Media Releases 2010

The National Electrical and Communications Association (NECA) is the peak association for the electrotechnology industry and leads commentary on a wide variety of issues affecting the industry.

For interviews please contact NECA's Media and Communication Manager, Dominic Feenan on 02 9439 8523 or at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Media Releases

December 2010

23 December 2010 - Electrical industry say inspection figures must be released

Today the peak Australian electrical industry body, the National Electrical and Communications Association (NECA), repeated its call for the government to publicly release the details of safety inspections on homes that received insulation under the failed Home Insulation Program after more problems were identified in South Australia and Victoria this week. READ MORE

7 December 2010 - 7 electrical safety tips for the festive season

Today, peak Australian electrical industry body, the National Electrical and Communications Association (NECA), provided consumers seven simple safety tips to help remain safe during the festive season.

Traditionally during the Christmas period, the use of outdoor lights increases and the risks to consumers from using non-compliant products also increases.

NECA Chief executive officer, Mr James Tinslay, said there are some simple safety steps consumers can follow to help make their Christmas safer. READ MORE

November 2010

25 November 2010 - Top Australian electrical firms named at excellence awards

Nine companies across ten categories picked up the top electrical award in Australia for projects across the nation at the annual electrical industry Excellence Awards hosted by peak electrical industry body the National Electrical and Communications Association (NECA) on Thursday night 25 November 2010.

Some of the winning projects included the installation of solar panels on the heritage listed roof of Sydney Town Hall, the Boddington Gold Mine expansion in WA, the new headquarters for ANZ in Melbourne and the panda enclosure at Adelaide Zoo. READ MORE

24 November 2010 - Electrical industry says Government must come clean on insulation figures

The peak electrical industry body, the National Electrical and Communications Association (NECA), again calls on the government to publicly release the details of insulation inspections after three people died in a fire linked to the bungled program.

A tragic house fire in Wagga Wagga on 10 November 2010 claimed the life of three people and today the government confirmed the home had insulation installed as part of the failed Home Insulation Program.

NECA Chief executive officer, Mr James Tinslay, said the government must act immediately and READ MORE

24 November - Apprentices named best in Australia

The best of Australia’s talented and committed young workers in the electrotechnology industry were recognised at the annual Apprentice of the Year Awards hosted by peak electrical industry body the National Electrical and Communications Association (NECA) on Wednesday night 24 November 2010. READ MORE

23 November 2010 - Innovative students win national electrical awards

Today, four young geniuses will be awarded the top national award for innovation and commitment to the electrical and electrotechnology industry for demonstrating outstanding design and manufacturing skills well beyond their years.

Three year 12 students were judged to have the best electronic skills and innovative solutions to everyday problems by peak industry body, the National Electrical and Communications Association (NECA). One student was also awarded the coveted commitment to industry award for demonstrating passion and has displayed a real commitment to progressing in the exciting industry. READ MORE

October 2010

25 October 2010 - Electrical industry supports Safe Work Australia Week

Today peak electrical industry body, the National Electrical and Communications Association (NECA), welcomed the start of National Safe Work Australia Week and reiterated the importance of ensuring workplaces are safe in the electrical industry.

National Safe Work Australia Week is a key initiative of Safe Work Australia and is held annually in October to raise awareness of workplace safety. READ MORE

18 October 2010 - Electrical industry frustrated insulation figures will not be released

Today the peak electrical industry body, the National Electrical and Communications Association (NECA), again called on the government to publicly release the details of safety inspections on homes that received both foil and non-foil insulation under the failed Home Insulation Program.

In response to a media statement from the Hon Greg Combet, Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency and the Hon Mark Dreyfus, Parliamentary Secretary for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, NECA’s chief executive officer, Mr James Tinslay, said it is frustrating the Australian government has again today chosen not to inform consumers and the electrical industry of the real scale of problems associated with problematic installations. READ MORE

15 October 2010 - Electrical industry welcomes insulation report from Auditor-General

Today peak industry body, the National Electrical and Communications Association (NECA), welcomed the Auditor-General report into the mismanaged Australian government Home Insulation Program (HIP).

NECA was the first organisation to warn the Australian government about the electrical dangers associated with the insulation program. READ MORE

12 October 2010 - Electrical companies to receive plain English guide to Modern Award

Thanks to peak industry body, the National Electrical and Communications Association (NECA), electrical contractors and other companies employing staff under the Electrical, Electronics and Communications Contracting Award will have access to a plain English guide to the modern award.

NECA was the only electrical industry body invited by the Australian government to tender and then receive funding for the Shared Industry Assistance Program (SIAP) managed by Fair Work Australia. READ MORE

September 2010

28 September 2010 - Electricians back business calls for strong building industry regulator

Today, peak industry body the National Electrical and Communications Association (NECA) joined the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) in its call for continued government strength in the regulation of the building industry.

