the market.

Power meets portability as this machine is 35% lighter and 71% smaller than previous RIDGID sectional drain cleaners. Clear two inch to eight inch (50 – 200 mm) drain lines faster and cleaner with the K-5208. Combine with the K-5208 Transport Cart to create an all-in-one mobile work station.

Additional features of the K-5208 are a tool-less clutch that can quickly adjust to accommodate 7/8” (22 mm) cable up to 175’ (53 m) or 1 ¼” (32 mm) cable up to 200’ (61 mm), an efficient in-field clutch serviceability to minimise down time when maintenance is needed, and the sectional cable carrier improves loading and unloading cables while delivering a cleaner and innovative fluid management system for a cleaner work environment.

For more information visit www.ridgid.com.au or contact Ridge Tool Australia on 1800 743 443 or email ridgid.australia@emerson.com.

VIEGA LAUNCHES GEOPRESS K FOR AUSTRALIA’S CIVIL ENGINEERING SECTOR Ground-breaking Tapping Valve ensures safe service connections right from the start.

German brand Viega, a global market leader in press-fit technology, has launched its renowned Geopress K system into the Australian market.

Considered the most reliable underground supply lines on earth, Geopress K is compatible with all standard Polyethylene (PE) gas and drinking water piping installations and has been specifically engineered for HDPE SDR11 Pipe.

What makes Geopress K so significant to the hydraulic, plumbing, engineering and civil engineering sectors is its revolutionary Tapping Valve, which combines a tapping band and isolation valve within the one device.

“There’s nothing else like it in the market,” says Glenn Lewindon, Civil & Utilities Account Manager at Viega. “Live Tapping of the main supply line takes only a few minutes; due to the integrated miller for PE pipes, drilling can be carried out without having to use an external drilling machine – or disconnecting water from the main line.”

Quick and Easy Installation of Underground Supply Lines

The green clamping ring of the Geopress K connector fulfils two functions at once. First, it acts as a grab ring to resist tensile forces and, second, to serve as an unmistakable marker that the connection is correctly and permanently pressed. This is because the green clamping ring only

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| MASTER PLUMBER MAGAZINE January/February 2020

becomes visible on the outside of the pipe when the connection is completely and safely pressed.

Viega’s Geopress K system is free of elastomers and its glass fiberreinforced, highstrength polymer connectors feature internal sealing, which allows pipes with damaged surfaces to be permanently pressed without preparation. Supply lines, therefore, can be quickly and easily installed.

With various outlets for the Geopress K system, Viega’s Tapping Valve provides the highest flexibility for the job. The fittings are also made from high-strength polymer and are available for drinking water (9690TW) and gas (9690G). The material ensures enormous stability and superior durability – features that are of the utmost importance for underground installations.

For more product information on Viega Geopress K, go to www.viega.com.au.

MEMBER BENEFITS

MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR MPAQ MEMBERSHIP THIS YEAR MPAQ are proud to advocate on your behalf to improve the industry, but that’s not all we’re here for!

Your membership is here to offer you and your business support wherever it’s needed. While we have a vast range of agreements with corporate partners to get you access to exclusive discounts and offers, we also have a number of internal resources for you to use.

Make sure you are making the most of your membership in 2020.

LATEST INDUSTRY UPDATES MPAQ members are kept up-to-date with the latest industry news and legislation changes through a member only fortnightly enewsletter and alert emails. MPAQ also produces a bi-monthly magazine that all members are automatically profiled to receive a free copy.

Technical and Workplace Relations Advice Our Technical Services and Workplace Relations teams are here to support you when you need it. Whether you’re on a job site or in the office managing staff, we have the support there for you.

The Technical Services team is able to provide you with advice about legislation, regulations and standards, as well as any questions you might need help with when you’re on a tricky job.

The Workplace Relations team is here to support you with all your human resource and industrial relations needs, including wages advice, apprentice information, employee and contract management, and much more.

Talk to the team at MPAQ today by calling 07 3273 0800.

MPAQ Update

The MPAQ Update contains informative articles and updates on matters concerning the industry and the Association, circulated via email to MPAQ members on a fortnightly basis.

The purpose of the e-newsletter is to ensure MPAQ members are frequently informed of any news that has an impact on them and their business. It includes industry changes, upcoming events, advancement opportunities, new product news, alerts on new member benefits, as well as many other types of information.

