Announcements

Showing 951 - 975 of 1577 results

Balcony building practitioner fined for negligent and misleading conduct – Christiaan Theodore Hazebroek

Building Services Board issues $2,500 fine No building permit in place during an apartment balcony renovation Altered compliance certificate provided to the City of Perth A Mount Hawthorn building practitioner has been fined $2,500 for carrying out unauthorised work at a West Perth apartment and submitting incorrect documents to the City of Perth. The Building Services Board found that Christiaan...
Building and Energy
Media release
03 Jun 2021

Extended retail trading hours for upcoming public holidays

The State Government has approved four extra hours of trading for general retail shops in metropolitan Perth on each of the upcoming public holidays, Western Australia Day and the Queen’s Birthday. The extension to permitted opening times means general retail shops will be able to trade any time between 8am and 6pm on Monday 7 June 2021 (Western Australia Day) and Monday, 27 September 2021 (Queen...
Consumer Protection
Media release
01 Jun 2021

Hairdressing chain ordered to pay $90,000 to workers

The owner of a hairdressing chain has been ordered to pay $90,000 in unpaid employment entitlements and interest to two employees. Wei Zhu - trading as Shining Quick Cuts – was ordered by the Industrial Magistrates Court to pay the employees their outstanding entitlements after enforcement action was taken by Private Sector Labour Relations. The order followed an investigation by industrial...
Labour Relations
Media release
01 Jun 2021

Avoid Perth petrol price rise

The average price of regular unleaded petrol (ULP) is set to increase by over 32 cents per litre (cpl) to 160.2 cpl tomorrow, so FuelWatch is encouraging Perth drivers, if they can, to fill up today to save money. FuelWatch advises that on Wednesday 2 June 2021, most branded retailers are hiking their ULP price: Coles Express and Caltex/Ampol hiking by between 44-46 cpl up to 171.9 cpl; Caltex...
Consumer Protection
Media release
01 Jun 2021

Public comment sought - Code of practice on workplace behaviour

WA’s Commission for Occupational Safety and Health is seeking public comment on the code of practice for workplace behaviour . At the May meeting the Commission endorsed the draft workplace behaviour code of practice and agreed to a three-month public consultation period ending 30 August 2021. The guidance in this draft code of practice should be considered in conjunction with the general duties...
WorkSafe
Department News
31 May 2021

Commissioner's blog: Don't let wedding planning tie you in knots

Your wedding can be one of the happiest days of your life, but it may also end up being one of the most expensive. Covering the costs of all the things you need, such as a venue, catering, outfits and equipment hire, can soon add up – so it’s important to be across your consumer rights before you start shopping around. With more than 9,500 weddings taking place in Western Australia last year,...
Consumer Protection
Media release
27 May 2021

Security of Payment Bill to be introduced into Parliament

The Building and Construction Industry (Security of Payment) Bill 2021 to be introduced to Parliament today Improving security of payment across the WA building and construction industry is a priority of the McGowan Government The Bill was introduced in the last Parliament but stalled by the Liberals and Nationals The McGowan Government will introduce the Building and Construction Industry (...
Building and Energy
Media release
25 May 2021

First imprisonment under WA’s workplace safety and health laws

The director of a shed building company has become the first person to be sentenced to a term of imprisonment under WA’s workplace safety and health laws. Director of MT Sheds (WA) Pty Ltd - Mark Thomas Withers - was yesterday sentenced in the Esperance Magistrates Court to two years and two months’ imprisonment following the 2020 death of a young worker and the serious injury of another. He is...
WorkSafe
Media release
25 May 2021

Avoid Perth petrol price rise

The average price of regular unleaded petrol (ULP) is set to increase by over 31 cents per litre (cpl) to 158.4 cpl tomorrow, so FuelWatch is encouraging Perth drivers, if they can, to fill up today to save money. FuelWatch advises that on Wednesday 26 May 2021, most branded retailers are hiking their ULP price: Coles Express hiking by up to 44 cpl to 171.9 cpl; 7-Eleven, Caltex/Ampol and Caltex...
Consumer Protection
Media release
25 May 2021

Deductions from pay

Each year Wageline receives many calls from employers and employees regarding deductions from pay. In the WA state industrial relations system, it is unlawful for an employer to deduct any money from an employee’s wages unless that deduction has been authorised in writing by the employee, or the deduction is authorised by a WA award or agreement, a court order, or a state or federal law. A common...
Labour Relations
Department News
24 May 2021

Consumer Protection baton handed to new Commissioner

Gary Newcombe returns to Commissioner's role Brings 40 years' experience working in the Commonwealth and State public sectors, and for the Western Australian Parliament Gary Newcombe has taken the baton to become Western Australia's new Commissioner for Consumer Protection. He replaces Lanie Chopping, who has been appointed as interim Director General for the Department of Local Government, Sport...
Consumer Protection
Media release
24 May 2021

Court case leads to reminder to owner-builders on workplace safety

WorkSafe has reminded owner-builders of their responsibility for workplace safety after an owner-builder was fined $25,000 and granted a spent conviction over an incident in which a worker fell from a roof. The South-West owner-builder (who cannot be identified due to the spent conviction) pleaded guilty to failing to take practicable measures to ensure that persons at the workplace were not...
WorkSafe
Media release
21 May 2021

Fines for failing to discover sewer lines during land sale (Richard Saviel / Professionals Michael Johnson & Co)

