• Mr Howard was jailed for fraud regarding invoices to the North Metropolitan Health Service
• His conviction led to recent action under WA building registration laws
• State Administrative Tribunal issued a reprimand and an order to pay costs

A former builder has faced disciplinary action under WA’s building registration laws after being convicted of fraud over misuse of North Metropolitan Health Service (NMHS) funds.

Liam Glenn Howard (BP100687/BC100905, expired), of Howzat Constructions Pty Ltd, was sentenced to nine months’ imprisonment in June 2020 after pleading guilty to 18 charges of gaining benefit by fraud.

The fraud offences related to inflated invoices submitted by Mr Howard to the NMHS in 2015. Evidence presented at the District Court revealed that the surplus money funded building work carried out by Howzat Constructions at private homes linked to a senior NMHS staff member.

Building and Energy subsequently commenced disciplinary action against Mr Howard as he was a registered building contractor and building practitioner at the time of his conviction. Under building registration laws, a disciplinary matter exists when a registered building service provider has been convicted of a serious offence.

The matter proceeded to mediation in the State Administrative Tribunal by which time Mr Howard’s builder registrations had expired. The Tribunal issued a reprimand to Mr Howard and ordered that he pay costs of $950.

Building and Energy A/Executive Director Sandy Randall said being a fit and proper person was a key aspect of the building registration process.

“Registration comes with responsibility,” she said. 

“High standards must be upheld for your work and your conduct or you could face disciplinary action and possible loss or non-renewal of your registration.”

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Media contact: Sarah Roberts – 0466 409 828 – BEmedia@demirs.wa.gov.au

Note: BC and BP numbers refer to registration as a building contractor or building practitioner. The registers of building service providers are available at commerce.wa.gov.au/buildersearch.