20 October 2010
MEDIA RELEASE
EXTREME MAKEOVER DOES NOT MAKE ABCC ACCEPTABLE
The CFMEU today rejected moves by the new head of the Australian Building and
Construction Commission to recast the public image of the organisation.
New commissioner Lee Johns today told Senate Estimates that the ABCC will now
prosecute employers who engage in sham contracting and other illegal practices.
“This back flip by the ABCC comes after widespread criticism of the agency’s
ongoing bias against construction workers and their unions,” CFMEU Construction
national secretary Dave Noonan said today.
“The ABCC has failed to prosecute even one employer for underpaying workers or
ripping off workers entitlements since it was established in 2005, despite widespread
rorting by employers in the construction industry.
“This attempt to give the ABCC an extreme make-over does not change the fact that
the construction industry laws enacted by John Howard remain unacceptable and
un-Australian.
“Adelaide construction worker Ark Tribe is still facing prosecution and possible
imprisonment for standing up for safety on a worksite.
“Until the Labor Government honours its pre-2007 election promise to abolish the
ABCC and end discrimination against construction workers, construction workers will
continue their campaign for equality before the law.”
For media comment call Dave Noonan on 0418 508 762
NEWS 