Master Plumber Magazine

The Master Plumber is a specialist publication providing valuable industry information, with a long-standing reputation of over 50 years as a high class magazine. As an industry specific publication for Queensland, it provides members with independent coverage of news, issues, changes and events that directly and indirectly affect the industry. It also provides a host of information on lifestyle, health and industry specific events that are engaging and relevant to the readership.

If you are an MPAQ member and you’re not receiving the MPAQ communications, call the MPAQ Communications team on 07 3273 0800 or email advertising@mpaq.com.au.

Plumbing Specific Contracts MPAQ in conjunction with Cornwalls offer a number of Plumbing Specific Contracts that only MPAQ members can purchase: • Employment Contracts – templates that provide important employment related information to help you manage your employer-employee relationship. These templates have been developed to cover full time, part time and casual employees and to also cover tradespersons and clerical.

• Work Contracts – Whether you’re building a house, carrying out a renovation, or you just need a written agreement between you and your subcontractors, we have a contract to support you, including Contract for Domestic Works, Contract for Plumbing Services, Master Contract, and Master Subcontract.

To learn more about the Plumbing Specific Contracts, visit www.mpaq.com.au or call the MPAQ membership team on 07 3273 0800.

Free Electronic Plumbing Forms Members have access to 18 electronic plumbing forms that can be submitted to local authorities and state governments. They should be downloaded and perused in conjunction with the Plumbing and Drainage Act 2018, the Standard Plumbing and Drainage Regulation 2019 and the Plumbing and Drainage Regulation 2019. The forms include, Form 9s, Water Efficiency Certification forms, TMV forms, and more.

You can access these by signing into the MPAQ website and visiting www.mpaq.com.au/technical/plumbing-forms.

Thinking about Becoming an MPAQ Member?

If you’re not a member but would like to talk to someone about what MPAQ membership includes, we have two Sales and Membership Specialists who are here to help!

Jason Searle Representative for north of Brisbane and south of Cairns Mobile: 0439 545 240 Email: jason.searle@mpaq.com.au

Leah Govorko Representative for south of Brisbane, Toowoomba, Ipswich, and Cairns Mobile: 0402 339 762 Email: leah.govorko@mpaq.com.au MASTER PLUMBER MAGAZINE January/February 2020 |

35

MEMBER NEWS

NATIONAL PIPE RELINING FRANCHISE ANNOUNCES INDUSTRY AWARD WINNERS

PLUMBING BROS TEAM RAISES OVER $10,000 FOR MOVEMBER Throughout November, MPAQ members teamed up with Austworld, Barber Bros, and the Gold Coast SUNS, raising a total of $10,685 for the Movember Foundation.

The final total is a culmination of fundraising throughout November and the donations taken at the Mo-ment event that was held at the end of the month, where $1,334 was raised

through raffles and a star cuts auction where attendees were able to bid donations for four brave participants to receive mo’ makeovers.

Gold Coast SUNS players participated in a Q&A panel, discussing how they deal with mental issues in the sport, and a number of prizes were handed out, including the top three team members who raised the most throughout the month: 1. AC Plumbing team – $1,045 2. Dennis Yarrow – $505 3. John Reimers – $380 You can learn more about the Movember foundation and their initiatives at www.movember.com.au.

Plumbing, Corey Stevens, AC players NS SU t as Co ld with Go

Ethan Yarrow, Dennis Yarrow, Kent Vickers, Shivani Yarrow, and Jenny Stranges.

Star Cuts

Pipe relining company, Nuflow, has announced the winners of its annual franchise awards at its national conference.

The awards, held in 2019 in Queenstown, New Zealand, are given out in recognition of excellence in customer service, innovation and best product use.

Nuflow managing director, Ed Ahern, said the company’s network of 40 plus franchisees continues to grow, so it’s important to ensure the benchmark for best practice is not only acknowledged but rewarded.

The winners of each category included: • Blueline Job of the Year – Nuflow Toowoomba • Redline Job of the Year – Nuflow Gold Coast • Greenline Job of the Year – Nuflow Western Australia • Most Valuable Partner – Nuflow Brisbane South | Logan | Ipswich • Franchise Partner of the Year – Nuflow Central Queensland • Ian Barlow Innovation Award – Nuflow Southern New Zealand • Brand Ambassador of the Year – Nuflow Sydney City • Nuflow Employee of the Year – Jason Oldaker, Manufacturing Manager Nuflow has developed a unique system of relining pipes from the inside, meaning no digging or excavation is required, with the work guaranteed for 50 years.

