A tradesman has been fined $4,000 in the Geraldton Magistrates Court after he falsely presented as a registered painter and carried out painting work that requires registration.

On 12 September 2019, Geoffrey Stephen John Peacock entered a written guilty plea for three charges brought by the Building Commissioner under WA’s building registration laws, which state that only a registered painter can undertake paid painting work valued at more than $1,000.

Mr Peacock has never held registration as a painting practitioner or painting contractor.

The court heard that in December 2017, Mr Peacock agreed to and commenced $3,000 worth of painting work at a Geraldton home.

He also falsely implied the he was a registered painter when he gave the property owner a business card for ‘Geoffrey Peacock Painting Contractors’ with a ‘PRN’ – understood to refer to a painters’ registration number – that belonged to someone else.

Mr Peacock was fined $4,000 and must also pay $641 in costs. Magistrate Christian Miocevich noted that although the quality of the work appeared adequate, Mr Peacock was aware of the registration rules and deliberately intended to mislead the consumer.

Building and Energy A/Executive Director Saj Abdoolakhan encouraged home owners to check the Register of Painters (via www.dmirs.wa.gov.au).

“Registration aims to ensure that a painter has the appropriate qualifications and skills to take on significant projects,” he said.

“I welcome the fine imposed in this case, which involved conduct that misled the client and undermined those in the industry who operate with diligence and integrity.”

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Media contact: Sarah Roberts – 0466 409 828 (media queries only) or CPmedia@demirs.wa.gov.au

Notes:

Building and Energy (a division within the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety) was formed in January 2018 by the amalgamation of the Building Commission and EnergySafety.

Full link to the Register of Painters: https://www.commerce.wa.gov.au/building-and-energy/find-registered-painter