Hairdressers Registration Board — Abolition Plan
1178. Hon Alison Xamon to the Parliamentary Secretary representing the Minister for Commerce
I refer to the Minister’s plans to abolish the Hairdressers Registration Board, and ask -
(1) Given that the Hairdressers Registration Board dealt with around 40 cases of serious injury last year, including chemical burns, how will the Minister reduce the risk to consumers by ensuring hairdressing in Western Australia is only undertaken by qualified individuals?
(2) How will the Minister ensure the current high standard of service delivery in the Western Australian hairdressing industry is maintained?
(3) In the absence of a registration process, what will the Government do to protect the hairdressing qualification and to acknowledge the significant training qualified hairdressers undertake to learn their trade?
(4) Has the Government considered the impact removal of the Hairdressers Registration Board will have on the quality and integrity of the profession, and on the high regard in which Western Australian hairdressers are currently held?
Hon HELEN MORTON replied:
(1) The Hairdressers Registration Board's Annual Report for 2008 states that the Board received a total of 36 formal written complaints in relation to the provision of hairdressing services. The Annual Report for 2007 states that the Board received a total of 34 formal written complaints in relation to the provision of hairdressing services. The Board's Annual Reports for 2007 and 2008 do not specify the nature of the complaints. The Board's Registrar has not provided me with evidence of complaints involving serious injury during those years.
However, the issue of hairdressers handling potentially dangerous chemicals is an important matter.
I am satisfied that existing laws, such as the Consumer Affairs Act 1973, the Fair Trading Act 1987 and the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1984 will provide consumers with sufficient protections. These statutes have far greater penalties than those existing under the Hairdressers Registration Act 1946.
(2) As hairdressing is a service that consumers purchase often and can relatively easily assess its quality (relative to other services, such as medical procedures, for example), the market will reward hairdressers who are responsive to the demands of consumers.
The Government will continue to administer consumer protection, occupational health and safety, and public health laws with respect to the hairdressing industry.
I also expect the industry to take a strong role in maintaining standards.
(3) The proposal to wind-up the Board does not propose changes to legislation governing hairdressing apprenticeships. Hairdressing apprenticeships should continue to be a preferred entry pathway promoted by the industry. Apprenticeship data obtained in considering the proposal indicated that the uptake and completion of apprenticeships was not adversely affected in jurisdictions where hairdressers are not regulated.
(4) Yes. Forty three out of fifty submissions to the review of regulation of the hairdressing industry contained an explicit request to abolish the Board or suggested support for a model that would involve its abolition.
The Government strongly believes its proposal will (without compromising standards in the industry):
(i) reduce red tape;
(ii) assist businesses to respond to market conditions; and
(iii) facilitate the supply and mobility of hairdressers.