Minister's Foreword
The EnergySafe Consultation Paper is a report that summarises the findings of the EnergySafe Working Party. The Working Party, representing a wide range of interest groups, was established last year by the previous Government to address ways in which the recommendations of the 1999 report to the Government, Review of the Safety Regime for Electrical and Gas Work, could be implemented.
The Working Party was specifically asked to address the administrative and legislative changes that would be needed to rationalise the way electrical and gas safety is delivered.
This Consultation Paper is the result of that work. It is a comprehensive analysis of the issues relating to the operation of the electrical and gas safety regimes in New Zealand.
I would like to express my appreciation for the efforts of the many people who contributed to the development of this paper. This input came from the industry licensing Boards, industry training organisations, industry association and representative bodies, manufacturers, union, and consumer representatives, government agencies, and private companies and consultants. They provided a wealth of valuable expertise and the report reflects this.
The Government commends this report as a useful vehicle for further discussion by all those people interested in any way in safety in the electricity and gas industries. I appreciate that it is time consuming to respond to a substantial paper but it is important that the community at large participates in the process that provides important policy advice for Ministers and the Government.
I hope that you will read this report and have Your Say on the proposals. Improvement to the effective delivery of electrical and gas safety is a crucial issue. Your feedback will be valuable.
I look forward to considering the results of this consultation process.
Hon Pete Hodgson
Minister of Energy
April 2000
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