Sales rep failed to carry out checks that would have revealed sewer lines Land buyer forced to modify their building plans as a result of the late discovery Employer failed to be more thorough in their review of the matter A real estate sales representative and the Mt Lawley agency he works for have been fined a total of $9,000 by the State Administrative Tribunal for failing to uncover the...
Consumer Protection
Media release
21 May 2021

Beware rogue plumbing/electrical companies that mislead consumers

Rogue elements in industry exaggerate necessity for extra work and costs Consumers urged to get multiple quotes to avoid paying too much Do research to find licensed tradies offering sound advice and a fair price WA consumers who get quotes from companies that offer both plumbing and electrical services are being urged to get multiple quotes before signing a contract in order to avoid paying too...
Building and Energy / Consumer Protection
Media release
20 May 2021

Guidance for property owners affected by Pindan administration

Building and Energy is advising property owners affected by the closure of the Pindan Group to immediately contact their home indemnity insurance (HII) provider, QBE Insurance (Australia) Ltd. Pindan Group entered external administration on Tuesday. The group includes four registered building contractors which carried out commercial, government-funded building projects and residential work:...
Building and Energy
Media release
20 May 2021

Commissioner's blog: Fix debt for free

Owing money and missing repayments can be stressful, so the last thing many people in financial difficulty need is to be charged more money for help getting their debt under control. That’s why Consumer Protection urges consumers to choose free debt management advice where possible over other high-cost options. While debt management service companies may claim to be able to fix debt problems,...
Consumer Protection
Media release
20 May 2021

$14,000 in on the spot fines for fuel outlets breaking FuelWatch rules

Ten infringement notices of $1,000 and one for $4,000 issued to fuel outlets Discrepancies found in price reported to FuelWatch or on signboard Fuel retailers warned to report and display prices that match bowser price Infringement notices amounting to $14,000 have been issued by Consumer Protection to 11 fuel outlets in WA since 1 January 2020 over breaches of FuelWatch laws. Most of the...
Consumer Protection
Media release
20 May 2021

Decorative screen producer fined after failing to deliver (Scott Glen / GSN Industries)

Four consumers pay for decorative screens but get nothing in return Full refunds given two years later, just prior to Court appearance Business proprietors fined $5,000 each for accepting payments but failing to deliver A producer of custom laser-cut panels, screens and gates who took consumers’ money but failed to deliver has received a $5,000 fine imposed by the Perth Magistrates Court on 14...
Consumer Protection
Media release
19 May 2021

Regional dates for the Queen's Birthday public holiday

Port Headland and Karratha in Western Australia hold the Queen's Birthday public on different dates, usually to coincide with a significant date or event for that area. The dates for 2021 are now available on the Regional dates for the Queen's Birthday public holiday page. In all other areas of Western Australia, the Queen's Birthday public holiday will be held on Monday 27 September 2021.
Labour Relations
Department News
18 May 2021

Avoid Perth petrol price rise

The average price of regular unleaded petrol (ULP) is set to increase by over 29 cents per litre (cpl) to 157.5 cpl tomorrow, so FuelWatch is encouraging Perth drivers, if they can, to fill up today to save money. FuelWatch advises that on Wednesday 19 May 2021, most branded retailers are hiking their ULP price: Coles Express hiking by up to 44 cpl to 171.9 cpl; Caltex Woolworths, BP, 7-Eleven...
Consumer Protection
Media release
18 May 2021

Reporting wage theft in WA

Western Australian workers can find out how to report deliberate underpayment of wages or entitlements at www.wagetheft.wa.gov.au . The Reporting wage theft in Western Australia website assists workers with how to: seek help with resolving an underpayment issue or unpaid annual or long service leave; report wage theft anonymously to the relevant government department; or seek help with unpaid...
Labour Relations
Department News
17 May 2021

Survey shines a light on solar industry experiences

Building and Energy seeking input from property owners with solar systems Focus on safety, compliance and experiences of WA’s solar industry Survey closes on 30 June WA’s electrical safety regulator is seeking feedback from customers who have had solar power systems installed at their properties. Building and Energy’s five-minute survey aims to improve understanding of the community’s experience...
Building and Energy
Media release
17 May 2021

Commissioner's blog: Say ‘no’ to extended warranties

Would you pay for something you’re entitled to get for free? Buying an extended warranty on new whitegoods, electronics or even a car could mean you’re doing exactly that. This is because products are automatically guaranteed in a number of ways under the Australian Consumer Law (ACL), which may apply even after the warranty period has lapsed. In the past two years, Consumer Protection has...
Consumer Protection
Media release
13 May 2021

Building company fined $175,000 over death of worker

Building company Gran Designs WA Pty Ltd has been fined a total of $175,000 over the 2017 death of a contract worker in the South-West town of Yarloop. The company pleaded guilty in the Bunbury Magistrates Court yesterday to five charges, the most serious of which was failing to provide and maintain a safe workplace and, by that failure, causing the death of the worker. On this charge the company...
WorkSafe
Media release
12 May 2021

Avoid Perth petrol price rise

The average price of regular unleaded petrol (ULP) is set to increase by over 31 cents per litre (cpl) to 158.8 cpl tomorrow, so FuelWatch is encouraging Perth drivers, if they can, to fill up today to save money. FuelWatch advises that on Wednesday 12 May 2021, most branded retailers are hiking their ULP price: Coles Express hiking by 43 cpl to 171.9 cpl; 7-Eleven, BP, Caltex/Ampol and Caltex...
Consumer Protection
Media release
11 May 2021

Pages