JOHN Della Bosca, NSW minister for commerce, has announced a review of the NSW Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act 1999. Submissions can be made to the review by 3 March 2004.
“The Act was introduced in 2000 to ensure fair and balanced payment standards for workers in the state’s building and construction industry,” he said.
“Through effective legislation, the government has provided a quick and efficient means for ensuring workers have access to progress payments and quick adjudication of disputes.”
A review of the Act is required by legislation every two years. Della Bosca said the review was important to determine if the Act was continuing to work well for all construction industry workers and employees. At the last review of the NSW Security of Payment Act in 2002, changes were made to streamline and simplify adjudication procedures.
“The 2002 amendments resulted in a significant increase in the use of the Act to resolve disputes. Between March and November last year, there were 443 adjudication applications compared to 120 applications in the first two years.
“All levels of industry have used the Act, from small subcontractors to large construction companies, with claims ranging from $880 to $17 million,” he said.
Building and construction industry participants are invited to make submissions to the review by emailing sop-review@construction.nsw.gov.au, or mailing to NSW Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act Review, Department of Commerce, Level 23, McKell Building, 2-24 Rawson Place, Sydney NSW 2000. Copies of the Act are available at www.construction.nsw.gov.au/sop.
-- Construction Contractor