“The appointment of an administrator with significant powers is an important first step to address the scandalous behaviour of the CFMEU as well as the entrenched problems this has created for the construction industry,” Innes Willox, Chief Executive of the national employer association Australian Industry Group, said today.
“The Government must now overcome any legal challenges from the CFMEU to this administration given the union is not ready to genuinely accept the extent of these issues, let alone the kind of root and branch reform that is necessary.
“We need decisive and tangible action on what media reports laid bare, and we need that on the ground right now.
“This is urgent because the union is actively ramping up pressure on industry to lock in problematic pattern agreements before it is pulled into line.
“Mechanisms to facilitate industry feedback and information to the administrator and Commission are vital because the current culture of fear of reprisal against those who speak out against the union pervades the sector.
“That must not be permitted to continue to be a barrier to genuine change.
“Much more will need to be done beyond this appointment of administrators.
“We need to overcome the fundamental deficiencies in our workplace relations system that permitted the disgraceful state of affairs to go unaddressed for far too long.
“Commonwealth and state governments need to co-ordinate on broader legislative reforms to address the extent to which the conduct of the CFMEU has driven up costs on major construction projects.
“Governments must work with industry to achieve this if they truly recognise the extent of the problem in construction and are sincere in their desire to grapple with it.
“The appointment of Mr Mark Irving KC as the administrator is welcome given his background of working with both employers and unions gives him a strong understanding of the industrial complexities of putting a union into administration.
“The work of Mr Murray Furlong of the Fair Work Commission over the past few weeks to set up the administration process has been admirable. His work to consult across the board has been welcome and constructive and industry stands ready to assist in the process going forward.
“Today’s action must be just the beginning,” Mr Willox said.
