Workers and the businesses that employ them have every right to be seriously concerned at reported plans by Federal Labor to abolish the Australian Building and Construction Commission (ABCC) and put the burden of dealing with complaints on the Fair Work Ombudsman, Australia’s largest and most representative business voice, the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said today.
“Completely abolishing the ABCC would be an open invitation for a return to the building site lawlessness of the past – and out of touch with community expectations” Australian Chamber CEO, James Pearson, said.
“The ABCC is a sound and effective independent regulator that has helped re-establish the rule of law in the construction industry – the community deserves better than for it to be abolished outright.
“Even the previous Federal Labor Government’s Wilcox Report highlighted the need to retain a dedicated, specialist regulator for the industry and acknowledged the significant contribution to improved conduct and harmony in the building and construction industry because of the ABCC.
“The 1.2 million construction workers and over 367,000 small business who work in our building and construction industry have the right to expect that bullying, coercion and stand over tactics will not be tolerated. Such intimidating behaviour is unacceptable in the wider community; it cannot be allowed to regain a foothold in the building and construction industry.
“Three Royal Commissions, numerous inquiries and hundreds of court decisions imposing fines for lawless behaviour in the building and construction industry are all clear evidence of the need to retain a robust watchdog in the building and construction industry.”
