Mr Anthony Michael Murfet was fined $40,000.00 in the Launceston Magistrates Court on 9 August 2023. The fines relate to a number of offences against the Occupational Licensing Act 2005 and the Residential Building Work Contracts and Dispute Resolution Act 2016.
The convictions relate to Mr Murfet entering into contracts for the performance of building work and roof (stormwater) plumbing work.
The offences in question involved:
- Entering into contracts to perform roof (stormwater) plumbing while not being the holder of a relevant contractor licence;
- Entering into contracts to perform prescribed building work, while not being the holder of a relevant building services provider licence;
- Holding himself out to be a licensed building services provider when that was not the case; and
- Demanding deposit payments exceeding the amount permitted under the Residential Building Work Contracts and Dispute Resolution Act 2016.
Mr Murfet has an extensive history of non-compliance with the Tasmanian building regulatory framework and previously received a $10,000.00 fine in the Launceston Magistrates Court in 2020 in relation to offences under the Occupational Licensing Act 2005 for unlicensed building and roof (stormwater) plumbing.
Consumer Affairs Tasmania (CAT) continues to focus on compliance and enforcement activities relating to individuals who may be undertaking unlicensed work under the Occupational Licensing Act 2005 or engaging in misleading or deceptive conduct in relation to the performance of prescribed work.
CAT also reminds Tasmanians of the need to check if a tradesperson is appropriately licensed before entering into contracts to have any building, electrical, plumbing or gas-fitting work carried out at home or at work.