Building (Pools) Amendment Bill

I want to take a very brief call on the preliminary clauses. Really, the only thing that I want to speak to at this point is the commencement date. These provisions will come in as early as 1 January. I understand that there is certain consultation that is currently going on around this bill, particularly around how the inspectors outside of territorial authorities might be appointed and the fact that stickers will need to be applied to the top of spa pools—things that, ultimately, feel to me like they might really be Band-Aids on what could become a much wider problem if this bill, as it is about to pass, comes into force.

None the less, a lot of these other provisions will come in without the scrutiny of the House, and I think, really, I would just say to members that I think it is incumbent on us to be aware of some of that consultation and some of those additional processes that will go on before this bill comes in to force. But, ultimately, the commencement date being 1 January 2017—I would ask the Minister for Building and Housing whether it is possible that the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) commits to keeping quite rigorous oversight of this bill in its early implementation stages; that we check that councils and those tasked with inspections are equipped and ready to up their inspection regime, because for many councils it will be an increase in what they have previously had, and can they demonstrate they are doing that; that retailers who are going to carry obligations are ready to pass on to those who are purchasing pools or spa pools that they understand their obligations; that MBIE is ready to be the overseer of the new rules around heated pools; and that we, say in 12 months’ time, do a re-assessment as to how we are tracking with both the inspection regime and also with the substantial changes to this Act.

We have expressed our concerns with the loosening of these provisions, and we want to make sure we keep a close eye—that if they are not working, we know about it sooner rather than later. So even though the commencement date is, obviously, very, very soon, I would seek an assurance from MBIE and from the Minister that he will be keeping oversight from the day that it is implemented, to ensure that, ultimately, we achieve the aims that I know this side of the Chamber is focused on, and that is that it is not about compliance costs; it is about clarity of rules. It is about people knowing their rights and their responsibilities. But, ultimately, for us, it has always been about reducing drownings. No one in this Chamber wants to see drownings happen, surely? So it is incumbent on us that we keep very close oversight of a bill that, ultimately, this side of the Chamber has not been able to support.

Clause 1 agreed to.

Clause 2 agreed to.