The peak Australian electrical industry body, the National Electrical and Communications Association (NECA) says it will be closely monitoring the effectiveness of the Fair Work Building and Construction (FWBC) agency which came into operation last week replacing the Australian Building and Construction Commission (ABCC).

NECA was a strong supporter of the ABCC and is worried that because of its reduced powers its replacement may not be as effective in regulating the building and construction industry.

NECA’s chief executive officer James Tinslay says, “NECA supports the existence of a strong independent regulator for the building and construction industry and hopes that the new FWBC can continue the good work already carried out by the ABCC.

“We will be closely monitoring the effectiveness of the new regulator. It has a vital role to play in making the building and construction industry more accountable and compliant and making sure that there is no reversion to some of the well-documented practices which blighted the industry.”

James has contacted Leigh Johns, the acting chief executive of the FWBC, offering to update the new regulator on activities in the electrical contracting sector.

“NECA represents around 5000 electrical contracting businesses and we have a thorough understanding of what is going on in the industry,” James says.

“That’s why we’re keen to meet with the FWBC as soon as possible to make sure that they’re on their guard against the danger that some of the illegal practices the ABCC stamped out could return to job sites across Australia now the power of the regulator has been watered down.

“In the 12 months before it was wound up the ABCC took action against a number of employers and unions in the building and construction industry for a range of illegal practices. This is a clear sign that these practices are still occurring and why it’s so important that the new building and construction regulator remains ever vigilant.”