BUILDERS and tradies remain open for business and are complying with the social distancing and hygiene rules, in line with the latest advice from government according to Master Builders Australia CEO Denita Wawn.

“The Prime Minister has confirmed that building is an essential industry and is being kept open but there is some confusion in the community about how this is applied to the home and we want to clear that up,” Ms Wawn said.

“Safe Work Australia advice confirms that a workplace includes a private home or dwelling, which means building workers and tradies will do everything to follow social distancing and strict hygiene practices, so any risks are eliminated or minimised.

“This means that the public can have confidence that they are doing the right thing in helping stop the spread of COVID-19, while still going ahead with their residential building projects.

“For home and property owners it is important to know that you don’t need to pull the plug on current work,” Ms Wawn said.

"Whether you’ve been planning a new build, a renovation job or you’ve been planning to talk to your builder about getting the ball rolling for this kind of project, you can still have your builder on your premises for purposes of work and be confident that they are complying with their obligations and that you are doing the right thing by the community,” Ms Wawn said.

“Whether its indoors or outdoors there is absolutely no problem with your project going ahead. There is no need to put kitchen or bathroom renovations, plumbing or electrical work or landscaping on hold.

“It’s also important for home and property owners and the community to know that Safe Work Australia has produced information for in-home workers and tradies, containing a range of practical information about client interactions, householder checks and other ways to reduce or eliminate risk,” Ms Wawn said.

“Our message to clients is that it’s your home and our members workplace so they will do everything necessary to comply with all safety laws.  It is still also more than okay to go and inspect a display home providing that you make an appointment. Our members are telling us that appointments are being made and now is a great time to do this,” Ms Wawn said.

“Builders and tradies care deeply about the safety and wellbeing of their communities and they are complying with the latest government advice so they can provide building services to their communities.

“There are nearly 370,000 residential building businesses in Australia, including thousands of mum and dad businesses. The survival of these businesses is essential to the livelihoods of builders and their families but also the state economy which is also under huge pressure from the COVID-19 crisis,” Ms Wawn said.

“We are encouraging the public to make the time now to book an appointment with their builder to plan their new project, to inspect a Display Home and continue on with their building project or renovation."

www.masterbuilders.com.au

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THE OVERWHELMING majority of NSW councils have signed up to a workplace deal that will protect thousands of local government jobs during the current health crisis, providing job retention payments for workers unable to undertake their usual roles due to COVID-19 service closures.

Negotiated between local government unions, councils, and employer association Local Government NSW, more than 100 councils have already signed on to the Local Government (COVID-19) Splinter Award 2020, which was approved by the NSW Industrial Relations Commission late yesterday.

The Splinter Award, which will apply for 12 months, is designed to deal specifically with the effects of the COVID-19 health crisis, operating in addition to the existing award and any enterprise agreements at individual councils.

Councils will be required to look for other suitable work for employees whose usual jobs have been impacted by mandatory closures or other changes, and where this isn’t possible those workers will be paid a weekly job retention allowance of $858.20 for a period of 13 weeks. Employees can supplement that allowance from their accrued annual or long service leave, taking it up to their ordinary pay rate.

It also entitles employees to up to four weeks of Special Leave at their normal pay rate to cover any period where no work can be provided, including if an employee is required to self-isolate.

USU general secretary Graeme Kelly OAM said the agreement was designed to save jobs and provide financial security to local government workers facing the dramatic impacts of the current pandemic.

“This Splinter Award delivers immediate assistance to our members, particularly those who work in services that have been shut or disrupted by COVID-19 such as libraries and aquatic centres,” Mr Kelly said.

“Many of these workers have already been stood down without pay, or forced to take accrued leave, putting them in real financial hardship.

“This agreement, which the overwhelming majority of NSW councils have already signed up to, provides certainty and security to workers in these difficult times, keeping more staff in paid employment longer.

“The central features are a requirement for councils to look for alternate work that staff can be redeployed into during the crisis, along with special leave provisions and a job retention allowance that ensure a minimum financial safety net for all local government workers.

“We are continuing to work with other councils and expect more to sign up to the Splinter Award, extending this same support and assistance to their staff during the current crisis.”

Further information about the Splinter Award and a full list of councils that have signed up:  https://usu.org.au/local-government-covid-19-splinter-award-2020-summary/

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THE Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security has completed its Review of the mandatory data retention regime, and is now working on its report.

The chair, Andrew Hastie MP said, "The Committee has received considerable evidence from submitters and witnesses regarding the effectiveness of the mandatory data retention regime. This marks the completion of the Committee’s review and the Committee’s attention now turns to preparing a bipartisan report which delivers tangible ideas for reform and consideration. The Committee expects to table the report by the end of July."

The deputy chair, Anthony Byrne MP said, "The Committee is grateful for the evidence received and will complete the task of drafting a report that will set out some of the major concerns with the regime and access to data under the Telecommunications Act 1997 as well as recommendations to government addressing these concerns."

Section 187N of the Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Act 1979 provides for the completion of the review by April 13, 2020.

Further information on the inquiry can be obtained from the Committee’s website. 

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FIVE MAJOR Australian professional bodies – CPA Australia, Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ), SMSF Association (SMSFA), Financial Planning Association (FPA) and Institute of Public Accountants (IPA) – have joined forces to ensure Australians can get the advice they need to understand the Federal Government’s COVID-19 economic packages, including early access to their superannuation.

In a decision handed down by ASIC today, it will be easier for Australians to get assistance from professional accountants and financial planners in making decisions about their financial position in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Registered Tax Agents (RTAs) can now temporarily give advice about early access to superannuation, without having to hold an Australian Financial Services (AFS) licence, and financial planners will have access to simplified advice documents in the place of a long and complex statement of advice.

“There has been an increasing demand for advice around early access to super since the Government announced Australians could access up to two parcels of $10,000 in superannuation tax-free as part of their second stimulus package,” said the joint bodies.

“We have come together and collectively worked with ASIC to help the Australian community and to ensure there are more skilled advisers in the marketplace to address this demand.”

“This move has removed significant red tape and ensured a simple, streamlined process is in place so those facing financial hardship during this time get the right advice.”

CPA Australia CEO Andrew Hunter said that these unprecedented times called for a pragmatic approach to regulation and a commitment from the associations to work together in the public interest.

“Over 600,000 people have registered their interest accessing their super early, so there is great need for support. It’s important that these people and others also considering their options can access professional advice.”

CA ANZ group executive for advocacy and professional standing, Simon Grant said, “As trusted advisers, accountants are well-placed to provide individuals with advice and many already have an existing relationship with their accountant. This is therefore an excellent extension for clients.”

FPA CEO Dante De Gori said, “Australians sleep better at night knowing they have a professional financial planner assisting them in managing their financial position, which is second only to their health in personal importance. This is welcome and timely relief from ASIC to assist our members in supporting as many Australians as possible through the financial crisis caused by this pandemic, and demonstrates ASIC acting on sensible calls from professional associations."

SMSF Association CEO John Maroney said, “The professional bodies have worked together with ASIC to provide regulatory relief for financial advisers and Registered Tax Agents that allow them to provide advice in the most efficient, timely and cost-effective way to individuals in the current environment.

“The decision to access superannuation early is a significant one with a long-term impact on individuals’ retirement savings, so for them to be able to speak to an accountant or adviser for a small fee to get the advice they need without sacrificing safeguards is welcomed.”

IPA CEO Andrew Conway said, “At this time in particular, Australians need access to high quality financial advice. Decisions around superannuation are critical to quality of life. For this reason, a decision to access superannuation early should be based on advice that is easily accessible.”

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