The Senate’s passage of the Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Amendment Bill 2014 in the early hours of yesterday morning has been described as a victory for common sense by the Chief Executive Officer of the National Electrical an Communications Association (NECA), Suresh Manickam.

“Last night’s passage of the Registered Organisations Act is a victory for common sense. Strengthening governance arrangements and bringing compliance arrangements for Registered Organisations into line with companies is a practical step to ensure greater accountability, transparency and professionalism,” said Mr Manickam.

“Given the findings of the Royal Commission into Trade Union Governance and Corruption, as well as the subsequent activities uncovered at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games sites and elsewhere, the passage of this Bill was long overdue and has been consistently supported by NECA since its drafting in 2014.”

The aim of the Bill is to ensure stronger governance and financial transparency of registered organisations with measures put in place to strengthen compliance with the RO Act for organisations and disclosure for public officers. Increased civil penalties and criminal offences for serious breaches of officers’ duties and conduct are contained within the Act. This bill, along with the Building and Construction Industry (Improving Productivity) Bill 2013 were triggers for the July double-dissolution election.

“This outcome is the first step in delivering a more transparent and accountable building and construction sector as well as reducing unlawful behaviour.

The next step is the passage of legislation enabling the re-establishment of the Australian Building and Construction Commission (ABCC).  We now call upon the Senate to pass this accompanying legislation, for the betterment of Australia’s electrical contractors, a more effective and efficient construction sector, a workplace where bullying and unlawful behaviour is held to account and consumers/taxpayers will benefit from cheaper prices.

-ENDS-

Media enquiries and interviews

Barry Jackson – National Marketing and Communications

E barry.jackson@neca.asn.au

D 02 9962 6904

M 0457 767 328

Andrew Jefferies – National Policy and Submissions

E andrew.jefferies@neca.asn.au

D 02 9962 6903

M 0458 726 355

Notes for editors

1. NECA is the peak industry body representing the interests of electrical and communications contractors Australia-wide.
2. NECA is run by electrical contractors, for electrical contractors.
3. We have 5,000 contracting companies as members – and they in turn employ over 50,000 people Australia-wide.
4. NECA employs almost 350 people across its seven chapters (Queensland, New South Wales, ACT, Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia and Western Australia).
5. The chapters provide NECA members with a range of services including: Industrial Relations, Health & Safety, Legal, Technical, Training, business-support services, product discounts and advocacy representation in Canberra with Government, Industry bodies and Training bodies.
6. NECA wholly-owns its RTOs and GTOs in NSW, VIC & WA, the EcoSmart Electricians initiative and ACRS – one of the national cabling registrars, and has a joint venture with a superannuation company in NSW (NESS Super).
7. NECA also employ around 2,000 apprentice electricians and provides training to a further 2,000.
8. For further information go to www.neca.asn.au.