For more information visit www.nuflow.net or call 1800 683 569.

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| MASTER PLUMBER MAGAZINE January/February 2020

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NAVIGATING THE FUTURE OF THE TRADES INDUSTRY 2 - 3 SEPTEMBER Royal International Convention Centre, Brisbane 8 STREAMS | 30+ SPEAKERS | SITE TOURS AND WORKSHOPS | TRADE EXHIBITION

REGISTRATION NOW OPEN FIND OUT MORE AT WWW.TRADESINDUSTRYCONFERENCE.COM

NEW MEMBERS

WELCOME TO MPAQ’S CONGRATULATIONS TO NEW MEMBERS MPAQ’S MILESTONE MEMBERS NAME

COMPANY

DIVISION

Cale Cody

Malandot Plumbing

Brisbane North

Daniel Mackinnon

Top Choice Plumbing & Gas Pty Ltd Brisbane North

Jonny Stokes

Stokes Plumbing & Gas Pty Ltd

Brisbane North

Mitch Winterburn

Cylinder Plumbing Pty Ltd

Brisbane North

Robert Baker

J & D Contracting

Brisbane North

NAME

Noel O’Leary

Ben Thomas Plumbing

Brisbane South

DIVISION

MILESTONE

Brisbane South

30

Fraser Coast

30

Gregory Plumb

North Qld

30

Paul Plumb

North Qld

30

John Ahern

Mackay

25

Australia Wide

25

North Qld

20

Peter Gleeson

Benjamin Thomas

COMPANY

Darren Smallhorne

Hervey Bay Plumbing

Zip Heaters (Aust) Pty Ltd

Bob Kimlin Michael Mills

Onpoint Plumbing & Gas Pty Ltd

Brisbane South

Kelly Byles

Mainline Drainage Pty Ltd

Brisbane South

Martin Brown

Just Gas Fitting and Plumbing

Brisbane South

Ian MacDonald

Christopher McIlwain

Zone Plumbing and Backflow

Brisbane South

Malcolm Weatherald

Stephen Alexander Alexander Plumbing

Far North Qld

David Roos

Wet Tropics Plumbing

Far North Qld

Paul Owens

Paul Owens Plumbing

Far North Qld

Willi Kruger

KontraTech Pty Ltd

Fraser Coast

David Erhard

DJE Plumbing

Gold Coast

Kevin Silk

Trent West

Let It Flow Plumbing

Gold Coast

Darrell Tweed

Darrell Tweed Plumbing Country Supplies

10

Jerome Batten

All Areas Plumbing and Drainage

Gold Coast

Craig Dillon

Palm Beach Plumbing and Drainage

Gold Coast

10

Ethan Leaver

Forefront Plumbing and Maintenance

Gold Coast

James Giles

James Giles Plumbing Pty Ltd

Fraser Coast

5

Daniel Draper

D Plumbing & Bathrooms

Ipswich

Karl Ernst

X Factor Plumbing

Toowoomba

5

Noah Hampsey

NJH Plumbing Pty Ltd

Brisbane South

5

Craig Neary

Craig Neary Plumbing & Gas

Bundaberg

5

Jason Vella

Blue Sky Plumbing/ Drainage and Gas Fitting Pty Ltd

Brisbane North

5

Kevin Spiers

Kev’s 23 1/2 Hr Plumbing Service

Brisbane South

5

Russell Campbell

R J Campbell Plumbing Pty Ltd

Brisbane North

5

Jim Monger

Jim Monger Plumbing

Brisbane South

5

Joel Johnson

JMJ Plumbing

Brisbane South

5

Lachlan Cooke

Tropical Coast Plumbing

Michael Woodward Woodward Plumbing and Gas Taylor Cutler

Podium

Mackay

Chris Vella Plumbing & Gas Fitting

Mackay

15

Tim Anderssen

TAP Plumbing & Gas Fitting Pty Ltd

Toowoomba

10

Brisbane North

10

Aaron’s Plumbing & Drainage Services

Brisbane South

10

Stuart Woodruffe

Ease Property Services Pty Ltd

Brisbane South

10

Elaine Karasz

Davey Water Products Pty Ltd

Brisbane North

10

Nick Moore

Saniflo (Australasia) Pty Ltd

Brisbane South

10

Jamie Emanuel

The Plumber Guy

Brisbane South

10

Kerry Bath

Bathy’s Plumbing

Central

10

Sunshine Coast

10

