Thousands of Victorian building permits issued between 2009 and 2011 will be reviewed. Source: AAP
THOUSANDS of building permits will be reviewed in Victoria after the ombudsman found the regulator has compromised public safety by registering operators who had failed competency exams or were not tested at all.
Ombudsman George Brouwer said on Wednesday applicants who failed core stages of competency assessments were often still granted registration by the Building Practitioners Board.
He said competency tests were poorly administered, with some applicants sitting the wrong type of test or not being assessed.
"The Practitioners Board could not have confidence that only competent, suitably qualified and experienced practitioners were registered to undertake building works in Victoria," Mr Brouwer said in his report into the Victorian Building Commission, which provides administrative support to the board.
"This represents a substantial risk to public safety."
Applicants who failed tests proceeded to an interview regardless and some interviews were conducted at local cafes.
Planning Minister Matthew Guy said the Victorian Building Commission, whose new head Michael Kefford was appointed in February 2012, would review all permits issued by the previous registrar between 2009 and 2011.
There are currently more than 25,000 registered builders in the state.
"It is like a piece of string as to how long it (the review) will take," he told reporters.
Mr Guy announced last month the commission would be axed and replaced with the Victorian Building Authority, to be headed by an independent board.
The ombudsman also found before Mr Kefford took charge, executives spent more than $200,000 on meals and corporate entertainment over three years.
More than $100,000 was spent in 18 months on entertaining at sports events including Australian Football League (AFL) games and the Australian Open tennis.
Almost $950,000 was shelled out in less than four years to sponsor various events run by bodies such as the Master Builders Association of Victoria.
Building Commission staff could spend up to $500 on meals and hospitality before needing management approval.
"There is an inherent conflict in the commission providing this entertainment when its core function is the regulation of the people it is entertaining," Mr Brouwer said.
The commission had hired external investigators for six years at a cost of $3.2 million without a competitive tender, he said.
He said the commission's audit and investigation unit was staffed almost exclusively with former police officers, some of whom had criminal records.
Mr Guy said the commission would be banned from new providing major corporate sponsorship and lavish hospitality.
"This level of corporate hospitality was ridiculous, it was grossly over the top ... entertainment at the races, at the AFL. This is just obscene," he said.
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