Master Builders welcomes ABCC Bill

The government’s move to re-establish the powers of the Australian Building and Construction Commission (ABCC) has been welcomed by Master Builders Australia. The ABCC Bill was reintroduced in the parliament on 2 February.

“The Bill will help stamp out the ingrained and institutionalised culture of unlawfulness which was found by the Heydon Royal Commission to pervade the building unions,” said Wilhelm Harnish, CEO of Master Builders.

“The Bill will stop the endemic unlawful behaviour used by the nation’s building unions, particularly the CFMEU, from cheating the community.

“The Heydon Royal Commission conclusively found a culture that creates an environment where corruption and criminality can flourish. This and other union practices sees the cost of construction higher by up to 30%, cheating the community of more classrooms, hospital beds and childcare and aged-care places.

“The Royal Commission found the building union’s institutionalised culture of unlawfulness can only be countered by an equally strong institutional response. The Victoria Police submission to the Royal Commission makes it quite clear that bullying, threats and extortion cannot be dealt with by the Police.

“Master Builders is calling on the nation’s elected representatives to stand up for their communities and support legislation that reintroduces the powers of the ABCC.”