Tough Cop on the Beat not so Tough Anymore

Master Builders Australia, last Friday expressed strong disappointment at the further watering down of the powers of the building industry’s watch dog.

Mr Wilhelm Harnisch, CEO of Master Builders Australia said, “The Government’s new Implementation Guidelines to operate from 1 August 2009 will allow unacceptable union practices to return and damage productivity in the building and construction industry.
The Government on 9 July released its revised Implementation Guidelines for the National Code of Practice for the Construction Industry which set out the basis upon which industrial relations arrangements must be structured in order for builders to qualify for Government work.
Mr Harnisch said,“Master Builders is very concerned that at a time of global financial crisis, the Government has decided to water down the powers of the industry watchdog. This is inconsistent with the Rudd Government’s commitment to retain a tough cop on the beat and having no tolerance for conduct which breaks the law.

“The building industry has enjoyed unprecedented industrial harmony and improvements in productivity following the five years that the ABCC has been in existence and where the Code and Guidelines have been properly enforced. These benefits are measured at $5.5 billion per annum and are critical to the Government’s strategy to lift the Australian economy out of recession.

“Not only have we recently seen the draft legislation with changes that weaken the powers of the ABCC but there are now new rules which further weaken the rules governing agreement content.

“The building industry is very concerned that the new rules will assist unions to gain control of construction sites by allowing such matters as agreement practices which restrict an employer’s freedom to decide the way in which it is able to engage with its workforce, for example, the restriction on the use of casual labour or the requirement for union consent to expand ratios of employees.

“Master Builders calls on the Government to strengthen and not weaken the powers of building and construction industry watchdog including the terms of the Implementation Guidelines to stop the building unions through agreements to seek control of construction sites.”

Mr Harnisch said, “The building industry is strongly supportive of the use of the Government’s procurement powers to ensure that the principles of freedom of association are upheld and lawful behaviour by all parties across the industry is maintained. However the new Guidelines will now give the unions the ability to pursue agreements that will see a return of industrial practices that restrict flexibility and increase costs.”

Details herehttp://www.masterbuilders.com.au/about.html