Since its inception, the Australian Building and Construction Commission (ABCC) has improved compliance in workplace legislation across building sites. Integral to this success was ABCC Commissioner John Lloyd. Today was Mr Lloyd’s last day with the ABCC.

NECA’s chief executive officer, Mr James Tinslay, acknowledged the strong leadership and professionalism of Mr Lloyd and said that it was his drive and commitment to the building industry that led to the improvement in compliance. READ MORE

8 September 2010 - New General Manager for NECA Queensland

Today, peak industry body the National Electrical and Communications Association (NECA) officially welcomed Mr Guy Houghton as the new General Manager for the NECA Queensland Chapter.

Mr Houghton was appointed as General Manager of NECA Queensland on 1 September 2010 and is eager about the opportunity to serve and grow the membership of the peak electrical industry body in Queensland. READ MORE

2 September 2010 - NECA welcomes new National President

Today, peak industry body the National Electrical and Communications Association (NECA) officially welcomed Mr Stephen Griffiths as the new National President.

Mr Griffiths was elected by NECA members for the 2010/2011 year and replaces former NECA President Mr John Robinson who held the position for two years. READ MORE

August 2010

27 August 2010 - Don't DIY Home Insulation

Today, the peak electrical industry body in Australia the National Electrical and Communications Association (NECA) warned consumers not to be lured into installing insulation batts themselves after an online auction company announced that more than 100,000 batts were being sold cheaply.

Chief executive officer of NECA, Mr James Tinslay, said the industry has serious safety concerns for consumers if unqualified or inexperienced people climbed into their roof space and start installing insulation batts. READ MORE

20 August 2010 - Residents will be impacted finacially to access NBN

Today, peak industry body the National Electrical and Communications Association (NECA) confirmed that it is likely residents and some businesses will be impacted financially if they require additional wiring and outlets to take full advantage of the National Broadband Network (NBN).

Chief executive officer of NECA, Mr James Tinslay, said that once the NBN installs fibre optic cables across Australia, residents will still need to equip their homes with new cables and devices to access aspects of the new technology. READ MORE

17 August 2010 - NECA Trade Teacher Awards Now Open

The 2010 Electrical and Communications Trade Teacher of the Year Awards are now open for applications. Peak industry body, the National Electrical and Communications Association (NECA), sponsors the award and the winner will receive a prize worth $5000 made up of both cash and professional development allowances. READ MORE

9 August 2010 - More house fires mean more safety checks are needed

Peak electrical industry body, the National Electrical and Communications Association (NECA), is urging residents to undertake four simple steps to help make their homes safe after a spate of house fires on the weekend. READ MORE

July 2010

31 July 2010 - Top Tasmanian electricians and apprentices honoured

Today, the best of Tasmania’s talented and committed businesses in the electrotechnology industry were recognised at the annual Excellence Awards hosted by peak industry body the National Electrical and Communications Association (NECA).

The 2010 NECA Excellence and Apprentice Awards is an opportunity for the industry to officially recognise the talent and achievements of leading electrical READ MORE

30 July 2010 - New college will train over 500 electrical apprentices annually

The electrical and telecommunications industry in Western Australia will receive a massive injection of skilled workers thanks to a new purpose built multi-million dollar training facility in Jandakot that will be officially opened today.

The College of Electrical Training (CET), the largest private trainer of electrical apprentices in Australia, has built a new Southern campus that will train over 500 local apprentices annually and READ MORE

16 July - Top Victorian electricians honoured

Today, the best of Victoria’s talented and committed workers in the electrotechnology industry were recognised at the annual Excellence Awards hosted by peak industry body the National Electrical and Communications Association (NECA).

The 2010 NECA Excellence Awards is an opportunity for the industry to officially recognise the talent and achievements of electrical and communication contractors in READ MORE

1 July 2010 - Apprenticeship flexibility will help with skill shortages

From today, NSW businesses will again have the flexibility to continue to choose between two types of apprenticeships in the electrical industry thanks to a successful application by the National Electrical and Communications Association (NECA) to Fair Work Australia.

NECA, the peak industry body for electrical contractors, made an application to Fair Work Australia to vary the new modern Electrical, Electronic and Communications Contracting Award to ensure that trainee apprenticeships remained READ MORE

June 2010

23 June 2010 - Electricians welcome strong government safety rules for solar panels

Today the National Electrical and Communications Association (NECA), the peak industry body representing electrical contractors in Australia, congratulated the federal government on strengthening regulations for the safe READ MORE

18 June 2010 - Release safety inspection figures or inspect the lot

Today, the peak industry body representing the electrical and communications industry, the National Electrical and Communications Association (NECA), called on the federal government to publicly release the details of 57,000 safety inspections on premises that READ MORE

8 June 2010 - Safe solar panel installations require electricians

Today the National Electrical and Communications Association (NECA) called on the state electrical regulators to classify solar panel installations as electrical work for the safety of consumers.

Chief executive officer of NECA, Mr James Tinslay, said that some state electrical regulators still do not recognise solar panel installations as READ MORE