Transfer of Responsibility for the Plumbers, Gasfitters, and Drainlayers Act
Although not addressed in the Bill, government has separately decided to transfer responsibility for the Plumbers, Gasfitters, and Drainlayers Act from the Ministry of Health to the Department of Building and Housing. The appropriate timing of the transfer, and transition issues, have yet to be determined.
Plumbing and drainlaying have historically been driven by health objectives; clean water supply and effective waste disposal have clearly been major contributors to improved standards of health, and health objectives remain paramount.
The Ministry of Health has a continuing interest in the improvement of health outcomes through sanitation, but it is not the only government agency with health related objectives. However the level at which the Ministry of Health is involved in sanitation related health outcomes has changed. Historically the main focus of public health activity was through the direct control of the workforce. The Ministry no longer has the technical expertise or capacity to continue to be involved at that level. Furthermore, changes in technology and the determinants of health mean that there is less need for direct intervention by the Ministry of Health.
The Building Act 2004 clearly states health and safety amongst its purposes, and is the legislation that controls plumbing and drainlaying outcomes (i.e. the technical specifications of plumbing and drainage systems to achieve the health objectives). Plumbers and drainlayers have a substantial involvement with buildings; under current requirements, local authorities are required under the Building Act 2004 to be satisfied on reasonable grounds that plumbing and drainlaying work is compliant.
This transfer is consistent with the overall objective of the Department of Building and Housing having oversight of various occupational licensing regimes related to building and housing. Responsibility for electrical worker licensing is to transfer to the Department in February 2006, and the transfer of responsibility for plumber, gasfitter and drainlayer licensing will assist the interface between these two Boards.
The transfer will not impact on the Board's responsibilities or governance arrangements. The existing roles of the Board, including its body corporate status, will remain and are included in the Energy Safety Review Bill
Process
The process for the transfer of responsibility for the Plumbers, Gasfitters, and Drainlayers Act to the Department of Building and Housing is independent of the Parliamentary process for the Energy Safety Review Bill.
While it has been important for planning purposes to decide now that the transfer is to be made, it is equally important to ensure that the transfer be implemented smoothly and with minimal disruption. For this reason, the Department of Building and Housing will be working in consultation with the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Economic Development to consider the appropriate timing of the transfer and transition issues. These matters are to be reported to government by 31 October 2005.
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