Geoffrey Jochelson, a 90-year-old resident of Kensington received the Order of Australia Medal for introducing The Security of Payment Act – a legislation allowing contractors to recover disputed payments without having to go to court.
In order to bring the law into existence, Jochelson went through endless proposals, meetings, and government assessments. At the time, he also served as the Business and Commercial Manager of the National Electrical Contractors Association. It was in 1999 when all his hard work paid off, when the New South Wales Government made the Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act into law.
Labor MP for Heffron Ron Hoenig said: “I congratulate Mr Geoffrey Jochelson of Kensington on his receipt of a Medal of the Order of Australia in the 2021 Australia Day Honours List for services to the construction industry, particularly security of payment.”
“His initiative has improved the lives of hundreds of thousands of sub-contractors here and around the world by ensuring millions of dollars every year are paid to the small businesses and tradespeople that make our economy tick,” he said.
“The Act replaced the lengthy and costly process of litigation with a statutory compulsory adjudication scheme that can see a claim for payment, which might take years and incur enormous legal fees, resolved in just a matter of weeks,” added Hoenig.
Jochelson’s eagerness to see the law into action comes from his father’s experience, who was underpaid by a builder, when he’s nine and living in South Africa. The effect that had on his parent’s business eventually led to Jochelson becoming a champion for subcontractors.
To honour his contributions as an advocate for subcontractor rights, he was given the Order of Australia, a recognition given to Australian citizens for other persons for achievement or meritorious service.
On Australia Day 2021, around 844 Asutralians received recognition in various honours and orders.