North Qld Outside Queensland

Callum Cannan

Cannan Plumbing Solutions

Sunshine Coast

Andrew Burton

Burtons Plumbing Solutions

Sunshine Coast

Ben Sweet

Ben Sweet Pty Ltd

Toowoomba

38

Chris Vella

| MASTER PLUMBER MAGAZINE January/February 2020

SUPPORTERS

THE SUPPORTERS OF OUR INDUSTRY Trading Contact

Platinum Corporate Supporters Australian Valve Group BUSSQ Building Super Emerson Valvcheq Backflow simPRO Software Pty Ltd Reece Reliance Worldwide Corporation Toyota Tradelink WFI Insurance

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Gold Corporate Supporters Bretts Trade Plumbing Supplies Decina Bathroomware Pty Ltd Dial Before You Dig (Qld) Ltd GWA Group Kembla QLeave Rheem Australia Pty Ltd Zip Heaters (Aust) Pty Ltd Zurn Australia

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Grundfos Pumps Pty Ltd Handford Virtual Services Hydroflow Distributors Insinkerator K & R Plumbing Supplies – Toowoomba Kennards Test and Measure Qld Kingspan Water & Energy Pty Limited Lifestyle Tradie Group Pty Ltd Logical Metering Master Hire Modus Operandi Openpay Pty Ltd Ozzi Kleen Payright Plastec Australia Pty Ltd Plumbcall Franchise Systems Pty Ltd Plumbing Plus Queensland Plumbspec Plus Passive Fire Podium Porters PROTRADE United Quantum Legioguard Pty Ltd Queensland Brassware Association Queensland Gas Association QUT Facilities Management Rain Harvesting Rehau Pty Ltd Ridge Tool (Aust) Pty Ltd Samios Saniflo Shower Sealed Pty Ltd SkillsTech Australia Snap Fire Systems Pty Ltd SolarEast Australasia Pty Ltd Specialised Plumbing Centre Stiebel Eltron (Aust) Pty Ltd Stoddart Stormtech Pty Ltd Stratco (Qld) Pty Ltd Studor Australia Pty Ltd Supakwik Water Heaters Pty Ltd Taylex Industries Pty Ltd The Bidet Shop The Couta Group The Service Trades College Australia The Wondercap Company Pty Ltd Totally Workwear Tradie Bookkeeping Solutions Valves R Us Viega Pty Ltd Vinidex Pty Ltd Zetco Valves Pty Ltd

07 5540 6700 0487 000 557 1300 493 359 0447 886 648 07 4634 2955 07 3823 0055 02 8889 5408 1800 704 822 0418 185 751 07 3375 5555 0421 399 107 03 9009 7211 07 5459 4900 1300 338 496 07 5413 4444 07 4922 5697 07 4634 2955 0423 563 030 07 3861 1021 0478 180 191 07 4967 3333 1300 767 774 1800 228 118 0410 194 667 1300 792 239 07 3188 2331 07 3248 9600 07 5527 1833 03 9930 7000 07 3907 8399 1300 557 779 1300 519 133 07 3244 0209 07 3348 9417 1300 668 886 07 3862 1166 07 3399 3711 07 3440 7600 02 4423 1989 07 3451 4444 1300 551 519 07 3800 0575 07 3441 5200 07 5591 7744 03 8405 3386 07 3255 5698 07 5539 3665 07 3249 4000 0468 944 130 07 3865 1488 02 8853 7867 07 3277 2822 02 9516 1336

Associate Council Brisbane City Council Bundaberg Regional Council Gympie Regional Council Isaac Regional Council Livingstone Shire Council (LSC) Logan City Council Mackay Regional Council Moreton Bay Regional Council Mount Isa City Council Quilpie Shire Council Rockhampton Regional Council Sunshine Coast Regional Council Townsville City Council

07 3403 8888 07 4130 4814 1300 307 800 07 4964 5400 07 4913 5000 07 3412 3412 07 4961 9011 07 3205 0555 07 4747 3200 07 4656 0500 07 4932 9000 07 5420 8618 13 48 10

MASTER PLUMBER MAGAZINE January/February 2020 |

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