On 20 October 2021, the Industrial Relations Legislation Amendment Bill 2021 (the Bill) was introduced into State Parliament. The Bill seeks to make Easter Sunday a public holiday, extend coverage of minimum employment conditions to domestic workers employed directly by household employers, increase protection for vulnerable workers and tackle wage theft. The Bill is currently being considered by...

Motorists in Perth and Mandurah are advised to fill up now if they need to, with petrol prices set to rise tomorrow. After today it is likely motorists will have to wait for two weeks before petrol prices are again at the bottom of the price cycle. FuelWatch reports that, from 6am tomorrow (Wednesday 20 October 2021), the average price of regular unleaded petrol (ULP) will increase by more than...

44 extra Christmas shopping hours to boost retail sales Shop early and locally to avoid disappointment due to COVID-19 delivery delay Australia Day public holiday trading also extended by four hours The McGowan Government is encouraging WA consumers to shop early and locally this year, with 44 extra hours of trading for general retail shops in Perth approved for the Christmas and New Year period...

Tickets for major concerts being re-sold in breach of new laws Several online ticket re-selling sites under investigation Consumers advised to buy tickets only from authorised agents Ticket sales for upcoming major concerts to be held in Perth next year are now in Consumer Protection’s sights after reports that tickets are being sold at prices not allowed under WA’s new ticket scalping laws...

Building Services Board issues $1,000 fine for deficient certification Some plans, specifications and technical documents did not show compliance with building standards Building surveyors are reminded of their responsibilities A registered building surveyor has been fined $1,000 for misleading the City of Belmont by incorrectly certifying that an apartment project would comply with relevant...

DC isolators are classified as Level 3 electrical equipment and must be certified and registered under the national Electrical Equipment Safety System (EESS). As of the 29 September 2021, SAA Approvals has cancelled the certifications of certain DC isolators (list below). The registrations of these isolators were also cancelled from that date. Suppliers must not supply or offer for sale these...

$136,500 building project carried out without the required registration or permit Building Services Board issued $2,500 fine for registration breach and negligence Home owners encouraged to check registration and permits before work starts Home owners are urged to check their builder’s registration and any permits before building work begins after a Cloverdale couple had to seek retrospective...

The average price of regular unleaded petrol (ULP) is set to increase by over 31 cents per litre (cpl) to 174.1 cpl tomorrow, so FuelWatch is encouraging Perth drivers, if they can, to fill up today to save money. FuelWatch advises that on Wednesday 6 October 2021, most branded retailers are hiking their ULP price: Caltex Woolworths hiking by 45 cpl up to 183.9 cpl; BP and Coles Express up to 181...

The WorkSafe Western Australia Commissioner has moved to reassure senior leaders that volunteer firefighters will not be adversely affected by the incoming new workplace safety laws. WorkSafe WA Commissioner Darren Kavanagh met with senior leaders from WAFarmers, Pastoralists and Graziers Association, Department of Fire and Emergency Services, the Association of Volunteer Bush Fire Brigades and...

Children’s toys that light up and make noise are supposed to be fun, but lurking within many of these devices are a hidden danger – button batteries. If young children gain access to just one button battery and ingest it, they may suffer internal burn injuries, which can result in serious illness and even death. That’s why it’s crucial for button batteries to be properly and adequately secured...

Gone are the days in Western Australia where if you had your heart set on attending a sold-out event or concert you would have little choice but to fork-out hundreds of dollars more for a ticket than it was originally worth. This is because new ticket scalping laws have taken effect that restricts the resale of tickets to a maximum ten per cent mark-up from the original price. Also outlawed is...

Risk of electric shock from unprotected live parts of some stage lights Prohibition notices and recalls now in place in WA and Victoria Products include AVE tri-flat RGB LED PAR; AVE PAR 64; CR Lite Slim PAR 56 LED A range of portable theatre lights sold in WA have been recalled after the State’s electrical safety regulator found they could put users at risk of electric shock. Building and Energy...