With the 58th Parliament of Victoria having risen ahead of the November state election – Engineers Australia will continue to lobby hard for mandatory registration of the profession.
A Labor election promise – the Andrews Government introduced the historic Bill in March.
The Bill would ensure Victorian engineers providing professional services meet the highest safety and qualification standards expected of the profession.
Engineers Australia Victorian President Alesha Printz says the Association has been working closely with the Victorian Government on the legislation and would continue to do so with whomever wins the election.
‘This Bill provides a legislative framework that will give the community, policymakers and industry confidence that engineers working in Victoria meet a strict set of professional standards and have the qualifications expected of being an engineer.’
Despite earlier assurances from Opposition Leader Matthew Guy that his party would support the Engineering Registration Bill, Liberal MPs had reportedly been told to kill the bill.
With parliament rising - Engineers Australia believes debate on the Bill has been deliberately stalled for political point scoring.
Ms Printz says anybody in Victoria can call themselves an engineer with little accountability. Mandatory registration would put an end to this.
‘Our 20,000 Victorian members overwhelmingly support registration for their profession. This isn’t about red tape or regulation. This is about putting public safety first!
‘Engineers Australia calls on the next Victorian Parliament to treat this seriously. We will be lobbying hard to hold MP’s to account. This is about community safety,’ Ms Printz said.
ENDS
Media: Catherine Garrett: 0467 003 866