Media Release
30 September 2010
ABCC MUST STAY: GREENS BILL MISSES THE MARK
Statement by Wilhelm Harnisch, Chief Executive Officer
Master Builders Australia today called on the Gillard Government to reject moves by the
Greens Party to abolish the Australian Building and Construction Commission (ABCC).
Mr Wilhelm Harnisch, CEO of Master Builders Australia said: “Senator Siewert, of the Greens
Party, yesterday introduced a Bill to the Senate which would have the effect of repealing the
legislation that not only created the ABCC but also created the Federal Safety Commissioner
(FSC).
“The Greens Bill is not warranted. Its passage would result in adverse economic
consequences and an unwanted return to industrial disputation as well as detract from safety
because it would also abolish the FSC.
“The Bill is fundamentally flawed. It misses the point of building and construction industry
workplace reform. It perpetuates the misrepresentation about the ABCC and its powers and
is part of a concerted campaign by unions to divert attention away from the damage that they
wreak on the industry and the economy when they break the law, actions which they know
they cannot defend.”
Mr Harnisch said “The building and construction industry is undergoing a period in which
industrial relations has not been the
negative influence it has been in the past. But
unfortunately, Master Builders Australia’s recent national survey shows that builders are
becoming increasingly concerned about the way in which workplace relations is tending
to
dominate their project manager’s time, with negative sentiment rising. The Bill should not
further undermine the certainty necessary to provide confidence post the global financial
crisis and threaten Australia’s economic recovery.
“The ABCC has been
highly influential in curbing
unacceptable behaviour. The Bill
introduced by the Greens is a poor use of Parliamentary time
under current minority
Government circumstances.
“Master Builders calls on the Gillard Government to firmly reject the Bill and for the vital
resources of Parliament to be directed to better ends. The ABCC is doing a good job and
needs to be left alone
so that it can continue to deliver productivity and eradicate unlawful
behaviour in the commercial building industry.”
Contact:
Wilhelm Harnisch, CEO, Master Builders Australia: 0402 039 039
Richard Calver, National Director Industrial Relations 0422 866 766
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