The AMMA says new building code must come into effect immediately if its to stop militant unions.
According to AMMA chief executive Steve Knott, more than two decades of Royal Commissions, inquiries and investigations have shown our nation’s cost of construction is stratospheric and a major contributing factor is the sector’s high level of criminality, intimidation, lawlessness and coercion, routinely reported in our courts and media.
“Having the new Building Code in full effect as soon as possible is critical to modifying the behaviours of militant unions in the construction sector, as well as ensuring a more responsible use of taxpayer dollars on Commonwealth projects,” Knott told Inside Construction.
“Fast-tracking the start date for the new Code is an important change. It will help create a more level playing field for construction and engineering companies who were punished by last minute changes to the ABCC laws prior to their passage late last year.”
Knott suggests that having the new Building Code in full effect as soon as possible will provide all building companies with a legal and commercial basis to resist the ‘blowtorch to the feet’ type of pressure often favoured by the most militant unions in the construction industry.
“Australia can no longer afford to kowtow to the CFMEU and other extreme left-wing unions who continually break Australia’s workplace laws, pressure firms into unproductive workplace deals and drive up the costs of construction in our country,” said Knott.
“The amendments in 2017 ensure key provisions of the Building Code seeking to improve productivity and reduce costs will be achieved in a more timely fashion. The two changes mean companies need to have code-compliant EAs in place more quickly than they would have under the version that was passed by parliament in 2016.”
“Specifically, companies will now have to have EBAs in place that are compliant with the code by September 2017, much sooner than November 2018.
AMMA’s original preference was for a shorter transitional period, and we welcome that the Senate has seen sense in changing the ABCC legislation to ensure that shorter grace period applies.”
Knott suggests that it’s really up to individual employees to decide what role unions should have in the Australian workforce.
“Currently, about 10% of the private sector chooses to be union members. While significantly lower than in the past, that is still a large number of people so clearly unions do still have an important role to play in Australian workplace relations.
However, that role must be balanced with the fact that 9 in 10 private sector employees choose not to be represented by unions. This is why AMMA advocates for balance and common sense in our workplace relations system, as opposed to the current Fair Work Act, which in many areas provides unions with expanded powers and influence that goes well beyond simply representing the interests of their members,” said Knott.
This story first appeared in early February. This is an update from the AMMA on the current legilsation being passed through the Senate. We will continue to bring you the latest developments on the ABCC.