Regional tradies will now have greater protections to ensure they are paid on time and in full, following the introduction of new laws by the NSW Nationals in the state government.
NSW Nationals Member for Dubbo Dugald Saunders said changes to the Security of Payments Act will deliver faster payouts for contractors and subcontractors and quicker and fairer dispute resolution.
“These reforms will raise the level of protection for local tradies and subbies so they know they’ll be paid the money they are owed on time,” Mr Saunders said.
“At a time when many small building businesses are doing it extremely tough and cash flow is essential to staying afloat, it is vital there aren’t long delays in them getting the money they are owed.
“Tradies make an invaluable contribution to NSW’s economic prosperity and will be the engine room of our post-COVID recovery. They deserve to get paid on time for the work they do.”
NSW Nationals Better Regulation Minister Kevin Anderson said the changes were particularly important in helping the sector through the challenges of COVID-19.
“The removal of the owner-occupier exemption, in particular, will provide a significant economic stimulus and help many tradies and small businesses through the difficulties of COVID-19,” Mr Anderson said.
To protect the rights and livelihoods of tradies the NSW Nationals in the state government are also cutting red tape and reducing costs by removing the need to report annually on the operation of retention money trust accounts, and providing more transparency by allowing subcontractors to inspect retention money trust account records.
