The Australian Perspective - 2012Oliver Judd– NECA Executive Director

Overview

•Introduction

•Australia – Facts and Figures

•Labour Issues

•Energy Issues

•NECA Activities

Introduction

Oliver Judd– NECA Executive Director (NSW) since July 2012.

NECA IR Manager since 2008.

Involved in the construction industry since 2005

Represents the best interest of NECA, its members and industry to government by way of advocacy and representation.

NECA NSW is the largest NECA Chapter with separate legal entity (NECA Legal), training company (NECA Training) and a group

training company (NECA Group Training)

Australia - Facts and Figures

•Population of approx. 22.6 million across a country similar in size to the United States

•Unemployment Rate of 5.1% • Most Asian countries are under 2%

•AU$1 = US$1.05 – but this is volatile!

Two-Speed Economy

• Economy grew 3.7% in the Financial Year ending June 2012

• Boom in mining areas – Western Australia, northern and western Queensland

• Slow construction on east coast

• Every day Australia is another 200 homes and apartments short of what is needed

Electrical Contracting in Australia

•Electrical contracting industry turnover > $11 billion•Electrical licensing has 2 levels:

• Electrician License (employee) – 4 year apprenticeship• Electrical Contractor (business license) – compulsory in

all states•Majority of contractors employ 1 – 5 employees, while the largest employ over 2000 – a diverse industry

NECA Australia

•NECA employs > 200 staff nationwide•NECA has 7 offices across 8 states and territories•NECA directly employs over 2000 apprentices through group training schemes

Labour Issues

•Australian Government is Labor – this is equivalent to Democratic

•The Government has moved labour laws to the left, to the detriment of employers

•Unions are very powerful, despite historical low numbers, and have a large influence on labour legislation

•Supply and demand of labour across this very large country is unbalanced due to the mining boom and two-speed economy

•Union Membership• 18% across all workforce • 13% public service

http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/union-membership-still-in-rapid-decline/2008/04/14/1208025091696.html

Energy Issues

•Energy Costs rising up to 17% per annum in recent years

•Huge reserves of coal and gas

•No nuclear power and no enquiries or plans to consider options

•Greens political party hold balance of power and is attempting to close down coal generation

•Huge potential for electrical industry (green power) but still not fully exploited

Electricity generation from renewable sources in Australia 2010

Energy Efficiency – Solar power case study

• Recent boom in photovoltaic installations

• Huge government incentives, subsidies and feed-in tariffs up to 60 cents per kWh at peak

• However, boom has led to ‘dodgy’ installers and poor workmanship throughout the industry

•Now there are less generous feed in tariffs and fewer incentives for householders to install PV

NECA Activities

•EcoSmart Electricians

•OSH (WHS in Australia) greatest commercial risk to contractors

•National Marketing Plan

•National Magazine

•Meet Dave

•Exploring Synergies between State Chapters